Wildethyme Art

Wow, its' December!

2011-12-09T15:59:00.002-07:00

It's time!!! Bring your fiber projects and get on over here for some good company, good food, coffee and uninterrupted fun!

Saturday, December 10 from 2:00pm until 4:30pm

I should mention that we have a new gallery cat (Kitten!!!) in case that is an issue for you. She's very funny and friendly and seems to add a great deal to people's enjoyment of the gallery--but we know that is not the case for everyone.

BTW... Hannah Giere volunteered to cook for us and we thank her profusely!!

In brief, so I can get back to the holiday rush... :D

*** For those of you who were waiting, your needle felting pen tools are in! I only have the ones you asked me to hold for you and two more left, they sell so fast! And, yes I have already ordered more :D

*** By request, we now have seam clips, point protectors, magnetic bag clasps, stitch holders, counters and yarn sleeves.

*** I'm still looking around for the best deal on sock blockers.

*** Next week, we're getting in a large, new assortment of dyed Corriedale and Merino fibers for felting and spinning. I can't keep up with the demand as late(yay!), so I ordered from Louet. We have bumps of New Zealand wool in stock. It's very soft for spinning yet, because it is so inexpensive, it also makes a great core wool for felting.

*** Next week, we're getting in about 300 hundred cookie cutters. Yep. I said three hundred! We'll keep adding to our selection if you like them. They are great for cooking (obvious, yes?), mineral and polymer clay, and ... you knew it was coming... needle felting!

Phew! I better get back to the studio. Santa has us hopping these days :D

Laura and Steph

The Phat Fiber videos are up and the sale is... shhhh.... it's a secret :D

2011-11-18T11:45:00.001-07:00

The preview videos are up! Our sample is in the first video at 2:50 minutes in. But first, pour yourself a glass of wine, cup of tea or coffee, sit back and enjoy the parade of BEEEEEyutiful fibers and yarn. If you would like more info about the Phat Fiber Sampler box, visit them at Phatfiber.com or on Ravelry! Use the code "PFBlogNov" to get free shipping through the month of November :D
Part One...

Phat Fiber Box Nov 2011 Part 1 from Phat Fiber on Vimeo.

Part Two...

Phat Fiber Box Nov 2011 Part 2 from Phat Fiber on Vimeo.

Part Three...

Phat Fiber Box Nov 2011 Part 2 from Phat Fiber on Vimeo.

from hankie to mittie

2011-11-05T09:49:00.001-06:00

Someone on the PhatFiber contributor list posted this link from Yarn Harlot about knitting mittens from hankies.... Since we recently received some hand-dyed silk hankies from Wonderland Fiber for sale in the gallery, I thought I must share :D

"Mine, Mine all Mine!

Well, well.. here we are!

2011-11-02T11:47:00.001-06:00

Good Day!  We've been so very busy preparing for the holidays, we haven't had the chance to write much in awhile! (dontcha hate it when a blog starts out that way ;) We have several events planned, so I'll start there.

STITCH & BITCH
It’s time to launch our official “Stitch & Bitch” for the winter months! Our first one will be this Saturday, November 5 from 2-5pm. Several of you have asked for it, so be it--We're looking forward to having everyone! Bring any project that you want to work on, be it knitting, spinning, crochet, sewing and spend the afternoon in good company. Who knows what you’ll learn! The first one just happens to be on my birthday, November 5, so we will have coffee, tea, sparkling cider, wine and… cake of some kind! I do so love cake :D Mom taught me to be generous, so to celebrate, I'll host some kind of drawing/give away for people that attend.

CROCHET CLASS
November 12, from 2-5. LeeAnn Cisneros of Alamosa and Heaven Scents will host a crochet class for those of you that want to learn. Personally, I find it very handy and creative to be able to do both, so I expect to see some you hard-core knitters along for the ride! There is no charge for the class itself, just the cost of your supplies-and we’ll give you 10% off of those that day.

PHAT FIBER
What else… We’ve begun participating in the Phat Fiber Sampler box again. This month’s theme is “Wine Country”. Our colorway is inspired by the foods that are classic accompaniments to good wine and Clara Peters’ “"Breakfast Still-life with Bread, Cheese and Cherries", 17th century. Many of you know that I teach Women’s Art History and I have long loved this painting, so it seemed like the natural choice. If you’re unfamiliar with the Phat Fiber Sampler program, check it out here: www.phatfiber.com/index.htm . There is much to get excited about there!

New stuffs...
What’s new?
--dichroic buttons for your projects
--Christmas ornaments and lots of them.
--a shipment of Brown Sheep yarn
--fibers, fibers, and more fibers!
--new angelina colors
--hand dyed silk bells by Wonderland Fibers
--books!
--windchimes
--needlefelting tools
--knitting, crochet notions-including magnet closure for bags
--handmade bags by Vickie Marquez
--hand dyed cashmere sock, DK and worsted yarns

That’s good for today, yes? Keep in touch. We miss you when you’re gone.
Steph and Laura

New Gallery, New Address

2009-10-29T00:54:00.003-06:00

Our new gallery, Wildethyme Art opens December 5!

An Afternoon with Amelia Garripoli!

2009-07-30T22:30:00.001-06:00

I wish I could be at Gypsy Wools this weekend! I consider Amelia an internet/fiber friend. We "met" when she bought some of my yarn online, knitted a toy with it that was later posted online at the Yarn Museum Online.

I'm going to have to buy the book and be satisfied with that :)

Summer fun

2009-07-30T08:13:00.002-06:00

Music Festivals, Fiber Festivals, Parade Floats... These are my summer realities. It's great fun, but I must admit I miss camping and gardening too.

We thought we'd make that happen this Summer, but with galleries opening and a dog in her last days (though she seems good today!), well... there has not been much leaving of home except to do these other things.

What else? I haven't used my loom(s), but I have filled my store more than it ever has been. I even have stock not yet listed. I am trying to get a good stock built up for August-usually one of the better sales months--and for Fall when we open the gallery. I have yet to settle on a name for the place. I keep waiting for the "right" answer to dawn on me.

I have a table loom that is ready and warped -- and I have actually settled on yarn! I should just get to it. I know that the work will usually carry me forward, but then I want to do another freeform piece as well.

As problems go, mine are gifts.

New Loom!

2009-06-07T21:07:00.005-06:00

I know little about it except that it was made in Berea, KY (Shoutout to Steven and Gin!) We were given a great deal on it-especially important during the Summer when I am not working at the college. It's gorgeous and fits nicely in the living room, making it much likely that I will use it.

I look forward to weaving all matter of stuff with it-including, but not limited to, paper!

Phat Fiber Sample Box: Silver Sun Alpacas Giveaway!

2009-06-06T13:21:00.000-06:00

Phat Fiber Sample Box: Silver Sun Alpacas Giveaway!

Andrea in Blue

2009-06-04T21:04:00.000-06:00

I was a guest blogger at Andrea in Blue today. I made a rambling, stream of consciousness comparison of painting and freeform fiber art. Check it out!

