Three by Three: Guest Artists in Focus

QUESTION 2.    When you sculpt very small forms in felt — such as the tiny folds of a flower — what tools or methods help you achieve precision without losing the handmade character of the piece?

• ANSWER 2.    I use fine felting needles and small molds to guide the shape, felting into the mold to create the desired density. Precision comes from repetition and patience — felting is slow by nature, and wool doesn’t like to be rushed. I let the material keep its organic softness so the final piece feels handmade but precise.

Jeanne Letourneux
Fiber Artist • Specialist in Felted Jewelry

MEDIUM:    wool felting (needle & wet felting), natural fibers, stainless steel

BIO: Jeanne Letourneux is a Canadian fiber artist based in Québec, specializing in handcrafted felt jewelry. Self-taught and naturally curious, she began her journey with a simple question: “Can I make a wool bead?” Years later, she now creates nature-inspired pieces using both needle and wet-felting techniques. Jeanne is drawn to softness, color, and the comfort of natural fibers. Her jewelry is lightweight, durable, and designed to be worn every day — adding a touch of nature and gentle color to any outfit. Each piece is sculpted slowly by hand, blending craft, patience, and a deep love for textile art.

WEBSITE:    TournieBijoux

QUESTION 1.    Merino wool is soft and flexible — how do you reinforce delicate forms like petals or mushroom stems so they stay durable when worn as jewelry?

• ANSWER 1.    Once felted, my creations become very dense and strong. Each shape is built slowly with needle felting and then finished with wet felting to lock the fibers together. And some piece are made completely with wet felting. This process creates a structure that is surprisingly sturdy while remaining soft to the touch. For petals or stems, I control both the shape and the direction of the fibers so the form becomes compact, balanced, and durable enough for daily wear.

Green Fern Necklace, 2024, Felted wool & stainless steel

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Pink Flower Earrings, 2024, Felted wool & stainless steel

Yellow Felt Hoops, 2024, Felted wool & stainless steel

All copyright and reproduction rights are reserved by Jeanne Letourneux.
Artwork may not be reproduced in any form without the artist's express written permission.

QUESTION 3.    Because felt jewelry is lightweight, wearers often say they “forget they’re wearing it.” Have you ever designed specifically for sensory experience — comfort, softness, movement — as part of the artistic concept?

• ANSWER 3.     Absolutely. Comfort is at the center of my work. I design jewelry that feels soft on the skin and light enough to forget. I am personally very sensitive to textures, so working with wool came naturally to me — the process is calming, and wearing it is too. Many people with sensory sensitivities tell me my pieces feel soothing to wear, so creating tactile experiences has become an important part of my artistic intention.