Liz Haley
I grew up a coal miner’s daughter in a holler called Robinhood, in WV. Forests, trees and roads to nowhere were my sanctuary. My MawMaw was a Healer, and taught me what plant life I could eat, mushrooms that were safe to eat and ones that weren’t, and what tree bark could be made into tea to cure pain or other miseries. Tree limbs could be made into whistles, fishing poles, bows and arrows and cars. I could sit on the roots of the extraordinarily huge poplar tree and fish. I would escape out into the woods, knowing that I would have everything I needed-shelter, food, and fresh, safe water to drink. The forests were my playground, my classroom and my life.
Today, when the world is heavy on my shoulders, I can still return to the forest, let go, recharge and heal. I currently live in West Virgnia and am fortunate enough to live in a beautiful state with abundant forests. By trade-I am a Nurse Case Manager and have been a nurse for 36 years. It’s interesting to note that my nursing degree is an Associate in Arts in Nursing, as University of Charleston considered nursing an art. Needle and wet felting came to me purely by accident, when a new friend I had made taught me the basics. I fell in love! This is the first art form that has spoken to me and allowed me to express myself in wonderful ways. I am self-taught, have learned from watching videos on line and am a member of an on-line felting community, who share their works with each other and critique each others’ works as well.