BTW, I am teaching a freeform knitting and crochet workshop July 10 at the SLV Folk Art and Fiber Festival.

deadline approaching: call for entries

2009-05-21T02:05:00.001-06:00

Whether you use traditional media in traditional or contemporary ways, we hope that you will choose to join us in celebration of the traditional arts. The SLV Folk Arts and Fiber Exhibit will open with a reception on June 27 from 5-7pm and close after the launch party for the SLV Fest. Simultaneously, the Monte Vista Information Center will host ticket sales for the SLV Ski Hi Stampede, Colorado’s Oldest Pro Rodeo. Hundreds of people will see this beautiful exhibit during the 4 week run–We hope you will be one of them!

The SLV Folk Arts and Fiber exhibit is open to all media, but will give preference to the folk, self-taught, traditional arts, fine crafts and fiber arts. The winners of the exhibit will have their works featured here (online) for 6-12 months, so Download the prospectus or sign up online.

Important Dates:
May 23, 2009: Entry Deadline (postmark)
June 5: Notification of Acceptance June 19: Mailed work arrives
June 22: Drop off work & Install Exhibit
June 27, 5-7 PM: Opening Reception June 13-July 10: Exhibit
July 10: SLV FAFF Workshopsin Marsh Park
July 11& 12th: Festival in Marsh Park
July 14, 10AM-12PM 2009: Pick up works

July 15-20: Mail unsold works

Phat Fiber Box

2009-03-05T20:05:00.011-07:00

I kept meaning to show off what came in my Phat Fiber box,
so here is February's Treasure!
I'm spinning now so I will be back to give more specifics.
Specifically? I just finished spinning up my sample from
Silver Sun Alpacas
(pictured below)
with some crazy pink lame'-yes... lame'.
I must... have more.
Photos forthcoming.

What to do...

2009-03-03T05:22:00.002-07:00

It's 5am and I woke up painting.

Not literally, of course, but the images were flooding in as my unconscious gave way to the conscious. The conscious mind saw them and said, "this is good".

Then my conscience woke up too. It reminded me of the grading I had left to do, the unwritten classes and upcoming show deadlines for work already started.

So the battle begins anew...

Student Expectations Seen as Causing Grade Disputes

2009-02-23T13:15:00.001-07:00

Student Expectations Seen as Causing Grade Disputes - NYTimes.com

I see this all the time. It seems that our students come to me without having learned that sometimes what we see as our efforts are simply not good enough. All the effort in the world is in vain if it still leaves a job undone, in "real" life, people, employers, tell us no all the time. It's painful, but it's also an opportunity to stretch, to learn.

You know you wanna....

2009-02-22T16:57:00.001-07:00

Mystic Mermaid on Etsy

It's Phat Fiber time again!

2009-02-20T16:58:00.004-07:00

If you're visiting from the Phat Fiber blog, welcome!

I've not posted pics of what I am doing for a while now, because I am working on two freeform pieces-and one of them will be submitted to the next International Freeform Guild Exhibit. I participated in 2007, but not 2008 and very much regretted it.

Sooo... not this year. Part of the rules of participating is that we not share what we're doing online, thus my silence. *Sigh* that's just not easy for me.

It also means that much of what I have spun in the last few months has gone to my stash, er.. collection, and not my Etsy store. Good thing I stocked up in a bit in December-and I take special orders, lol!

Sooo.. I'll sign off now and go take some pictures of the box and post them. I know you came here to see the yarn goods. Until I return, here's one from Etsy.

Another Dear John Letter

2009-02-17T13:58:00.001-07:00

Dear John xxxxxxx,
I just saw your report on the protest of the stimulus bill and it is clear that you do not have all the information you need to represent some the issues involved. I heard you name the NEA, not once, but twice as "pork" on behalf of yourself and energy officials. I am more than dismayed.

On behalf of the many artists that I know, I want to ask why our mortgages, our well being, is any less important to the health of this country, this state than anyone else? I am weary of this notion that artists are just playing in the sandbox, twiddling our thumbs. Not only do I produce art objects and supplies, but I teach Art History and Art Appreciation at the local college. Historically, civilizations are measured by the quality of life and their cultural production.

In my small town of Monte Vista, population 5000, I have a list of 60 artists, most of which have sales tax licenses. Are these people not worthy of economic consideration?

Additionally, did you know that people who visit Colorado for arts and culture spend 37% more money than those who patronize the sports industry? Are you aware of the study released last week that names Arts and Culture as the fifth largest employer in Colorado? Another study by the Colorado Council on the Arts showed "a correlation between arts and learning, revealing schools with more art programs had higher proficiency in writing, reading and science."

Last week, in arguing for the $50 million in arts money on the House floor on Friday, Congressman David Obey shared similar points. Arts workers, he said, have 12.5 percent unemployment: “Are you suggesting that somehow if you work in that field, it isn’t real when you lose your job, your mortgage or your health insurance? We’re trying to treat people who work in the arts the same way as anybody else.”

$50 million works out to be .005% of the stimulus bill. It is disingenuous to say that this money is wasted.

I realize you were covering the opposition position. I simply wish you had gone with information needed to ask truly interesting, investigative questions. By not doing so, you perpetuate the myth that arts and culture is a frivolous pursuit. In this letter, I have included several URLS that direct one to the information that I have presented. I hope you find them interesting.

Sincerely,
Laura Murphy
Monte Vista, CO

http://www.thedenverchannel.com/7newsteam/215873/detail.html

http://www.cbca.org/econbiennial.asp

http://www.coloarts.org/programs/education/study/index.htm

http://www.artsusa.org/information_services/research/services/economic_impact/default.asp

Tres Cosas

2009-02-16T22:29:00.004-07:00

OK... So I've been playing on FaceBook and not here. Which is silly, 'cause if I post here, it publishes there too. I'm a dork.

Here's the latest FB meme :)

Tres Cosas
Share
You know what to do....List three things to each question. Read on . . . . 3's About Me

Three Names I go by
1. Murph (Dan and Frank called me this first. I've always loved it.)
2. Lowa (Di pegged me Lowa)
3. LoLo (My nephew, Kyle, gave me this one)

Three Jobs I've had
1. Hairdresser
2. Chemical Dependency Tech/counselor
3. Teacher

Three Places I have lived
1. San Diego, CA
2. Champagne, IL
3. Denver, CO

Three cars I've had
1. '72 Ford LTD (Remember this, Curtis?)
2. '88 Yugo
3. '94 Honda Del Sol (My present car--LOVE this car. 48MPG, bebbe!)

Three TV Shows that I watch
1. Dexter
2. House
3. The Rachel Maddow Show

Three places I have been
1. Piedras Negras, Mexico
2. Graceland (that was odd)
3. Destin, FL (That was a great week. I learned to sail!)

