Handmade Impressions

First Friday - Featured Artist

2011-05-05T09:40:00.013-04:00

Well, I'm pleased to announce that I'm one of the featured artists for May at the Art Market Gallery in downtown Knoxville, TN. My lampwork jewelry is on display there all month.

If you have some time, the gallery stays open later tomorrow night for "First Friday", and from 6pm-9pm there is a reception with complimentary refreshments and live music (classical music performed by cellist Anna Sanders). There are other businesses in the area that stay open late for "First Friday" as well...if you're looking for something to do. :)

The beautiful watercolor pieces hung above my jewelry are created by fellow gallery member/artist, Genie Even, and I'm so pleased with how the entire display came together! :)

New Fiber Art at the Art Market Gallery

2011-04-22T21:42:00.029-04:00

I recently juried into the Art Market Gallery under a second medium...fiber! I'm so excited about this, because experimenting with fiber and beads are my two top creative passions. Being able to bring both types of work into the gallery will allow me a much broader range in my creative adventures. :)

Birthday Cupcake Exchange

2011-03-10T13:46:00.012-05:00

I participated in a little birthday swap this year, and this was my cupcake creation.

It is made from a couple pieces of felted sweaters (the bottom was the cuff of a sleeve). The "cherry" on top is one of my lampwork beads that was just waiting for a purpose. Then, after adding a few bugle bead "sprinkles", she was done!

Luckily my birthday falls early in the year and I didn't have to wait very long to "exchange" gifts. I got this fun strawberry & chocolate cupcake...isn't it yummy!

Thank you Margi, it's perfect! :)

Valentine ATC Swap

2011-02-16T21:56:00.057-05:00

Here are 2 Artist Trading Cards (ATCs) I made for a specific Valentine's Day themed swap this month.

Both backgrounds are needlefelted layers of wool and scrim. The wool was actually from some hand-carded blends I made a while back, and the designs were simply "doodles" I hand-stitched on them before assembling them into ATCs.

and here are the 2 wonderful ATCs I got in return...

(created by Sandra)

(created by Peggy)

It's always a fun surprise to see what people create and bring home tiny new treasures from these swaps! :)

Free The Stitches - A New Blog

2011-01-20T22:03:00.009-05:00

I have the good fortune to be part of a new blog adventure with a group of cherished friends!

http://www.freethestitches.blogspot.com/

Check it out!

Merry Christmas!

2010-12-23T20:13:00.011-05:00

Merry Christmas from my little snowy friend! :)

Freestyle Christmas Exchange

2010-12-10T09:12:00.102-05:00

I participated in a a fun, different kind of Christmas Exchange swap this year. We each put together a baggie of fabrics, threads, and embellishments from our own stash, and swapped bags with each other. The plan was to create something for the person who's bag you received...out of their stash of goodies. This is what I created for Karen out of her materials...

The petals were all machine quilted and finished individually. Each one is a little sandwich of linen and cotton with a touch of batting in the middle. Add a button center, a felted leaf, a wool covered wire stem...and "ta da"...a happy flower is born. :)

And this is what Carol created for me!

She made this wonderful little wall hanging out of mostly wool fabrics with a piece of linen for the owl's body and a checkered cotton for the binding. The yo-yo eyes and little ladybug bead in the corner are so signature "Carol", and I love that her design captures her whimsy and personality so well. I feel honored that she made this for me, and I will think of my dear friend every time I look at this piece!

Front Clasp Necklaces

2010-12-01T22:40:00.032-05:00

These are a few new necklaces I designed with front toggles/closures. Each necklace has one of my larger lampwork beads as the focal point.

Tennessee Presents Textiles

2010-11-15T13:42:00.054-05:00

I just participated in a great event over the weekend called "Tennessee Presents Textiles" in Vonore, TN. There was a fashion show of one-of-a-kind handmade clothing, as well as a trunk show by Rachel Clark.
Several of my necklaces were used on the runway, and I had a chance to setup and display my jewelry for sale in the afternoon as well.

Proceeds from the event went to support a series of week-long fiber arts residencies for all fourth grade students in Madisonville and Tellico Plains. I feel good about having participated in a fund raiser for this worthy cause, and I had a great time too! :) For more information, check out the Monroe Area Council for the Arts (MACA).

Finished Lampwork Necklaces

2010-11-09T14:38:00.120-05:00

If you look back at my post on October 5th, you will find pictures of several little piles of beads waiting to be turned into necklaces. Here are those finished creations...

I named this necklace "Lavender Fields". The original pile of pastel beads started out with a few more yellows in the mix, but the ones I ended up using fell mostly on the cooler side of the color wheel. The dusty purple and mossy greens definitely gave it more of a "moody" feel, buy I love the whimsy that comes from adding the little glass leaves! It now belongs to my precious mom, whom I love dearly. :)

Here is a long necklace I made out of an assortment of black & white beads. There are a lot of transparent grays and tiny silver beads between my lampwork beads for some added sparkle. Very classic.

Lastly is a deep, purple necklace with rich, mossy green undertones. The amazing mixture of green & purple came from the faceted Czech glass beads that I used as larger spacer beads on this one. They are gorgeous accents that came from White Fox Bead Studio in Maryville, TN. I just fell in love and had to have them as soon as I laid my eyes on them! I think I do a lot of my bead shopping that way...letting my eyes graze over rows and rows of beads until something jumps off the shelf and begs me to take it home. I never really know what I'm going to do with my beads until I live with them for a while, but their color always speaks to me the loudest...and I love the glisten and feel of glass beads...

Experimental Pendants

2010-11-01T00:42:00.030-04:00

These are some different beads I've made recently. I'm experimenting with wire wrapping and some other unusual ways to turn them into necklaces or pendants, but the verdict is still out on the final presentation. Any suggestions? Each bead is about 1.25" wide.

Back from Fine Art in the Park

2010-10-25T23:59:00.142-04:00

Whew! I just got back from Fine Art in the Park in Jonesborough, TN this weekend. It was a two day show this year (which was nice), and the weather turned out absolutely perfect!

A big THANK YOU to everyone who stopped by my booth! Please check back periodically, as I am constantly adding new things for sale on ETSY and trying to keep the site current with pictures of my most recent creations. :)

A few of the most enjoyable hours of the weekend were during what seemed like my own private concert by The Barefoot Movement. The spot for musicians to setup was about 10 feet away...directly across from my booth. Several groups played live music on Friday & Saturday, but these guys were really good. If you like bluegrass, then I would definitely check out their website and have a listen to some of their music!

More Focal Beads

2010-10-21T23:58:00.021-04:00

Here are more some more pendants in the making...can you tell I love landscapes? :)

I'm so in love with these last two...I may just have to keep one for myself!

Lampwork Earrings in the Making

2010-10-17T23:57:00.032-04:00

I've also been busy making pairs of beads to turn into earrings for the show! Here is my pile of earrings "pre" assembly!

I've designed several different styles of earrings, but my favorite at the moment is these really long sterling silver earwires. They show off the beads so nicely and I love how they move when I wear them!

Focals, Focals, Focals

2010-10-13T23:56:00.019-04:00

What have I been doing recently??? Spending lots of time in the studio torching and making focal beads for pendants!!! Here is a small sampling of the fun I've been having...

3 Beaded Necklaces

2010-10-09T03:46:00.006-04:00

Here are a few beaded creations that I finally finished this week. The first is my absolute favorite and will be a lovely accent during the holidays!

