NICHE selects 2003 award finalists

Staff -- Home Textiles Today, 11/11/2002 12:00:00 AM

BALTIMORE —

After receiving more than 1,000 entries, the finalists for the 2003 NICHE Awards have been selected by NICHE magazine, a trade publication for retailers of the American craft.

As many as four finalists were selected in each of the 40 categories, and the winners will be announced at a ceremony on Feb. 16 at the Buyers Market of American Craft in Philadelphia.

The fiber category is divided into six categories.

• Clothing: Mark S. Thomas, Black Star - G, and Black Star - B; Kristen Jensen, Lime Sublime; and Marcia Manzo, Amelia Tunic.

• Decorative Fiber: JoAnne Russo, Porcupine; Joan Brink, Corn Circle; Vesna Yankovich, Organic Form; and Lawrence Wheeler, Monofilament Bowl.

• Fiber — Handwoven: Judi Wood, Metamorphosis; Donna Sakamoto Crispin, CedarWaves; Candiss Cole, PetalCoat/Purple Amber; and Alexis Schneider and Vanora Savig, Blue Note Starlet Coat.

• Fiber — Knitted: Robin L. Bergman, Chenille Collar Crop Cardigan; Sandy D'Andrade, Heron Outfit and Winter Mountains Coat; and Kristen Jensen, Gold Mine.

• Fiber — Pieced/Quilted: Lisa C. Micheels, O/E Medici Scarf; Ann Harwell, Bubble Nebula; Sandra Clark, Inside/Out Coat; and Sarmite Svilis and Diaga Henson, Montreal Mist.

• Fiber — Surface Design: Sandra Clark, Silk Fire Coat; Sarmite Svilis and Diaga Henson, Norwegian Fjords; Michelle LaLonde, Lattice-Smocked Clutch; and Laurie Schafer, Art Washes Away From the Soul the Dust of Everyday Life.