Three places I want to go
1. Ethiopia
2. Findhorn, Scotland
3. Egypt

People that e-mail me regularly
1. Di
2. Bob
3. Students

Three of my favorite foods
1. Ethiopian
2. Indian
3. Mexican

Three things I can cook
1. Chocolate Mocha Cake
2. Vegetarian Stroganoff
3. Stuff I throw together, usually involving copious amounts of vegetables

Three favorite cocktails
1. I have been sober for over 22 years :)
2. n/a
3. n/a

Three favorite movies
1. Brazil
2. Kinky Boots
3. Mama Mia ( I was charmed all over again by Meryl Streep )

Three favorite colors
1. Dioxizine Purple
2. Yellow Ochre
3. Olive

Three Favorite musical performers/CD's
1. Ella Fitzgerald sings Cole Porter
2. Crash Test Dummies, God Shuffled His Feet
3. Annie Lennox, any, all...

Three favorite songs (at the moment)
1. Whatever Lola Wants
2. Take a Chance on Me
3. Cry Me a River

Things I am looking forward to
1. Gardening. (I am sick to death of the cold this year)
2. Opening my next business
3. SLV Folk Arts and Fiber Festival

Vote now!

2008-12-19T12:58:00.001-07:00

http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/content/senpoll2/

Dear Governor Ritter,
When I first heard Barack Obama speak at the '04 Dems convention, I wasn't looking at the TV screen, I was in another room, listening as an afterthought. After a few minutes, I went to look at the TV because I thought... "Is that Mike Miles????".

I was disappointed that it wasn't Mike. I didn't know this guy, but he said so many of the same things, that I sat to listen to him (Obama) and was inspired all over again--but... I kept thinking, "That should be Mike".

That was the year I returned to political activism--because Mike made me--and so many others--feel like we had a voice again. He lost, but we stayed-- empowered by his inspiration.

Governor Ritter, we met during your campaign at MudPuppy's coffeehouse in Monte Vista. We don't agree on several issues, but I felt safe that your heart was in the right place. I'm asking you now to appoint Mike Miles to Salazar's senate seat. I'll remind you Miles won the state convention vote the year he ran. He has tremendous support amongst the grassroots community. He simply needs you to give him the opportunity to share his personal greatness. We need more voices like him, like you and like Obama for the challenges that lay ahead.

Sincerely,
Laura Murphy
Monte Vista, CO

Great Gift Ideas

2008-11-28T11:56:00.006-07:00

Not for me, I have everything I need :)

But, again, in an effort to get back into the habit of blogging, I thought I might feature a great Etsy Gift idea... for the Holiday Season or for however long it takes me to get distracted and forget to blog again.

Here is my current great idea. Well, not my idea, but I certainly thought it was a good one!

This one comes from purposedesign(click here) at Etsy. This artisan produces spice kits for specific holidays and types of food or drink. My favorites are the Chai mixes for the chai drinkers in my life. Check it out!(click here)

Some of them magnetic spice racks that hang like beautiful, textured art on your wall, others are are series of tins with coordinated spices. It's a sensual and sleek gift either way.

Yes We Can

2008-11-02T17:57:00.002-07:00

I'm listening to this video for about the tenth time and realizing that it is my artist self, the depths of my humanity that is moved by the words, the people, the music. If you haven't yet, I hope you will join me on Tuesday in saying, nay.. in the singing...

Yes We Can, by Will.I.Am

Coming and Going in Style: Obama’s Policy on the Arts

2008-11-02T17:01:00.002-07:00

by Micheal Fox, Smirking Chimp

Inevitably, some issues go completely unmentioned in political campaigns. One such story, which ought to have gotten more attention, is Barack Obama’s program to restore long-dormant federal Arts programs and introduce new ones. Sen. Obama has assembled an impressive committee to design and (hopefully) oversee the project, which borrows some from Franklin Roosevelt’s WPA Arts projects, Lyndon Johnson’s NEA, and adding timely new features.

And If this seems to you a minor piece of his agenda, well, someone begs to differ. On October 26, 1963, President John F. Kennedy gave an address at Amherst college that included the following:

The artist, however faithful to his personal vision of reality, becomes the last champion of the individual mind and sensibility against an intrusive society and an officious state. The great artist is thus a solitary figure. He has, as Frost said, a lover's quarrel with the world. In pursuing his perceptions of reality, he must often sail against the currents of his time. This is not a popular role. If Robert Frost was much honored in his lifetime, it was because a good many preferred to ignore his darker truths. Yet in retrospect, we see how the artist's fidelity has strengthened the fiber of our national life.

If sometimes our great artists have been the most critical of our society, it is because their sensitivity and their concern for justice, which must motivate any true artist, makes him aware that our nation falls short of its highest potential. I see little of more importance to the future of our country and our civilization than full recognition of the place of the artist.

Tragically, this was his exit line on the subject.

Now, enter Barack Obama, who has made clear his intention to refocus the national dialogue on culture and fine arts. Novelist Michael Chabon, writing on behalf of the committee, eloquently says:

Every grand American accomplishment, every innovation that has bene_ted and enriched our lives, every lasting social transformation, every moment of profound insight any American visionary ever had into a way out of despair, loneliness, fear and violence—everything that has from the start made America the world capital of hope, has been the fruit of the creative imagination, of the ability to reach beyond received ideas and ready-made answers to some new place, some new way of seeing or hearing or moving through the world. Breathtaking solutions, revolutionary inventions, the road through to freedom, reform and change: never in the history of this country have these emerged as pat answers given to us by our institutions, by our government, by our leaders. We have been obliged—to employ Dr. King’s powerful verb—to dream them up for ourselves.

America’s artists are the guardians of the spirit of questioning, of innovation, of reaching across the barriers that fence us from our neighbors, from our allies and adversaries, from the six billion other people with whom we share this dark and dazzling world. Art increases the sense of our common humanity. Imagination of the artist is, therefore, a profoundly moral imagination: the easier it is for you to imagine walking in someone else’s shoes, the more difficult it then becomes to do that person harm. If you want to make a torturer, first kill his imagination. If you want to create a nation that will stand by and allow torture to be practiced in its name, then go ahead and kill its imagination, too. You could start by cutting school funding for art, music, creative writing and the performing arts.

Read the rest by clicking HERE.

Download/read Obama's entire arts program by clicking HERE.

I Voted!

2008-10-29T15:14:00.000-06:00

I get this.

2008-10-27T23:18:00.002-06:00

"She (Michelle Obama) said neither of Obama's two young daughters is overly excited by the campaign.

Ten-year-old Malia's reaction to her father's plans to air a 30-minute paid advertisement on national TV Wednesday night?

"'You're going to be on all the TV? Are you going to interrupt my TV?'" her mother said Malia asked.

She said Barack Obama reassured his daughter that he hadn't bought time on the Disney Channel."

I'll be voting for this whole family on Wed.

It's everywhere

2008-10-23T11:10:00.003-06:00

... and it really should be.

The election that is. I, and so many people I know, are consumed by it. I have had my heart broken over and over by the ignorance and bigotry of some of the behavior displayed by my fellow Americans. And, yes... most of them were/are Republican.

It always brings me back to the same questions: Why are we so willing to believe the worst of each other and why are we so afraid of our perceived differences?

I think when it is all over, I'll be going back to my studio to "paint it out".

