MEDIA RELEASE__World Goods Et Cetera, 115 S. Main St. Bluffton, welcomes Lois Wetherill as Artist of the Month in April, with a display that highlights the craft of needle felting.

On April 18 at 2  p.m., Lois will give a free demonstration and explain how she makes her whimsical felted pieces. She will also be demonstrating in World Goods Et Cetera from 3-5:00 p.m. during the Bluffton Art Walk on April 23.

Lois Wetherill credits her mother with instilling in her a love of working with fiber. “I remember her setting me up with an old washcloth, buttons, needle and thread (before I was old enough to go to school) to occupy me before she began her chores for the day.”

Over the years, Lois has explored many media and crafts, including carving, stained glass and Ukrainian Egg Decorating. What has turned into a lifelong pursuit, however, has been working with fiber. She made clothing for many years, including Halloween costumes for her boys and two grandchildren, and wearable art.

For the past 30 years, more time has been given to techniques including embroidery, punch needle, art dolls, collage and found object designs, flower pounding and needle felting.

From 1995 until 2022, Lois entered both the Hardin County and Allen County Fairs, where she earned many ribbons and Best of Show honors. She has had pieces of her art juried into shows at the Wassenberg Art Center and the Findlay Art League. In the fall of 2025, she received the Best of Show honor at the Findlay Art League fiber show.

Lois is a member of the Toledo chapter of the Embroiderers Guild of America. Her work has been for sale in Gallery 323, (located next to the Et Cetera Shop in Bluffton) since its opening.

Marie Yoder Dyck, another local felter, also has projects on display this month.