This neutral one is beaded around a gemstone donut that incorporates matching gemstone chips into the chain and hangs very gracefully on the neck.

The third was created after I made some basic geometric shapes...and figured out a pleasing way to arrange them into this necklace.

To tie everything together, it's clasp is even beaded in the same manner as the accents in the front.

Piles of Lampwork Beads

2010-10-05T23:27:00.002-04:00

In addition to focal beads and pendants, I've been busy making smaller beads from which I will create a few necklaces for my upcoming shows. This little pastel pile will be turned into a long, gorgeous necklace similar to my "Summertime" design (but with a little more yellow mixed in). About a week ago I got some really nice buttery, yellow glass and have really enjoyed experimenting with it!

I'm also going to make a long black & white necklace...

a short purple necklace...

and a short red & black necklace.

Hopefully I will be able to post pictures of the finished necklaces before I leave for my show! Right now I'm enjoying them divided by color in their little white dishes...as they patiently wait to be turned into something special. :)

Sterling Silver Nest Pendants

2010-09-30T08:06:00.107-04:00

You know when you have something in mind and your brain needs work out all the details before you can execute the plan? Well, I've had this idea marinating in the back of my mind, but it took me a while to find the perfect beads and get up the nerve to actually attempt it. My main concern was that I would end up "wasting" a lot of wire in the process, but that turned out to not be the case. Here are my two different attempts at making a bird nest pendant as a gift for my sister-in-law's birthday.

I used sterling silver wire for both of them, and the eggs are some really beautiful glass drop beads from White Fox Bead Studio. One turned out more realistic, and the other more stylized...but I think both are really pretty. In the end, I let her choose...because I wasn't sure which one she would like better.

New Beads at White Fox Bead Studio!

2010-09-25T21:55:00.000-04:00

Just took another batch of beads to White Fox Bead Studio in Maryville, TN. Thank you, thank you to everyone who has purchased one of my glass creations! I'm thrilled that they have been so well received!

In addition to new beads, this batch included about 10 glass buttons as well...let me know what you think of them! So many people who love beads, love fiber art as well...and I thought they might provide a spark of inspiration for someone.

If you have purchased my beads and used them in one of your creations, please send me some pictures! I'd love to see the finished pieces!

My Very Talented Sister

2010-09-17T21:27:00.004-04:00

What can I say about my sister? I am always amazed at her talent and constant drive to accomplish whatever she sets out to do. Maybe some of that energy will rub off on me someday. I could get so many things done around here! :)

Her most recent endeavor has been some really creative woodworking, and she has made the most amazing dollhouse and treehouse for her kids. I don't have any pictures of them yet, but I got to see them "in progress" last week. They are so cool! Hmmm...what could she make for me? I'll have to think of something and put my order in for Christmas soon! :)

You would be amazed at how much of her work I found in a quick stroll through my house! Here is a small sampling of what she has made for me over the years...

This is a wooden locker that I bought a while back and she painted for me with a continuous landscape that wraps around all 4 sides. It is one of my favorites because landscapes always make me smile!

Look at this fun wooden stepstool / box that she painted for me more recently.

I picked out some patterns and colors she gave me back this gorgeous finished piece. I love how it turned out!

Not only does she paint amazingly, but she has created some really beautiful mosaics as well. Her house is full of treasures! This is a wall mirror she made for us that will hang by our door when we're finished remodeling.

Speaking of remodeling, she also helped me lay hundreds of square feet of tile! Talk about being a nice sister!

This is an antique Singer sewing machine box that was falling apart and had seen a lot of wear.

We stripped the black paper off of it and she gave it a happy face lift, don't you think?

And here is a little painting that was a "thank you" gift for helping out with her wedding. It is a treasure to me...just like she is. :)

We do stuff together all the time, but I'm really looking forward to holidays this year. There is always at least one special project (if not many) that we pick out and do together near Christmas, and we always have so much fun! I'll be sure to post some pictures of our creations...whatever they turn out to be. :)

Upcoming Shows

2010-09-11T21:53:00.004-04:00

Well...I've gotten so backed up with things recently that I haven't been able to post in a while! I've been really busy getting ready for 2 upcoming shows...one in October and on in November.

Here is a pile of new beads that I've got to turn into jewelry!

Here are a couple flower shaped beads that I'm experimenting with. My plan is to turn them into pendants...but I'm still figuring out the specifics...

My next show is "Fine Art in the Park" at the Storytelling Center in Jonesborough, TN on October 23 & 24 from 10am-5pm each day. It will be my second year to participate in this juried art show with a large variety of talented artists. There will also be local cheese, chocolate, and wine tasting...need I say more?...and admission is free! Jonesborough has a lot to offer, and is one of my all-time favorite places to visit (even when the show is not going on).

New Jewelry Case at The Art Market Gallery

2010-09-02T19:01:00.041-04:00

Well, I now have a brand new case at The Art Market Gallery! It is larger and taller than the one I started out with, and has a built-in light which showcases my work better. It's amazing what a well placed light can do for jewelry! :)

What can I say about joining the gallery? I've really enjoyed working with and getting to know some of the other artists. It is turning out to be a wonderful experience, and I'm learning a lot. I'm really grateful to have the opportunity to be a part of this group, and I can't wait to see what the future holds.

Button Frenzy!!!

2010-08-23T19:29:00.001-04:00

I have the beginnings of a nice little stash of glass buttons that I will be taking to a Wearable Art Show in a few months. I have been invited to participate in Tennessee Presents Textiles, a fashion show and sale put on by the Monroe Area Council for the Arts on November 13th.

My jewelry will be showcased on the runway alongside some really beautiful fiber art clothing, and I will have the opportunity to sell my work there as well! I'm really excited about the event, and net proceeds go to support a series of week-long fiber art residencies for students in Monroe County. Visit one of the links above if you are interested in purchasing tickets, and stay tuned for more buttons!

A Gorgeous Variety of Leaves

2010-08-17T23:41:00.010-04:00

I don't know the name of this particular plant, but I couldn't resist photographing all the different varieties that I could find on a recent trip to Jonesborough. They had huge pots scattered all along downtown Main Street with collections of different plants in them. Everything was in full bloom and thriving...aren't they spectacular?

I am always so inspired by nature, and I know these colorful beauties will somehow find their way a future project.

White Fox Bead Studio

2010-08-16T23:05:00.005-04:00

I just dropped off a bunch of lampwork beads at White Fox Bead Studio in Maryville, TN. There are some earring sets, lots of focals, and some funky sets of beads as well!

This is a great bead shop! If you've never been, you should definitely plan a trip soon. They offer tons of classes, have a really good variety of beads and supplies, and are super helpful.

White Fox Bead Studio
145 Cherokee Heights Drive
Maryville, TN 37801
865-980-0237
white-fox-bead-studio.com

Check them out!

Art Dolls - My Round Robin

2010-08-13T23:42:00.007-04:00

Our Round Robin is finally complete, and here is my finished doll! As you can see, I took a slightly different approach to the construction of my doll than everyone else. She is more of a 2D piece, and is destined to live in a shadowbox and hang in my studio. :)

I'm so pleased with how she turned out! If you remember back 6 months ago, we started with a group of 7 of us who each made a basic doll of our choosing. We took turns each month embellishing all the other dolls until we had added something to each of them. It was really fun seeing them develop and become more and more interesting as the months went by!

