As the World Turns...and My Life Evolves

I know it is not realistic to expect my life to not change...to maintain an even keel forever.  Yet sometimes I wish for it...yearn for it anyway...no bumps; no bruises.  In the past 10 months I have been through all sorts of adventures - some good; some bad.  For a recap..................

During June and July last year, I participated in a Fiber Art show at the JACC (Jacklin Arts and Cultural Center) www.thejacklincenter.org in Post Falls where several of my pieces sold including the one pictured below. Sorry about picture quality! This is from my cell phone. I finished this piece the day before the show opened and it sold for $425 so I have no other pictures of it. Oops! It is hung on a huge pine bough and is about 9 feet long and about 3 feet wide.  Sunset over Coeur d' Alene Lake.

This show lead to another great opportunity as I was contacted by Susan Jacklin asking me to be the JACC's featured artist and make 10 pieces for their major fundraiser event in December. And Susan also arranged to have a special Ladies Night Out trunk show of my other work in December with dates adjacent to the fundraiser.

After I was in Art on the Green in Coeur d' Alene August 2013 (which was terrific for me...see earlier post), I next was in the second annual CdA Studio Tour & Sale. This year though I was hosted at the studio of metal artist Teresa McHugh. The day was beautiful despite bad weather just a day prior. Sales however were less than last year which was a big disappointment.  The event itself continues to struggle though hopefully it will go on and gain the support it deserves.

After that I again participated in the Junk2Funk Fashion Show and Auction put on by the Kootenai Environmental Alliance (KEA) in October. For the event I created a chair for the auction and a beautiful gown for the runway show.  My theme was a sun-kissed flower blossom.

This is my sketch. I was using a very stylized sunflower painting by another artist as my inspiration.

Except for the silk dupioni train, this sun-kissed blossom ensemble was created with all cream colored wool, silk and silk velvet. I hand painted dye onto each part of the outfit before assembling the gown, headpiece, arm gauntlets and drawstring bag. 

My sun-kissed chair is an upscale of a used chair that was completely reconditioned. It is hand painted in acrylic except for the cushion which was hand felted of wool and raw silk. I also added two bells for a bit of whimsy. Sold at auction for $180.

In November, I was in the Custer's Arts and Craft show at the Spokane Fairgrounds where I showcased my latest coat creation.

Then it was off to the JACC for the Soiree and Trunk Show. Wonderful women, especially my biggest fan Kathy L., came and spent the evening with me for the Ladies Night Out where I had new cape/wrap skirts to unveil.

Then my vessels were auctioned as part of the fundraiser a few days later. Whew! Most of the vessels shown below measure about 12 to 14 inches high and about 9 to 10 inches wide.

In between all of these shows I was busy creating and teaching at my new studio on the lake.

That covers most of the "good" things that happened over the past 10 months.  The less than fun or "bad" things were:

• Heating bills of $900, $1,000 and $1,300 through December, January and February...Ouch!
• Back surgery for my husband in February 2014 (this may be good/bad event)
• Moose attack on my little 11 pound dog; major surgery for hip injury in March 2014 just 3 days prior to loading our first Uhaul truck. I cannot begin to describe the terror of watching this attack!
• Landlords from another planet thought it cute to raise our rent $300 a month...March 2014 and 2015 and 2016! Are they kidding?! Not even my nice sized studio and the view I had from it for part of the summer was worth anything close to a $900 a month increase over the next few years!!! 
• The act of packing and moving just a short 14 months after locating to "dream studio and house" was depressing.

All of these things led to some very serious reflection and introspection. Did I really want to keep up with the now "frantic at times" pace developing as my work gains recognition? If so, where should we move? How and where will I create my art? What about retirement and relaxation? What about the money it takes to finance my art dream? What did I want to do???????????????

In was very hard to find a home that could also house my teaching studio and fit within our budget 14 months ago when we moved out on Lake Coeur d' Alene. This time we searched the area all of February and much of March without any luck. We could stay for a bit with the rent increase and keep looking...but then we revisited the idea of moving to Whidbey Island. We had contemplated this idea prior to me leasing studio space in town in 2012...even before moving to the lake to combine house and studio. Was it still an option??? No way to tell without looking.

