Craft Therapy

Jenny the Sloth...

Just got back from a week in Mexico... I took an art-quilt to bead, but worked on it precious little... more drawn into lounging, reading, and napping! However, I did do some shopping and bought some lovely beaded bracelets and necklaces to give for holiday gifts. BOUGHT!!!????!!! Yes, bought... sometimes there are things I just KNOW I couldn't do, either time-wise or for the cost. They were amazing seed-bead creations, and I just don't have the knack for it. So, as I see it, I'm doing my part for the Mexican economy.

I did get to sewing babygirls' winter poncho, and made some matchy-matchy for her dolly. American Girl, eat your heart out! 

Look What I'm Not Wearing!

I haven't blogged in awhile, but I've got a good reason... I've had laser surgery on my eyes to correct my vision. I've worn glasses (or contacts) since I was 12, and I really don't remember ever seeing well. I've been a faithful glasses wearer- first thing on the the morning, last thing off at night- but when my DH offered to give me the laser surgery for our 10th anniversary, it was something to ponder. No more spots in the rain? No more fogging while unloading the dishwasher? Unlimited snuggling with baby girl, with no glasses to bump around or smudge? Well, diamonds can wait....

So on the 28th of October I went in for a consultation at Clear Choice and found that I was an excellent candidate..... and less than a week later I had my surgery. (Can you believe it only took 30 minutes????) And the next morning, I woke up and could SEE..... and at my appointment the next day, I screened at 20/20 vision.

Now there's still lots of halo-ing, which is a little annoying, but it's only been 6 days since it's been done, and there's a lot of healing yet to happen.... but I'll be able to go to Mexico over the Thanksgiving holiday and swim with the kids, all glasses-free. A snarky high-school classmate of mine quipped, "So now that you can see, does your husband look as good to you?" I told him: since he gave me "fresh eyes," he looks better and better! (I love my husband! What a guy....)

So, lest you think I've drifted off the crafty path, you should know that less then 24 hours after my surgery I was back at the bead table, stringing seed beads for a 6-strand toursad necklace and bracelet....which I should have photos of soon.

So with my fresh eyes..... I'm crafting on!!!!

Inspirations....

I attended my North Coast Needlers Guild last night, and our speaker really got my brain working. Her name is Kathleen Van Meter, and she's a mixed-media fiber artist. I wish she had a site that I could send you to, but the closest I've come is an article about her from the Textile Art Alliance. Anyway, her materials are...um...unconventional- she uses fabric and pieceing techniques, but she also layers window screening to create depth. Sometimes she cuts out shapes, so you can see certain colors or shapes "pop", and sometimes it's just the layers of screening... more equals darker; the cut outs are see-through. Some of her work is backed in wood, and she "quilts" with nails, screws, or brads....anyway, I really liked the ideas of seeing through the work, and that there were many layers to look into. Now, I probably won't go out and buy a roll of window screen to work with, but I may dig out my tulle and chiffons....

I'll leave you with a quote today...."Art is our one true global language.  It knows no nation, it favors nor race, it acknowledges no class.  It speaks to our need to reveal, heal, and transform.  It transcends our ordinary lives and lets us imagine what is possible." - Richard Kamler

CRAFT LAB- new craft show on DIY

Finally- a new craft show on TV worth watching! Of course, it's cable, so not everyone will get to see it- but since it's on DIY, you can at least get the info on-line. The show I'm referring to is "Craft Lab." The reason why I'm excited is that it is a techniques show, seemingly geared towards multi-media.... I just caught my first glimpse, and the featured artist was Traci Bautista, whose work I've seen online. Her look is really layerd & "doodle-y", so I was glad to see her on the show. She demonstrated a dyed-paper towel fusion collage and a paint technique.  And, in looking through the list of shows to come, I've seen clay projects, cloth dolls, encaustic wax, book making....ohhh! My DVR is set, and I'm a happy girl!

So of course, I woke up early this morning... and I had to decide- go work out on the elliptical monster, or hit the studio. I've been in a mild rut lately, after having OD'd on jewelry... but I did enjoy some card-making early last week.... so...um....yeah, I was in the studio by 5:30. I first tried out the fluid acrylic technique, drizzling them onto a card-board paper that had been protecting my work surface. It already had some ink & stampy marks on it, so I figured a little paint would add some nice texture. (I really love the Lumiere piants, they are so fluid and glimmery....) I used citrine, halo pink, and gold...I got out a second piece of cardboard on which to scrape off my "leftovers", and pretty much covered that one, too. I think they'll make a nice background for some paper art dolls I'm getting ready to make for a swap.