I'm also pleased to announce that all 7 dolls in our Round Robin will be exhibited in the National Heritage Quilt Show at the Living Heritage Museum in Athens, TN from September 4th - October 29th. It will be so nice to see all the finished dolls displayed together, and I'm sure the quilt show will be fabulous as well! Be sure to check it out if you're anywhere near Athens!

Art Dolls - A Round Robin 4

2010-08-02T00:04:00.008-04:00

I'd like you to meet the final doll I worked on in our Round Robin exchange.

Doll #6: When she came to me, the first thing I noticed was the empty couple of inches along the bottom of her "skirt", and I knew I wanted to fill it up somehow. I felt like she was pretty well dressed so I wanted to simply embellish part of her.

I played with some basic stitches to create a mini, freeform "sampler" of sorts. That style of embroidery comes so easily to her owner (and always makes me think of her) so I wanted to give it a try. :) I used the soft happy colors from her favorite color palette, which hopefully tied some of the other elements together as well.

Here is a better picture of my work under her skirt...

and on the back as well...

Adventures in Wet Felting

2010-07-29T14:15:00.012-04:00

The night before we left for Nancy's house I was laying in bed trying to fall asleep, but too excited to even close my eyes! I've been fascinated with landscapes and little plots of land with houses on them recently...and I came up with the idea to make a felted "geode" pincushion "farm" of sorts.

Here was my grand plan...to start with different shades of blue wool and wet felt the layers in an irregular ball/egg shape. Next I was going to take different shades of green and keep adding more and more layers of wool on top of the blue until I got a nice flat/smooth rock shape...big enough to be a decent sized pincushion. When you cut it apart I wanted it to resemble the aerial view of some farmland with a little pond. Something I could add a little house to and/or trees...and maybe embroider some tiny flowers or little garden perhaps.

When I explained my vision, Nancy was so kind to do some carding for me and blend these luscious colors of wool for me to use on this experiment.

Unfortunately, it has been a while since I've wet felted anything...and apparently I had lost my touch. I think now that I wasn't using enough soap, but I was really having trouble getting it to felt tightly to itself. The more layers of wool I added, the more squishy the underlayers were becoming and I was just making a big mess. Nancy worked on it for a bit, and I tried some more, but finally we just rinsed it out and let it dry overnight to see what would we could do with it in the morning.

With a fresh start, I decided to needlefelt it a little bit to tighten everything up (carefully needlefelting into only the outer layers and not into the blue center which would distort the colors when it was cut in half). I felt so good about my progress at the time that I needlefelted several additional layers of greens to bulk it up for a decent size pincushion in the end.

The piece I brought home still needed to be wet felted to secure all the layers some more. In hindsight, I wish I had just wrapped it up and felted it in the washer and dryer a few times. That would have really solidified it, but I did it by hand. I really thought I had felted it to the point it could be felted no more...and let it dry overnight. It was then ready to be cut apart. I managed to cut it almost in half (one side was a little bigger than the other) and things were looking good. I wanted to gently wet felt each side again to round the "cut" edge a bit. So I did just that. I didn't like how the edges were coming out, so I took the smaller of the two and wrapped it in some fabric and proceeded to felt it in the washer & dryer...hoping something interesting would happen. Well...interesting? yes...expected? no. The layers on the inside sort of "bloomed" and here is what happened.

I like that it rounded out the edges...but now my pond was taller than my land! So...that didn't work as planned. It still works as a small pincushion though, a good one actually, with a flat bottom so it won't roll around. I will still need to do something to it to give it some personality.

The other half was...well...my mistake...

I felted it by hand for a while, and some of the inner layers still didn't seem to be felted to each other as much as I would have liked. I thought I would toss it in the washer/dryer like the other half to see if that would round everything out smoothly. Unfortunately, I must have been thinking about something else at the time...because I forgot to wrap something around it first! So these 3 pieces are what I pulled out of the washer...

The blue core of the pincushion came out of the green part entirely, and there was even an extra little piece of blue that appeared out of nowhere as well...but everything was "rounded" out quite nicely! :) oops!

My revised plan is to still salvage a landscape out of the flat green circle...it just won't be a pincushion (because it's nowhere deep enough). Now that it's purely a decorative object, I have room for adding more stitching and a bigger house! I will have to give the embelishment some more thought. My pretty little round lake is too small to be a good pincushion though. Maybe it will be the center of a 3D flower? Hmmm... It has the makings of something interesting...just not what I planned. :)

Fiber Fun with Friends

2010-07-29T13:05:00.005-04:00

I had the most wonderful time last week at Nancy's house! We spent several days in her studio just playing around and creating. Here are a few of the experiments/projects I worked on.

Nancy invited us to pick out a few frames from her stash and give them a new life with a fresh coat of paint. "Frames of Distinction" I think she called them. :) There are layers and layers of different colors of paint rubbed onto the larger one, and I'm really pleased with how it came out. I can already see the piece that I will make to go in it! The smaller one is so delicate with its detailed edge, and will eventually need a very sweet piece of embroidery to live in it...or a nice, soft black & white photo in the meantime.

We each made a little stitch sampler one evening as well, and mine was variations of the fly stitch. The two other darker pieces of linen were our paint rags from earlier that day and will most definitely be the start of something interesting in the future. :) What is that orange thing doing there you ask? I'll explain more in a moment...

Lastly...we made some wonderful "fiber balls" (or "ort balls" or "tribbles"). The name for them is still under debate, but making them was a delight! We started out with a ball of yarn or wool roving and/or fabric, whatever was laying around that we didn't particularly care for, and proceeded to wrap layers and layers of more wool roving, orts, fabric strips, yarn...anything really that would wrap around the balls. As they got closer to their final size, we picked more pleasing orts & threads & bits so that there would be interesting layers of color and texture on the surface of each one. After we worked on our little samplers, we tried stitching on these balls with our different stitches...and that was great fun too! I'll have to keep adding more layers of stitching on them so that they will continue to develop and get more and more interesting. My thought is that they can live in a pretty bowl and when I need something to do I can whip one out and add a little more character to it at any time. Fun huh? :)

The dark bluish green ball in the back was an experiment with needlefelting some roving over a ball of yarn. It actually started out the same size as the yellow ball to the left in the photo, but shrunk rather drastically after I wet felted it and put it in the dryer! I plan to add some embroidery to it as well. It needs some personality...

OK, now to explain about the flower in the first photo...Nancy had this bit of orange, felted "cord" that was a leftover scrap from something she had made a while back. She gave it to me to put in the center of a ball, but I just couldn't bring myself to hide it away...never to be seen again! And I don't even like orange!!! So, I coiled it up and stitched it together as the start of a 3D fabric flower that will be a part of my growing fabric flower bouquet. :)

I played around with lots of different buttons, and finally chose a ceramic one with a pretty blue-green glaze on it. A nice contrast to the yellow-orange of the wool, I think.

There was one more felting project I attempted at Nancy's house, but it will require a post of it's very own, so stay tuned! It has taken a few unexpected turns...and needs much explaining. :)

Fresh New Pendants

2010-07-20T22:52:00.004-04:00

A few new pendants fresh off the vine...

Anyone hungry for a snack?

Orange is Everywhere!!!

2010-07-16T20:08:00.003-04:00

Aren't these gorgeous! I seem to be surrounded by so many different shades of orange recently. Not my favorite color in the box...but I couldn't help but drool over these beauties in my mom's front yard!

And squash! Who knew squash could be so interesting??? My dad shared some with me that a friend gave him on Wednesday. Aren't they cool? The ones I get from the grocery store are so boring compared to these. I'll never be able to look at a squash the same way again...

