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This is your moment!

This is your time to shift out of feeling uncreative and let your imagination run wild with needle felting. Learn how to transform your ideas into personality-packed needle felted creations. Out of instruction, in your own way, while still staying grounded in technique and strategy.

Rustic Fiber Academy is here to help you master your skill set, find your creative expression, and get your needle felted creations seen.


Time to craft with a new approach!


Time to advance out of beginner level, and know what the heck you're doing!


Time to get your creations seen and recognized!

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Rustic Fiber Academy is your home to creating personality-packed, whimsically realistic, needle felted creations.

We’re cultivating a creative haven where fiber artists can blossom and transform their craft into a fulfilling hobby fueled by creation and imagination.

and we'd BE THRILLED TO HAVE YOU INSIDE!

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Start creating things you never knew you could!

Join The Needle Felters Community

An online membership for needle felters and craft artisans ready to strengthen their skill sets, master a new creative approach to fiber arts, and build their business along the way!
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Never Wonder Where To Begin

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With more than 170 step-by-step courses, Rustic Fiber Academy guides you through your learning with curated paths. Start with Foundations, then follow the projects that match what you love to create.
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Start with Foundations

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Build core needle felting skills first, then choose a path above to keep moving forward with clear next projects and a steady increase in difficulty.
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Start Your 2 Week Free Trial

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Try Rustic Fiber Academy free for 2 weeks, with full access during your trial. Visit our pricing page to choose a subscription to begin.
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CHOOSE YOUR LEARNING PATH

Browse courses by subject and find the projects that interest you most.
Wildlife & Animals

Wildlife & Animals

Realistic wildlife projects, from beginner-friendly animals to advanced sculptures.
Birds

Birds

Learn lifelike birds with projects that build structure, feathers, and natural poses.
Nature Study

Nature Study

Make leaves, mushrooms, and woodland details with projects inspired by the textures of the outdoors.
2D Wool Art

2D Wool Art

Paint with wool using layers, color, light, and texture to create realistic artwork.

Everything you could ever need to let your creativity shine!

What's included in your membership

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In-Depth Classes, Mini Courses & Creative Projects

Explore a growing library of needle felting courses, from larger, more involved projects to bite-sized lessons focused on specific techniques. Create realistic wildlife, explore themed projects, develop new skills, and discover creative approaches you may not have tried before.

New courses and tutorials are added throughout the year, with an emphasis on thoughtful instruction, creative exploration, and opportunities to dive deeper into the art of needle felting.

All courses are pre-recorded, so you can learn at your own pace, revisit lessons whenever you like, and ask questions along the way. You're never on a deadline to finish!

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Community of Needle Felters & Craft Artisans

Be a part of a loving community of needle felters at all skill levels, where you can share your creations, ask questions, and connect with fellow needle felters.

We have a dedicated membership page with a feed and board-groups, so everyone can feel free to share and connect with others! Our teachers are always ready to help, ensuring you never feel stuck or alone in the creative process.

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Exclusive Membership Benefits & Community Perks!

As a member, you'll have access to an extensive library of courses, technique-focused tutorials, and helpful guides designed to build your needle felting skills. From creating realistic eyes, beaks, and feet to exploring shaping, texture, and finishing techniques, there's always something new to discover.

You'll also be part of an interactive community where you can share your projects, ask questions, exchange ideas, and connect with fellow needle felters. Christie is available to offer guidance, answer questions, and provide feedback as you work through your projects.

Plus, a welcoming community of fellow artists who share your love of needle felting!

Join Today

"I am so inspired by all of the fantastic projects and techniques you are sharing on here. It makes me want to felt all day. I am truly enjoying the creativity as well as the wonderful community . Thank you so much for creating such an amazing platform to come together!"

