Betty Ann Winters ~ Fiber Art

As a fiber artist, I often work with colors inspired by the natural world…pastel sunsets over a beach, tropical waters of the Caribbean, and the brilliant color contrast when the sky meets the earth. With a spirit that needs to create, to make things, I am drawn to all things fiber. It is this tactile experience that thrills me—touchable, fluid, organic, complex, and reusable.

Supporting my community and the environment is important to me. To honor my commitment to both of them, I often up-cycle fabrics cut from clothing and vintage linens purchased at local thrift stores. I believe that if each of us, in our own way, works toward the greater good—piece by piece, ​fiber by fiber, we can begin to mend this beautiful, tattered world of ours.

​I find refuge, inspiration, and peace in the gardens and woods that surround my home and studio in the foothills of the North Carolina mountains. Reduce, reuse, recycle, and remember to listen for the gentle whispers of nature ~ Betty Ann

Nuno Felting

Traditional wet felting has been around for centuries. It wasn’t until the 1990s that fiber artist Polly Stirling discovered the magic that happens when sheer fabric is added to wool. She named the technique Nuno, which in Japanese means Fabric. Also referred to as laminate felting, Nuno Felting melds fabrics and fibers together.

I love the surprise that comes when I Nuno Felt! The way the wool will grab hold of the various fabrics always amazes me, creating textures that are oh so different and beautiful.

The floral motif in this piece was a thrifted silk scarf, which was Nuno Felted. I painted the background canvas and then attached repurposed silk from an old blouse.

Weaving…for fun!

I suppose as a fiber artist, it’s not uncommon to want to learn new skills and play with all the incredible forms that are out there! Recently, I’ve been challenging myself with creative modern weaving…

And I love it.

Upcycling, Felting & Stitching!


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All three of these pieces started out as skirts purchased from a local thrift store! The fabric of each skirt was spectacular, and I was inspired to work them into my Nuno Felting.

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The original shirt was made of Tencel and sewn in plackets. I deconstructed the seams, separated them, and added wool fibers
The skirt used was the olive/green silk fabric

Shawls, Wraps, Capes & Ponchos

So many different names for basically the same thing: A soft, fluid piece of fabric that wraps and embraces the shoulders with comfort and warmth!

When I first started to felt, I made scarves. In time, I moved on to larger pieces, but I still like making scarves. Did you know that keeping your neck covered will warm your whole body?

In January of 2024, I was honored to be accepted into the Southern Highlands Craft Guild.

Several of my pieces are for sale at Allanstand Craft Shop at The Folk Art Center in Asheville, NC

The Southern Highland Craft Guild is a creative community of juried members spanning over nine states. Its purpose is to foster opportunities for makers to build, market, and maintain their creative livelihood through continuing education, retail outlets, and mentorship. The guild is invested in helping members achieve their goals and providing them with the resources to refine and sell their craft. The Southern Highland Craft Guild is headquartered at the Folk Art Center in Asheville, North Carolina, on the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Allanstand Craft Shop was established in 1895 and is nationally recognized as the oldest craft shop in America. Explore artisan-made jewelry, textiles, pottery, glass, and much more, all crafted by the members of the Southern Highland Craft Guild, comprised of over 400 artists and craftspeople of Southern Appalachia.

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