So just days after back surgery my husband and I journeyed to Whidbey to take a look. I have always loved my time on Whidbey Island in Coupeville where I've attended classes taught through the Pacific Northwest Art School. www.pacificnorthwestartschool.org  Luck was with us again as in just one day we found a home that met most all our needs. A-M-A-Z-I-N-G! We waited for our application to be processed and started packing. It took 2 weeks of moving, two 26-foot Uhaul trucks and a load in each our vehicles to get everything moved but we did it! By April 5th we were officially residents of the great state of Washington.

While I must admit to huge despair and depression after getting the letter from our landlords, (I do hate it when a dream crashes) I am again feeling optimistic. Whidbey is such a welcoming community AND there are artists everywhere! I am going to enjoy meeting and collaborating with all my future artist friends. I have made some tough business decisions. I will not be selling at shows this season though I plan to enter the county fair and the Coupeville Arts and Craft juried show.

I dissolved my corporation and have decided a more streamlined business format will suit my purposes. I plan to spend more time "retired" and less time chasing shows and sales. I am going for involved, but low key. I have let my website go and plan instead to create a presence on Facebook. I have joined the Whidbey Weavers Guild (They do so much more than just weave!) and am going to apply to the Whidbey Surface Design Association as well where I can meet and connect with all these wonderful artists! www.whidbeyweaversguild.org  and  whidbeyislandsda.wordpress.com

So what's next? I need a new name for a fresh start...something simple and easy...just like I hope life will be for the next year or so....
jK Felt
J.K. Felt
KINGS Felt
King FELT
JMK Art Works

Any suggestions???

Thanks for reading my long missive and I appreciate your input!
Janet

Art on the Green in Coeur d' Alene, Idaho

I am sooo happy to have been accepted to this premier (and local) fair!  I was accepted in two categories: wearable fiber art and non-wearable fiber art...therefore I had a double booth to properly display all my work in both these categories.  Whew! Thanks for family willing to help with set-up and tear down.

Beyond getting in to the art fair, I also submitted two pieces to the juried art show (contest) that is displayed and judged during the art fair.  Prize money is involved!  While only one of my pieces made it into this show...the one that did was deemed a winner!!!  Vessels are time consuming to create and "Leaves" was my first.  I am so proud that it gained an award the first time I entered it in a juried contest.

I also sold my first very seriously large wall piece (for over a thousand...yippe!), Symphony in Felt Major, during the fair to a lovely couple from Post Falls.  It is so large they couldn't fit it into their car so we delivered it the day after the fair closed.  It is nearly five feet long and over three feet high!  You can't tell in this photo, but the background fabric is a beautiful cream silk with a subtle diagonal pattern. Very excited about this sale!  The whole art fair was a huge success for me and I want to thank all of the people who have purchased before and returned for more as well as my new supporters!

Many of you have been asking for details about my upcoming classes so click on the CLASS Description tab and my new Events/Teaching Tab and you will see I have filled in details about each.

Next up is the second annual Cd'A Studio Tour and Sale on September 7th...see you there!
Janet

QUICK View of Scheduled Events 2013

Spokane, Art Fest, May 31-June 2      Sponsored by the MAC (Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture)
www.northwestmuseum.org/explore/events/artfest

Sculptural Felting Techniques, June 9-10    Sponsored by Me!
At my lakeside studio on Lake Coeur d' Alene - Look on my Class Schedule Tab in this blog for details
www.sapphire-art.com  to see some of my work

Summer Arts for Youth, July 9-11       Sponsored by City of Cd'A
www.cdaid.org  I'll be teaching 10 to 15 year olds about felting!

