Why wool?
I fell in love with wool during a trip to the beautiful, but rainy, country of Ireland. The sheep and wool mills proved to be a source of inspiration for me to start a hand-knitted and felted handbag and hat collection.

A Worldwide Rainbow of Inspiration
In 2003, a two-week solo trip to Greece included visits to the ancient city of Athens and to the Islands of Ios, Naxos, Siros and Santorini. I hiked the Olympic Stadium and sat on the steps of the Acropolis. The turquoise Sea of Crete and the black sand of Kamari Beach are all reflective in the shimmering hues of turquoise, teal and purple variegated handbags.

While in Central America in 2003, I hiked up the steep steps of the centuries old Mayan ruins of Altun Ha and Lamanai, snorkeled in the Hol Chan Marine Reserve and rubbed the belly of a nurse shark! A beautiful line of pink, yellow and orange handbags with sparkly accents are reminiscent of the spectacular sunsets in the tropical paradise of Ambergis Caye.

A 2005 tour of Asia started with the breathtaking skyline of Hong Kong. I traveled to mainland China and hiked the Great Wall of China, walked Tiananmen Square and explored the Forbidden City. I bartered with vendors over fine Thai silks in Bangkok, toured the National Orchid Museum in Singapore and attempted to eat (vegetarian) Sushi in Tokyo. I was inspired to add silk accents to embellish a new line of handbags featuring Japanese yarns brought back from this trip.

Evolving and Sustainable
Every year my pieces have evolved and are reflective of the cultures and landscapes that I have experienced. And in a time when "green" has become a household word, I try to utilize recycled and American products and be as energy and earth minded as I can be.

More About the Artist
Sierra graduated from Michigan State University in 2000 with a bachelor’s degree of fine art, with a focus on graphic design and printmaking. She lives with her husband in a 75-year-old home in the Eastown neighborhood of Grand Rapids, Michigan.