In the meantime, I am spinning and reading like mad--usually at the same time. I sit, spin and read from my laptop. If you look at the photo in the last entry--from September!-I have spun a great deal of the fiber in that photo. What is left fits in the truck. Happily, it's been selling too!

Fiber keeps me sane. Is it November 5th yet? Not that I truly expect we'll know anything then, but at least it is my birthday that day!

errata

2008-09-22T13:08:00.003-06:00

Busy days... and mostly happy days.

I had a bit of a cold last week and used the time to reorganize my fiber stash. It was a BIG job, but makes dyeing new fibers and spinning up the existing fiber so easy. I used over 60-70 gallon zip lock bags to reorganize it all. It's an even bigger pleasure now than ever!

I have been putting together a new venture with the--you'll never guess this one--The Colorado Gator Farm. They have begun growing a vast amount of papyrus, bamboo and other plants that are great for paper making. They called me and asked and so.. out I went to see what it is all about. Looks like I will make paper for them in exchange for materials as well as teaching some papermaking classes on site. Should be interesting, fun.

Andy Warhol and Sarah Palin

2008-09-20T14:10:00.002-06:00

Andy Warhol would have loved Sarah Palin. She really is the ultimate soup can.

Nevermind...

2008-08-28T17:30:00.003-06:00

A few posts down, I wondered why I had not produced new works.

Rather than keep wondering, I've just gotten down to work :)

This the newest, all freeform knitting and crochet, containing over 70% hand dyed and hand spun yarns and over 7 feet long!

It's seen hanging in the Faculty Show at Adams State College. My plan is to keep adding to it while it is on display.

One of these things is just like the other....

2008-07-28T01:54:00.008-06:00

OK, truth is.... one of these thing is all of these things. Years ago, my dear friend, Donna, wove the fabric you see in the first two photos. She then commissioned someone to turn it into a coat-- the result of which she was disappointed with. Years later, and still years ago from today, she gave the coat to me to "do something, make something with... "

This weekend, I started on that "something". I am cutting into strips and spinning it around a binder thread of carpet warp to make new yarn. Because it is such a stiff weave, it doesn't hold together well enough to cut into strips and knit-or spin. Several experiments were needed to determine this.

The resulting yarn is huge. I'm thinking I will need a size 19-35 needle to knit it-unless what I do is simply knot it. I'm using everything-lining, buttons too in either the
yarn or the finished product.

Stay tuned. Updates as conditions warrant.

and now... eight days AFTER the SLVFest...

2008-07-21T07:14:00.004-06:00

I might finally start feeling rested again :) I had a bonafide... blast. This year's fest grew and exceeded my wildest expectations! At this time, I believe that all of our vendors (save one? We're confused on that one... ) want to come back next year. Not only is this a huge vote of confidence, but it gives us a more stable projected budget for next year.

I myself spent a minor fortune. Knowing who was coming, I had been saving for it, after all.

Check out the photo gallery for 2008 (click here.)

After everyone was gone, and I had slept a day or two, I told a friend, "I feel so much more connected, a part of a larger community." So... for those of you who wonder why I do it, that's why. I learned a very long time ago that working for some semblance of the Greater Good was far more satisfying than many of the things I did for myself. I still need those things I do for me, but the satisfaction is far more fleeting.

Oh--and I met CLAUDIA! It was rather hilarious, that moment when we were talking and we both realized that we had been following each other's work, lives on the web. We both pointed at each other and said "You're... " Definitely one of those "when two worlds collide moments, but in this moment, something seemed to be set right rather than upset.

I had been so busy the last year months I hadn't read blogs much at all (much less tended mine!) I lost track of the fact that she was moving to New Mexico, three hours from us. And.. although I knew that "Heal My Hands" sounded familiar, I was rushing about with an every increasing amount of last minute details to process much of anything. And then suddenly, there we were talking in her booth about freeform.

I'm going to write her-and I doubt I will wait until I have caught up on all my other correspondence. So.... please.. if you're waiting for me to write back, please bear with me.
Pretty please?

Eight days to SLV Fest!

2008-07-01T21:09:00.002-06:00

Every day is full with last minute details now... Ordering the porta potties, tables, chairs, gathering last minute ad details for the program... waiting for posters that are late. Adding last minute vendors... making t-shirts and magnets, and pulp for workshops...

omg... its going to be sooooooooooo fun! Click here to check it out. And.. of course.. join us. Join us now!

Cutest sheep evah

2008-06-22T18:44:00.000-06:00

Click Here to seeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee.

What am I doing here? What's it all for?

2008-06-19T17:59:00.002-06:00

Heh, heh...
Nothing like a few light thoughts with my spinning.

The thought, the question, that keeps running through my head these days is that I should be making serious art. Shouldn't I?

I turned out this very ambitious thesis in school and, since then, well... I dunno. I learned to spin and have been doing that. And loving it.

I've also thrown myself into community work and have been loving that as well.

But the art? Not so much.

It's true I have produced a few successful pieces and pulled together (not alone of course!) some wonderful projects. But there isn't the time or energy to do it all. What's that about?

Updates as conditions warrant.

Fingerless snake gloves

2008-06-17T22:03:00.001-06:00

2582391988_4cffacd98c
Originally uploaded by cdaniele63

And I helped! Sort of... I dyed and spun the yarn, and Cindy made them into these slinky creations.

National Performing Arts Convention

2008-06-17T07:10:00.003-06:00

I'm trying to get rested from a wonderful week at the NPAC, but there are just so many interesting things to do instead!

Tina is finished!

2008-05-26T21:47:00.001-06:00

Her surface finish that is. If you're lucky, you might win her for as little as 4.00 (and shipping, of course)

Pagosa Fiber Festival

2008-05-26T11:48:00.005-06:00

I had a great time at the festival-but I do love these sorts if things-always have! Must be part of why I wanted to start one...

I bought BEAUTIFUL fibers to spin--and more dyes. We met several of our new vendors too. It was all very festive despite the rain and snowstorm.

The alapaca pix is for Di, the Angora are for Derbs. The alpaca reference has sorta taken on a life of its' own.

Which Art Movement are you?

2008-05-05T00:01:00.000-06:00

You Are Surrealism

Dreamy and idealistic, you've created a world that is all your own.

It's very likely that you've either dabbled in drugs or are naturally trippy.

You are always trying to push beyond the boundaries of your culture and society.

You believe that art, love, and freedom can change the world.

What Art Movement Are You?

A fresh perspective...

2008-05-04T23:30:00.004-06:00

It's been so windy of late, my allergies have made me miserable and I have had to stay inside as much as possible. But... all that changed today! Although it is late, I started flower, veggie and herb seeds and Denny tilled up the back yard. After he levels it, I will seed it with a naturalized, low-water grass seed. It only grows about 6" tall and so needs no mowing either!

Here's a thought..

2008-05-01T07:47:00.002-06:00

What if we cannot interest more people in the arts because we're BORING them to death with the same ideas?

Ugh.

There is every chance I am projecting my personal frustrated creative process. I have certainly hit a very frustrating place in my work. I feel as though I have suddenly limited myself somehow. It's time to take stock of why I do any of it and focus my efforts this way. It's become painfully clear that working in the interest of art education, while fulfilling in many, many ways and is not to be dismissed, is just not enough.