Coeur d' Alene, Art on the Green, August 2-4      Sponsored by Citizens' Council for the Arts
www.artonthegreen.org

Coeur d' Alene, Studio Tour and Sale, September 14th     Sponsored by Cd'A Arts and Culture Alliance
www.artsincda.org

Nuno Felting Techniques, September  27-29        Sponsored by Me!
At my lakeside studio on Lake Coeur d' Alene - Look on my Class Schedule Tab in this blog for details
www.sapphire-art.com  to see some of my work

Sculptural Felting Techniques, October 11-13       Sponsored by Me!
At my lakeside studio on Lake Coeur d' Alene - Look on my Class Schedule Tab in this blog for details
www.sapphire-art.com  to see some of my work

Fall Felter's Camp,  October 21-25       Sponsored by Me!
At my lakeside studio on Lake Coeur d' Alene - Look on my Class Schedule Tab in this blog for details
www.sapphire-art.com  to see some of my work

Coeur d' Alene, Junk 2 Funk Fashion Show, October     Sponsored by Kootenai Environmental Alliance
www.kealliance.org

Spokane, Custer's Christmas Arts & Crafts Show (I hope!), November 22-24   This is the weekend before Thanksgiving    
www.custershows.com

Upcoming Events!

Hi Fiber Fans!

Oh my have I ever been remiss...so sorry!  We have been busy here in North Idaho though even if you did not know since I wasn't posting.  So let me tell you what we have been up to!

First, we moved...then my dear hubby had shoulder surgery.  We have yet to unpack everything, but I have been able to do some work in my new studio...which is FAN-TAS-TIC since all I have to do is look out and I see a wonderful view of the main channel on Lake Coeur d' Alene!

I was also busy this winter getting my applications in for some local Art Shows.  I'm very pleased with the outcome too.  First up is Art Fest May 31-June 2 which means it is this weekend!!!  (www.northwestmuseum.org/explore/events/artfest)  Then I have Art On The Green August 2-4 (www.artonthegreen.org)  followed by the second annual Art Alliance Studio Tour and Sale Sept. 14th. (www.artsincda.org)  Still waiting to hear back from the folks that put on Custer's Christmas Arts & Craft Show at the fairgrounds in Spokane in November...keep your fingers crossed for me!

I have branched out into some new territory with my art this year.  It will all be revealed this weekend at Art Fest.  Hope to see you there!

Janet

My Gown and A Vessel

Hello!

Here is a better shot of my first full length dress.  Eggplant colored Merino silk and velvet...some recycling in there I am happy to say.

And I now have a series of 6 vessels completed...however one is already sold...this one is still available and represents the Grand Ole Oak.

Coming up this weekend is a fun little sale at St. Luke's in Coeur d' Alene. (Dec 1 from 9 am to 3 pm).  Then next weekend, Dec. 8 at the Kootenai County Fairgrounds, the Farmers Market group will be holding their annual Winter Market.  Lots of great stuff!!!  Come fill your stockings!

I will have a double booth at the Winter Market!  Many of you have never seen all my home furnishings so this double booth will feature both wearable art and home decor.  New finished designs in Felptures, handbags, jewelry and HATS!  See you there.

Happy Holidays,
Janet

Harvest Festival

Good Evening Fiber Friends,

Ahh...crisp morning air, frost, apples and pumpkins...


As we finished setting up for a month of selling at Green Bluff Grange Hall for the Harvest festival the other day, I decided to snap a few photos.  We have a wonderful location that has allowed us to display my art on both sides of our grid wall!  It doesn't show it in the pictures because we later changed things around, but my husband is set up demonstrating needle felting on one side and I have a cozy spot to demonstrate wet felting on the other side.  We want to thank everyone that came by this past (first weekend) to see us.  We had a delightful two days getting to know all our neighboring artists and visiting with Festival attendees.  Let's keep fingers crossed that the beautiful fall weather continues!

We will be at Green Bluff through the end of the month on both Saturday and Sunday 9-5.  Then look for us at the Kootenai Winter Market on December 8 at the Fairgrounds.  www.kootenaifarmersmarkets.org

AND you can see me modeling my Dream Fantasy Gown at the Kootenai Environmental Alliance's 4th Annual Fashion Show...Saturday, Oct. 13 at the Eagles in Coeur d' Alene.  http://kealliance.org/junk2funk/

In the meantime, I am busily working in my studio and squeezing in students when I can.  So far I have taught two Nuno felt sessions and I have a third scheduled.  It is exciting to see my students amazement when the bits and pieces all come together and they find they have created a one-of-a-kind work of art! Makes a teacher (me in this case) quite proud.

