The Secret to Creative Flow: Stop Splitting Your Time
In Week 4 of my 2026 author-illustrator journey vlog, I’m needle-felting “Stella” while talking about time management for creatives—especially the overachievers. I’m changing my morning routine to protect creative flow, and I’m moving my self-imposed illustration...
2nd Print Run: Print-on-Demand vs Domestic vs Overseas
Week 3 of my 2026 vlog is all about printing decisions for fully illustrated, full-color children’s books. I’ve tested print-on-demand, domestic/local printing, and overseas printing, and I’m sharing what I’ve learned about cost, quality, reliability, and...
Early to Bed, Early to Rise: The Power of Habits
Welcome to Week 2 of my 2026 vlog series! I’m Hillary Dow—author/illustrator, needle-felting artist, and founder of Binding Tales. This week I’m sharing the foundation habit that makes everything else possible: waking up at 4:00 a.m. (yes, really). I’ll show what’s on...
2026 Vlog Kicks Off
Prefer the transcription? Here you go!January 1, 2026 Happy New Year! I'm Hilary Dow, the owner, author, illustrator, and publisher of Binding Tales. And I'm kicking off 2026 with a series of weekly videos. And my plan is to capture everything from the habits of my...
Felting Needle Gauge Guide
Below is a clear guide to felting needle gauges—what sizes exist, how they differ, and when to use each in both needle-felting sculpture and surface/flat felting. Felting Needle Gauges — Overview Felting needles are sized by gauge:▶ Higher number = thinner needle▶...
Maine’s Fiber Community
The tagline for Binding Tales is From Farm to Bookshelf. I love to know that the wool I use in the artwork made for my book illustrations is sourced from healthy sheep living happily on Maine farms. Whether time is spent visiting farms, roaming fairs, or a smattering...
Hanging Fiber Artwork – Framing with glass or no glass?
Do I put glass over my wool artwork when I hang it on the wall? Over the years I’ve gotten this question a lot. Some artists do use stretcher boards (like a stretched canvas), shadowboxes, or traditional frames with or without glass, but my answer to this question is...
Tariff Transaction Value – what next?
As a small business owner, I am really nervous about what my tariff tax will be for my new book, Flock of Rock, which was printed in China. I think I understand tariff transaction value, but when a tariff changes astronomically after an order has shipped but is not...
A Wooly Blend of Colors and an Octopus
As I complete the final steps of the publishing process for my fourth illustrated children's book, Flock of Rock, several activities have been falling into place for 2025. One upcoming event I am very excited about is a group felting lesson at the Wendell Gilley...
A brand refresh for Binding Tales
It's time for a brand refresh! Binding Tales has evolved a lot since its inception in 2019. As we launch into 2024 I am doing a brand refresh! The biggest change for Binding Tales occurred shortly after launch in early 2020, when I began feeling the creative pull...