It's not like I didn't know I was headed for burnout, but yesterday's events made it poignantly clear that volunteerism is a thankless job. I'm tired and crashing into a wall of my own cynicism.

The end of a semester combined with local politics is making me want to run and hide even more than I have been.

That said, I am LOVING working on the Folk Arts and Fiber Festival. We have attracted some WONDERFUL vendors and workshops this year. I'm having a great deal of trouble deciding which workshops to take, but I definitely need more outlets like this.

fiber collage

2008-04-20T23:01:00.001-06:00

fiber collage
Originally uploaded by wildethyme

I would post, but I am dying 30 pounds of wool and I'm obsessed with this piece... more photos soon!

Veruca loves me, she really loves me ;)

2008-04-09T08:36:00.002-06:00

veruca
Originally uploaded by cdaniele63

This is Veruca, the mascot for the Selfish Knitters Group at Ravelry. In the crook of her arm rests one of my yarns! Yipppeeeee!

#197 Green Brush

2008-03-29T20:14:00.002-06:00

#197 Green Brush
Originally uploaded by Deebs Fiber Arts

OK.. I just couldn't leave that last post out there like a little, black raincloud.

Here is something lovely to look at by Deebs

blah

2008-03-29T18:05:00.003-06:00

It's been a really stressful week.

A very dear friend has suffered a staggering loss involving major disappointment (to say it mildly) in a loved one , classes were canceled this week at school because of salmonella contamination and well, frankly... I have got a terrible case of the blues.

Seriously. Nothing seems too terribly interesting and I am completely unmotivated to do anything but hide, hide, hide.

Three, four days ago, I couldn't wait for this weekend to get here so that I could throw pots . All I have managed today is to watch movies and read. I really need a shower. I need to do a LOT of things--like shower, enter two shows for the month of March (a goal of mine), distribute the prospectus for the FAFF Exhibition AND.... ahem...my taxes (!) but I cannot seem to find the wherewithal to get a glass of water (I don't live in Alamosa, btw).

I sure hope this passes soon. I'm chalking up to a much needed stillness, but not gotten, stillness. Whatever it is, it just doesn't feel like me at all.

Waaaaaaaaaa

SLV Folk Arts and Fiber Festival Exhibition

2008-03-26T21:53:00.001-06:00

Enter today!!!

Art and Performance

2008-03-22T09:36:00.003-06:00

A friend is coming to stay the week so it seemed a prudent plan to clean the house this morning. Fortunately for me, this friend is another artist so she will forgive me when I explain that, once again, I was distracted by art.

Firstly, I wanted to write a short essay to enter a contest to win a trip to New York to visit the galleries and museums. To that effect, I began looking up images of Judy Chicago's The Dinner Party- one of my all-time favorite works of art. Along the way, I remembered that I had seen a movie for sale about the piece and I began to look for it to buy it (ack! how could I not have bookmarked it?) I have been here for over three hours now. I cannot find the film, but I was gifted another experience altogether.

While I was searching, The Gates, a documentary about the installation of the same name came on TV, on HBO. I have sat here in rapt attention, choked up and misty -eyes, listening to the process of bringing this work to fruition and to other's experience of the work. It was genius, The Gates and I am so happy, so thrilled that I can see it--and I did not visit it! See this film... It is quite beautiful and moving.

just kill me now

2008-03-20T10:59:00.001-06:00

Sometimes.... when I am grading papers, it is so painful I want to take a break so that I may beat my head on a wall.

new skin!

2008-03-19T18:17:00.001-06:00

YAY!!! It will take me awhile to add all the links back in, but I love this one so much, I think it is worth it. OK.. that was pretty much the litmus test for all the templates (were there zillions?) I looked at.

secret admirer

2008-03-19T16:45:00.003-06:00

OK.. I guess it's not a secret if I tell.

But this Danish papermaker left a comment on one of my photos. I went to see her pics, was enchanted, and so had to leave her a present. I would do it for Gin too. Now I have to go back and see if she has an account.

Thread Bowl

2008-03-18T22:29:00.004-06:00

I'm going to make a few of these bowls on my way to another use for this technique, but here is my first Thread Bowl! Click here for the slide show. Sadly, you cannot see the gold/iris Angelina mixed in for a little shimmer. FYI: That's water soluble interfacing that I using to sandwich silk flowers and scrap threads and yarns.

sigh

2008-03-16T09:15:00.003-06:00

I'm in a bit of a quandary.

I have committed myself to the arts in my community--and I really am committed to them. I feel passionately about creating opportunities for those of us with a creative inclination in life. But sometimes... I feel rather trapped by it all.

Lately, I have been rather crabby about the amount of time I have prioritized to organizational work over creative, art making work. Actually, it makes me down right pissy. And while I have most of the next few days to do some art making, I still have a grant to write and a team to put together for a long-term community proposal--and of course they were all due yesterday. These things need doing, but I keep asking myself.. does it have to be me? Of course, it does not. But who? It's a bit of a trap of my own making.

And then.... I go to a meeting were there is a lively exchange of ideas and I am thrilled all over again. More will be revealed, I'm sure. My board terms are up next year. I'll be grateful to turn it over and just do a few volunteer jobs.

The really wonderful news is that we may get our gallery open this year. I will be very happy to have that happen. I sorta miss having some place to go to work everyday.

Which reminds me. I better get to work :)

Resources for the arts and crafts vendor

2008-03-11T10:15:00.002-06:00

I've been *obsessively* hunting for vendors and ways to list and promote this and the other festivals with which I help organize. This morning, I stumbled upon a number of GREAT resources for vendors and thought, " I must blog this"!

So.. here they are. It comes as no surprise to me that some of my favs come from very clever Etsy Sellers.

Penny-wise Product Pushing: Do a Craft Show without Breaking the Bank
--from Esty Seller, pawandclawdesigns

Very thorough Excel spreadsheet/checklist for setting up your booth
Blogger and Etsy Seller, Kellybot

Show Me Your Thrifty Craft Show Booth Ideas
from the Etsy Business and Marketing Forums

Accepting Credit Cards

Cross-posted at Monte Vista Street Fair and SLV Folk Arts and Fiber Festival

Make paper with me!!!

2008-02-29T12:28:00.002-07:00

And now for a little (more) shameless self-promotion!

Sign up to learn to make paper with me at the

SLV Folk Arts and Fiber Festival

and... buy raffle tickets to win a Tina Jensen II Spinning Wheel!

There. I'll do that again a few weeks ;)

not a rock

2008-02-22T10:59:00.003-07:00

I get this a lot: "Hi Laura,

Could you tell me about the picture on your Web Site? It looks like some kind of fossil, or petrogliff, in a Boulder. Is that

what it is?

Fred"

But, it's not a rock. It's paper.
And I totally have a crush on Fred . You would too if you met him :)

And... and... I need a new blog template too. This one is so stripped down, it's a total snooze.

Bleh.

it's time!

