people just can’t get enough of this felting stuff!!
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!
Yay! I’m getting there!
Posted 3 years, 1 month ago at 10:06 pm. 6 comments
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
Posted 3 years, 4 months ago at 3:53 pm. 2 comments
About
Nancy Dorian is a fiber artist with a degree in Interior Design and Fine Arts minor in Ceramics. After a 15 year career in corporate office design, her company now & ZEN art to wear emerged from the belief that joy comes from doing what you love.
Always making and creating, Nancy developed strong skills in pottery, stained glass and jewelry. Having been taught to knit and sew at a very early age, she has fond memories of a fiber filled youth and now works primarily with fiber.
She creates one-of-a-kind wearable art garments using techniques such as Nuno Felting, Fiber Etching and Serti silk painting. Each piece is made by hand, one at a time, with unique fabrics she has created by using any number of the following techniques:
“Nuno Felt” emerges after adding a thin layer of wool roving, warm water and a little soap to silk fabric and then a whole lot of elbow grease to coax the fibers into becoming one. This results in a wonderfully textured, light weight fabric that drapes the body beautifully.
“Fiber Etching” creates gorgeous, flowing semi-transparent silk by carving away the rayon fibers of velvet or satin with etching solution and leaving sheer areas of silk chiffon.
“Serti” is a French word meaning to encircle or surround. In the serti technique, a resist is used to contain flowable dye within a design shape on fabric such as silk.
Since her work is not mass-produced, she typically attracts collectors who understand and appreciate the value of hand-crafted goods. They realize the uniqueness of what she does. A person wears a “Dorian Original” for just that reason … to know it is a one-of-a-kind wearable work of art.
Nancy’s couture has been featured in Preview Massachusetts Magazine and can be found at galleries and boutiques throughout New England and on Nantucket. She enjoys teaching fiberart workshops and classes in her home studio, as well as the following venues :
- New England Felting Supply, Easthampton, MA
- WEBS, Northampton, MA
- Bead + Fiber, Boston, MA
- Fletcher Farms School for the arts and crafts, Ludlow, VT
- Wiawaka, Lake George, NY
- Hotchkiss School, Lakeville, CT
- Holyoke Community College, Holyoke, MA
- Holyoke Creative Arts Center, Holyoke, MA
If you would like to book a workshop please send your inquiries to nd@nancydorian.com
