One of the most amusing things to me these days is watching my husband as he tries to be a fashion advisor for me! He himms, humms and haahhhas at me as he decides how to best answer my latest request for his input. Amazingly though, he does answer me! And usually he has very perceptive answers too. It isn't always what I want to hear, but what the heck, I asked, right?
I have had the beginnings of a felted coat hanging on my dress form in the hall for weeks now. Slowly I have added a fur collar, inherited from my Auntie in Montana, and sleeves since it was still sleeveless. I hung two different fabrics off of the sides to see which he may prefer. He gave me a most definitive answer on those choices! Now I would like to hear from all of you... What do you think? Yes to the fur collar or no? Light green suede sleeves or light brown sleeves...or shall I work on re-purposing this dark brown leather suede poncho a friend gave me? Or something else all together??? Let's see if hubby got it right, shall we? Tell me what you think.
Friday, November 11, 2011
The Science of Felting
As an educator in training years ago, I learned all about the scientific method. Hypothesis, controlled variables, experiment, results.... And years before that I worked for several scientists at Montana State University. I love science! It was always my favorite subject to teach.
So as I sat at my felting table the other day it struck me how much of what I am doing today as a felter is all about science. Yes there is very much an art form to it, but there is also a great deal of science too. Each time I set about to do a piece it is an experiment....I combine wool and other natural fibers with a variety of natural (silk) and synthetic materials and see what happens...problem is I often have blown the controlled experiment process by introducing more than one new variable in each new experiment....but I like the surprises! They are what keeps me going...the anticipation of seeing what the result of all my combinations will yield. I know if I approached this more scientifically - having only one new variable - I would be able to replicate my work. But...well...that is just too stifling and so I guess that is why it is called art instead.
So as I sat at my felting table the other day it struck me how much of what I am doing today as a felter is all about science. Yes there is very much an art form to it, but there is also a great deal of science too. Each time I set about to do a piece it is an experiment....I combine wool and other natural fibers with a variety of natural (silk) and synthetic materials and see what happens...problem is I often have blown the controlled experiment process by introducing more than one new variable in each new experiment....but I like the surprises! They are what keeps me going...the anticipation of seeing what the result of all my combinations will yield. I know if I approached this more scientifically - having only one new variable - I would be able to replicate my work. But...well...that is just too stifling and so I guess that is why it is called art instead.
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Need Your Advice - Can You Help Me, Please?
The trouble with December 3rd is just how close it is to November 10th. You see my husband and I signed up for TWO booths for the Holiday Farmer's Market at the fairgrounds on Dec. 3. Two months ago that seemed like a wonderful idea. We planned to have one side to feature our wearable art items like scarves, shawls, handbags and such. The other booth is to feature all the new home furnishings that I have been felting. Great idea, right?
Well in the two months since then I have had every sort of interruption possible so that now, Nov. 10th, I have only one set of drapes, a few 3-D art pieces like pumpkins and a basket. Yikes!!! I have been sweating this for weeks now. Do I swallow my pride and admit that we have more space than I can possibly fill or do I work harder than ever before and just ... what's the saying 'Get 'er done!' ?
I have 22 days...and it takes daaaayyyyys to make a single item like a felpture - illuminated felt sculpture. I also have two custom orders to complete, though each is partly done. I have four pillows laid out on my table tonight. I can get them felted tomorrow, but then they must dry before I can sew on backs and stuff them. I finished these two scarves plus one for a custom order during the past two days...but they won't help fill the home furnishing side. What should I do?!!! Should I go for it and see what I can get done by Dec. 2nd? Should I call and give up one space now?
Well in the two months since then I have had every sort of interruption possible so that now, Nov. 10th, I have only one set of drapes, a few 3-D art pieces like pumpkins and a basket. Yikes!!! I have been sweating this for weeks now. Do I swallow my pride and admit that we have more space than I can possibly fill or do I work harder than ever before and just ... what's the saying 'Get 'er done!' ?
I have 22 days...and it takes daaaayyyyys to make a single item like a felpture - illuminated felt sculpture. I also have two custom orders to complete, though each is partly done. I have four pillows laid out on my table tonight. I can get them felted tomorrow, but then they must dry before I can sew on backs and stuff them. I finished these two scarves plus one for a custom order during the past two days...but they won't help fill the home furnishing side. What should I do?!!! Should I go for it and see what I can get done by Dec. 2nd? Should I call and give up one space now?
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Well Good Evening Everyone!
I have been busy nuno felting scarves yesterday and today. They aren't ready for their pictures to be taken though so instead I have a couple of other items that I have finished to show you.
I love the Photo Bucket slide shows - when they work! Hope you get to see all six photos. I stitched on the felted fabric using the free stitching method (darning foot) on a machine. I used different colored threads depending on the accent I needed - in some cases I used gold metallic thread. Difficult stuff to work with!
Both these pillows will be sold through Blue Flag Handweaving Studio in Sandpoint, Idaho. You can click the like below to contact Kristie about them.
http://www.blueflagweaving.com/
As a teaser here is a preview of a new scarf - before felting.
Well I am off to get my scarves out of their acid water bath. Night All!
Janet
I have been busy nuno felting scarves yesterday and today. They aren't ready for their pictures to be taken though so instead I have a couple of other items that I have finished to show you.
