YOUR HOME MAGAZINE | 23
able creative business, Ives made the transition
from her job at the zoo to a full time fiber artist.
“Pet portraits really changed the game for me
and quickly made it possible for me to sustain
my own business,” she explains. Ives has also
expanded her business to include worldwide
workshops. With her background as an educator,
teaching people about her craft was a natural extension
for Ives. “I quickly learned that I needed
to have a work in progress with me when I went
to craft and art shows. It was the best way to really
explain the process to people and from there
classes and workshops seemed like the next step.”
As demand grew, she created online classes
complete with supply kits. “When I began felting
I realized that starting with the right products
is so important. I also found that sourcing
high quality materials from ethical farms was a
challenge so I’ve worked with my suppliers to
create an easy starter kit for people interested
in giving this artform a try.” Her book, Painting
with Wool, officially launches in March of 2019
and will showcase 16 beautiful projects you can
make at home.
For more information,
and to stay connected
to Ives as she makes
special announcements
and offers custom pet
portraits, sign up
for her newsletter at
www.daniives.com.
/www.daniives.com