Expressive Feltmaking Workshop at Appalachian Craft Center

I'm excited to be teaching a 5 day workshop called Expressive Feltmaking this August 4-9 at the Appalachian Craft Center in Smithville Tennessee.  The class will cover a lot of techniques including two and three dimensional felting, nuno felting, and needle felting.  Besides demonstrating the basics of felting I'm planning on working with individual students to help them design and realize their own projects, which could range from wearable art, to sculpture, to wall hangings.  The longer format of the class will allow for a lot of experimentation and fun!

To sign up or read up about the facilities, check out the Brochure. Scroll to the bottom to fill out the registration form, then mail it to:

Appalachian Craft Center
1560 Craft Center Drive.
Smithville, TN 37166

Ph: (931) 372-3051

I'm also going to be teaching a one day felting class on Mackinaw Island and a two day natural dye class at Contemporary Craft in Pittsburgh later in August.  Stayed tuned to future posts for details!

ArtFields 2014

If you're near Lake City, SC you can take a look at my installation "Overgrowth" as part of ArtFields, it will be up till Saturday May 3rd. If you like it, you can vote for it, my Voter ID #858652 but you have to sign up in person.

Also, if you're near Savannah, GA some of my new embroidery pieces will be up in a group show at The Sentient Bean, 13 E Park St. Savannah, GA 31401, the reception will be this Friday, May 2nd.  

New Embroideries on Paper/Wood

I've been spending the last few weeks working on this new series of embroideries on paper.  I like the contrast of the delicate thread and thick watercolor paper, and the way my planned and carefully pre-poked holes lead to chaotic floats of thread.  I also recently picked up some birch veneer on a whim and started some ideas in a new direction.  Again the material contrast is driving my exploration, and the contrast between the organic, naturally formed patterns of the wood and traditional geometric embroidery designs which act as a nature analog.

Emergence IV (Ithsmi),  20" x 16" Thread on Paper

Emergence V, 20" x 16" Thread on Paper

Emergence VI, 20" x 16" Thread on Paper

Sample, 10" x 8" Thread on Birch Veneer

Overgrowth In Artfields

My installation, Overgrowth, which was constructed during my residency last summer at Contemporary Craft, is on display in Lake City, SC as a part of the Artfields competition.  I drove up yesterday with my lovely assistant Lysa to install it in a really great space called Emerson Row.  The shop is full of beautiful pieces selected and often refurbished by owner Emily Richardson.  It was a great fit for Overgrowth, which grew down the brick walls and onto an antique hutch.

Artfields is an art competition in Lake City, South Carolina, which runs from April 25th until May 4th. If you in the are stop by and check it out!

New Embroidery in Progress

A detail of a new embroidery in progress.

New Studio Explorations

After finishing all the work for my thesis this fall I've found myself a bit at loose ends, which is a good thing, as it's allowed me time to explore several different directions.  I've been doing some more weaving, using similar imagery that I used in the rusted work, but using naturally dyed yarns instead.  Here is a small sample I wove using some wool I dyed at the end of the summer in Pittsburgh. The green comes from goldenrod treated with Iron.

Dappled (Green), Wool, 14" x 24"

Dappled (Green) detail

  I've also been working on more embroidery on paper pieces, completing a couple larger ones. 

Emergence I,  Embroidery on Paper,  20" x 16"

Emergence I detail

Emergence II,  Embroidery on Paper,  20" x 16"

Emergence II detail

Finally, I've been going through some of my early rusted woven samples that are beginning to deteriorate past the point of being able to show or even move easily.  I've decided to do some rust printing with these pieces, essentially taking an impression from the rust surface.  The printed linen on the left below will survive much longer than the original woven piece on the right.  I think this impression will be the first step in a layered  piece, and I plan to experiment with some embroidery and applique on top.

Impression, in progress

Etsy Store Open for December

I've dusted off my etsy shop and added my felt and sterling silver jewelry just in time for the holidays.  Several old favorites and a few never before seen pieces are up!  It's been a fun challenge to get back to some of the jewelry designs I was working on before starting grad school 2 years ago!