This week I have four Nuno scarves to finish as well as a custom ordered vest...which is going to be awesome!  Pictures will be posted.

Have a wonderful week everyone,
Janet

Enjoying the Great Outdoors

Most of the time I have to stay indoors and out of air currents because it messes with my fibers and ruins my design work...However, today I am at home - outside at the patio table - working!

At the end of last week I had partially felted 14 handbags of various styles and designs.  It took me days to lay them all out at my studio.  They occupied 3 tables.  My reward?  As we move into blissful Indian summer weather, I can sit outside at home and felt while enjoying my garden and the more moderate temperatures!  While I have enjoyed having a seperate studio...I have missed 'being home'.

This blue bag will be one in a series I call: Blossom Bags.

Tomorrow we are off to sell at our local market.  www.Kootenaifarmersmarkets.org

Have a great weekend!  Hope to see you around,
Janet

Hello!

Whew!  I know!  I know! It's been awhile since I last wrote anything to you so let me update you on some of the goings on in my life and that of Sapphire. We have both been very busy. 

I attended my last scheduled class at Pacific Northwest Art School at the end of July.  Jorie Johnson, of Japan, was our instructor.  Our assignment: Construct a complete garment without any seams.  I made...a full length dress!  I had already tackled a coat and a vest so the next thing was either a skirt, a longer coat or a dress.  I had been toying with ideas about a dress already, yet I was unsure of a few of the construction details...but Jorie had all the answers!

And while what we were creating was quite interesting...it was my fellow students that awed me.  I may have a few details slightly askew but essentially we had students from: from Israel, Kazakhstan (an artist with a thousand more artists from her country working under her in an artist cooperative), Canada and around the USA from CA, WY, ID, WA, and Ohio.  There were two college textile professors, a costume designer for a Repertory Theater in WA, a Past President of an Art School, a Immigration and Naturalization Officer, a budding artist/mom, a Rancher/Artist and several local Whidbey Island fiber artists. Wonderful discussions during breaks!

Toward the end of August we attended the second Artist's Reception in the POAC Sandpoint (Idaho) Art Walk 2012.  I took this opportunity to introduce some of the Art Walkers to sheer felting.

With September beginning we headed even further north to Priest Lake and Entree Gallery Trunk Show.  It was a lovely late summer day and we had a delightful place under the willow tree on the grounds...and I tried to demonstrate sheer felting for these folks but the wind was blowing enough that is was darn near impossible to get any of my fiber laid out.  I improvised by wetting out my surface before laying my fiber so it had something to stick to right away, but still it was too much for me. {Sigh}  That piece is headed for the recycle bin!

Then just two days ago we held Coeur d' Alene's first ever Studio Tour!!!  We had at least 150 people through Sapphire Studio in just 7 hours.  By all accounts it was a good turnout and hopefully will be funded again next year.  I enjoyed all the people that took the time to come by and see me explain and demonstrate just what it is that I do.  A bonus was the time spent meeting more artists living in this area.

I also took time to formulate and launch my Fall Class Schedule which you will find on a TAB at the top of my blog...just under the header picture.  Since opening my studio I have pretty much been busy creating or traveling.  Hopefully Fall and Winter will allow me to devote some time to teaching in my studio.

Oh!  Did I mention that I was invited to model my newly felted dress in a "Runway Show"?!  Never been down that kind of runway before...yikes!  This event is held each year as a fundraiser for Kootenai Environmental Alliance.

More to come...but for now I have to go get some sleep,
Janet

My New Pink "V" Coat

Evenin'' Everyone,

I am trying out new photo software.  My previous uploads were through Photo Bucket and often failed to load properly...now I am using Picasa.  Hope it continues to be easy to use AND that my photos load quickly and correctly.