I love the Photo Bucket slide shows - when they work! Hope you get to see all six photos. I stitched on the felted fabric using the free stitching method (darning foot) on a machine. I used different colored threads depending on the accent I needed - in some cases I used gold metallic thread. Difficult stuff to work with!
Both these pillows will be sold through Blue Flag Handweaving Studio in Sandpoint, Idaho. You can click the like below to contact Kristie about them.
http://www.blueflagweaving.com/
As a teaser here is a preview of a new scarf - before felting.
Well I am off to get my scarves out of their acid water bath. Night All!
Janet
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Gourd Crafts and Silk Painting
Good Evening!
You might ask yourself what gourds and silk painting have in common so let me tell you. My mother recently gave me a book from her collection of arts and crafts resources called Gourd Crafts by Marilynn Host.
On pages 104-106 there is a series of photos of gourd bowls done in southwest designs. Now, I lived in the southwest for nearly 17 years and still miss it. When I saw these designs it brought back a lot of my memories of my time there. And as I sat admiring the book, I got an idea for a scarf and proceeded to paint the one below. I used a gold gutta which you can just barely detect in this photo...in person it has a wonderful look! And as you can see this is a contemporary - almost abstract - design with just a hint of southwest in it.
I also have a small silk bag that I painted in a bit more traditional southwest design.
Another design I would like to try is something like this gourd.
If you would like to research gourd crafts and carving for yourself Google Books has this book and many others like it for sale. http://books.google.com/ebooks
Marilynn Host's Book is ISBN 0-8069-4423-4
Enjoy!
Janet
You might ask yourself what gourds and silk painting have in common so let me tell you. My mother recently gave me a book from her collection of arts and crafts resources called Gourd Crafts by Marilynn Host.
On pages 104-106 there is a series of photos of gourd bowls done in southwest designs. Now, I lived in the southwest for nearly 17 years and still miss it. When I saw these designs it brought back a lot of my memories of my time there. And as I sat admiring the book, I got an idea for a scarf and proceeded to paint the one below. I used a gold gutta which you can just barely detect in this photo...in person it has a wonderful look! And as you can see this is a contemporary - almost abstract - design with just a hint of southwest in it.
I also have a small silk bag that I painted in a bit more traditional southwest design.
Another design I would like to try is something like this gourd.
If you would like to research gourd crafts and carving for yourself Google Books has this book and many others like it for sale. http://books.google.com/ebooks
Marilynn Host's Book is ISBN 0-8069-4423-4
Enjoy!
Janet
Monday, November 7, 2011
Summer Memories as I Clean Up for Winter
Hello!
Today was a day made for working outside. The sun was shining and though it was brisk (ice on the pails of water) I worked hard enough to take two layers of clothing off...which put me down to two left on! I trimmed, pulled, bagged and relocated. Generally just tried to get everything in ship shape for Mr. Winter.
There were still flowers on some stalks of poppy and a few marigold...quite a few Pansy and violets, but up they came regardless. Still looking at the colors in the blossoms brought back memories of my garden in its glory this summer...
I painted this scarf during summer while daydreaming about all the bright colorful blossoms, butterflies and hummingbirds. It is 100% silk with gutta and silk dye. I do all my drawing free hand and then hand paint it in using small brushes.
If you should be interested in silk painting you can check with a local art store or online you can take a look at Dharma. They are helpful and have everything you need to get started.
http://www.dharmatrading.com/
Goodnight all,
Janet
Today was a day made for working outside. The sun was shining and though it was brisk (ice on the pails of water) I worked hard enough to take two layers of clothing off...which put me down to two left on! I trimmed, pulled, bagged and relocated. Generally just tried to get everything in ship shape for Mr. Winter.
There were still flowers on some stalks of poppy and a few marigold...quite a few Pansy and violets, but up they came regardless. Still looking at the colors in the blossoms brought back memories of my garden in its glory this summer...
I painted this scarf during summer while daydreaming about all the bright colorful blossoms, butterflies and hummingbirds. It is 100% silk with gutta and silk dye. I do all my drawing free hand and then hand paint it in using small brushes.
If you should be interested in silk painting you can check with a local art store or online you can take a look at Dharma. They are helpful and have everything you need to get started.
http://www.dharmatrading.com/
Goodnight all,
Janet
Sunday, November 6, 2011
I often work late into the night. There is just something so peaceful about the quiet of the world once all the traffic dies down on the streets, the people have all gone indoors, and everything goes to sleep. I feel so much peace and contentment...and still something more...and energy that allows me to produce so much more than I can ever get done during daylight hours. It is because of this that I rarely am up to see the sunrise. As a young child I was a morning person...even as a young adult I suppose, but definitely not now.
However, I am familiar with the beauty of the world first waking up...the first rays across the frosted grass...the thin ice sheets over puddles...the reflection of the light on the lake water...and the warmth of the sun that finally begins to warm the world. I created this handbag with Sunrise in mind...though in all honesty I guess it could reflect the beauty of the sun setting as well. Either way...
Hope you enjoy it!
Janet
However, I am familiar with the beauty of the world first waking up...the first rays across the frosted grass...the thin ice sheets over puddles...the reflection of the light on the lake water...and the warmth of the sun that finally begins to warm the world. I created this handbag with Sunrise in mind...though in all honesty I guess it could reflect the beauty of the sun setting as well. Either way...
Hope you enjoy it!
Janet
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