Art Dolls - A Round Robin 3

2010-07-16T19:06:00.002-04:00

These dolls are getting more and more interesting as we near the end of our Round Robin exchange! Each one is taking on it's very own personality with more and more people putting their stamp on each doll.

Doll #5: This gorgeous creation is my mom's doll. When she came to me she had a rather manly, protruding jawline and no facial features. That really worried me...so the first thing I decided to do was perform a little plastic surgery on her. I didn't take a "before" picture...but let's just say the surgery was a great success! I then proceeded to stress and worry about ruining the doll if I gave her the wrong face for an entire month...and finally stitched and painted it on the day before the swap. Whew! Call me the Queen of Procrastination!

I also ended up making her a little skirt out of some buttery yellow fabric so that she could be officially deemed "decent"...and fully clothed.

Only one more doll to go before I get my own doll back! :)

Summertime Necklace

2010-07-09T23:36:00.009-04:00

Several Months ago I created a "Springtime" necklace for my dear friend Nancy. She encouraged me to make a another piece that was similiar because she liked it so much and thought someone else would as well! :) It has taken me a little while to build up a little collection of beads that played well with each other and get it finished...but here it is! There are a few more green beads in this one, but I'm really pleased with the overall result.

This type of necklace is a prime example of how I like to work at the torch when I'm making beads. I like to have a collection of colorful glass at my fingertips that I can experiment with, and that is exactly what I do. Sometimes I have a particular shape or color in mind...but I'm always flexible with my plan. The glass will tell me what it wants to be once I start shaping it. :) Then I just play! A few beads will end up being true "learning tools" that will never be turned into anything...but more often than not I'm pleased with the tiny treasures that come out of the kiln the next morning. And putting them together in necklaces like this make my heart happy! :)

An Interesting Tree

2010-07-08T00:30:00.005-04:00

Have you ever been so struck by the beauty of God's creation that you couldn't help but stop in your tracks and catch your breath? I came to an abrupt stop in the middle of a little country road (after quickly checking in my rearview mirror to make sure that nobody would hit me) just to gawk at this huge, interesting tree. It doesn't quite translate in the photo...but it was marvelous! With it's bark peeling off, the bare white branches were in such stark contrast to the deep blue, cloudless sky...and all around me was open fields of lush green farmland. Oh, how I wish this little stretch of road was on my daily commute! :)

Evergreen Necklace

2010-07-07T23:50:00.008-04:00

Despite the fact that it's been really hot and it seems like the grass all around me is wilting...I always enjoy working with my favorite color...GREEN!

This necklace, simply titled "Evergreen", is 29" long and currently for sale at the Art Market Gallery. Jot me an email if you would like more information about it! :)

Pink Hydrangeas

2010-07-01T22:41:00.007-04:00

My pink hydrangeas were blooming a couple weeks ago in the front yard! I couldn't resist snapping a few close-ups for inspiration...

I think this pendant turned out really beautiful, and it got a good home today! :) Thank you!

Back in the Groove

2010-06-28T21:49:00.008-04:00

It's been hot in the studio recently! Luckily it has been worth it, and I've really gotten into the groove of making beads again...

Happy Heart Day!

2010-06-27T23:50:00.004-04:00

I had a "happy accident" in the studio yesterday and ended up making a little heart out of the goofed up bead! It turned out so well that I kept making hearts and ended up with these little gems...Happy Heart Day!!!

One of them is actually a button...and the other four will slide onto a chain through the middle.

New Pendants in the Gallery

2010-06-24T23:30:00.005-04:00

Here are some pictures of new pendants I took down to the Art Market Gallery.

I've been busy in the studio recently!
Stay tuned for more jewelry and bead pictures!

The Many Flowers of Summer

2010-06-24T20:29:00.006-04:00

Despite the terrible heat...I love the flowers that are in full bloom right now. I couldn't resist taking some photos at a friend's house recently. Her garden is just beautiful!

She has such a variety of day lillies, in interesting colors! Looking at them side by side makes me appreciate their differences, and I can definitely see trying beads in a few new color combinations! :)

I never get tired of studying and photographing flowers.
God's creations are amazing...and always inspiring...

Art Dolls - A Round Robin 2

2010-06-13T20:06:00.005-04:00

Doll #4: For this halloween themed doll I wanted to try something new...so I made a spunky tutu to suit her personality. She had some super cute long legs, and I thought would be really good at ballet if given the chance. :) There are actually 2 little skirts that make up this removable tutu (in case the owner didn't want it to be quite as full). I started with some stretchy black ribbon trim and tied strips of several different colors & textures of tulle on each one.

My hope was to tie in all the colors used throughout the doll, and I think she's coming together nicely. :)

Only 2 more months to go until I get my own doll back...I can't wait to see how she turns out! :)

Art Dolls - A Round Robin

2010-05-31T22:38:00.006-04:00

I was going to wait until the end of this project before posting any of the pictures, but I just couldn't wait any longer. I've enjoyed being a part of an art doll "round robin" for approx 3 months so far...with another 3 months to go. What that means is that we each made a base doll and are taking turns adding something to each person's doll. We pretty much have the freedom to make whatever we want, and when we get together each month we have a little show-n-tell and swap for the next doll. It's great fun! :)

Doll #1: I was the first person to get to add something to this doll. I knew that her owner liked vintage things and had suggested a flapper theme. She had already stitched the sweet face on her, and so the next logical step was to add some hair. I couched down charlotte seed beads in a little flapper hairstyle and added a tiny carved mother of pearl button accent and drop earrings.

Doll #2: Apparently she had split a seam on her shoulder during her making and had gotten a little daisy tattoo to cover up the scar...so I felt she could handle a rather "wild" hair-do. Again, her face was already stitched, so I felt she just needed some hair to really pull off the spunky personality. I sewed a couple different kinds of deep red/black novelty yarn all over her scalp, and was pleased with the resulting hairstyle.

Doll #3: Yes, I could do something other than hair, but to me the dolls look pretty naked without it...so, I wanted to give this doll her hair as well. She did have her jewelry on and a colorful ribbon skirt, but she refused to talk to me unless I gave her some fun locks. :) The owner of this doll likes Halloween and witches, so I was thinking along the lines of a "good witch" to go with the elements that were already made. The technique for attaching hair worked really well on the second doll, but I wanted this one to have a different finished hairstyle. Long straight purple locks...tucked behind her ears, and I think it ties in with her jewelry and personality nicely.

The next doll is not finished yet, but I'll post some photos before I pass her to the next person. Since she already had some hair when she came to me...I was able to focus my attention elsewhere this time. :)

Surprising Inspiration

2010-05-31T22:01:00.007-04:00

I took this photo of my neice, and I just love the composition and contrast of color! I think it looks like a little portrait of her beautiful personality. :)

She loves to "make art" and I love to see what she creates and watch her work. Here is one my favorite of her drawings...she constantly inspires me. :)

Isn't it fun how the flowers are like buttons? She came up with that all on her own. I want to make a fiber piece inspired by this particular drawing, and show it to her to see what she thinks. I think it would make her smile! :)

Stitch Challenge #3

2010-05-01T22:16:00.005-04:00

OK. This one got a little harder...with a DOUBLE TRIAD color scheme using only the BUTTONHOLE stitch.

