Karoliina Arvilommi

She began her professional life as a "taidekutoja" (weaver) working for other independent designers and Suomen Käsityön Ystävät in Helsinki and Finland. Her work covered a range of weaving techniques, from furnishings and upholstery to carpets. In the last 20 years, Karoliina has worked full time and is independent. "I started as an independent weaver in 1985, and after 5 or 6 years I discovered felt," Felting allowed me the freedom of form and color I was looking for in my hats. "The hat was first exhibited at "Suomi Muotoilee" in 1993 and is now part of the public collection of the Design Museum, Helsinki and The Craft Museum of Finland.

Then Karoliina turned to the wall hangings. The felting process is really very physical, requiring strength and endurance. Karoliina is dedicated to the quality of her work and has developed her own felting methods and techniques. Increasingly, she became involved in the processing of her wool to ensure the consistency of materials, including wool types, self-dyeing with natural products and carding without the addition of synthetic lubricants.

Karoliina has designed and produced a number of fashion accessories; Felted bags and hats are now produced in limited numbers and on order. She also produces brooches, pendants and earrings, using a combination of recycled fabrics and felt.