Nadine Browne


"Best thing going. I love the variety of projects. Learn something new with each one."
Barbara Hoyson
"I think this group is awesome, one of the best I’m in. So much so, I’m thinking of canceling some of my other subscriptions. I’m hoping to start making as soon as we have finished the kitchen."
Gillian Caulkin
"I do like the variety as well, I am always looking at making something new and or different than what I have made before and I love knowing how others have done it. keeps me wanting to learn more. thank you."
Wild Me
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The Fiber Artist Behind Rustic Fiber Academy

Meet Christie

Hi, I'm Christie Lower, the artist behind Rustic Fiber Art and founder of Rustic Fiber Academy. I live in the mountains of Eastern Oregon, where the wildlife, landscapes, and natural world around me are a constant source of inspiration.

My journey into needle felting began when my son was little. What started as a creative outlet during those early years of motherhood grew into something I never could have imagined.

My grandmother played a special part in that beginning. She had a love for birds, and after her passing, I began using one of her old leather gloves to protect my hand while felting. That small connection to her became part of my earliest work and continues to influence what I create today.

Over the years, my work has evolved from realistic birds and wildlife into a much broader exploration of fiber sculpture. I love capturing the character and details of animals, but I'm equally drawn to experimenting with different materials, techniques, and more imaginative interpretations of the natural world.
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I'm always curious about what else I can do with wool. Sometimes that means pushing realism further, and other times it means stepping away from it entirely.

My artwork has been exhibited in galleries and juried exhibitions, and my approach continues to evolve with each new project. I enjoy working beyond traditional needle felting techniques, incorporating wool fabrics, interesting textures, and unexpected materials to create sculptures with depth, movement, and personality.

That same curiosity is what led me to teaching. Through Rustic Fiber Academy, I share the techniques, experiments, and discoveries I've made along the way. My goal isn't simply to show you how to recreate a project, but to help you understand the techniques well enough to explore your own ideas.

I'm still learning and experimenting myself, and I don't see that ever changing. There's always another technique to try, another material to work with, or a different way to approach something familiar. That's what keeps me creating, and it's what I love sharing with my students.
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Through Rustic Fiber Academy, I share my techniques with a global community of fiber art enthusiasts via online classes and workshops.

My platform fosters creativity and skill development, providing a space for learning and collaboration among aspiring artists. Rustic Fiber Academy is more than just a platform—it's a tribute to my family, heritage, and the transformative power of creativity.

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Standing out in fiber arts education

the rustic fiber difference

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Creative Freedom

Needle felting isn’t a one-size-fits-all craft— every artist has their unique flair, creative style and vision. 

We believe in the magic of creating without limits. 

Learn different techniques, plug-and-play beaks, and be guided to felt ‘off-pattern’, so you can learn to do things your way and transform your ideas into whimsical and realistic felted creations.
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Business Growth

Learn the first steps in building your own needle felting venture. Whether you’re dreaming of being in an art gallery or setting up an online shop– 

You’ll learn the ins and outs of pricing, packaging and selling your needle felted creations. 

While we move through each project, you can simultaneously brainstorm and collaborate with the community for ways to get your creations seen, plus the accountability to see it through.
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Supportive Environment

Join our community of fellow fiber artists who share your same passion for diving into the creative outlet of needle felting, and zest for wondrous creativity. 

In our Needle Felters Membership, encouragement and support flow freely, building a nurturing environment where you can thrive.

You’ll have access to experienced teachers and artists of all levels and backgrounds, cheering, creating, and guiding you through each project.

The RFA Promise

At Rustic Fiber Academy, we guarantee that you'll receive unwavering support throughout your journey with us inside the Needle Felting Community. Whether it's from Christie, our dedicated teachers, or fellow members of our vibrant community, we got your back! Your success and happiness mean the world to us, and we’ll do whatever it takes to make sure you have the support you need to thrive in needle felting. Join us today and experience the difference of our personalized, caring approach as we dive into this creative journey together!

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Not ready to join the needle felters membership just yet? 

take a test run with one of our tutorals

All of our tutorials are available for purchase if you would rather learn how to make that one special item. 
Made it all the way down here?

What are you waiting for?

 Join our vibrant needle felting community and start creating things you never knew you could!

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