Trying to find a way to get 6 specific colors into one piece without using others proved a little challenging. I ended up splitting the colors in half and using 3 on the felted background and 3 for the embroidery on top. This narrowed my choices a little and freed me up to play. I decided to go with a somewhat abstract design for this one too...so I wouldn't get too bogged down with trying to make it look like something in particular.

The results are ok. But I think I enjoy my finished pieces more when they represent something specific rather than being completely abstract. I do enjoy stitching this way, but I ended up with something that doesn't really speak to me or make me smile. My next piece will definitely have one or more of my favorite motifs...hearts, trees, leaves, flowers, houses...

ELUKKA

2010-04-30T20:51:00.004-04:00

I wanted to share with you an amazing clay artist from Finland that I found on ETSY! Her pieces are so fun and full of character! Each one has it's own personality and sense of whimsy...and they just make me smile. :)

I bought this little treasure from her, and when it arrived in the mail I loved it so much I had to buy a few more right away! They are less than 1.25" square (very tiny...just a little bigger than a quarter) and are her landscape version of domino/puzzle/lego pieces. Each is one-of-a-kind...and super cute!

Be sure to check out her blog at elukkapaja.blogspot.com and her ETSY site at www.etsy.com/shop/elukka. She adds new things practically every day and I'm always amazed at her creativity and talent!

Stitch Challenge #2

2010-04-28T16:39:00.004-04:00

I fell a little behind with this one. It was supposed to be finished in early April, but better late than never! :) This is the second in a series of stitch challenges that I'm participating in over the next several months. Each piece is finished to 5" x 5" on a background of felted wool over linen.

The second challenge was as follows: use a TRIAD color scheme in combination with the CHAIN stitch. Here are my results...

I has having a lot of fun with the embellisher and didn't end up with much embroidery in this one. My colors were yellow-orange, blue-green, and red-violet. I was having a little trouble staying within only those color choices but found that keeping the design simple and letting each element be a color made my decisions easier.

Buried Treasure Necklace

2010-04-23T22:13:00.004-04:00

My newest necklace, Buried Treasure, is an eclectic mix of beads in rich earthy browns with some green undertones. I took it to the gallery this morning and re-vamped my display case a bit with some new pendant/earring display stands as well.

If you're in town this weekend, be sure to take in the Italian Street Fair on Saturday, April 24th from 12:00 noon to 9:00pm on Gay Street & Market Square in downtown. It is part of the 9th annual Rossini Festival, and will be full of food vendors, artisans, and live music. The Art Market Gallery will have a booth, and the gallery itself is open as well on Gay Street during the entire event. Don't miss their silent auction in the gallery, where opening bids on artwork start at half price!

Handmade Glass Buttons

2010-04-23T21:28:00.008-04:00

I got a handful of button mandrels to play with and had fun making these little guys. Aren't they cute? :) They're kind of addictive...so prepare to see more. I've listed them on Etsy.com if you're interested!

Landscape Beads

2010-03-26T20:52:00.006-04:00

These little beauties will be made up into pendants, in honor of springtime in beautiful East Tennessee. Stay tuned for more!

The Art Market Gallery

2010-03-25T14:57:00.008-04:00

I have excellent news! I successfully juried into the Art Market Gallery, an artist co-op on Gay Street in downtown Knoxville.

As soon as they get a display case setup for me, my work will be available for purchase there. It's a beautiful space, with work from over 60 local East Tennessee artists.

I'm very excited to be a part of this group of talented artists, and I look forward to what the future holds!

Springtime Necklace

2010-03-19T22:16:00.006-04:00

Tomorrow is the first day of spring, and here is my newest creation. It is a special piece for a dear friend, and I hope she likes it! The color palette is very hopeful and cheery, and when she wears it I hope it brightens her mood and makes her smile. :)

I am constantly inspired by nature and love to experiment with color, pattern, and texture. My goal is to capture a sense of whimsy and style, while showing a strong attention to detail. Like a lovingly gathered collection of tiny treasures, I want my beads to be beautiful and unique on their own but create an interesting conversation when grouped together.

Birthday ATC Swap - Part 2

2010-03-14T16:00:00.003-04:00

Remember the ATC (Artist Trading Card) I made back in January for a birthday swap? Well, since my birthday is in March, I got mine and wanted to show it off! It was made by a dear friend, Marjorie Courville, and I think it's wonderful! It captures her personality and style perfectly! :)

Thank you Marge!

Stitch Challenge #1

2010-02-16T19:46:00.004-05:00

Over the next several months I'll be creating a series of embroidered pieces as a result of various "challenges" relating to a color and a stitch. Each finished piece will be the same size (5" x 5") on a base of felted wool over linen.

The first challenge was to use the color RED and the CRETAN stitch, and here are the results...

By starting with a favorite, familiar subject (HEARTS) it was easier for me to concentrate more on playing with the stitch while varying the texture & materials. Right now I think that all my challenge pieces will carry on the theme of hearts, regardless of color or stitch, but we shall see...

Winter ATC Swap - Part 2

2010-02-10T22:43:00.003-05:00

This is the ATC (Artist Trading Card) that I received from the swap today, and I just love it! It was made by my friend & fellow artist, Tone Haugen-Cogburn, and will be a cherished addition to my growing collection. :)

Thank you Tone!

Winter ATC Swap - Part 1

2010-02-09T11:17:00.003-05:00

I made this cool, winter themed ATC (Artist Trading Card) for a special "seasonal" swap on Wednesday. It is titled "Snow Day" in memory of our recent snowfall. The little fabric scraps I can't seem to throw away keep finding their way into my work recently...it makes me feel resourceful! :)

A Happy Little Tassel was Born

2010-02-08T19:14:00.007-05:00

With all those inspiring yarns hanging around, I had to make something quick & fun with them right away. :) I went through and picked an assortment of strands in different bright colors that I thought wouldn't unravel on the ends...and away I went! With a few special buttons and beads, my tassel was complete...and I can't wait to make another!

Thank you Mike! :)

Color, Color, Color !!!

2010-01-22T23:21:00.009-05:00

Can you say YUMMY ?!! I couldn't resist photographing these fabulous yarns...so beautiful just laying in a pile. I love the combination of colors and strong lines. Does it inspire you? Do you see that same fiery sunset draped across a lush landscape?
You might ask what I do with them...especially since I don't crochet or knit. :) But there are so many other possibilities for interesting fibers...so many ways to use them. They make wonderful embellishments for embroidery and can be couched down in the design or worked around the edge to give the piece a finished look. Needlefelting bits of them into a piece of wool provides added texture and interest. So many possibilities!

As an added benefit, I love how they fill the walls of the studio with rich, luscious color as they wait patiently to be made into something. Always happy... always inspiring...

Birthday ATC Swap - Part 1

2010-01-14T18:07:00.008-05:00

Here is a funky little ATC (Artist Trading Card) I whipped up yesterday from some tiny leftovers I had stashed away for just such an occasion. :) It is part of an ATC birthday swap. A friend will get this one on her birthday and I will get one from someone else in the swap when my birthday rolls around in a couple months. I can't wait to see what I get! :)

Do It Yourself Magazine

2009-12-31T16:44:00.009-05:00

Well, speaking of magazines...I thought it was cool that a pillow I bought from a fellow artist on Etsy.com appeared in the Winter 2009 issue of Do It Yourself Magazine.

It's block printed by hand onto 100% linen fabric using a carved linoleum design that looks like old vintage wooden type used in letterpress printing. Since I used to be a letterpress printer and love typography, I was immediately drawn to the design.

