Webshop of the month: The Wool Family

Every month, we spotlight a special star on Happlify.nl – the Happlify Crew webshop of the month! At Happlify, we're always looking for those special places online that bring you joy. In this feel-good column, you'll get the chance to discover the most unique, creative, and inspiring webshops, brands, and events affiliated with the Happlify Crew.

Webshop of the month: The Wool Family

The moment you see a creation from fresh Crew The Wool Family , you know: this is made with love. Perhaps you still recognize that feeling from back in the day, when you managed to create something big with a small project, like a clay ashtray (!) for Mother's Day, a Christmas angel made from cotton balls, or your very first knitted half scarf. That magic of creating something with your own hands? You'll find it in abundance here.

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

And honestly: who doesn't love a little mouse with a scarf, a felted fox, or a sweet sleeping bunny ? We asked Manon to help us figure out the ins and outs of the felted stocking. Want to 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, absolutely! See the photo—I think this is my second felting project ever. The first 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 all the things you can make with wool, and that feeling—learning something new and seeing it unfold under your hands—was instantly 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 felting project. They all smile proudly, their homemade mouse or frog in the picture. I love that: recognizing that happy feeling of your very first successful craft. I also get a lot of comments on Facebook. Sometimes they're hilarious—someone once wrote about Sunny the Mouse 's kit, with his yellow scarf: "Nice kit, but I hate yellow." I offered to send this woman a different color of felt. She was absolutely thrilled with her kit.

4 - Imagine: you have a free afternoon with no obligations. What would you most like to do (and can Harry come along)?

A free afternoon without obligations... is that even possible? With three daughters, a job, and a creative webshop, there's always something to do. Two of my girls are on a ski racing team, so that takes up quite a bit of time. But when I do have some time, I love to felt myself. It truly remains my favorite hobby. It's so special that you can create a complete animal from a single piece of wool. And while I'm at it, I often make something miniature to go with it, so it looks nice in photos. Harry likes to lie on his back next to me in my workroom with all four paws in the air. Wonderful!

5 - You turned a difficult period into something beautiful. What did you learn most from that?

Making something with my hands, inventing something new—that's what gives me so much energy and satisfaction. And it's 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 would want my explanation? Can I even convey it well? But I just went for it—and the reactions were so warm. People really enjoy starting their new hobby with my kits. That still resonates with me. Every time someone tells me how much fun it was to start, I think: see, it can just be simple.

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

I honestly thought workshops would feel a bit like work, but that's not the case at all. It's so much fun to see how everyone creates something beautiful in their own unique way. And it's always fun—everyone comes with a passion. The most fun was probably a workshop at a group of women's homes. We made the bunny, and well... at first, you make the body straight. Later, you have to fold it in half, so it becomes a body with a head. But in that first stage, it looked like an eggplant. Or actually... well, a penis. You get the idea: I only heard dirty jokes the rest of the afternoon. A group of teenage boys is nothing compared to this—these ladies were so funny, I've 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 huge 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 who prefers to craft in his 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 starting with a €2 kit from Chinese webshops… and it doesn't even contain real wool, but some kind of synthetic stuff and no instructions. Then it just doesn't work out well, and you quickly think you can't do it. But that's not true. Be kind to yourself. You don't expect yourself to be the next Van Gogh in your first painting lesson. It doesn't have to be perfect—if it makes you happy, it's a success.

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

My dream is to turn The Wool Family into a social enterprise. Something where I not only help people be creative, but also give something back. I'm currently talking to a sheltered workshop to see if they can help with packing the parcels. I'm also working on a basic needle felting book. Of course, there's already a lot out there, but I want to create something in Dutch, using all of The Wool Family's patterns together. But first... the fox pattern is finally coming. So many people are looking forward to it!

From a tuft of wool to a warm world

The Wool Family isn't just an online store; it's a small creative universe where needle felting dreams come to life. Whether you're just starting out with Sunny the mouse or already have grand felting plans, you'll find the materials, the courage, and a smile on your face here.

And Manon? She's dreaming more. Of a social felting empire with space 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