Linda Facci, maker behind Facci Designs, tell us all about her inspiration, story, and fondest handmade memories. We all love felt, and Linda creates all the felt designs we could dream up.
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Meet the Maker
Why did you turn to your handmade craft and business?
I’ve been crafting since a very early age so I’ve dabbled in a lot of different crafts, but once I taught myself needle felting, it became one of my favorites.
(Needle felting is a process which uses a very thin, sharp, barbed needle to interlock wool fibers to form a more condensed material.)
I created a mouse wedding cake topper for a photo shoot and soon after that I opened my Etsy shop and started selling custom animal toppers. Since then, I’ve added custom pet sculptures as well.
What inspires your craft?
My customers! Creating Otter, Fox, Rabbit or Mouse wedding cake toppers for a bride is so much fun. I get to be a bit more whimsical with these. But when I create a pet sculpture as a memorial, that’s really special for me.
Knowing that once my customer opens that box and sees their furry friend again…well, it almost brings tears to my eyes! I know the owner has their pet’s face ingrained in their mind, so I take great pride in getting all the details just right. I have to say, it’s a bit difficult to part with them sometimes!
What are a few benefits and challenges of being a handmade artisan?
Ah, doing what you love is always a good thing! Making your own hours, being able to accept an order or not, it’s all in your hands…literally. The challenge is making sure the thing you love to create, does not become a chore for you.
Describe the process behind the production of your craft. Please include a photo.
I request several photographs of a customer’s pet. If it’s a cake topper, I’ll search for an image of that animal online. I then gather my wool in the colors of the animal and little by little “sculpt” my wool, always referring back to the photos.
Funny, I’ve created so many Otter cake toppers, I no longer have to look at a photo. They are my biggest seller…who knew, so many people loved Otters! I use pipe cleaners or wire for structure and glass beads for the eyes. I purchase plastic noses or depending on the project, might sculpt my own from clay. If it’s a cake topper, I embellish them with a veil, flowers, top hat and bow tie …which I create as well.
Do you have a favorite memory surrounding your craft, company, and customers?
A great memory was being featured on MarthaStewartWeddings.com three times for my toppers! I also love to hear back from my customers.
This was one of my favorites: “Hi Linda, I just opened the package. I cried. I wanted you to know that. I didn’t expect I would react that way. You nailed it! The picture you sent didn’t do her justice. I almost can’t wait til Christmas for my husband to open this gift. What a wonderful gift you have. I will make sure I will write a rave review for you! I hope you have a wonderful holiday.”
