Lao Hats

www.laohats.com

Heather Daveno of  Lao Hats

I am a self taught, American born textile artist who has been making hats from recycled textiles for over 20 years.  Please visit my shop for both custom made and 'off the rack' handmade hats.

Artist's statement:  Inspired by art forms from a variety of cultures and time periods, my hats are handcrafted from recycled textiles and found objects.  Lao Hats are limited editions, unique, warm and wearable artworks for your head!

Lao, the Chinese word for Old, is a play on words and a reference to the recycled / reclaimed / repurposed nature of my work.

I am in the process of rebranding and I am looking for a new name.  Please see my Facebook page or website for details...

Location:  Seattle, Washington, USA

Membership:  Northwest Art Alliance

Social Media:

   Deviant Art

   Twitter

Languages spoken:   English with smatterings of German and Turkish

Lao Hats:  Recycled and handmade!

Tags:   Heather Daveno, Lao Hats, recycled, handcraft, handmade, wearable art, handmade hats, wool hats, art to wear

delightworthyn ART/wares

http://www.delightworthyn.com

A customer once described my hats as "flamboyantly historical". This perfectly describes my pieces.  My work is created from thrift store purchases and vintage/antique fabrics and trims.  I hand paint, bead and otherwise mangle these fabrics to create wearable art.

All of my hats have a vintage quality whether neo Victorian, Edwardian or roaring 20's inspired but are also completely modern.  I always keep the "wearable" in wearable art.

Artist's statement:  Fashion is fleeting but style is eternal.


Location:  New Haven, Connecticut, USA
Online shops:  
   delightworthyn
   delightworthyn (Etsy)
   scavengersdaughter (etsy)
Blog:  refashionconfidential
Social media:
   Twitter
   Stumble Upon
   Pinterest
   LinkedIn 
   Google+
Languages spoken:  English

Flamboyantly Historical Wearable Art
by delightworthyn ART/wares

Tags:  hat, hats, upcycled, vintage, refashion, silk, wool, cotton, accessories, millinery, couture, handmade

HG handmade - Heike Gerbig

http://gerdiary.blogspot.com

I´m a writer who some years back started turning textile artist. Being used to weaving words and embroider them over and over, this step turned out to be an easy and very consistent one.

Not surprisingly, there are quite a lot of words to be found in my textile and mixed-media work - machine stitched, hand embroidered, taken from old books...

So, I still tell stories –  to myself, in the first place - but I´d be glad if you can hear them, too…

Artist's statement:  I aim at creating textile pieces and mixed-media artwork that might have a calming quality, being interesting nevertheless, informative, and inspiring - each of them is one-of-a-kind...

Location:  Berlin, Berlin, Germany

Online shops:  

   HGhandmade (Etsy)
   hghandmade (Big Cartel)

Blog:  gerdiary

Languages spoken:  English, German

Stitched and Mixed Media by Heike Gerbig

Tags:  Stitched stories, mixed media artwork, freehand embroidery, textile creatures, textile jewelry, art to wear

LaTouchables

http://www.etsy.com/shop/LaTouchables

I design mostly body adornment for the modern woman of any age. Much of my work is inspired by nature, history, and culture. I want to create things that are affordable, and become a natural part of the daily wardrobe. Color, texture, wearability...this all plays a role in how it goes in the studio, and of course intuition plays a huge role. That's why most everything is OOAK. (One of a kind)

I like to use vintage and antique cloths in my pieces along with buttons, and beads from around the world. I was lucky to get some Bedouin embroidery dating back from the mid-20th-century, and earlier. My work is always in a process of growth. There are techniques to improve on, designs that architectually need brain-storming, from idea to finished piece, while still keeping the integrity of the original impulse.

I get emotional about hand-stitching, stains, signs of the human touch, beautiful worn textures, and quality. This means I love materials like silk, cotton, linen, bakelite, horn, mudcloth... and I am continually searching, experimenting, and opening up to the new. I see it as a long-term love-affair with developing a soft-sculpture body adornment that crosses genres. My hope is to take the raw materials and make something worthy of showing off their beauty, whether they are a hundred years old or straight off the bolt.

