Oklahoma Hats- Part 1

In my friend, Kiki's high-ceilinged...

                                      ...light- and plant-filled studio in Oklahoma...

                                                     ...we made some hats!

Strips of hand-dyed and printed silk...

                                           ...are applied to the resist surface...

                              ...and are covered with a layer of bright merino roving.

                                            After flipping the project to side two...

                                                    ...the process is repeated.

                                                   The fiber is then wetted out...

                                        ...and a second layer of roving is added...

                                                   ...to each side of the resist.

                                                     Mid-way through felting...

                                     ...it's nearly time to turn the hat right-side out.

                                                  Next time: felting continues.

Rochester, NY (Small Ceramic Works)- Part 2

With all of the wonderful pieces on display...

                                                   ...at the Genesee Center...

                    ...who could blame me for stopping by the gift shop on my way out?

                             This rat mug (by Lynne Hobaica) really spoke to me...

                            ...and after trying to walk away from it several times...

                                          ...I finally succumbed to the temptation!

                                  I also had to purchase this cunning jewelry box...

                                ...with its fanciful snail design and subtle colourway.

                                     There's actually even a functioning jingle bell...

                                               ...baked inside the wonky lid!

                                                  ********************************
                                                             In other news...

                   ...I purchased a rather choleric ceramic head in Oregon recently...

                  ...and a fabulous strong man painting in downtown Philadelphia.

                  My daughters tell me it's 'startin' to look a little weird up in here'!! ;)

Rochester, NY (Small Ceramic Works)- Part 1

I recently viewed a charming exhibit...

...at the Genesee Center...

   ...in Rochester, NY.

                                 
                                                   It was a lovely collection...

                                                 ...of 50 small ceramic works...

                                            ...from artists all around the country.

                                    There were brightly colored functional pieces...

                                                  ...(some with surprising interiors)...

  
                                          ...and a few 'special event' ones, too. :)

                                           There were even a couple of designs...

                                       ...that I thought could be quite interesting...

                                                    ...if translated into felt! ;)

                                        Next time: more works from the exhibit...

                                    ...and a few of my own recent acquisitions...

                                                ...(pottery and otherwise). 

A Christmas Stocking for Hayes- Part 3

The fully felted stocking...

                                                       ...ready for blocking.

                                                 Its 'candy cane' hanging loop.

                                                 The finished stocking (back)...

                                                               ...and front...

                                             ...and in situ on Christmas morning!

                If you look closely, you'll notice that in addition to my 'seam' issue...

     ...I also got the name and the hanging loop on the wrong side of the stocking. :(

                        (That's what I get for waiting until the last possible moment!)

                                              Luckily, Hayes is still a baby...

                       ...and there's lots of time to make him another one if I wish. :)

A Christmas Stocking for Hayes- Part 2

Layers of darker green roving...

...are applied to the project surface...

                                               ...and the stocking is wetted out.

                                                 A 'candy cane' hanging loop...

                                ...is fashioned from white and red merino roving...

                                        ...and added to the mouth of the stocking.

                                                     Mid-way through felting...

                                                     ...the resist is removed...

                                         ...and the project is turned right-side out.

                         The stocking is rubbed and rolled in various orientations...

                                                     ...as the felting continues.

                                                Next time: the finished stocking!