The Funky Felter

Shalana Frisby Brings Felt Fashions to Kansas City

Story by Kristin Maun.

Published: Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Shalana Frisby

Three days a week, Shalana Frisby sits in her craft room felting while her dog lies patiently at her feet. In a few weeks, these creations will be worn everywhere from Australia to New York to right here in Kansas City. As The Funky Felter, she hand felts scarves, purses, hats and many other items to sell online.

In her store, Frisby features a variety of creations for all seasons. For the winter, she has lavish, intricately dyed purple and blue scarves. And while some might think wool is not for the warmer months, her bright heart and flower pendants are a great accessory. She has taken felt fashion to a new level by finding ways to create everything from brooches to wrist cuffs to wallets. All of them are handmade originals and all of them show her unique personal taste. “I’m drawn toward really vibrant colors most of the time. It’s just my nature,” she says.

Frisby did not become interested in crafts until later in life. She earned a degree in graphic design from Harding University and worked as a product designer before she began to think about a teaching profession instead. While taking classes at Maple Wood Community College to explore her new career path, she stumbled upon fiber arts. “The ability to turn essentially sheep hair into three-dimensional objects fascinated me,” she says. “I fell in love with fiber arts. It was my passion.”

Shalana Frisby, Sweetheart Ring

In the class, Frisby learned how to make a flat sheet of felt she used for a scarf. Wanting to learn more, she began going to the library and eventually searching online for new techniques and styles of felting. As she learned more, she made more felt and soon had more than she knew what to do with. “You make only make so much before it overtakes your house and your friends and family doesn’t want it anymore. That’s when I found Etsy.”

Shalana Frisby, Bubble Hair Clips