In the long run, I'd like to have a broader audience, and a group of fellow fiber-addicts to get that community dynamic. Of course I'd like to sell more and know that something I make will be worn by someone somewhere. This gives me the impetus to create more, and thus refine my skills.

I'm glad to have found TAFA with the chance to make new friends and contacts.

Location: Germany, Europe
Online shop: LaTouchables
Blog: latouchablesbagsandthings
Languages spoken: English, German

Adornment for the woman of the modern age by LaTouchables.

Tags: body adornment, necklace, africa, levantine, vintage, antique, tribal, cuff, cloth, bead

Anni Hunt

"Copper Pot", Detail, by Anni Hunt

www.annihunt.com

Stitching and fabric have been an important part of Anni’s life since childhood. As so many people do she started making clothes, then  moved on to quilting and now is making stitched, dyed and painted 3d pieces and wall hangings.  All art making gives its creator certain freedoms and creating work in 3D has given her a new view of what she wants to and can do.

Having had a career in “grayscale” imaging she has necessarily become acutely aware of subtle changes in shade.  In many ways this has pushed her towards a love of, and perhaps a need for, the rich and colourful, but at the same time kept her very aware of changes in hue and tone.  As an artist she has found this very helpful. 

The sleek and elegant lines of Japanese design concepts has also been a strong influence on Anni.  She finds its strength and simplicity inspiring and in a way comforting.

With her containers she wants to create the contradictory feeling of containment and freedom, a contradiction which is something that everyone finds in their lives.

Artist's statment:  I have always had a very good ""eye"" for subtle changes in colour . I think my thirty years in ""grayscale"" imaging in medicine has definitely honed those skills to a finer degree than most. So it is wonderful to be able to apply that in stitch with the use of fibre and threads to create a rich and colourful texture reflecting nature in my work.

I tend to use my surroundings from the west coast and nature to influence and inspire me.
My design sense has definitely been influenced by sleek, elegant Japanese lines and the Art Deco clothing styles of Erte` to which I apply to my wearable art creations.

My work is available at Crafthouse, a gallery run by the Craft Council of British Columbia.

"Family Connections" by Anni Hunt

Location:  West Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Memberships:  

   SDA, Surface Design Assoc.
   SAQA, Studio Art Quilts Assoc.
   Gail Harker Creative Studies

   Workshop on the Web

Languages spoken:  English, Norwegian

"Dream Twigs" by Anni Hunt

 

Tags:  Mixed Media, Textiles, Machine Embroidery, Collage, Encaustics, Abstracts in Nature.

Danny Mansmith

"My Shrine for Me" by Danny Mansmith

http://www.etsy.com/shop/SCRAPdannymansmith

Hello.

I'm an artist who, for the most part, is self taught.  Making art and working with my hands fuels me to be in this world.

So much of today's society doesn't appeal to me so I have turned to creating my own world in my art.

I really wish to share my art with others and try to inspire others to express themselves to follow their own paths.

Artist's statement:  Working with my hands has saved my life.

Instead of being the fastest or the smartest I found my strength, sanctuary and cushion from the world in making art.

My grandma gave me my first art lessons when I was very young. She sewed my clothes growing up and this influenced me to later teach myself how to use the sewing machine - allowing imperfections, emotions, and child like energies to fuel and inspire me to create.

Danny Mansmith's studio.

I want to push myself to make art with the things around me, to be resourceful and to follow my heart’s inspiration.

Making something wearable, drawing with sharpies or the sewing machine, sculpting, to creating installations that incorporate all of these elements has become my spirituality - my survival.

Location:  Chicago, Illinois, USA

Online shop:  SCRAPdannymansmith
Social media:  
   LinkedIn
   Facebook   (personal page)
Languages spoken:  English 

"Fabric Leaf Cut Out Necklace" by Danny Mansmith

Tags:   unique, individual, authentic, inventive, spiritual, installation art, sewing machine, self taught, resourceful, evolving, outsider art

DreamWoven

http://dreamwoven.com

DreamWoven provides an uncommon space for your head.

