Thursday, December 6, 2012

Arkansas here we come!

Across Generations will be adventuring into the Arkansas Fiber Arts Extravaganza for the first time this weekend!  Arkansas is one of my favorite states.  Folks there are friendly and wonderful.  Combine those traits with fiber and you have utopia!

Several of what I call "pop-up items" will be available at my booth.  These are slightly used items that I have ran across which I feel fiber enthusiasts will be greatly appreciate.  I don't always have these types of items available, but my travels this fall yielded some great items.  Three vintage enamelware pans of various sizes are ready to do duty as dye pots and a wonderful table loom.  The loom sports four shafts and was in great shape to begin with, but my husband took it all apart and spiffied it up.  The metal has been completely repainted and all the wood sports a fresh finish.

Stop by and see me.  The event is in Hot Springs and looks to be an incredible time for all attending.  See you there!

Friday, August 10, 2012

Drought and dyes

The drought in Oklahoma has really put a damper on late summer dye collections.  Nothing stayed in flower very long and what is here is crispy almost beyond recognition.  Many trees are already turning colors and dropping leaves due to heat stress.  While this puts a damper on fall natural dye classes, it by no means cancels them.  We will still have plenty to dye with and lots of fun.

In the meantime, I'm looking forward to teaching a class on shibori this weekend at City Arts in Oklahoma City.  My romance with indigo continues and we will all be "blue" this Saturday.

Monday, January 23, 2012

I Dyed That!

Today as I drove towards work, the morning sky looked just like my spot-dyed wool called "midnight".  It was various shades of grey and white with a little purple thrown in for good measure.  Now I know 6:30am is not midnight, but nobody told Mother Nature what her sunrise this morning should look like.  And I was really happy that I could nail the sky's color so accurately in my dye pan.

I often take pictures with my phone of color combinations, naturally produced or otherwise, that I want to replicate in a weaving or in the dye pot.  Some may find it odd when they catch me taking a picture of the upholstery on a chair at a restaraunt or a shower curtain at the bed and breakfast I'm staying at, but I find it normal.  Color excites me!  Color breaths with life and is the undercurrent to it.  Color transmits messages.  For hundreds of years, mankind has sought ways to color it's clothing beyond what can be found on the back of a sheep.  People have died for color, stolen for color, and traveled long distances for it.  I for one will never take it for granted.

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

New year, fresh adventures!

It is this time of year when I begin to line-up fiber festivals, workshops, and seminars for the new year.  It is always exciting to watch my year unfold in the calendar and very complimentary when an organization requests my presence.  I hope that those reading the blog will scroll down to the bottom of the page, drop in to one of the events and say "hello".