10 Things Worth Sharing from My VAWAA

It’s hard for me to take a break. As a founder, there’s always more to do and my mind is constantly buzzing with ideas, priorities, questions, exhaustion, and the weight of world events.

Lately I’ve been feeling excited about a bigger vision for VAWAA. The more I use AI, the more I think about what it means to be human. I keep coming back to our uniquely human ability to imagine, create, and connect. If we want a more human future, one alive with inspiration, curiosity, and meaning, we must embrace and nurture this human intelligence.

I needed time to quiet the noise and see a clear vision. To play and create without worrying about outcomes. My most meaningful thoughts come when my head, heart, and hands are aligned. So I sought a change of scene, an inspiring setting, and a guide.

I went to Gore, a small town surrounded by dense forests and lakes, about an hour and a half from Montréal, Québec for a VAWAA with internationally renowned felt sculptor and designer Marjolein. 

Here are 10 things I brought home from those five days.

Master felt sculptor and designer Marjolein (left) with me, Geetika, founder of VAWAA (right).

1. Felting is like painting. 

You build it from the ground up, one stroke at a time or, in this case, one wool strand at a time. You create the fabric layout by gently pulling wisps of wool, placing them in thin, even layers, composing just as you would with paint. And just like you can study a painter’s brushstrokes, you can read the story in each fiber long after it’s finished. Every artwork carries the memory of its making, a tactile link between the present and the hands of those who came before.

2. Shaping what you can’t see. 

Far from the fuzzy craft stereotype, felting is a highly artistic and technical process with unlimited possibilities. It’s a malleable, resilient material that can be sculptural, functional, wearable, even monumental. Marjolein guided me step by step, from understanding the material and how it behaves, to creating textures, to blending colors. We began with 2D layouts, then moved into constructing a 3D wearable from multiple pieces, and finally a sculptural work with volume. I think well in 3D, but this process requires the mind to visualize in multiple dimensions as everything felts and shrinks by at least 50%, revealing new shapes, textures, and ideas along the way.

3. Aging gracefully. 

Felting builds upper body and core strength, along with dexterity. You’re on your feet layering, pressing, rolling, stretching, throwing, engaging your whole body in the process. I was in awe of Marjolein’s stamina and strength. Her long walks, yoga, and regular wrist and finger exercises not only allow her to create physically demanding artworks but also keep her vital and agile as she ages. Art is its own form of movement. Instead of going to a gym, I’d rather be in the studio, creating for hours, in a flow state that keeps both body and spirit strong.

4. Making. 

To touch and work with your hands, make creative choices, and then watch it come alive is pure, childlike joy. With every surprise that unfolded, I felt moments of sweet ecstasy, like when you hear that perfect song and everything else quiets. All you feel is the flood of feeling alive. As someone said, “The desire to create is one of the deepest yearnings of the human soul.”

5. Human intelligence. 

Watching Marjolein’s hand movements was inspiring. The effortless way she pulled wool fibers each time, with speed and consistent thickness, was truly impressive. Her process is deeply intuitive, and it was a joy to see her fully in her element, confidently following her instincts and making the right choices to shape something beautifully whole. That’s the essence of human intelligence.

Felt sculptures by Marjolein

6. Consistency. 

It’s easy to feel frustrated when progress feels invisible or far away. Marjolein has been felting for over 30 years. She’s in her studio every day, from morning till evening, creating. Yes, there are wins like designing costumes for Cirque du Soleil, exhibiting in major shows, and traveling the world to teach. But most days are ordinary. She shows up, does the work, even when it feels like a grind. That’s real life. It’s not meant to be a constant highlight reel. Find joy in the ordinary moments and keep showing up. Consistency beats hype. Discipline beats motivation.

7. Give it time. 

Marjolein and I exchanged stories of failures and disappointments. We’ve both found that the more we pushed and forced things, the less they worked out. But when we stepped back, gave things space, and let them rest, they often unfolded better than we imagined. Sometimes all we need is time and the willingness to let things flow. In felting, for example, after wetting and gentle agitation, letting the fibers rest overnight produces higher quality felt. And when one much-desired exhibition didn’t come through, Marjolein discovered a new project direction that turned out to be even more interesting.

8. Share generously. 

Marjolein designed costumes for Cirque du Soleil, yet when I asked about her greatest career achievement, she didn’t name that. For her, the real achievement has been sharing her craft with others for over 30 years. Some of her students have even surpassed her, and that fills her with pride. True legacy isn’t what you keep, it’s what you give away. The knowledge you share becomes part of someone else’s journey, carrying your craft further than you could alone.

Learning and creating in Marjolein's studio during my VAWAA.

9. Power of a hug. 

Marjolein lives about an hour and 15 minutes from the Montreal airport, deep in a forested area. At night, most taxi and Uber drivers refuse the trip because moose, deer, and even bears can make it risky. Because of flight delays, I didn’t arrive until nearly 1 a.m., and somehow found an Uber willing to take me. My driver was nervous, and although I felt calm and knew we’d make it, I still worried he might turn around and leave me stranded.

We finally arrived, following a faint light through the darkness and forest down a long driveway to her home. Marjolein came out to greet me. The moment I stepped out of the car she hugged me and just like that, I forgot all about the flight delays and the long drive. I felt as if I had arrived home, as if we’d known each other forever.

A hug can do what words often cannot: create an instant sense of connection, safety, and belonging. We should all hug more.

10. Creativity and connection as a way of life. 

It isn’t just about art. This way of being shapes how we live, think, and design every part of our days. For Marjolein and her husband Robert, creativity is a lifestyle. Their home in Quebec, built with their own hands, reflects that spirit: nutritious meals plated like art, walls adorned with Marjolein’s work, trails winding through their land, a vegetable garden, and a woodshop where Robert crafts furniture. 

They’ve created not just a home but a way of living. They honor their individuality while supporting each other, proving that creativity can thrive both in personal expression and in shared purpose.

In just five days together, sharing ideas, creativity, life stories, meals, and the simple joy of making, we built a bond that feels like it will last a lifetime. 

Marjolein told me that one of the greatest gifts of being a VAWAA artist is the guests who have become lifelong friends. She has visited some of them, stayed in their homes, and welcomed them back into hers. Our shared humanity is far stronger than the distances between us.

A quick lunch salad prepared by Marjolein on the second day.

I’ve been on many VAWAAs before. I love being a student. In just a few days, I learned new skills, made pieces I’m proud to wear and display, and allowed space for meaningful things to bubble up. I came home with clarity.

We need master artists and craft makers more than ever. They keep alive our most human gifts: the ability to imagine, create, and connect. That is the work that shapes a more human future. My commitment to elevate them has only deepened.

Meals, dessert and lots of stories shared with Marjolein and her husband Robert.

My first felt creation: a wearable accessory I’ll be strutting around NYC (once I figure out how to style it). My second piece is a voluminous sculpture, waiting to be photographed.

Written by Geetika Agrawal

Learn about Marjolein and her mini-apprenticeship here.

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