I am a designer with a penchant for hats. My items have been sold to every type of person imaginable. From Divas to Drag Queens, Fashionistas to Home Grown Dread Wearers, to women of Pristine Condition and men of Worldly Charm. Runways to Festivals, from next door to 7000 miles away.

We all need a special place for our head.

My work can be found at Fine Craft Studio, Paso Robles, California.

Location:  Paso Robles, California, USA

Online shops:

   DreamWoven.com
   DreamWoven on Etsy
   DreamWoven on Facebook

Blog:  DreamWoven

Other Social Media:  LinkedIn

Memberships:   

   Studios on the Park
   Paso Robles Art Assocation
Languages spoken:  English

Art For Your Head by DreamWoven

Tags: hat, hats, headwear, couture, accessories, dreads, wool, felt, handmade, milliner, hat designer, dreadlocks, hand dyed wool,

Pamela Penney Textile Arts

www.pamelapenney.com

Fiber, textiles, yarn and color have always been an integral part of life for Pamela Penney.  Her mother was an accomplished seamstress and quilter and had a large trunk of fabric that Pam would explore as a young girl.  She loved playing with the colors and the textures. Pam soon begged her mother to teach her to knit and sew at a very young age and both have been a passion for Pam ever since.  In high school Pam began to design and create her own garments combining sewing and knitting techniques.  Her interest in art, color, design, math and physics led Pam to study architecture and get her BA degree in Interior Design.  After several years designing corporate interiors Pam chose to develop her textile art business while at the same time raising her two children and doting on her husband, dog and cat.

Pamela Penney started her business out of her home when her children were young, designing and creating one-of-a-kind garments for women and children.  Using hand and machine knits, hand dyed and hand painted fabrics with crocheted edgings and beaded embellishments, each item became a work of art. In 2003, after several years working at home, Pam opened her studio on Harrison Street in Oak Park, Illinois.  This gave her the opportunity to expand the gallery space to show the artwork of several regional artists as well as offer more classes and improve her own studio working space.  She continues to grow and develop her business in the vibrant and funky Oak Park Arts District just outside of Chicago, Illinois.

Artist's statement:  Finding time to create is essential to my health and well being and I believe it is for everyone.  That is why I feel strongly that I must share my passion with others through teaching the textile art techniques that I find so enjoyable.  I’m interested in exploring a wide variety of techniques and looking for ways to incorporate them together in new and unique ways.  My work combines hand and machine knits, crochet, embroidery, fabric and yarn dying, wet-felting, needle-felting and salvaged woolens and cashmeres.  My credo:  Don’t box me in to one technique!  My current work combines the eco-friendly salvaged fabrics and the beauty of wet felted wools.  I love adding a dimension of hand and machine stitching and beading to give more texture and interest to my felted pieces.
 
In addition to producing her own artwork, Pam has been teaching for over 25 years to both children and adults and loves to ignite the spark of creativity in others.  She finds teaching is a path to continual learning for both her students and for herself.

Location:  Oak Park, Illinois, USA

Online shops: 

   pamelapenney on Etsy
   pamela-penney-textile-arts on smashing darling
   pamelapenney on mybisi

Brick and Mortar:

   Pamela Penney Textile Arts
   130 Harrison Street
   Oak Park, Illinois  60304
   (just outside of Chicago, Illinois)

Blog:  pamelapenney 

Memberships/Important links:

   Illinois Artisan Program
   Oak Park Arts District
   Visit Oak Park

Languages spoken:  English

Art to Wear by Pamela Penney Textile Arts

Tags: fiber art, nuno-felting, multi-media, art-to-wear, textile artist, dyeing, knitting, embellishment, teaching, chicago artist

Meg Hannan - Rag Sky Art Studio

 

www.meghannan.com

My journey into the microcosmic world of Fabric Jewels, coincided with my arrival at Artwood Studios in Seattle in 1985. I have made my home and studio here in two former school classrooms since then. Every bit of it is used in the course of this little rodeo. I share my life with my princely cat, Mister Mustafa, and the other artists, and their families, who work and dwell in the school with me. I have been assisted in the studio by a chain of spectacular young interns who help me grow and keep me focused. It’s a lively and fertile ground for shared art inspiration, lessons in community and opening of hearts.