Check them out at http://www.etsy.com/shop/1girl1boy. They don't have their website up and running just yet, but there is a link to their Etsy shop from there. Enjoy!

What is Freestyle Embroidery?

2009-12-30T18:56:00.013-05:00

As a member of The Embroiderers' Guild of America I get a quarterly magazine called Needle Arts. You could have knocked me over with a feather when it came in the mail a few days ago! Inside was a fabulous article written by one of my dear friends and fellow freestylers, Nancy Claiborne, titled "What is Freestyle Embroidery?". In addition to the 6 page article, the inside and outside of both covers was also splashed with photos of the Freestyle group's original artwork. It was so fun to see some examples of my own work, and that of my friends as well...published in a magazine for all to see! Nancy, you did such a good job with this article! Thank you, thank you for all your dedicated work! :)

So...enjoy this gallery of original artwork from that article created by a lovely, talented group of ladies that I am so blessed to be able to call my friends. Simply click on any photo to view it larger.

A Merry Little Christmas Tree

2009-12-12T20:58:00.007-05:00

I don't know what happens to me when it comes to picking out our Christmas tree. My husband's family always teases me because I want to cut down and take home the saddest looking tree in the whole field each year. :) Usually we end up with a compromise and it's a rather symmetrical but decoratively "sparse" little guy. This year was no exception.

We've gone without lights for a few years, and I like that old-fashioned look. I can't bring myself to add all those wires to the simple branches I like to look at so much.

I love our eclectic mix of gradually aquired ornaments...both new and old...each with it's own memory. My mom always gets a new ornament for each person in my family every year, and the tradition is still going strong. Plus all the handmade ones too! I have boxes full of cherished ornaments and we are never at a loss for treasures to put on the tree each year.

Beadmaking Class with Brad Pearson

2009-11-30T23:39:00.015-05:00

A few weeks ago I had the good fortune to be able to take a class with a very talented glass artist, Brad Pearson. This was my 3rd lampworking class to date, and I really learned a lot in a short amount of time. The demos were very enlightening, and just going through the basics of watching a new person work helped me learn different ways to approach things.

We had 2 days of class where he demonstrated a technique/bead and we would go back to our torch and give it a shot. Here are a few of my decent beads that were a direct result of his demos. I'll spare you the really ugly "learning experiences".

The 2nd afternoon we each got to play with a rod of borosilicate tubing. I'd never worked with boro before, but it was very interesting! It took a little while to get the hang of it, but we "pulled points" and all made some little funky Christmas ornaments. I'm sure that everyone in my family will get a lovely blue handmade treasure from me this year. :)

The class days were followed by another day and a half set aside to experiment with what we learned and/or just play at the torch. Here are some of the techniques I tried again in the first few evenings and during those last 2 days. (If you can't tell...I spent a bit of time trying to get my dots to be really even and the same size.)

All in all, I learned that I could work larger than I thought with my torch...and I have quite a few pages of notes in my journal that will be a resource as I gradually invest in more tools and choose supplies in the future. (It was also just a whole lot of fun!)

New Earrings on ETSY.com

2009-11-20T10:28:00.009-05:00

Check out these new earrings I put on Etsy.com yesterday!

Custom Ring from Designs by Candice on ETSY.com

2009-11-19T21:20:00.010-05:00

Check out this cool ring I had made with one of my lampwork beads! :) I'm so thrilled with how it turned out!

The artist has made rings like this from her own beads, and I had her make me a ring with one of MY glass beads as the focal bead. It is made from sterling silver with tiny brass hardware. Check her out! Her shop name is Candies64. She was very kind and easy to work with, and she has some really beautiful jewelry in her shop! I'm going to be sending her a few more beads next week so she can make another ring or two for me to show off my (and her) handiwork! :)

Fine Art in the Park, Jonesborough, TN

2009-10-24T20:18:00.006-04:00

THANK YOU!!! to all of you who stopped by my booth today at the Fine art in the Park show in Jonesborough, TN! My lampwork glass beads and jewelry should be available on ETSY.com by the end the week. Just click on any of the thumbnails on the right, under "stuff for sale" and you will be taken directly to my online shop to see my available work. I'm still transitioning from letterpress printing to lampworking, so you will find a variety of items available, but everything is handmade by me. :) Thanks for looking! and please drop back by every once in a while to see what new things I've made!

EGA Retreat 2009

2009-10-16T01:02:00.014-04:00

Well, today is the first day of a really fun event that I have attended for the past several years. The Knoxville Chapter EGA does an annual retreat, and this year I had the pleasure of being the co-chairman! There have been many late nights recently preparing for this event, but it's finally here and I can't wait for it to start. We will be in Abingdon, Virginia for a couple days at the Jubilee House Retreat Center just stitching, shopping, relaxing, and making new friends.

One of the cool things a group of us did this year was make some wool nametag pouches. They are to be worn around the neck and we made little embroidered names that will be pinned on once the ladies arrive and choose their "pocket".

These are the three I made from recycled, wool sweaters that have been felted. Aren't they fun?

Just Making Lots of Beads

2009-10-06T22:27:00.008-04:00

There has been quite the flurry of activity at the torch these days...and I’m loving every minute of it! Unfortunately that means I haven’t had time to post pictures of my new work, but after the show in Jonesborough there will be plenty to go around. :) I’m spending every spare moment creating as many new pieces as I can by the 24th!

Here is a little piece of inspiration I found in Jonesborough a few weeks ago. As a result, I’ve created several soft pink & white beads. I can’t wait to see how they turned out when I check the kiln in the morning! Maybe I’ll try one tomorrow with a little accent of green & burgundy. I just love the contrast of the flower with the leaves in the background!

Embellished Wool Pendants

2009-09-29T20:34:00.008-04:00

Here is a recent experiment in fiber jewelry. The beading and embroidery took place on a base of needlefelted wool. Once that step was finished, a piece of ultrasuede was stitched to the back to cover the stitches and make it soft against the skin. Sterling silver rings were then stitched on to allow them to be easily attached to a chain. It is a fairly simple concept with a lot of room for experimenting and possibilities…don’t you think?

Lampwork Bead Necklace

2009-09-28T21:38:00.007-04:00

This is a necklace I designed that is a direct result of how I work at the torch. I don’t particularly care for making sets or pairs of beads if I can help it...that gets kinda boring. Instead, I prefer to sit down and just play...making beads that will all be unique but still within the same color palette.

There will be more of these necklaces to come over the next few weeks, in many different colors and color combinations. As you can see from a previous post, I’ve already done a lavender & lime set and started a collection of deep, earthy brown beads. Any suggestions for other combinations I might try?

Freeform Peyote Necklace

2009-09-27T23:01:00.007-04:00

Here is a red necklace that I created using freeform peyote. It’s really enjoyable to sit down and just start beading without a pattern, and I think this form of peyote is my favorite. You can do a little here and there and there’s no big commitment to stay with one thing or have to use a particular size or color bead. It's the perfect solution to using up all your little bits of beads, and working in larger accent beads is fun too…can you find my signature ladybug?

The Beginning of the Beadmaking Frenzy

2009-09-23T22:29:00.009-04:00

Tuesday was a lovely day of beadmaking...very peaceful and quite enlightening. It's obvious that I've found something that I really enjoy, and I'm looking forward to developing my own unique style as I continue to experiment. Here is one of my favorite focal beads from the day's efforts. I wasn't quite sure how it would turn out, but I really liked it when I pulled it from the kiln this morning. (a pleasant surprise :)

One of my goals for the next few weeks is to generate some beads for the art show in October. I will be playing with different color combinations, and this particularly bold set of violet & lime beads is the start of a nice little necklace.

