miss chickpea's funky fibers

The Fiber & Clay Years

by shellylarroyo

***Miss Chickpea, 2008, © Shelly Arroyo.***

As an adult, I’ve dabbled in various projects such as soft sculpture (sewing), knitting/felting fibers, and various forms of clay. I traveled the northeast United States, selling my creations, known to many as “Chickpea.” And, so we embark on the fiber & clay years…

**“Softies Collection,” circa 2002, © Shelly Arroyo.**

During these early show years, I embarked on a quest to get healthier. After some health scares in my early 20s, I got into diet and exercise, fell in love with my favorite bean, a chickpea. After one too many lunch dates with friends, starving for hummus, I earned my nickname, and thus, the storyline for Mama Chickpea began.

**Miss Chickpea purse entitled “Not Sari,” made from recycled silk, 2005, © Shelly Arroyo.**

**“Miss Chickpea’s,” circa 2007, © Shelly Arroyo.**

**“Inside Miss Chickpea’s,” circa 2007, © Shelly Arroyo.**

After closing Miss Pea’s and moving to Texas, I aspired to work on my sculpting skills yet again, but in other avenues of clay. I started a collection of customizable pieces I sold online through Etsy, under the art persona, Mama Chickpea.

**“J.Lo,” polymer clay sculpture, 2024, © Shelly Arroyo.**

After some health scares in my early 20s, I got into diet and exercise, falling in love with my favorite bean, a chickpea.

**El Paso Half Marathon, 2019, © Shelly Arroyo.**

PLEASE FOLLOW ME as I embark on a quest to enjoy, learn from, and raise my bamBEANos, in the best way this Mama Chickpea can. Art is my “balance” to life and I enjoy all the DIY therapy I can handle! To learn more about Mama Chickpea, click HERE.

To shop Mama Chickpea originals, click HERE.

All content and artwork © Shelly Arroyo, A.k.a. Mama Chickpea.

Blog, Miss Chickpea's

Miss Chickpea’s Funky Fibers

by shellylarroyo

In 2006, after many years in art show circuits in NE Ohio and Western Pennsylvania, I, Shelly Arroyo, A.K.A. Miss Chickpea to my fans, started my first brick-and-mortar studio, Miss Chickpea’s Funky Fibers, in Hudson, Ohio.

**Miss Chickpea art show booth, 2004, © Shelly Arroyo.**

Miss Chickpea’s was full of wonderful people, both employees, and patrons. What started as a line of uniquely felted accessories, grew a loyal fan base of energetic people. Classes offered unique knitting and felting classes for all ages, while the store carried many wonderfully handmade fibers and my unique wares.

**Yarns, Miss Chickpea’s 2008, © Shelly Arroyo.**

**Shelving, Miss Chickpea’s 2008, © Shelly Arroyo.**

**Japanese Yarns, Miss Chickpea’s 2008, © Shelly Arroyo.**

**Miss Chickpea’s University*, © Shelly Arroyo.***

Closing in 2010, after a rougher recession and a much needed move to Texas to start my family, Miss Pea became Mama Pea, starting my supermom saga with my minions, Max and Mya.

An energetic and creative place to hang out, Miss Chickpea’s Funky Fibers was truly a gem. Carrying luxurious fibers from all across the globe, designers young and old could be entertained with one-of-a-kind items they had never seen before. Unique class offerings and patterns gave even the seasoned fiber artist something new to learn.