2008-02-20T21:41:00.002-07:00

We're looking for vendors, instructors, musicians, artists and instructors for the following venues:
Monte Vista Street Fair
San Luis Valley Folk Arts and Fiber Festival
Spanish Trails Music Festival
SLV Potato Festival
Monte Vista Holiday Festival and Art Tour

Another yarn "makes it home"

2008-02-19T23:48:00.002-07:00

DSCN2515
Originally uploaded by cdaniele63

Cynthia Daniels, Ravelry Goddess from New Mexico, sent me this photo of a sweater she knitted with a skein of Rio de la Plata and my "Earth and Sky" handspun (the slubby yarn at the yoke).

Another gift! Thanks Cynthia,
Knit on!

Love to love you, baby!

2008-02-14T07:14:00.003-07:00

Look at this beauty! No, I'm not prejudiced (liar, liar, my big, giant pants on fire!). Take a look at this gorgeous scarflette that Char made out of "Debra", one of my coiled yarns!

"Debra" is now called "Denim and Pearls". This is perfect.. "Debra" was named for my sister, Debra--who would totally wear denim and pearls together! It's a real pleasure, a gift, for me to make something that becomes something else in the hands of another. It's another gift altogether when the artist shares those results. Thanks Char! I can barely wait to see what you do with this. Oooooooh.... Ahhhhhhhh la la!

Of music and papermaking

2008-02-10T22:05:00.001-07:00

Been watching the Grammy's tonight. I don't usually make it through the evening because, well... maybe I'm just getting too old for it.

But tonight has been fun. I have enjoyed most of the performers I don't like what has happened to country music and I loathe Josh Grobin. Ick, yuck, poo-poo. His work is far too preachy for me.
So guess who was the last on stage tonight. Yep. Him. Peeeeyuuuuu!

Wait! It's not over. Phew!

Tina Turner was fabulous. I saw her in concert when she released her "Private Dancer album. Fabulousness abounded.

*** *** ***
I revamped my "How To Make Paper" page. They are very simple directions; goodness knows, it can get more complex that this. I plan on giving a workshop on papermaking this Summer at the SLV Folk Arts and Fiber Festival this Summer.

I did not make paper at all last Summer. I will probably go to work at in March when Denny goes off to NCECA.

I'm off to bed early. I have some kind of respiratory infection that has kicked my boote' this weekend. I slept until 5PM and I am ready for bed again.

2008-02-04T20:24:00.001-07:00

I need to spin. It's been waaaay too many days. I also need to work up some sketches for some work I want to do. I found several shows that I would like to enter and they are good motivation to for me to execute these ideas.

I bought not one, two, but FOUR lint brushes. Between my 3 dogs, 3 cats and fibers, I am always picking fiber off of it--and me. (Btw, I keep my yarns in baskets away from the beasties and set the spin with Kookaburra Delicate Wash with Lavender and Tea Tree. It guards against allergens. And that... was for my customers-- Back to the lint brushes. )I had had enough of the looking down and seeing this morning's yarn/fibers on my lovely bag. So enough of that. I have a lint brush for my car, my office, my purse and home. Really. Enough of that.

I need to spin now. So enough of this :)

rebuilding

2008-02-03T14:16:00.000-07:00

So...

(any long time readers I have left--and there are probably very few at this point--will know that I picked up the habit of introducing new conversation this way. So....)

I am rebuilding the website and blog as I rebuild my laptop. Incidentally, my MacBook runs faster now than when I first got it and transferred the data from the iBook. It's all meant to be much simpler and cleaner. The longer I am online (15 years now? Heck, I even teach online now!), the more I appreciate websites that are clean and easy to read. For the absolute neophyte in web-building (and I am more an expert on design than web building...), I am beginning to embrace the notion that templates are underrated. That said, I am using one in my new website too. It just looks so much like what I sketched, that I weighed the time it would take to build from scratch and went for the easier solution. I gots lots to do, so why not?

I am copying my pages to word-the code anyway-so that I may customize and experiment. I will eventually make it all mine again, but this is an efficient start for me at this time.

So...
(and there it is again)
I found this is my rebuilding.

For fun and attribution, I will share the path I took to get there.
First, comes the realization that I don't really miss my bookmarks. I miss some of my add-ons, that's all. So off to Firefox add-ons I go. When I get there, I have yet another realization that I cannot recall what it was that I missed, but look--there is way good new stuff!

I added BlogRovr: "You don't have time to read ALL those Blogs! Let RovR do it for you. Rovr fetches posts from your favorite blogs about anything you're browsing, and shows you summaries you can open read posts without leaving the web page you were on. Blogrovr also suggests popular items AND lets you Twitter about any site you're on too."

That's me. Lots of interest in lots o' things, but not the time. At this point it also dawns on me that the Hinternets used to be so much more fun before I worked at home. Side bar, resolution: Must have more visits to the gym, and more fun online.

All will be revealed in due time.

Back to the path...
Having installed BlogRovr, I decided-in the spirit of work learning AND having more fun--to check out their recommended sites and un-check the political trolls like Michelle Malkin (no link intended). I follow politics--and business trends--rather closely, something I stopped talking about in this space. No more...

This exercise led me to Seth Godin's blog, which led me to Hi + Low, which is what started this post in the first place. I am really enjoying both blogs, by the by. I have only heard of Godin peripherally, but in doing a little follow my nose on His Authorship, we seem to be preaching much of the same message about business and marketing. I'm not a business major, I am example of why some of the big boys are recruiting M.F.A.s over M.B.A.s these days

So... if you haven't done so, go back to the top and read the rules from the Immaculate Heart College Art Department Rules. My personal favorite is #6, "Nothing is a mistake. There's no win, No fail. Only Make.

Go to your studio and make stuff.

Now.

times are a changin'

2008-02-03T12:03:00.000-07:00

I've been on the brink of closing down the blog, but have resisted. I think it's just time to go back to a time when I posted more of what goes on in my head, realizing that is part of the process of Making Stuff.

I got locked out of my account on my MacBook this week. I lost around 40GB of data--I think. My hard drive says I have that much more free space now, but I can still find a lot of my docs (I have yet to realize what is lost) from the new root account I created before... *sigh* .. I deleted the old one that was encrypted.

It's Firevault that done the deed. Apparently, there is a glitch... if you use Leaopard, Filevault and an 8 character password, you are, sooner or later, doomed to destruction. And so it goes...

Developmental timeline of drawing

2008-01-24T10:24:00.000-07:00

I was looking for a reading assignment (about drawing) for students and discovered this interesting nugget....

knit/crocheted shawl with wristwarmers

2008-01-11T23:50:00.001-07:00

knit/crocheted shawl with wristwarmers
Originally uploaded by wildethyme

I made this for Diana for Christmas. Now I KNOW I want to make more of them in more outrageous yarns to sell. It was a totally fun project! Click on the pix to go to flickr and see the rest of the photos.

They'rrrrrreeeeeee heeeeeeeeeeeerrrreeeeeee

2007-12-26T19:03:00.001-07:00

and here too!

teeny knitted sweaters for next year's ornaments!

