Having Landed....

I have exciting news.. The makers have landed!

We have moved and are  getting settled into our new home at a comfortable joyous measure. 

And...This place has a studio!! I am so stoked! It needs work and will probably be later spring before it is even a partially functioning fiber studio, but it already has some of my newest fiber passion drying on a table amongst boxes of tools and materials.

I am looking forward to planning this space, bringing in more light and having everything in place, accessible and usable. Excited to know soon I will have a work area to lay out projects, walk away and return to them over however long it takes, not needing to scoop up the this and thats for fear of cat attack or to create room for company, allowing this sweet counterpoint in my life to bloom.

My Sweetie has been amazing, fixing, repairing, splitting wood for the cold, shoveling snow, and being supportive while creating his own workspace and studio (yes there are two outbuildings morphing).  So thankful~ he who’s bright smile is fuel for my soul~

Reflecting on this transition, oh so worth the work, and  I cannot underestimate my gratitude for my family and friends support in our search for a place to call our home.  A warm cozy space in my sister and brother-in-law’s home, my sweet supportive friends and family who listened to me go from excited, to unsettled, to the edge of loosing hope and back around the loop over again.  Quoting Alexi Murdoch..”In your love is my salvation”…

And now to get to creating!
 

Some of my new work with botanical dyeing:

 

Of Flux and Flow....

This has been a diversionary year thus far.  Events such as selling my home, searching for a new space (that I think we have finally found.. including an amazing studio space) Generously shared housing that has given me the most wonderful opportunity to be close to my sister and brother in law.  Exploring new creative spaces, and playing.  Excited for what is to come, sharing a space with my sweetheart, creating together, forming our nest and having the space to grow creatively and in spirit.

Below are some of my more recent play in fiber and metal that have kept my spirit dancing during this exciting & slightly precarious transitional time.

Felted wall hanging with bead-work 3'X3'

I had so much fun rediscovering Shrinky Dinks!  Fun to play with in a small space.
I have shared this with young members of my family as well as a very exciting project to share.
They just love watching them in the oven curling up and taking shape.

Metal class was much fun as always (going to be fun to have a metal shop at home soon!)
I made this aprox 3' dragon fly with rocks, gears from a bicycle, nuts,
marbles and plasma cut steel wings

I found this amazing chair at a junk store near work. It needed some repair and cleanup. 
I felted the upholstery fabric from some richly colored hand dyed merino wool.

More fun with shirnky dinks

Most recently I just completed this pine needle basket with an agate base and beads. 

Metal Fiber Amalgamate

Truly enjoying mixing two of my loves.. Metal and Fiber.

During my metal class last year I put together a bench that I gave to my Daughter for Christmas. I am working on a design for another combination for this coming fall. The possibilities are mind spinning.  Both adventures have unique allures for me.  The soft, pliable, endless possibilities of the excitement of fiber.. the amazement at what can be created with sparks, incredible heat and noisy tools with metal. Very much a delight for whatever the maker mood.

On a even more personal note...Summer has started out lovely, shifting, adventurous, but in an odd state of limbo...  Excited for fall and new classes, a much anticipated move.. curiosity and excitement for where this life shift will take me...grateful for making, creative outlets and beauty in all of it's forms and forces.

Lexie's Bench

 Bench created in Metal Art Class, using steel angle iron and bar.
Finished with a Ferric Nitrate heat applied patina.
Upholstery fabric made of Wool and Alpaca roving base with pre-felted shapes of merino wool.

 Collaborations With Mark

My Sweetie and I have also collaborated on a few pieces as well.  He is an amazing metal artist/maker and being able to work together is a heart and soul feeding adventure, to be sure!

 For more of Mark's amazing work Mark Oldland Art

Fiber, Art and Love

Excited.. Thanks to my dear friend Glenn I have discovered Yolo Wool Mills in Woodland.  Jane took me on a tour of the facilities and the next time I head there I will be sure to take photos.  The wool from this place is luscious.  I discovered her potpourri batting,  that is a mixture of a variety of wools and alpaca.  I have been having so much fun making Cat Caves and other creations with this wonderful fiber.

Life has gotten (for lack of a better word) complicated of late.. So thankful for fiber, art and love!!

Octo-Pod Cat Cave

 

Hungry Fish Cat Cave

Clam Bake Cat Cave

 

Tentacle Topper Cat Cave

The Magic of Millenery

In 2012, the year of fiber and felting I have been having so much fun with hats. To take fluffy wool roving and shape it into any type of  hat that I fancy has been creatively challenging, exciting and joyous.

I have also been able to facilitate a few workshops on hat felting that have been very enjoyable!

2013, well, just getting started! Blessed to have a warm home to play in, employment that allows me to do so, a loving family (miss you Vera), supportive friends, and my Love who shines like the brightest star in the galaxy.. Wishing all joy in this coming year.

**photos of my recent hat creatures: (they went on the page a little wonky, best to click on one and view the lot as a slide show)