Accessory Artists

Sabai Sabai is a common Thai phrase meaning "everything's  good" or "not a care in the world." It is wellness almost beyond words,  The Thai's heaven on earth. What better way to distinguish Sabai's  mission.

We strive to provide you with products that are culturally authentic,  breathable, bright, unique, and innovative. At Sabai Sabai we buy with  purpose, integrity, heart, and to support those who need it most. Your  purchases are not only supporting a small local business owner, but you  are also supporting artisans, and their families, around the world.  These partnerships enrich their families and foster a healthy and caring  relationship with Sabai.

I am a long time professional portrait artist,   painter and fiber artist whose career embraces many areas of the Arts. I  attended East Carolina University, majoring in Commercial Art and  Printmaking.  Years of painting, printmaking and color work led me to  explore the fiber arts. Using many similar skills and accumulated  knowledge, I evolved as a hand painter and ecoprinter on leather and  fabric. I use natural dyes and low impact synthetic dyes and merge them  into unique, beautiful designs on silk, wool and leather. I transform  the finished fabric into artisanal clothing, accessories and art. I have  taught workshops at many Fiber Shows and art centers around the country  as well as at my own studio.  I am also a certified practitioner of the  art of forest relaxation known as “Shinrin Yoku” (which translates to  “Forest Bathing.” ) and strive to create art that is touched by the  influence of Nature.  I am proud of creating everything, by hand, that  comes from the studio of The Silk Thread. My fiber work has been  featured in international publications such as “No Serial Number” and  “Belle Armoire”.

On the Painting side, I am delighted that my award  winning portraits are hanging in homes and businesses worldwide. I’ve  illustrated books for major publishing companies, written audio ebooks   and  “How To” painting DVD’s for the nationwide art supply store,  Jerrysartarama.com. I am a motivational speaker for art groups  interested in the working artist. Many of my articles appear in Ezine  Magazines as well as Art Blogs. My artist husband, Stephen Filarsky and I  teach painting workshops in our studio and venues around the country  for art groups.  Several times a week you can find me teaching painting  at both the main and satellite campuses of Vance Granville Community  College.  We travel and participate in shows across the US.  When not  out on the road, we’re at our rural NC mini farm along with 2 alpacas,  chickens and family dogs. The life of the working artist is hectic,  fulfilling and rewarding and we wouldn’t have it any other way!

All of my clothing and accessories are made ethically in our rural NC  Studio to be sustainable, renewable, eco-friendly and biodegradable.  Everything is created, by hand, in the studio.

Decriptions of Techniques:

Ecoprinting : the collecting of Nature’s plants,  leaves and flowers and through a natural steaming process, imprinting  them onto the fabric to create colors, designs and faux textures.  Natural pieces are the actual colors released by the tannin in the plant  on that day.  Those Colors vary with the plant, time of day, moon  cycles, weather patterns and seasons of the year. I am one of only a  very few in the United States who ecoprints on leather.

Hand Dyed: I use natural, organic dyes from plants  and trees  or low impact  synthetic dyes. The dyes may be used alone or  in combination with Ecoprinted pieces.

Hand Painted: All  hand painted designs are hand  drawn by me without the use of computers or templates. I may  use them  in combination with  Hand dyed and/or Ecoprinted clothing and  accessories.