Biljana Surmeyan, artistic name: Biba, is native Macedonian, gradute from University of Skopje Law School.
She is passionate about justice, freedom in speech, freedom in arts expression and freedom in fashion as an expression of individuality.
Felting started as hobby, and became her main interest since her art expressions in felting became recognized internationally and sought after. Biba's Original Art is sold in Switzerland, Belgium, UK, Canada and Skopje.

Biba had very successful presentation of her creations at craft show organized by National Ballet of Canada and her unique designs were praised for it’s artistic aspect and practicality as a fashion accessory that makes a great addition to a discriminating bearer wardrobe.

Biba's homeland is Macedonia, renown region for it's beauty of the nature, a place where Biba had drawn her inspiration. Presently, living and creating in Canada, Biba says "Canada's untouched nature is as beautiful and inspirational!"

While felting is very popular in EUROPEAN home crafts industry in North America is slowly but surely making its presence. Biljana Surmeyan - Biba, who started her creations in Europe has brought to Canada her creations and skills. She is using natural not treated wool to create fashion scarves and hats. Through her art she continuously advocates individual's free expression through fashion.
The vibrant well coordinated colors in her felting design are also her creation by using special dyes for wool. Hats are sculptured from this wool, scarves and other unique pieces, are crafted from the same wool on silk base.
Biba is working on her felting art from her home on The Kingsway in Toronto, Canada.

New Arrivels


Jan 16, 2010

What is Felt or Filtz?



. The wonderful scarves and hats in this page are created by Filtz Artist Biba Surmeyan! 


bibafiltz@gmail.com


What is Felt or Filtz?
The process of felting yields infinitely varied results, with rich colors, forms, and visual appeal, as well as the technique of felting for wool yields a non-woven fabric with characteristics of unusual sturdiness, water resistance, and wind resistance. The resulting textile is known as felt or boiled wool or filtz, depending on regional terminology.


The Process of Felting
Felting is a process that causes a natural yarn, (mainly wool), to fray slightly and fuse to the other fibbers around it, creating a more solid appearance. Felting is done with special felting needles, which grab individual fibbers and drag them close to one another, thereby binding them and tightening the fibbers into one durable material where the barbed needles are used in such a way that the result achieved is a firm surface or sculpture.
Felting is possible because wool has microscopic scales which cause the fibbers to get caught when passing by each other.
Finishing process of felting is done by wetting an item after it is finished and then drying it. The shrinking that occurs in this process tightens the weave of the knit creating a very dense fabric .Water and agitation will tighten the fibbers into one durable material and transform into a solid fabric (felt).
The art of felting or Filtz is the oldest of the textile arts and is said to have originated in Asia. The history of this unique product is long and varied.[1]
[1] http://searchwarp.com/swa107591.htm
Felting is the technique of treating wool so badly that it becomes beautiful. Felt is a non-woven fabric made from animal fleece.[2]
[2] http://www.alpacaconnect.com/article/categories/fibre
Felting is a processing technique for wool which yields a non-woven fabric of unusual sturdiness, water resistance, and wind resistance. The resulting textile is known as felt or boiled wool or filtz, depending on regional terminology.
For those of you who are interested in felting, About.com  Knitting Guide, Sarah E.[3]
[3] http://crochet.about.com/b/2009/06/29/crochet-and-felting.htm
Posted by at 1 comment:
Labels: , , , ,
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)