I am a felt maker, with a unique perspective of blending the line between felter and milliner. After working in Canada and overseas in health care, I sought a creative outlet – one that incorporates my three loves: texture, physical activity, and thrift shop textiles. I began taking felting courses, using each to gain the skills to express my own perspective.

I specialize in nuno felt – the fusion of merino wool with silk. With each piece my products continue to evolve, re-interpreting, and paying homage to the designs of the past while using modern techniques and up-cycled materials.  In 2015 I kicked off my millinery education by attending the Lina Stein Millinery School in Westport, Ireland, for a wonderful week.  Since that time I’ve attended millinery courses in Tennessee and Toronto.  I continue to learn, experiment and research, figuring out unique ways of creating headwear fashions.

In Sept. 2016 I attended the Millinery Meet-up in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, a 5-day conference for milliners in North America (and beyond).  World-class milliners came together for education, collaboration and fun.  That is where I was the recipient of the “Best Overall Hat” award for my submission “Does Opera Kill”, and interpretation of the theme Australiana.

My current work involves exploring traditional millinery fabrics, and finding new ways to incorporate it with my felt.  I continue to pair beading and sequins with bold colors and strong design. I like to create “everyday” hats, but find pleasure pushing myself to make wearable art – one-of-a-kind pieces. I like to create not only for the glamorous woman in each of us but also for the gal who wants be active, outside with her family in the winter! I want the wearer of my hats and scarves to feel empowered to take on the long winter, in comfort and unique style.

Inspiration:
I am inspired by the 1920’s – a decade of glamour and classic design. Inspiration also comes from the up-cycled fabrics themselves, the details that are already in the silk garments or the feeling that the garment conveys. I am easily absorbed into fashion history, the trends and details of what constituted fashion in the decades through the 1900’s. “Bringing them back” with a modern twist gives me a great thrill.

My goals are to continue to learn new skills necessary to achieve my visions/designs. I buy lotto tickets so that I can someday do less healthcare and more millinery!!! Learning abroad is extra enriching, as an unfamiliar cultural milieu adds new dimension to hat-making, as perspectives differ based on your geography.  But until then, I’ll continue to challenge myself with original pieces, advancing my skills and going to where my imagination draws me.