It is now the second week of July and things are really starting to hop around here!  I was browsing through my email at the beginning of the week and saw a message announcing a jewelry contest with an online gift company called Uncommon Goods.  Sooooo I spent the middle of the week getting a few samples made; photos taken and sent off on the airwaves.  There will be an in house panel first.  If I make it out of that round then I go to the public voting round.  If I am in the top five after that round then two jewelry judges get a shot at my designs...the winner gets $500 and a vendor contract with the company.  To see what I sent off, scroll back to the top of this page. I'll let you know if and when it is time for the public vote or you can follow along at www.uncommongoods.com

These necklaces are made from merino, stones or glass (made right here in Cd'A) which I embed into my felt.  Then I add eyelets...or are those grommets...I can never keep that straight!  I then either felt a cord from merino or use a hand-dyed, handmade silk ribbon and add the clasp on one end and the flower pendant to the other.  Each necklace can be custom made.  To accompany the necklaces, I made earrings of Lucite flowers, stone beads, and Swarovski crystals.

I also found out this week that my Studio and I have been selected to participate in the first ever Studio Tour in Coeur d' Alene.  It is going to be on September 8th.  The sponsor of this event is Coeur d' Alene Arts and Cultural Alliance. More details on this later...just save that date!!! www.artsincda.org

And lastly, I have finished my first coat!  This beautiful pink and purple "V" coat is absolutely wonderful to wear.  I am not a model, yet it was fun enough to model this coat and flirt with the camera for a few quick shots of it before we drove it up to Kristie and her shop Blue Flag Weaving Studio.  www.blueflagweaving.com

This flirty, fun, wide sash collar, wrap around coat is made of cotton gauze, merino, a mixture of designer wools from Montana, silk cloth and silk fibers, metallic fibers, buttons...and the bottom purple border which is a recycled blouse...it is a stretchy burned-out velvet like material.  The inside, which is more geometric than random/abstract is as fun as the outside and I wanted to make it reversible but I just couldn't do it! (sigh)...maybe next time.

 

And tomorrow is Saturday so we are off to Farmers Market again...unless...well the prediction is for 70% chance of thunderstorms...so if it is raining in the morning I will just stay home and work on my Ode to the Ocean vessel!

Ta ta for now Fiber Fans,

Janet

Hello,

You know how it gets...you intend to do things...but you just don't?  Well that's me and blogging...Is it that life is just so busy or am I just that lazy...jury is still out on that one...but anyway here I go:

I have been quite busy.  We have returned to our local Farmers Market where sales were slow early on but picked up this Saturday when the temperature also up...as in the 90's!  That is too darn hot for my happiness, but since we had been wet and rainy for what seemed like months on end...I'm trying not to complain (too much).

May found me planting my seedlings in the garden It is growing nicely though I lost some to rot due to all our rain. I went to Pacific Northwest Art School for a class. I hosted some low-key Open House days at my studio in June. I also got asked to be the featured artist for Blue Flag Studio & Sandpoint's POAC 35th Annual Art Walk which runs daily from June 23rd to September 7th.
www.artinsandpoint.org
www.blueflagweaving.com
www.pacificnorthwestartschool.org

I have some awesome art up there...I hope some of you will be able to make it up there to see my newest art!  Since vessels are 3-D there is more to see on other sides...for now you just get a preview.

I have a series of new vessels I have started with the theme: Interpreting Nature.  The first one is dedicated to the mighty oak trees and is nearly done.  The second is about the ocean and is about half done.

I have more art in the show in Sandpoint and I will write about it in my next post.

Ta ta for now everyone...
Janet

Pacific Northwest Art School

Hello Everyone!

Yes, I am still alive and felting!  It's been an interesting winter/spring.  Very busy.  And now I am over on Whidbey Island (in Puget Sound of Washinton state) to attend a class on vessels taught by Sharon Costello. Www.blacksheepdesigns.com at Pacific Northwest Art School (PNW).  This is a sample of the views from the cottage I have rented. 

When I return on May 29th I will be setting up for the first time at the Sherman Avenue Farmers Market on Wednesday and then holding an open house at my studio on Saturday, June 3rd from 1 to 5pm.  If you are a local following my blog, be sure to stop by and say hello!

