now & ZEN

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

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

Scarves shipped to Nantucket last week – Nuno felted and string scarves

Shipped off an order of scarves to the Island ….. these are nuno felted with some using different fibers on the felt to give a woven look. Beading on the ends. Love all the color! They are at Benji’s Boutique 27 Easy Street Nantucket, MA …. get them while they last.

Benji wants to keep the white one for herself. Thinking about doing a whole series of whites. It starts with a delicate layer of silk gauze, then some fine wisps of merino wool/bamboo blend and topped with railroad ribbon accents and natural silk fibers … and of course beads.

Check out her spot on GenoTV!! Benji”s on TV

Since I got back from the Island, I’ve been working on a very colorful series of serti painted scarves on china silk. More like the laugh -in scarf and some really cool under water stuff! This is a close up of part of a jellyfish.

That’s it for now. Need to get back to making. Just took some yardage out of the steamer. What to get back to doing some felting next. And … try my hand at fiber etching!!! Inspiration is everywhere and the ideas keep on coming. Which reminds me … you have to check out Chris White’s book Uniquely Felt for great ideas and tons of info. Her ribbon dress was inspiration for the string scarf series.

Stay tuned for fiber etching pictures ….

Happy Making!

My nuno scarves are in on NANTUCKET!!

Just back from a great weekend visiting our new friends Rob & Carol Benchley. They are full time islanders, he a photographer, she a teacher. We had a wonderful work/play break of visiting galleries and boutiques and glorious bluff walks with the sweetest puppy … Rose.

And …………… I’m in on the island of Nantucket!!!

Met many wonderfully creative people. Beth English of Current Vintage, a great new vintage boutique and wine shop at 4 Easy Street, sent me down the street to a new place called Benji’s Boutique and we hit it off. Benji has a really funky mix of chic and sassy clothing. My stuff fits right in. Finally somebody who’s not afraid of color! She has a great location right off the ferry docks at 27 Easy Street.

And … before I hopped on the ferry, I had to stop in to see Cheryl Fudge’s new place at 23 Federal Street. She has the coolest stuff. Fun and unique fashions all created by her from thrift store finds.

Cheryl sent me across the street to Eye of the Needle. Then I dashed up to 25 Centre Street and popped into Ceri. I wish I didn’t have to catch the ferry, cause I could have spent the entire afternoon in theses places. Absolutely gorgeous stuff.

The Year of the Scarf? I like it …

“It’s 2008…. and scarves are the MUST HAVE accessory!” That’s the word at Suite101.com, by way of DeeBozzz, and I like the way they are thinking.

I’m doing a lot of new painting this week, and working on some new styles and designs. The one in this photo didn’t turn out the way I hoped it might … but I like the ocean motif, and may return to it.