Webshop of the month May: The Wool Family

Every month we put a special star in the spotlight on Happlify.nl - the Happlify Crew webshop of the month! At Happlify we are always looking for those special places on the internet that make you happy. In this feel good section you get the chance to get to know the most unique, creative and inspiring webshops, brands or events that are affiliated with the Happlify Crew.

Webshop of the month: The Wool Family

As soon as you see a creation by fresh Crew The Wool Family , you know: this is made with love. Maybe you recognize the feeling from the past, that you managed to make something big with a small craft, a clay ashtray (!) for Mother's Day, a Christmas angel made of cotton balls or your very first knitted half scarf. That magic of creating something with your own hands? You will find it here in abundance.

The Wool Family is the soft world of Manon, a maker in heart and soul who once started with a somewhat failed mouse (or was it a bear?) and now inspires others with her beautifully complete DIY felt kits. Her webshop is an ode to slowing down, to creativity without perfection — just being busy, with a cheerful result.

And honestly: who doesn't get happy from a mouse with a scarf, a felt fox or a cute sleeping bunny ? We asked Manon the seam of the felt stocking. Will you read along?

1 - How would you describe The Wool Family in three words, without using the word 'wool'?

Needle felting made easy!

2 - Your very first felt mouse... do you still have it? And how do you look back on it now?

Yes, definitely! See the picture — I think this is my second felting project ever. The first one was a kind of weird hedgehog, haha. In retrospect, this mouse looks more like a crazy bear, but I was so proud of it. I loved discovering what you can make with wool and that feeling — learning and seeing something new emerge under your hands — was immediately addictive.

3 - What's the nicest thing a customer has ever said or done to you?

I regularly receive photos from customers who have just finished their first felt project. With a proud smile and their self-made mouse or frog in the picture. I find that so nice: recognizing that happy feeling of your very first successful craft. I also get a lot of reactions on Facebook. Sometimes super funny - someone once wrote about the package of Sunny the mouse , with his yellow scarf: "Nice package, but I hate yellow." I offered to send this lady a different color felt. She was very happy with her package.

4 - Suppose you have a free afternoon without obligations. What do you like to do most (and can Harry come along)?

A free afternoon without obligations… does that even exist? With three daughters, a job and a creative webshop, there is always something to do. Two of my girls are in a ski competition team, so that also takes up quite some time. But when I do have some time, I prefer to felt myself. It really remains my favourite hobby. It is so special that you can make a complete animal from a tuft of wool. And while I am at it, I often make something miniature to go with it, so that it looks nice in the photo. Harry likes to lie on his back next to me in my workroom with his 4 paws in the air. Lovely!

5 - You have made something beautiful out of a difficult period. What did you learn the most from that?

Making something with my hands, thinking up something new — that gives me so much energy and satisfaction. And it is so special that I can now inspire others with it.

6 - Which product from your webshop are you secretly most proud of and why?

Then I have to mention the starter kits . At first I almost didn't dare: who is waiting for my explanation? Can I convey that well? But I just started doing it - and the reactions were so warm. People really enjoy starting their new hobby with my kits. That still touches me. Every time someone tells me how nice it was to start with it, I think: you see, it can just be simple.

7 - You also give workshops. What is the funniest or most memorable moment you experienced there?

I honestly thought that workshops would feel a bit like work, but that is not the case at all. It is so much fun to see how everyone makes something beautiful in their own way. And it is always fun — everyone comes with a desire. The best one was probably a workshop at a group of women's homes. We were going to make the bunny, and well... in the beginning you make the body in a straight shape. You have to fold it in half later, so that it becomes a body with a head. But in that first stage it looked like an eggplant. Or actually... well, a penis. You understand: I only heard dirty jokes for the rest of the afternoon. A group of teenage boys is nothing compared to this — these ladies were so funny, I have rarely laughed so much.

8 - If you could felt a fantasy animal that represented your character, what would it look like?

Phew… Tough question! I’m a big Lord of the Rings fan, so I’m thinking something Hobbit-esque. Something small, cozy with messy curls and a big teapot. A fantasy creature that likes to craft in slippers — and yet secretly has big plans.

9 - What advice would you give to beginning felters who think “I can't do that”?

For me it all starts with the right materials. I often see people who start with a €2 package from Chinese webshops… and there is not even real wool in it, but some kind of synthetic stuff and no explanation. Then it just doesn't work out well, and then you quickly think that you can't do it. But that is not true. Be a little kind to yourself. You don't expect yourself to be the new Van Gogh at your first painting lesson. It doesn't have to be perfect - if it makes you happy, then it is a good success.

10 - Finally, what are your dreams for The Wool Family? What is your biggest wish for the future?

My dream is to turn The Wool Family into a social enterprise. Something with which I not only help people to be creative, but also give something back. At the moment I am in talks with a social workshop to see if they can help with packing the packages. In addition, I am working on a kind of basic book about needle felting. Of course, a lot already exists, but I want to make something in Dutch, with all the patterns of The Wool Family together. But first… the pattern of the fox is finally coming. So many people are looking forward to it!

From a tuft of wool to a warm world

The Wool Family is not just a webshop, it is a small creative universe where dreams from needle felting are born. Whether you are starting with Sunny the mouse or already have big felting plans — here you will find the materials, the courage and a smile on your face.

And Manon? She continues to dream. Of a social felt empire with room for others, a book full of inspiration and (spoiler alert!) a fox that everyone wants to make. Are you ready to try something new? Dive into the world of The Wool Family and discover how a little wool can make your day a little softer.

Check out the webshop of the month 👉 The Wool Family