people just can’t get enough of this felting stuff!!
COOL HUH?!
These workshops are soooo FUN! And it seems that people just can’t get enough of them. Every time we offer a nuno ribbon felt scarf workshop at New England Felting Supply it fills right up and we end up with a waiting list. So what do we do? We schedule another class of course!
it’s as easy as 1, 2, 3 and voila the finished product!
Well, there is a lot of rolling, massaging and adjusting in between there. About 4 hours worth. These scarves do take a lot of elbow grease and determination to bring to completion. An average scarf can take anywhere between 6-8 hours. Quite labor intensive, but it’s a labor of love and look at what you get!
progress on the new studio for felting and fibering
I decided last fall to move the studio to the house. That way I would save a ton of time and money by not going back and forth all the time. When I was here … I always needed something there and vise versa. Not to mention cheaper rent and besides it helps get the laundry done when the studio is next to the washing machine. Well … you know how moving can be. Some of us sail right through it and everything is set up in a day. Let’s just say I’m not one of those people. We moved the studio in late October and by December I decided I had to have that area of the basement sheet rocked to give it a more inviting feel. So, I enthusiastically jumped into that project (quite possibly to prolong the unpacking part of the process) and took progress picture as I went. Now that it’s April I am finally getting around to posting them. I’m telling myself it’s not because I’m stalling on unpacking the studio, but that might have something to do with it. If any of you artist type people out there are anything like me, you have so much stuff to make stuff with …. that it’s hard to get organized enough to make stuff. But, alas, the desire and need to “make” is becoming overwhelming and soon that studio will be ready to roll! Who knows … maybe I’ll even do a few mini-workshops here!
BEFORE
A START
GETTING THERE
FIRST SHEET
SHEET ROCKING
FINISHED
UNPACKING
Yay! I’m getting there!
I think the may 2nd ribbon felt workshop is full, but you can get on the waiting list!
More fiber please! uhmm, I’ll take some organza ribbon and a touch of that glittery stuff over there … and the multi color ladder yarn is a must have. Then mix in a few strands of hand spun natural silk … lets see, oh ya, I love that one with the sequence in it!
The possibilities are endless. We are actually creating fabric here folks! How cool is that!
sign up here :
www.feltingsupply.com
felt is having a very big moment according to susan brown
IF you ask her about trends in textiles, Susan Brown, an assistant curator at the Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum, will tell you that felt is having a very big moment, finding its way into everything from fashion and product design to architectural installations and home furnishings.
It has become so ubiquitous, in fact, that Ms. Brown has organized an exhibition at the museum called “Fashioning Felt.” The show, which runs from March 6 to Sept. 7, explores the many uses of felt, from traditional pieces, like a Turkish shepherd’s cloak and an Afghan saddle pad, to contemporary objects like the “personal uniforms” designed and worn by the artist Andrea Zittel as conceptual art.
“There’s something so tactile about it,” Ms. Brown said of the fabric. “The desire to touch is strong with most textiles, but particularly so with felt.”
It differs from other fabrics, she explained, because it is made not by knitting or weaving but by matting wool fibers together using water and friction. The result, she said, “is very comforting, warm and inviting.”
This is very good news to me, since I love to felt! Check out the rest of this new york times article at:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/05/garden/05shopp.html
Her write up on the yurt exhibition is also really cool!
http://blog.cooperhewitt.org/2009/02/26/janice-arnold-sketches
The Felting workshop was great!
What a great time. Being around all the colors, textures and creativity. And meeting so many new fiber lovers. Really feeds the soul. There was so much interest in the class, another one was booked for April 4th and that is full already!
So, the next workshop will be May 2nd. Get your spot now!
Sign up at www.feltingsupply.com
now & ZEN in 3 display windows on Cottage Street!
For the past month my work has adorned three display windows on the main drag in Easthampton, MA.
40 cottage street, easthampton, ma
a great place to visit … lots of really talented artisans
84 cottage street, easthampton, ma
where my workshop is being held. All things felted can be had here. Stop in and pay them a visit. My class is full, but you can sign up for the next one!
102 cottage street, easthampton, ma
the metaphysical shop in town offering magical gifts and workshops from drumming to reiki. Stop in and say hi and keep our community vibrant!
Pretty cool, huh?
Ribbon Felt Scarf Workshop
I’m teaching a Ribbon Felt Scarf workshop at New England Felting Supply in Easthampton,MA on February 14, 2009. It will be a really fun Valentines Day!
Sign up on line at New England Felting Supply.
Check it out!
A workshop with fiber artist Nancy Dorian at New England Felting Supply
Join us for a workshop inspired by Christine White’s Ribbon Tunic project from her book: Uniquely Felt. Using Nuno felting techniques, be prepared to be elated as you transform the layers of silk, wool roving, ribbon and novelty yarns into gorgeous flowing fabric. Bring a selection of yarns to work with and choose from an abundance of roving and hand-dyed silks to make your own wearable art.
February Sat., Feb 14, 9am-5pm: Ribbon Felt Scarves with Nancy Dorian www.nancydorian.com $69 + Materials (TBA) Beginner Friendly
if you get into rust dyeing this might happen to you!
That’s right folks .. there I am dumpster diving!! I have been experimenting with dyeing with rusty objects. It is sooo cool. You find a bunch of stuff that will rust and lay it on your silk, add a little vinegar and voila … beautious fabric. The reaction time is as little as 24 hours. I didn’t think this up myself. I had heard of it from reading about nuno felting with Polly Stirling. This process was used at one of her retreats. I can really see myself doing workshops on dyeing with found rusty objects. Stayed tuned for a workshop near you.
So anyway, I did a few tests to find out what I liked and didn’t like and then did a body of work that reflects what I came up with. Still not sure what these fine silks will become. Something flowy and layered no doubt.
Doing this has triggered a whole theme of dyeing silk with objects from the Mill River in Haydeville, MA. A dam broke up stream and washed away a brass foundry in 1874. I spent the better part of a day last summer collecting items from the river that are obviously from the ruins. But that’s a whole other blog post!
my work was displayed in preview massachusetts magazine!!
One of the most exciting thing to happen to me this year was having my work featured in Preview Massachusetts, a local magazine put out by the Valley Advocate. Every month they showcase local retail talent in the “window shopping” section and my work appeared in the October issue. The hand painted shibori dyed poncho and nuno felted string scarf are but two of the many items that emerged from the now & ZEN studio at eastworks this past year. It is in part due to the retail exposure there that has really helped my work take off. AND don’t forget to visit Snow Farm during the next 3 weekends in November to see my fiber art in person!
Nuno string scarves for the fine art sale at SNOW FARM
Been busy this past week getting ready for the sale at SNOW FARM in Williamsburg, MA. Many fine artist will be offering their wares for 3 weekends in November. I’m honored to be in the company of such talented people as Josh Simpson and Luann Udell. For more info and directions click here.
Artists’ Seconds Sale
Friday, Saturday and Sunday:
November 14, 15 and 16
November 21, 22 and 23
November 28, 29 and 30
It’s a great place to get all your handcrafted holiday gifts …. and a beautiful place to visit. Hope to see you there.
