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I would LOVE to be featured on Heart Handmade because I think my work embodies what this site stands for. I’m an artist that puts her all, her heart into her work.

Simone Stanley

Random Facts About You?

Im a self-taught artist. I like writing sketch comedy. I LOVE the movie Annie, and i still sing the songs in the shower. I have an insatiable sweet tooth.



What got you started crafting?

I wouldn't say anything particular got me started crafting being that i've always been an artist. My mother ALWAYS tells me the story of how she knew i had a talent for art. She says I was about 3 or 4 years old and she sat me down with some paper and crayons and I drew the most symmetrical vase she had ever seen. From then on, she knew what my skill set would be. But this particular idea came to me as a junior in high school when i was looking for a gift for a graduating friend. I had some felt lying around along with a picture of her and i decided to see if i could craft her face out of it and viola! She ended up loving the piece. I even coined a name for them, feltraits. A combination of felt and portrait. That was about 9 or 10 years ago. Within the last 2 or 3 years, i've picked it back up and started honing my skills. My pieces from earlier on don't compare to what I can do now. I think my skills have improved tremendously.



What is your source of inspiration?

My source of inspiration comes from just life in general. I get ideas for a lot of my pieces through current events or past events in the media, movies i've seen and loved, funny pictures, suggestions from friends etc etc.



What have you made recently?

I recently completed a Celebrity Mug shots piece. I was really excited to do it because it was something away from my norm. I usually do feltraits of people at their best, looking very polished. I wanted to do something to capture different emotions the human face can display so i figured mug shots would be a great choice AND i wanted to do something comical as well so i think i achieved my goal. I re-created the mug shots of James Brown, Nick Nolte, Paris Hilton, LIndsay Lohan, Mike Tyson, and Charlie Sheen. I figured these were some pretty recognizable ones that people would get a kick out of. My process was same as always with my other pieces, I find a great picture, something pretty clear and detailed where I can study the subjects feature and go from there. I trace the feature on paper and transfer it to the felt and work from there to build up the face. Then i shade. Shading is what really brings it out and makes it life like. This particular piece actually took WEEKS, it was ALOT of work. I'm a perfectionist. I want my pieces to BE the person, not look like the person. There's a huge difference. When you see a friend on the street, you say ,"hey, thats so and so." You dont say, "hey, that 'looks' like so and so." This is what i try and achieve with my feltraits, if that makes any sense. My pieces stand out because there a new medium a lot aren't familiar and there VERY 3-D and extremely life like. I try to take the best pictures i can but the best picture on the best picture would never do justice to my pieces. You really have to see them in person to really understand the work.





Where do you sell your crafts presently?

I advertise Face 2 Felt Originals on my facebook page, facebook fan page, and my Etsy shop though i really haven't had much luck with my Etsy shop yet as far as sales are concerned. I'm hoping that will pick up soon because I think this is something a lot of people can appreciate. I've done commissions for friends, family and gotten referrals through world of mouth. I've participated in some art shows here and there and I hope to enter some craft fairs in the near future once I'm able to buy supplies for a really nice set up.



Why are handmade crafts important to you?

Why not handmade? Everyone wants that personal touch, something unique and special just for them. I'd definitely say i'm one of those people and I love creating for people like-minded as well.



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