About Felt Wicked Art
Profile
Based in central Kentucky, fiber artist Kathrine Koprowski is best known for her work of fantasy-inspired witch hats.
Recent Mentions
She has crafted and sold her signature hats since 2014, with her work being featured in notable places such as magazines and movies. In 2017 her work was chosen for Faerie Magazine's "Things We Love" article. In 2018 Filzfun, a German felting magazine, showcased her work on its cover and interviewed her for the occasion. In 2022 she was hired to design for the Netflix movie, "The Curse of Bridge Hollow," and created the witch hat worn by the movie's protagonist, Priah Ferguson.
A Fiber Fairy Tale
Concerning Unicorns
Fantasy art feels like it has always been a part of my life. From have a life-altering experience at eight years old after watching The Last Unicorn for the first time. To covering my room with fantasy posters (of more unicorns) and borrowing gobs of fairy tale book from my local library. The exact moment though, when I first really began to realize how important fantasy art was to me was during one boring 6th grade study hall. I spent almost every study hall that year writing and illustrating a little book about … well unicorns of course.
Self Taught
During high school I focused on art, experimenting with watercolors and oil paints. In college I was pressured away from a career in art. Many well meaning people told me that there was no money to be made in art. So I do not have an art degree and everything I know I learned through curiosity and trial and error.
My Origin Story
Fantasy to the Rescue
Just after I married and started attending graduate school though I felt a little lost personally. The sensible career I had picked for myself (education) just didn't feel like the best fit anymore. As I tried to figure this out I turned back to fantasy art. The day I discovered wet felting was the beginning of a journey, and it was only a matter of time before I combined this new medium with my reinvigorated interest in fantasy art.
My First Hat Sale
I made a few "normal" hats before making my very first witch hat. It would be unrecognizable today as my style, with just a few wrinkles and some embellishments. At that point it was really more of an experiment and I was actually a little self-conscious of it. I took it to a craft fair though and it to my surprise it sold that day. It was a relief that someone else thought it was interesting too, as some part of me still just wasn't sure. And I almost didn't make any more. I didn't want to go through that vulnerable process of making something unique and then asking people to give me money for it. In the end though I just couldn't stop myself from making another one, and then another one, not necessarily because I even wanted to sell them but just because I loved the hats so much! I'm glad I stuck with it.
During Downtime
Of Podcasts and Video Games
When I am not filling hat orders, I enjoy hunting for my next new hat design and experimenting. My ideal way to create is while I obsessively listen to either true crime podcasts or romance novels. I am a night owl and love to watch my favorite Youtubers when I can't sleep. Playing sandbox type video games is my way to relax, along with a good soak in the bath. I really hate talking on the phone and texting and would much rather see friends and family face-to-face.
Practicing Witch?
As to whether or not I am a "real" witch or just make witch hats is a question I am often asked and while I don't practice the craft I am a pagan at heart.