Three by Three: Guest Artists in Focus

QUESTION 2.    Can you walk through how a hat evolves from an initial idea into a finished piece, especially when creating custom orders

• ANSWER 2.     A hat usually begins as a conversation. While I have many finished pieces in my shop, I really enjoy working with clients who bring their own ideas. Often it starts with someone saying, “I love this hat, but could it be in a different color or with a few changes?”

  From there, I ask questions—about their favorite colors, when they plan to wear the hat, whether it’s for everyday use or a special occasion, and even which coat they imagine wearing it with. Through emails and exchanges, I slowly get to know the person behind the order. Sometimes I’ll ask for a photo, which helps me understand their style and whether a cloche, beanie, or beret might suit them best.

  Once all the elements come together, I translate that shared vision into felt, creating a hat that feels personal, thoughtful, and uniquely theirs.

Janine Lacey
Felt Wear Artist

MEDIUM:    wool

BIO:    Janine Lacey is an English hat maker based in France. Trained in art school, she has always been drawn to painting and textiles. After years of exploring different mediums, she discovered wet felting, a process that allowed her to merge her painterly approach with the tactile nature of wool. Instantly captivated, Janine began creating felt hats featuring expressive faces, using wool as she would a paint palette—quite literally painting with wool.

Wet felting’s endless possibilities continue to inspire her practice. Janine loves creating hats that are both fun and functional, where small details such as flowers or mushrooms can completely transform a piece and elevate its character. Color, nature, and the changing seasons play a central role in her work, continually influencing the mood and palette of her designs.

ETSY:    Jannio

QUESTION 3.    How do you keep your work feeling whimsical without losing durability and everyday usability?

• ANSWER 3.     Whimsy is very much my natural style, so it’s something that comes instinctively. I make each hat as a unique piece and rarely repeat the same design twice—while I can create something similar if needed, I prefer allowing each hat to have its own personality. The whimsical elements are added with care, always in balance with the shape, style, and purpose of the hat.

  Durability comes from the material itself. Wool felt is incredibly strong—it’s naturally water-resistant, fire-resistant, and easy to clean. I work primarily with merino wool, which is breathable and excellent at regulating temperature. It keeps you warm in colder weather while helping to keep heat away from the body on warmer days. This allows my hats to remain playful and expressive while still being practical, comfortable, and made to be worn every day.

QUESTION 1.    What draws you to felt as a sculptural medium, and how does wet felting influence the final personality of each hat?

• ANSWER 1.    What draws me to felt is its softness and simplicity, and the way it can transform from loose wool into a three-dimensional form. It’s an incredibly tactile, inviting material, something people instinctively want to touch. Even after fifteen years of working with felt, I’m still learning; wet felting continues to surprise me.

  The process itself plays a huge role in shaping the personality of each hat. Small decisions—adding more wool, changing the direction in which it’s laid, or how much it’s worked—can completely alter the final form and expression. Because of this, every piece develops its own character during the making, making each hat truly one of a kind.
  

Golden Crown, Merino wool

Whimsical Forest hat, Merino wool

Girl with a Pearly earring, Merino wool

All copyright and reproduction rights are reserved by Janine Lacey.
Artwork may not be reproduced in any form without the artist's express written permission.

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