Janet Sikirica

Felter/Fiber Artist/Milliner :  In 2007, I stepped away from a successful career to focus on my family and a long-time interest in crafting with my hands. Ever since my grandmother taught me to knit at a young age, I have loved working with wool. Still an avid knitter today and admirer of all things "wool", I began to look deeper into the wonders of this wonderful natural product and discovered felting! Wet felting has become my daily passion. I continue to study various types of sheep's wool and the wonderful fiber that these varieties produce.

Some of my felting work requires the use of silk fabrics in the form of china silk, organza and chiffon. I dye the silks I work with, as well as some of wool fibers in order to create uniquely-colored works of wearable art and objets d’art. Every creation is individually designed and handcrafted.

My current interests are to develop deeper texture in my wall panel designs and other art objects. I combine silks and wool and manipulate them by applying a variety of techniques to create texture. Other felt creations are in the form of vessels and creative 3D forms. Wool is easily molded in to a variety of shapes and forms depending on the type of wool, and how the fiber is laid out before felting. The end results are textured bowls and vessels, which can be functional or add to a home’s creative décor.

 Working with wool allows me to create wearable art and objects with one of the great wonders of nature. Wool is a “super” product: it provides warmth and can be cooling; it can be heavy or very light; it’s durable, resilient, fire-resistant, and versatile. Even after the often “rough” process of wet felting, wool is extremely forgiving and results in a soft and subtle product. Wool takes on the most amazing color, which is another wonderful attribute of this natural fiber.

 I invite you to see my work at www.JanetSikiricaFiberArts.com and visit my Facebook page at JanetSikiricaMillineryFiberArts.

Fashion Institute of Technology, NYC - Certificate in Millinery Design 1993 University of Maryland - BA, German Literature and Linguistics University of Maryland - BA, Business Administration