The next set of beads I am working on is an earthy, natural collection full of rich browns & golds. A nice start of something I think...but more will be needed if I want to have enough to make a necklace. A good excuse to get back into the studio and make some more beads tomorrow! :)

Embroidery Exhibit

2009-09-17T00:10:00.014-04:00

If you’re in town this weekend, make sure to stop by Farragut Town Hall to check out an exhibit by the Knoxville Chapter Embroiderers’ Guild. I will have two pieces in the show! One is a self-portrait I did earlier this year, and the other is a close-up of a flower where I experimented with using different textures to get variations of the same color.

The exhibit is September 18-20 at Farragut Town Hall in Knoxville, TN.

Friday, Sept. 18th, 8:00am - 5:00pm (reception & presentation at 7:00pm)
Saturday, Sept. 19th, 10:00am - 5:00pm
Sunday, Sept. 20th, 1:00am - 5:00pm

Fine Art in the Park, Jonesborough, TN

2009-09-16T08:00:00.009-04:00

Isn't this a beautiful setting for an art show?

I've been invited to participate in a fine art show in Jonesborough, TN at the International Storytelling Center on October 24th. It is a judged and juried one-day show, open from 10:00am to 5:00pm. Over the next few weeks, I will be creating and posting photos of some of my jewelry, which will be available at this show. Please come by for a visit and take a closer look at my handmade creations!

The Royal Studio & Gallery

2009-09-15T16:30:00.007-04:00

The Royal Studio & Gallery in Bristol, VA contacted me about selling some of my letterpress stationery in their gallery, and I just got done packing up some stuff to send out to them.

If you happen to be at the Rhythm & Roots Reunion in Bristol this weekend, be sure the check out The Royal Studio & Gallery for some unique treasures!

My Lampworking Studio

2009-09-15T01:23:00.007-04:00

Today is a momentous day! I’ve got phase one of my lampworking studio setup so I can begin torching again! The hoses and tanks are hooked up to the torch and everything has been thoroughly tested to ensure no leaks. My dad was kind enough to help me build some divided boxes to store my glass this weekend, and I’ve unpacked all my precious beadmaking supplies. It seemed like this day would never come! I will continue to make improvements as I go along, but the very basic equipment is now at a functional level. Speaking of which...will you excuse me? I gotta go make a bead! :)

Phase two of my endeavor will involve the implementation of a top-notch ventilation system, but for now I will have to make do with a good cross flow of air to blow the fumes away and out the door. I have a bit more research to do, but hopefully in the next few weeks I will be able to implement phase two!

A Clean Desk

2009-09-07T23:57:00.004-04:00

Today’s task, be it ever so boring, was to simply clean my desk. It’s surprising how the buildup of physical clutter can bog down my thinking and cause such a roadblock when it comes to creativity...or anything for that matter. I have found that I can be easily distracted from my goals when my life is disorderly. So...here's to a fresh start for tomorrow...literally. :)

Do you love seashells?

2009-08-24T23:00:00.012-04:00

Here is a small collection of original watercolor paintings that I did several years ago. Each one is a separate piece and was inspired by a handpicked seashell from my mother’s collection. I painted each one individually and then had custom pieces of glass cut and the edges ground/rounded as a frame for each shell. The paintings are sandwiched between glass and a 1/8" piece of wood that has been painted white. They are held together with frame clips, which conveniently provide a nice hanger on the back.

I have enjoyed these for many years in my home, but would like to change things up a bit. I’m always making new things, and it’s time to find this seaside collection a new home. I’ve listed them in my Etsy store if you would like a closer look!

Blair-Moore House B&B

2009-08-10T21:39:00.014-04:00

My husband and I just returned from a lovely weekend stay at our favorite vacation spot, the Blair-Moore House Bed & Breakfast in Jonesborough, TN. We have celebrated many anniversaries there and look forward to visiting Jack & Tami every chance we get. They are such a treasure!

Jack is, among other things, a very talented woodworker. You can see his shop in the photo behind their house. He restores pre-Civil War furniture and makes Chippendale-style looking glasses (mirrors) in his shop. Many of his pieces are found throughout their home, which the two of them lovingly restored together. It's a wonderful place to stay!

Tami has had some very impressive culinary training, and the breakfast is simply amazing...an experience that will bring you back again & again. :) Among her many talents is a passion for watercolor, and I had the pleasure of bringing a couple of her paintings home with me on this trip. Ryan picked out this one...and I love it!

And I simply had to have this one...it just spoke to me!

Her work is available at the Historic Jonesborough Visitor's Center and in their own gift shop at their home. Aren't they beautiful! I can't wait to get them framed! :)

Studying Seashells

2009-08-03T19:44:00.006-04:00

Well, drilling the shells proved to be a more tedious task that I was willing to undertake. I did get a few holes done after a while, but I broke several shells in the process. It was rather unsatisfying work...so I decided to find another way to use these pretties. For now I'm admiring them in a simple glass vase...cautiously planning my next attack.

Treasures from Florida

2009-07-22T21:55:00.012-04:00

I just got back from a trip to Florida, and my favorite thing to do there was walk along the beach looking for interesting shells. Just look at all the treasures I found! :)

I was amazed at the variety of tidbits of coral along the shoreline. My favorites though, are the broken pieces of shells that have been worn down like sea glass in the ocean. I kept finding such interesting shapes in a variety of colors and textures, and I couldn’t stop picking them up!

Imagine the jewelry that I can create with them! Hopefully I can find a special drill bit to make some tiny holes in the shells, otherwise I will have to revise my plan. I’ll post some pictures of my creations as soon as I have a chance to create them. :) Until then...don't they just look lovely all jumbled in a pile?

Smoky Mountain Quilters Sale

2009-07-09T03:52:00.014-04:00

Boy did I get some treasures Tuesday night! The meeting was primarily a yard sale where different members of the group were thinning out their stashes. It was really fun!

I got 21 back issues of Quilting Arts magazine or 10 cents each (That’s right…$2.10 total!)

A fabulous little wall hanging named "Morning" that Candace Tucker made in a workshop with Nellie Durand.

I’ve started a collection of little quilts from different artists, and it will be a wonderful addition. I’ve always admired Nellie’s work, and I think Candace did a great job with this landscape. It made my heart smile when I saw it!

I also got some assorted hand-dyed fabrics from Candace. She teaches fiber art classes at the Oak Ridge Art Center, and her work is really lovely. I don’t have a specific project in mind for them, but they were so pretty and they begged me to take them home.

Other Creations from Last Week

2009-06-30T17:24:00.008-04:00

There were a couple evenings last week when I just had to do something with my hands that didn’t involve turning a mandrel…so I made 2 different rings on Monday & Tuesday evening before going to bed.

This was Monday’s creation…

And here is Tuesday’s ring…

The other nights I dove into some lampworking books that Marjorie had brought for us to look at. I love books, and they were an excellent source of inspiration & knowledge. One of them I decided to buy when I got home was “Torchworked Marbles” by Drew Fritts. I don’t really have intentions of creating marbles right now, but so much of this book was full of information about setting up a studio and generally working with glass that it is going to be an excellent resource to have on hand.

I’m Home!

