Art Unraveled 2010-Silk Flower Pins (and blog give away)

The last two years I have been fortunate to teach at Art Unraveled in Phoenix. Next year I will be co-teaching "Wayward Blooms to Dye For" with my friend Jennifer Whitmer . For many years Jennifer and I have collaborated on projects. I send her my hand dyed fabrics and she creates something fabulous with them. The last few years our focus has been on creating flower pins pictures above. Registration for AU begins Dec. 30th so for anyone interested in attending go have a look at the workshops offered. A lot of people have asked for us to teach this flower making class and now we have that chance. Perhaps this is something you're interested in so please go here and see for yourself!

(Remember if you leave a comment on my blog between now and Jan. first you could win a handmade reticule filled with hand dyed silk ribbons and fabric remnants!)

Loma Prieta Christmas 2009

Here are some pics taken from my mountain top home. It's 63 degrees here today and bright sunshine abounds!
(Don't forget to read my previous post and a chance to win fabulous stuff!)


Half Moon in Blue Sky



Three Sister Sequoias

Shibori Silk Top with Silk Hand Dyed Yoyo's & a give away drawing!

I was very pleased with the way this top turned out but I wasn't pleased with the photos. Most of the mannequins I have to put garments on are a ridiculous size, being so small and narrowed shouldered they aren't real human proportions. I was in a hurry to take some photos before I packed the top up with my other garments to ship to Missouri for the museum show so these were the best I got. I hope you can visualize the uniqueness of this shibori dyed top and the hand sewn yoyo's. Fabric yoyo’s are circles of fabric that when hand stitched turn into fun little rosettes. Traditionally these were made out of cotton prints and made into quilts but I am making them using my hand dyed habotai silk.




I am always challenged when photographing garments. They look best on a person but I rarely have a person handy to model for me when I need to take pictures. Neither my husband nor my two sons are candidates for this, silk scarves and garments are not their forte' and really I'm glad for that.

When my friend Jennifer last visited me we were going to make one of these duct tape forms but wound up being so consumed with giving vintage slip dresses new lives we never found time. I think if I could make one of these it would give me a human shaped mannequin that I could use to photograph garments on but you need someone to help you make it. Is anyone else interested in making one? I could invite you over and we'd have a "duct tape" party?

If anyone knows of a site that shows garments photographed in a special, unique way that appears to be simple enough for me to do I'd like to know that. If you post a link for that, sign up to come to my house to make duct tape mannequins or just comment on my blot I will put your name in a drawing to be held on January 1st with random name drawer and you can win this reticule made from my hand woven fabric and lined with dyed painted silk charmeuse. And I will stuff it full of my dyed silk fabric scraps and ribbons! BE SURE TO LEAVE YOUR EMAIL IN THE COMMENT SO I CAN CONTACT YOU!

Hindu Monastery on Kauai- Rudraksha Trees/Beads

My friend Connie and I visited the Hindu Monastery when I was in Kauai. Connie lives on Island and every time I visit there we get together. We always meet in Kapa'a to eat at our favorite little hole-in-the wall place, Mermaids. Yummy fish tacos or Ahi Nori Wraps with iced Chai tea or Hibiscus Lemonade.

Connie has written about our adventure at the Monastery and gathering the Rudraksha beads so click on her name above to go to her blog.

Life's A Beach in Kauai!

I've been on Island since the 3rd and the weather has been perfect. Sometimes this time of year it's very rainy but we've seen none. Yesterday Michael and I went to Mahaulepu which is a beautiful open space land at the end of a very rugged, mostly unmaintained road that goes through now defunct sugar cane fields. We did se some of this land has been cultivated and corn and other vegetables are being grown.


When we got to the beach we saw a monk seal. The island protects these seals when they beach themselves to rest by erecting fencing around them so no one disturbs them. We walked farther down and there was another fenced area and this one was a mother and her new born pup. It was only five days old and very black. We were told the pups gain five pounds a day and the mother does not leave the pup's side but rests the entire time she nurses the young, not even eating. Five to seven weeks later the pup gets weaned and the mother leaves to end her fast. These monks seals are becoming endangered. The Island of Kauai protects them so the number in the Island is increasing. They have about 68 now but the other islands where the seals live the numbers are declining. This article says there are only 1200 monk seals left but the volunteer with the organization in Kauai said there are only about 900.

It was fascinating to see the mother with the newborn.





Well it's another crappy day in paradise so I better get out there and take my walk to the beach.

I'll leave with with some pictures of Mahaulepu.

Holidays approaching and the New Year

My big announcement is the upcoming museum show I will be exhibiting at along with my friend Sharon Kilfoyle in January 2010. This is to be at the Margaret Harwell Art Museum in my hometown of Poplar Bluff, Mo. The show opens on Jan. 1 but Sharon and I are planning to be at the museum on Sat. Jan. 9th for a trunk show and sale of our wearables from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. Toward the end of Dec. invites will be mailed but it's open to the public and anyone is welcome. If you live in the area please stop by to see us!!

The museum is a lovely old historical house on the still brick paved Main street of town. When Mrs. Harwell died in 1977, she left a part of her estate to the City of Poplar Bluff to establish a center for art classes and exhibits. In 1978, an Arts and Museum Advisory Board was formed to take on the task. In 1980, the city purchased the J.L. Dalton home, itself rich in local history and architecture, to house the museum. The Margaret Harwell Art Museum opened to the public in November 1981.




Every year for the last ten (?) I have participated in the Bargetto Winery Christmas in the Cellars art show. But this year I opted out to rest. I know several artists who will be there and I highly recommend you go to buy the special handmade items for presents and for yourself.

ART IN THE CELLARS
BARGETTO WINERY Cellars
Saturday & Sunday, December 5 & 6, 2009
11:00am - 5:00pm
BARGETTO WINERY's annual Art in the Cellars art show and wine tasting in our cellars in Soquel, CA. Purchase a commemorative glass and receive complimentary wine tastings while browsing art.

I have placed some of my wares at the Santa Cruz Mountains Art Center's "Gift of Art" show. Follow the link for all the details including hours that the gallery is open.

Or check out my etsy shop. BUT remember I won't be back until Dec. 13th so I wouldn't mail anything until the 14th but that's still time to get before Christmas.

I hope you keep artists in mind when buying presents, for many it's our livelihood, or you could go to the mall?

I'm heading to Kauai on Thursday for ten days with my husband. I hope to relax, walk, swim, drink a mai tai or two, see dear friends, and what ever calls me.