Making and selling my original fiber millefiori jewelry has been my full time profession for over twenty-five years. To create my Fabric Jewels, I fully saturate fabrics and fibers with glue, roll them up and when dry, slice the roll cross-section. It’s about getting inside the heart of the fabric through the window on the edge and painting little paintings inside that view. Color is key. And fiber, well, what’s not to love? The process is ever challenging and evolving. I investigate, contemplate, and intend. There are surprises and rewards. You can learn much more about it on my website.

I sell my work nationally at Quilt, Fiber and Bead Shows and through Museums, Galleries and Shops. The link between the creator that flows through me and the audience who appreciates my work is crucial. I am truly grateful for all the energetic support given me over all these years. This connection brings value and meaning to what I do, that greatly enhances my personal joy in the work’s creation.

As I circle the building’s property on my late night 2 am walks, I fall deeper and deeper into this plot of earth. I do not own it, but it is mine. The dark edge of the treetops sways with spirits and calls me to wake and feel this earth, which with all its woes, still astoundingly continues to be paradise here and now.

And so it is too, that as I circle and rustle through the vast and verdant fabric heap I have amassed, even with the struggles to manage all the pieces of my business, my soul finds stillness and peace diving deeper every year into the mystery of the simple and complex act of spinning fabric into jewels.

Artist's statement:  My mission in life is to be and see the Bhudda everywhere, to ever grow in kindness and love and make the passages of whining less and less frequent. Also, I really like it when I can make others laugh and jiminy cricket, I love to laugh too.

Location:  Seattle, Washington, USA

Online shop:  MegHannan

Blog:  meghannan

Languages spoken:  English

Carnival Night Beaded Diamond Pin by Meg Hannan

Tags:  fiber jewelry, millefiori, fabric jewelry, fiber art, wearable art, hearts, recycled art, Meg Hannan, Fabric Jewels, Rag Sky Art Studio, textiles, unique jewelry

Caryl Bryer Fallert / Bryerpatch Studio

www.bryerpatch.com

Caryl Bryer Fallert sewing with "George"

Fine artist, quilt maker, teacher, lecturer, gallery owner, writer, business person, these are the hats I am wearing at the moment (in the order in which I like wearing them). For 23 years I traveled to eleven countries on five continents to teach quilting art and lecture about my work. In 1997 I started the Bryerpatch Studio Internet Store, where I sell the fabrics I design from Benartex, and the patterns, instructions, and workshops on CD-ROM which I publish.

In 2005 I left the Fox Valley of Illinois, where I had lived my whole life, and started a new life in Paducah Kentucky's award-winning, historic LowerTown Arts District where most of my neighbors are also artists. I built a new studio, gallery and workshop center, where I continue teaching without having to take my whole show on the road. I love being part of a real community with lots of cultural activities avaliable within walking distance. You can visit my gallery and shop online at www.bryerpatch.com.

Artist's statement:  I make original, fine art for the walls of homes and businesses, from fabric that is stitched together and quilted. Most of my work is made from 100% cotton fabric, which is dyed and painted, then pieced, appliquéd, embroidered, and quilted on my sewing machine.
The focus of my work is on the qualities of color, line, and texture, which will engage the spirit and emotions of the viewer, evoking a sense of mystery, excitement, or joy.  Illusions of movement, depth, and luminosity are common to most of my work. The inner glow is created by hand dyeing or painting my fabrics in gradual progressions from light to dark.

Both my geometric color studies, and my more organic, curved seam abstracts are inspired by visual impressions, collected in my travels, in my everyday life, and in my imagination. Although some of my quilts include pictorial images, my work is most often about seeing, experiencing, and imagining, rather than pictorial representation of any specific object or species. When recognizable objects appear, they represent the emotions and flights of fantasy evoked by those objects. My intention is to focus on positive energy and depict that in my work.