2009-06-29T22:23:00.008-04:00

I had the most wonderful time!!! Marjorie is an excellent teacher! She is very patient and willing to share her knowledge with eager students. My brain is packed full of so much new information! Half way through the week I had to start taking notes because I was afraid I wouldn’t remember it all. I learned a ton, and she was very encouraging about my work too (which is always nice).

I feel like all I did last week was eat and make beads…with a little sleep sprinkled in here and there. It was so much fun! Here are all my experiments… (If you click on this first picture, it will enlarge a bit.)

Here are a few of the beads that I’m especially proud of…

I have some work left to go on the studio in the garage before I can get setup to make beads on a regular basis, but I’m anxious to get things done now! Anything to get back in front of that torch again!

I found myself dreaming of beads each night as I fell asleep…watching the layers build and constantly turning the mandrels to keep everything warm. I guess that’s when you know you’re hooked! :)

Lampworking Classes

2009-06-20T23:40:00.007-04:00

I’m so excited about my upcoming adventure! Next week I will in Smithville, TN at the Appalachian Center for Craft taking a weeklong glass beadmaking workshop with Marjorie Langston! Yippee!!!

I took a 2-day class several years ago and loved the process. It’s absolutely amazing to be able to play with molten glass in fire! :) Who wouldn’t love it?

After selling most of my letterpress equipment, I now have room in the garage to finally setup a lampworking studio. I really enjoyed making glass beads years ago, but I felt like I needed a refresher course (for safety & skill reasons) before diving back into it. Plus, being able to take a class from a different teacher might spark some new ideas.

I won’t have access to my computer until next Saturday, but there will be lots of pictures and stuff to talk about upon my return! :)

Whimsical Animals Workshop 2

2009-06-19T21:37:00.009-04:00

Here is my finished little quilt. :) Isn’t it fun!

I especially like how the striped fabric creates a nice frame for the little quilt. It was my first attempt at a proper binding, and I really like the result.

I really enjoyed going through the step-by-step process, and I’m excited to try the technique out with some of my own illustrations. Sheila is such an excellent teacher, very encouraging, and always inspiring!

Thank you Sheila!

Painted Portraits

2009-06-13T23:36:00.011-04:00

Well, I tried my hand at painting a couple of portraits not too long ago. Both of them are done in black & white oil on 16x20x1.5 inch canvases.

I started with a simple snapshot…

…and here is the finished painting.

I wanted the main focus to be on their faces, and I really like that the finished pieces are much larger than life. I remember the first time I saw them in person after painting these and thinking how incredibly tiny their heads seemed in comparison!

Here is the second photo…

…and here is the finished painting.

A few close-ups...

I really enjoyed creating these and will be offering custom portraits in my shop on Etsy in the near future. Feel free to contact me if you are interested in having a portrait painted!

Bead Embroidered Cuff

2009-06-10T21:37:00.006-04:00

As I’ve mentioned before, I am an active member of the Knoxville Chapter of the Embroiderers’ Guild of America. Through this group, and more specifically one of the smaller interest groups within the chapter that focuses on beading, I’ve had the opportunity to learn and practice a variety of beading techniques.

We recently finished this bead embroidered cuff project that was taught by Gail DeLuca of White Fox Bead Studio in Maryville, TN. It was amazing to see how differently all the bracelets turned out and how everyone’s personality was evident in their work.

I’m really pleased with how mine turned out!

My First Fabric Bowl

2009-06-08T21:55:00.010-04:00

More about the Smoky Mountain Quilters...If you’ve never been to one of their shows, it’s amazing! Overflowing with talent and loads of “eye candy”. My mom and I have attended their quilt show the past few years and have never been disappointed.

While we were there we saw a vendor demonstrating a technique for making fabric bowls, and I just had to try it out. Basically it is made by wrapping strips of fabric around cotton clothesline and zig-zag stitching it together as you coil it.

Here is my first bowl. It was really fun!

There is a book written about the technique, "It’s a Wrap" by Susan Breier. Check it out if you are interested.

My very, very first piece ended early on because I realized I wanted to use a shiny thread instead of plain cotton, my tension was off, and I didn’t want the lighter strips in it...but it makes a lovely coaster! I’ve been using it beside my keyboard, and it makes me smile.

Whimsical Animals Workshop

2009-06-06T20:12:00.016-04:00

Well, I stepped out of my little box and decided to join the local Smoky Mountain Quilters Guild. I wouldn’t really consider myself a quilter, but I love to experiment with different fabrics & fibers. And what a wonderful opportunity to learn some new skills from another group of talented women!

They have lots of workshops throughout the year…my first of which was today. It was taught by a very talented friend of mine, Sheila Rauen, who makes the most gorgeous, whimsical quilts. As soon as I heard about the class, I jumped at the chance to learn from her and find out how she works through a project.

Here is my little quilt so far…

All my pieces are sewn down and I’m ready to begin free motion quilting!

What's the meaning of all this?

2009-06-05T11:14:00.008-04:00

I would like to consider myself an artist (or at least I aspire to be one someday). But I’m having a terrible time getting very far down this road. My hope is that by starting this blog and sharing my journey that I will be able to work through my issues, learn how to make beautiful art, and truly enjoy the process again.

At some point I think I decided I had to commit to something, become really good at it, and be happy doing that one thing forever. Maybe throughout this process I will actually find that one thing that keeps me going and gets me up in the morning…or maybe my thing is to create lots of different kinds of art. I really don’t know, but I’m anxious to get started and find out!

My plan is to experiment with lots of different materials and document my creative journey along the way. I’m going to give myself permission to dive into color, texture, and pattern, and simply allow myself to “play” again.

I’m new to the whole blog idea, but I think this “journal” will keep me accountable and force me to grow and create more than I have been able to on my own in the past. I want to challenge myself to keep going and set new goals for myself along the way.

A little about me

2009-06-03T22:56:00.016-04:00

I received a BFA in Graphic Design from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville in 2001. Since then I have worked as a Freelance Graphic Designer and a letterpress printer.

The letterpress obsession began in college. While at UT, we took a class trip to Hatch Show Print in Nashville, TN. I remember being overwhelmed by all the interesting “stuff”. Floor to ceiling carved blocks, drawers and drawers of old type, and beautiful, fascinating machinery.

When I got home, I started looking around online for a press. I just had to get my hands on one of those machines! While I enjoyed designing and working on the computer, there was something magical and so much more appealing about getting my hands dirty and working with vintage materials.

My dad, fiancé, and I took a road trip to Canada to visit Don Black’s shop, retrieve my very own Vandercook SP-15, and handpick an assortment of typefaces to get me started. It was wonderful! My own wedding invitations were one of the first projects I ever printed.

During my senior year at UT, I was fortunate to have the opportunity to intern at Yee-Haw Industries. I was able to observe the day-to-day operations of a successful letterpress shop, and it was a thrill for me to just be around all the type and presses! Since then I’ve enjoyed printing wedding invitations and stationery on the side as time allows.

During the last several years I’ve been an active member of the Knoxville Chapter of the Embroiderers’ Guild of America, and have thoroughly enjoyed my experiments in fiber and textile art. Beading is another passion of mine, and I’ve done a few paintings recently. I think I just like making things with my hands!

Well, to make a long story short, I found myself wanting to try a variety of other artforms and decided it would be ok to sell my press and make room in the garage for a lampworking studio. (More about this in the near future!)

I’m anxious, excited, and quite honestly terrified to start a new chapter in my life, and that is where this blog begins…