2007-12-25T20:16:00.001-07:00

teeny knitted sweaters for next year's ornaments!
Originally uploaded by wildethyme

Makes me wonder if I have been taking my meddies ;)

BEST Christmas Knitting Pattern Evah!

2007-12-22T19:37:00.000-07:00

Caterina Bonet

2007-12-22T09:10:00.000-07:00

"Please remember: I have a collection of needles and a history of violence" sig from a poster at menwhoknit.com

This site makes me wish I was a boy. I know... it makes no sense at all. Still true though.

Knit Turkey

2007-11-17T20:27:00.001-07:00

Knit Turkey, closeup
Originally uploaded by WiscJennyAnn

This is one of the funniest damned things I have seen in awhile. I totally love it.

Lights out!

2007-11-14T16:45:00.000-07:00

There. I did it--I sold my shop!

Hallef***ingloooya!!!

Pardon Moi--I'm swearing with joy to have that old part of my life over. In the end, I HATED being a hairdresser. There were a lot of nice people that I dealt with, but I was sooooo bored listening to people talk about their hair, indulging their vanity.

Sheep & goat hair is so much more fun--and by the time I get it, it doesn't talk back.

So that's it. Done now.

Counting Down

2007-11-13T15:44:00.000-07:00

23 hours... 46 minutes...

And, yes, I am still too superstitious to say what it is that I am waiting for! The mail having been shut down yesterday could delay the whole thing--and people rarely move on my schedule either.

We'll see.

Mad, Crazy, Etsy Weekend!

2007-11-12T00:46:00.001-07:00

103_5561.JPG
Originally uploaded by wildethyme

I've been ridiculously productive this weekend despite having been felled by flu. I've spun well over two pounds of fiber. OK, OK...truth is, it's hard to breath laying down, and... a person must stay occupied no matter what, yes?

The fun part is that most of my yarns have flown off the virtual shelf within hours of listing them! How fun is that?

In other news, I have big news pending but I am afraid to jinx it, so... I'll tell later in the week....

lots o' stuff

2007-10-28T17:56:00.003-06:00

I sold a good bit of yarn this week. You know what that means, right? I gotta make more!! I need to make a lot of it actually. While we just took down the last two of the last three shows I was in, there are always more on the horizon--like this one .. and this one... and one after that too!

I hate to be saying this early in the semester, but I wish it were done. This year's freshmen are... really young. Not all of them, mind you, but wow---talk about unprepared! I'm not usually one to complain much about my students, but there it is. 'Nuff said.

.. been rearranging studios now that the clay studio is open, moved my Beater over to the clay studio for the winter. It's just too cold to leave in in the paper studio and I still have to give a class to a group that paid me in advance. I've had a studio space downstairs in our house for several years now. In this regard, I use the word studio loosely as it is more storage of stuff that I sit in the living room and do.

So, I'm throwing away and boxing and hauling it upstairs where I have different shelves and a much better organizational system. And.. we can have our living room back--just in time for company on Thursday. Our friends, Lanita and Penny, will be here on Thursday.

Last time I added a link, I skewed my template here... I haven't the fortitude to dink around with it long to fix it, so... bear with me and I PROMISE I will post more often.
Really.

No... really!

2007-10-28T17:56:00.002-06:00

Weaving

2007-10-09T05:50:00.000-06:00

"Woven Nest"

I did this piece last while still in school. The weft is mostly paper and dried moss. I stopped working on it and grew to really like it-just as it is, right on the loom. I have never liked any of my (handful or so) woven works as much off the loom as I did on, so... I have stopped taking them off! The next few pieces I did recently and are much smaller--- and available on Etsy.

New Fabric Collage Started...

2007-10-08T22:30:00.001-06:00

When it's done, it will read "Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life."
--Confucious

Blogged with Flock

Opening Day

2007-10-06T09:53:00.000-06:00

The Art Thing has an opening today. It's windy, I've got (I know, I know... ) another sinus infection (it's that time of year for me) and all I want right now is to feel well enough to go to the Taos Wool Festival after the opening. If I don't go, I should really come home, take a nap and go back to Del Norte for a friend's grande opening of his gallery... It's a fun dilemma- or it would be if I felt better.

I've been working on the art tour for days now. It's amazing to have people in my life that are reliable and love working as much as I. Specifically, I am grateful that there were people available to hang the show for us and that I can continue working on the next thing. What a gift!

It looks like I will have a contract on my shop/building next week-another gift. I am not terribly happy about the price I am getting, but I AM glad to be out from under it. It makes it slightly easier to know that it will be used an artist. Another building on that block is also being scouted by an artist from Dallas for use in setting up shop. The person buying my building is from California and the person that bought my friend's building is from Steamboat. I've been saying for awhile now that we poised to become another funky little art town, but the writing on the wall is jumping off the wall with great excitement.

I've been doing a good bit of research on non-profits, how to apply for monies, how the arts can be a leader in economic development (in case you do not know it.... The arts are paramount to ED). I will most likely attend a class next month to become certified in grant writing as i have discovered that many of the big foundations have monies that they can't give away because people do not ask for them!

Look at the time--it says "time to go the grocery store for punch ingredients!"

for the KRZA art auction

2007-10-01T16:01:00.001-06:00

for the KRZA art auction
Originally uploaded by wildethyme

Dust Bunny Cowl

2007-10-01T01:04:00.001-06:00

Dust Bunny Cowl
Originally uploaded by wildethyme

Fiber & Ceramics Work at Shumei International Institute

2007-09-23T22:01:00.001-06:00

Fiber & Ceramics Work at Shumei International Institute
Originally uploaded by wildethyme

I have another show up!! This one has my newest work, combining handspun, paper and ceramics.

Woven Bowl Two

2007-09-18T07:21:00.001-06:00

Woven Bowl Two
Originally uploaded by wildethyme

One of my new series of bowls as looms....

totally repulsive

2007-09-07T10:52:00.000-06:00

I am procrastinating this morning. I have uploaded photos to flickr, I have written notes to people on etsy, and wasted a great deal of time looking at Yarn Porn. I take that back. Lookin g at yarn porn is a truly fine way to spend an hour...

And now.. I am blogging.

THIS is what I am avoiding. This is supposed to be knitted into a work for a show next week.
For fun... Wanna guess what it is that this is spun from? Go ahead... I DARE you.

Think... YUCK!

before and after

2007-08-30T16:46:00.000-06:00

So... every now and then, I am graced with a photo of what someone made with my yarn :)
Should you want to bid on this bag by Lisa Conner , it is listed here!

Thanks Lisa! I think it is beautiful!

Emma made it!

2007-08-28T18:08:00.001-06:00

It's an edible map of her room. Go see!!!

ack!

2007-08-28T17:43:00.000-06:00

Where did August go?

School has started again. There is nothing like the Fall Semester to remind me... I am the grown up now. All those expectant, somewhat anxious faces looking back at me.... How did I get here?

Crystal asked me to post a pic of all the roving I recently dyed-so here it is! To give it scale, I stuck my niddy noddy in the center of it all. It is 18" tall and 14" wide, so... that's ALOT of roving-about 12 pounds, in fact!