I intend for my quilts to be seen and enjoyed by others. It is my hope that they will lift the spirits and delight the eyes of those who see them. I am constantly learning and my work evolves as I find new images in my imagination and develop the techniques to create them in cloth. As a teacher I believe that the magic of art lies in our heads and in our hearts. I love sharing my techniques with others so they can share their magic with me.

You can see my quilts in my online gallery.

Feather Study #30 by Caryl Bryer Fallert

Location:  Paducah, Kentucky, USA

Online shop:  bryerpatch.com

Brick and Mortar:

   Bryerpatch Studio
   502 N. 5th St. • Paducah KY
   Map and directions

Memberships:

   National Quilt Museum, Board of Directors
   Paducah Fiber Artists
   Friends of Fiber Art International

Languages spoken:  English

Tags:  quilt art, textile art, hand dyed, gradations, luminous, award winning, uplifting, eye dazzling, colorful

Brenda Abdullah

http://Brendaabdullah.com

I am an artist joyfully striving to live out the fullness of my creative self. After raising a large family,  I am finally at the point in life in which all of my waking time can be spent on creating or thinking about making beautiful and practical clothing from uncommon resources.

I've been a lover of arts and crafts since childhood . As a young adult, I attended various  art schools and later graduated with a B.S. in Arts and Crafts.  I honed all of my self taught sewing skills, while working  my own business as a custom dressmaker for about 25 years. Today  my two passions, art and sewing,  have been fused together.  I  now create and sell one of a kind wearable art and accessories from my Etsy shop, Brendaabdullah.etsy.com. I also  participate in several yearly art shows in the Chicago land area.

Most of my garments are the result of an organic design process in which the colors and the textures of the selected materials dictate the design. I may have a general idea of the shape or form, however the details and end results are always a pleasant surprise to me. This freedom is extremely gratifying and inspires me to do it again and again. Positive feedback from customers make the whole process even more rewarding.

For me, I find a unique advantage of using pre-owned clothing in the creation of my designs. There are endless possibilities in fabric variety and a basic practicality of reusing materials already available. That only adds to the rewarding benefits of  doing the work that I love.

Artist's statement:  I am an Eco-conscious artist/designer of high quality one-of-a-kind wearable art using re-purposed clothing. Through the use of gently used clothing and vintage textiles, I bring together fashionable silhouettes with artistic fabric collage and coloration. Each garment is a study of color and textural relationships and stands as a testament of my love for beautiful textiles no matter from where they were originally derived.

Location:  Chicago, Illinois, United States

Online shop:  brendaabdullah 

Languages spoken:  English

Sweater Coat by Chicago Clothing Designer,

Brenda Abdullah

 

Tags:  reconstructed sweaters, sweater coats, repurposed clothing,wearable art, patchwork scarves,  fingerless gloves, knit tunics, accessories

Dreamkaravan

http://dreamkaravan.blogspot.com

I've always been creative and inspired by our world heritage.  I love beautiful textiles, rich patterns, colors and cultural symbolism.  With them, I feel the connection in space and time between women (and men!)  whose loving skills were transmitted and shared during generations.

Like the ancient silk roads, the internet can offer us the place to share our creative inspiration and bring beauty to the world.

For my lucky charms or "marvel catchers" (as I have named them), I have been inspired by the talismans and magic items that you can find all over the world, particularly in Central Asia, Asia and Africa. 

Artist's statement:  I enjoy offering my lucky charms as an opportunity to express tenderness and gratitude for loved ones. They could be wonderful gifts also for someone going through some challenging time or to accompany your life changes and heart's desires. A secret pocket is enclosed in some of them to hide some personal item or enlightening words written on a piece of paper...

The ideals of my generation were self-realisation and freedom. I feel that now the time has come to rediscover the power of simplicity and care for each other. My items aim to serve as the support of intentions, blessings or are reminders of love and beauty.