I still had some time left... and those needed to dry, so I got out some coffee filters to dye. (Traci used paper towels, but, hey, the filters were handy.) I used some thinned Lumieres on these, as well as some pearl-ex paints and then a spritz of Tim Holtz' Lettuce green wash. I have to say, I do love those....) So with all of the shimmery paints applied, I added a last spritz of water to blend, and them scrunched them up to dry. I'm really hoping for some cool batik-like color variations.... we'll see tonight, when they are dry.

I might use those papers in som glue-paper collages... or maybe a little book... but in the meanwhile, I've ruined my manicure and am sporting green fingers today at work!

More is More

So, I got my bracelet commission done, and the wedding jewelry handed off, paid for, and worn. Now for the Wade Oval festival... in TWO DAYS! Of course, I've known about it for weeks. The only reason Cherryl and I decided to go and vend our jewelry was because the table is free (!)... and they provide the table and chairs (!!) and even a 6X6 tent canopy (!!!). So, what's to lose? 20 bucks for the vendor's license, some extra cash for clasps... and sleep. I went nuts on Saturday, churning out 12 bracelet and earring sets while Baby Girl slept... and then 8 more on Sunday. More is more.... now let's hope folks have cash!

Of course, in the meanwhile, my mind is wandering from beaded jewelry to other fun things. I'm going to host a mixed-media art bracelet swap in my CPS group, and I'm itching to move on to that. Then, as I was checking out some sites, I ran across a scrapbook site Scrap-a-Latte which has a LOT of soldered jewelry information, supplies, etc. Eureka! I've been coveting Sally Jean's "Pretty little things" for over a year now, but I'm too cheap to buy what I think I can make myself. So I bought myself some materials... I've got most of them already.... and I can't wait to do that, either. Maybe I can make a soldered charm to put ON my bracelets....ooooooh.....

The Joy of Over Extension

So, I'm back from vacation... but it was HOT. Who had the brilliant idea of going to SC in August, anyway???.... but the need to remain indoors brought many hours with my bead box, finishing the 15 bracelets I'd been asked to make- so the time was not wasted.
     I spent the next 2 days preparing for a demo for my quilt guild meeting (North Coast Needlers, out of Westlake, OH)- I did a 15 minute demonstration on Angeling Fibers. (I have a previous post on them, as well as the step-by-step photo tutorial in my photo albums.) Most of the memebers of Northcoast Needlers are traditional quilters, so it's always fun to introduce an art-y technique, just to shake things up a bit. To add to the day, I was installed as a "co-vice president" because the real VP is moving out of state sometime soon, so I'll be filling in then.
   Which brings me to my point: how much is too much? I work almost full-time (and 2 10-12 hour days to boot), I'm taking a class this fall, I have guild responsibilities, I'm active in the ClothPaperScissors group, I've got a workshop to teach in October...oh, and those little things like keeping house and raising my kids!
    I have a hard time saying "no." Plus I really enjoy all of the things I'm doing, so I just keep juggling... only dropping things now and then.  I wonder how Martha does it? Oh, yea, with the staff of an army!!!! Well, better get back to the laundry, since my staff seems to be on vacation.....

Artist Way Retreat 2006

I mentioned that I'd taught the Passion Books class at the 2005 retreat, and I've been asked back for a repeat performance this year. The retreat follows the principles of the the book by Julia Cameraon, "The Artist's Way" Though I admit I've never finished the course, the retreats are wonderful. And no art experience is required! 
Pertinant info, if you'd like to go:
October 20, 21, 22 2006 at Lakeside, Ohio (Lake Erie's Chatauqua!)
We start out Friday night meeting and greeting.... Saturday is filled with workshops (including mine...) and according to coordinator Sandie King they are designed to "foster healing and promote growth through education, exercises and small group discussion."  Sunday is more social time, time to meditate and journal, and wrap up.  The cost of the retreat is $150, and room and board at the cute B&B's for 2 nights is $190.

Leave a comment for me, and I'll e-mail you Sandie's contact info to present or register-

Consider attending. It's a treat, and for some of us, it has literally changed our lives...

Stress & Art Deadlines

I'm feeling stressed today- I have art deadlines! This is pretty new to me- usually, I'm just making things to give, so the closest I come is trying to get cards in the mail before the birthday, or needing to finish up projects for wrapping. But all of a sudden, I have actual deadlines. I am going to make a scrapbook page to enter in a magazine contest, I was invited to send ATCs to an editor of a quilting magazine (!), and I have an interview (for which I need to have a portfolio/samples) next week. I've been an MT for so long, I've only used by art-making for my own personal outlet. Now I'm wondering if I really want to be a "professional" crafter, if it means feeling like I need to "produce." Where is the line between stress-relieving and stress-inducing? Of course, I love to make things, and feel so good when I do. I need to organize, prioritize, and pace myself. And get into the studio.