I've been spinning like mad and working in the clay studio as well. I have FIVE shows from September to December. It's a bit daunting--but very exciting as well. In fact, it's a very good problem to have.

Crochet Graffiti

2007-08-06T07:33:00.001-06:00

File this under "things I wish I had thought of". I may be inspired to try some of my own knit/crochet graffiti.

I found that link in Prudence Mapstone's latest newsletter. There are so many great fiber links in each newsletter (I was quite honored to be included at the beginning of the year!), let me share some of my favs from this edition.

Jade's "Text Necklaces"

Germaine Koh's, Knitwork

Freddie Robins 3D knit works. I particularly loved Skin – A Good Thing
To Live In, Craft Kills, Odd Sweaters, Odd Gloves, and- uh, never mind... check it all out. I loved them all!

It's here, it's here!!!

2007-07-29T17:16:00.000-06:00

The new issue of Fiber Femmes is online!

I have been most honored as their Fiber Femme Focus this month (Thanks, Sandra!). I all but forgot about it, but then I noticed that there was a good bit of traffic coming from their direction.

So... welcome! Everyone be nice and make them feel welcome ;) Spencer, that means you!

It's funny how things unfold. I "met" Sandra when I participated in the Desert Garden "Fiber Garden" swap. I was spinning for her and we emailed back and forth a bit. We're both talkative, visity people. As an aside, there is a new, two-part swap started that looks very interesting. I may have to sign up for that as well! Sandra asked me to write an article on papermaking for Fiber Femmes-which I did. Later, she also asked if I would submit a review of our festival. I didn't think it prudent that I review my own event, so my friend and fellow fiber artist, dollmaker Laura Lunsford did just that!

Well, a couple weeks later, Sandra contacted me to ask me if she could interview me for the Fiber Femmes Focus article. We talked on the phone for OVER TWO HOURS!!! Those of you that know me know that I (really, really!) loathe talking on the phone, but Sandra was so smart and interesting, the time passed quickly.

Which leads me to think... I best go join the next swap. Who knows what wonderful person I will meet there! BTW, this is my latest yarn, spun from cut silk fabric, merino, tencel, wool locks, tussah silk and Angelina.

Just about had it with...

2007-07-22T13:19:00.000-06:00

Tencel... It's pretty, but it sticks and makes my hands hurt. Unlike Romney, which sticks and is EASY peasy to spin.

I should be working on my classes, so.. OK.. I'll just go do that :P

gotta go, gotta go!

2007-07-17T22:10:00.001-06:00

Really... I don't need three wheels, right? So this one must go bye, bye.

batt crazy

2007-07-16T22:17:00.001-06:00

fiber
Originally uploaded by Silver Selkie Studio

want, want, want...

Spinning Competition for length

2007-07-16T19:54:00.001-06:00

the results are in...

Spinning Competition

2007-07-16T19:52:00.001-06:00

It's a race for the longest yarn. Boy, am I sloooooowww....

and the winner is...

2007-07-16T19:50:00.001-06:00

Congratulations to Ruth Garcia of Mechanicsville, MD for winning the
Ashford Scholar Spinning wheel. We're throwing in an instruction book,
some fiber and an event t-shirt too!

Likewise, Mary Karr of Woodinville, WA won the Babe Handspindle--and an event t-shirt!

Thank you to everyone who entered. We'll definitely do this again next year. In fact, we hope to use next year's proceeds to start a fiber scholarship for a fiber student at Adams State College in nearby Alamosa, CO. Where else? We're both alumni!

T shirts!

2007-07-11T22:33:00.001-06:00

They're done--they kinda rock if you don't me saying so ;) Of COURSE we made them ourselves, LOL!

Counting Down

2007-07-07T19:55:00.000-06:00

One week to the festival and I feel a little bit like running away. School starts in 6 weeks and I still have a number of classes to write for our extended studies dept. I have been working in the office for our chamber of commerce. They needed help and I needed a paycheck. It's been fun, but it's clear that I am not cut our for this type of work. I totally adore the planning and the orgainzing and the networking. I ADORE information dissemination. I am not fond of leaving home, wearing "real" clothes (especially the shoes!) to work, and I especially dislike having a regular schedule.

So... what did I do today? Nuthin. Really. We went to yard sales, but I was not terrible interested in finding anything. Then we went to get Denny's dump truck. Yep. Denny owns part stock in a beat up, OLD, dump truck. Poor guy, the clutch went bad three blocks from our house.

Much like the week before the Street Fair, things have begun to go bad--or least tospy turvy--in the last few days. We gained two in kind sponsors, lost a cash sponsor, two art vendors & a food vendor dropped out, others are joining us, the insurance is mad expensive, and so and so on...

But... many of our workshop people have decided to persevere despite low enrollment, God love them! A friend of mine who really needed to sell her business got a buyer and she'll be joining us after all. And... I'm going to FINALLY do a glaze firing this week!

We have big publicity about to hit the fan, so I still have high hopes. I also have a list of vendors that I will hit up at the last minute, so it's not like I am without resources either...

It will all be okay, yes?

Of course it will. It always is :)

Jensen Tina II Spinning Wheel

2007-07-04T22:37:00.001-06:00

Would you look at what I bought on Craigslist today for a hundred dollars??? Thanks to Denny who found it and Donna who will pick it up for me. I don't think the listing lasted an hour!

I got the picture from Apple Hollow Farms. I hope they don't mind.
They do have very, very beautiful wheels, so you should see them.

Fire Skirt!

2007-07-03T14:36:00.001-06:00

This is the coolest sewing project I have seen to date!

couldn't resist...

2007-06-28T23:05:00.000-06:00

...posting a couple pix of the wheel we're raffling....

never a dull moment..http://www.blogger.com/img/gl.link.gif

2007-06-23T19:57:00.000-06:00

There are many news yarns available, one exhibit and one festival down and one to go!

Again, I just LOVE it (sarcasm intended!) when people assume that the life of an artist is all-and this is a quote, "play". In my optimistic moments, I assume that they mean that I now work very hard at something I love as opposed to suggesting that there is nothing substantive about the work that I do.

Ironically, how I hear these things has much to do with how rested I am, which is tenuous considering... how much I LOVE my work!

I started experimenting with Cushing's Dyes that I bought from The Bellwether (see top left).
I love, love, love, mixing up a pot o' dye and adding more of the fibers every few minutes as the exhaust to get variations of the color...

The next yarn is from a batt by Amanda at Black Cat Handspun.

My breakfast is close to ready, so I shall close for now-but ... I GOTTA tell you about our Spinning WHEEL RAFFLE at slvfest.com! Crystal refurbished a beautiful, antique, Ashford Spinning Wheel for our festival raffle. You can even buy the tickets online! Go see, go see, go seeeeee !

Dilly Dally, the Good Faery

2007-06-19T08:38:00.000-06:00

She has my yarn for hair!
by Karrie Walters
at
Little Moon Originals

Purple causes madness, ya know...

2007-06-04T07:52:00.000-06:00