Janet

BACK to WORK!

I know I have mentioned before that I often work late into the night.  I just find it is the best productive period for my creative thinking.  And I'm not the only one!  I recently read a quote from a famous piano player...He was talking about how working in the wee hours of the night is liberating and stimulating for him...And I know how right he is!  It was great to find someone else putting out there.

So the studio is coming along though not finished.  Haven't even been able to set a date for an open house yet.  Still there is progress.  And my finger is healing so I have been able to get back into my studio the last couple days...though I must admit that the antibiotics are giving me fits and drain my energy so no late night working at this time.  But...I am off and running on a new batch of projects and it feels so GOOD!  Creating is so exhilarating!

1. A set of curtains/drapes for the front windows of the studio.
2. A wrap/scarf/jacket kind of thing using nuno felting techniques.

Each are coming along well.  I have some pictures for you...first the full length curtains...

And now here are the beginnings of what I hope will be a stunning spring wrap for me to have for the opening of Farmers Market...

The wrap is made up of layers.  In one layer will be the fuchsia gauze fabric, along with the pink & purple metallic gauze and a stretchy velour burnout fabric.  Then there is a layer of merino...that covers another layer made of silk roving, nubby wool blend and more metallic gauze.  I haven't yet decided if I will add some floral silk on top of the fuchsia gauze...

Soooooooo much fun!

Janet

A Pip of a Poppy

Yippy!  I have been able to get back to felting...finally.  On Sunday evening I worked on a few samples for my class with the Senior Ladies.  Then today I taught them to wet felt jewelry.  Two finished and they are shown below along with one of my new poppies!

Keeping My Perspective

You know it seems that I have forgotten how beautiful this place is…   Remembering back to when we arrived in May of 2010 to live here for a while - having just departed the southern desert region of Nevada - we were in awe as we rediscovered the amount of lush greenery, tree covered mountains and water in the form of streams, rivers and even a handful of lakes!  Ahhhh…we basked in all its glory. 

Come winter we got to experience the dramatically changing weather as clouds streamed past when storms blew in.  We missed the exciting elements Mother Nature can contrive that we came to appreciate so much during our days living aboard our sailboat, Sapphire.  In addition, we had snow!... Sparkling flakes on the trees covered mountains.  Even the dead looking trees waiting to be reborn in spring, shone with a stark beauty as only they can when snow adorns their dormant limbs. 

Spring showed us our new neighborhood was full of new life!  Crocus began peeking out from the last bits of frozen moisture, with daffodils and tulips following in their wake.  Yet in the time since that, everything has lost it appeal.  Things began to irritate me.  I realize now that the busier I got, the more I forget to stop and appreciate these things of beauty surrounding me!  Especially lately…I seem to have forgotten to take the time to “Stop and smell the roses.”

And while I love change and all its promised new discoveries and challenges…I have found setting up my new art studio/art school, which initially was thrilling, is now…well dis-satisfactory.   And I find myself paralyzed each time I walk in as I am faced with this:

The paralysis has spread to other parts of my life.  And I find I am accomplishing very little some days.  Discontent has spread too.  I am no longer happy with where we are living, my choice to make a go as a fiber artist, or even the way the winter played out.  I missed being able to pit myself against an indomitable foe (Mr. Winter) and feeling triumphant each time I prevailed and made it home safely.  This past winter barely gave birth to the idea of winter!  Even spring seems a wet blanket to my usual enthusiasm for this time of year.  But why?!  I revel in spring!!!   I love all the new growth; the promise of home grown food and flowers everywhere!  And they are there…those crocus are popping up to show their bright, cheerful faces…so why my gloom and discontent?  

It is my new studio!  And why should the uprooting of my studio cause me such discontent?!  I need order!!!  And until I am able to organize and contain my new studio spaces I will not be…happy…content…and able to create.  


And so it's back to work... but it is a labor of love!


Janet


P.S.  See!  I have managed to get some things organized...so all is not been in vain...and I have hope!