In this latest episode, I had the heartfelt pleasure ofsitting down with Christie Lower, the kind and deeply creative force behind Rustic Fiber.

Some conversations feel like opening a letter from an oldfriend—filled with gentle wisdom, creative sparks, and the comforting sense that you’re not alone in your journey. That’s exactly how this conversation with Christie felt.

You may know her for her exquisite needle-felted birds,or perhaps through her Rustic Fiber Art Academy—but behind each of those creations lies a story of resilience, loss, inspiration, and a whole lot of love.

Christie shared the quiet evolution of her creative path,from discovering needle felting in the quiet spaces of new motherhood to navigating grief through art after losing her beloved grandmother. It was a moment of true serendipity—her first felting kit arriving just after her grandmother passed, and her hands protected by her grandmother’s gardeninggloves as she worked.

We spoke about teaching as an act of giving, the beautyof community over competition, and the challenges of building a business from scratch—especially when you're doing it alone. From her artist residency in Mexico to building an online academy that welcomes all levels of makers,Christie has created something profoundly nurturing.

Her story is full of gentle encouragement andhonesty—whether you're a hesitant beginner, a lonely solo creator, or just someone wondering if their art matters.

So pop the kettle on, settle into your cosiest chair, andjoin us for a rich and restorative episode about birds, grandmothers, creative courage, and the quiet magic of making things by hand.

Podcast Produced by Selina Wright

You Can Read The Blog Here

https://sallybonniefibrenart.com/blog/the-diary-of-a-courageous-artist