Location:  Lyon, Rhône, France

Online shop:  Dreamkaravan

Blog:  dreamkaravan

Other social media:  Twitter, Handmade Spark

Languages spoken:  French, English, Italian

 "Marvel Catchers" or Talismans by Dreamkaravan
In the spirit of the Silk Road

Tags:  handmade,  lucky charm, talisman, fiber, silk, beads, charms, embroidery, creation, pendant, ornament, amulet

IngerMaaike

http://www.etsy.com/shop/ingermaaike

I am IngerMaaike and fiber is my medium. All kinds of fiber: from silk to leather, from cotton to wool and everything in between. 

I sew clothes from my own designs, knit on my very old and trusty knitting machine (again designing everything myself), felt luxurious scarves and home decor, spin yarn, dye fabric, silk and wool and have even been seen to construct leather boots, which I still wear to this day.   :)

In all of my endeavours one thing has always been the main focus: the very best materials. This is what drove me to start creating for myself:  I could not afford what I desired, so there was no option but to learn to make it myself.

Over the years, my skills have expanded to cover a range of fiber which gives me the chance to combine and expand the knowledge further with each passing moment.  Each day brings me new joy in creating.  I love what I do as well as sharing the knowledge I have built up over the years.

Artist's statement:  To learn and to always be open to new experiences, to share beauty and smiles.

 

Location:  SørFron, Oppland, Norway

Online shop:  ingermaaike

Blog:  ingermaaike

Other social media:  Tumblr, Twitter  
Languages spoken:  Dutch, English, Norwegian

 Felted shawl by IngerMaaike

Tags:  fiber, felt, wool, fabric, silk, handdyed, nuno, scarf, art, nature

Dorthe K Rasmussen

http://www.dokla.dk/default_en.htm

Hello.  I was born and raised with my mother's tailoring shop.  Work with fabric and textile techniques have always fascinated and attracted me. 

In 2006 I published the book ""Ornaments and Oomph"" where you can see more on my work. I have had a creative workshop since 2007, where people come and work with the craft items they want. I freelance, participate in fairs -in the hobby - textile company and magazine.  I especially love to work with textile techniques and constantly explore new combinations and develop working methods. 

I also design prom and bridal accessories for guests - individual pieces to order. Feel free to contact me if you think there is anything I can help you with. Information about what I do - if you want to work with a thing, or something you want me to design.

Last but not least, if you plan to visit South Denmark, come and visit my workshop!  It is located at a campsite, so you can also go camping for a night or several weeks. When you're campers, you work for free at the workshop - you only pay for your material consumption ;-)

Hugs, Dorthe

Artist's Statement:  I work / love / is ....   as non-commercial as possible.
I attempt to recycle and care for the consumption of materials as much as possible, with the intention of using even the smallest remnants.  I am outgoing and friendly, open as a creative soul who enjoys contact with others with similar interests.

Location:  Årøsund, Haderslev, Denmark

Blog:  gammelbro

Languages spoken:  Danish, "reasonable" English, and a little German 

"Ornaments and Oomph" by Dorthe K. Rasmussen

Tags: Felting, flowers, silk, wool, fabric manipulation, workshops, author

SilkMari

http://www.SilkMari.etsy.com/

I have been a Certified Artisan  by the Department of Tourism and  the ""Department of Culture"" of  Puerto Rico for more than 20 years.

I am fortunate to be part of the Artisan Market in ""La Placita Darsena"" as it is called,  located off  Pier 1, in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico, USA.  I enjoy meeting travelers from all over the world who come to explore the Tropical Island of Puerto Rico.

Although I paint on burlap with acrylic paint, I consider myself a Silk Artist because my love is dyeing and painting on silk.

Each of my scarves is individually hand dyed and hand painted making them a ... one-of-a-kind ... by virtue of the process used. Batik, Tie-dye and Silk Painting are some of the techniques I love to explore and use. 

Location:  Trujillo Alto, Puerto Rico

Online shop:   SilkMari

Blog:  SilkMari

Other social media:  Twitter

Membership: Silk Painting Gallery Network 

Languages spoken:  English, Spanish

 Paintings on Silk by SilkMari

Tags:  Silk Artist,  fiber artist, artisan, hand dyed, hand painted,  silk,  silk scarves, tie dye, batik,  silk painting, wearable art