Friday, November 5, 2010
FREE UNION CRAFT SHOW
I'm going to be doing the Free Union Craft Show the week-end of Dec. 4 & 5.
Here is the link:
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=165659220120100
It's been awhile since I've done a craft fair and I'm excited. Will be fun to show all of you my jewelry and new weaving.
Here is the link:
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=165659220120100
It's been awhile since I've done a craft fair and I'm excited. Will be fun to show all of you my jewelry and new weaving.
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
FIBER ALERT!
Delivered a batch of scarves to Lynne Goldman Studios today.
Exciting!
Check out their website. I'm delighted to have my work in Lynne and Steve's lovely gallery. Thank you!!
http://www.lynnegoldmanstudio.com/
Exciting!
Check out their website. I'm delighted to have my work in Lynne and Steve's lovely gallery. Thank you!!
http://www.lynnegoldmanstudio.com/
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
YAY!
I'm excited!
New opportunities abound!
The Virginia Museum Gift shop has decided to buy some of my pieces. The newly renovated VMFA is wonderful. The new shop gorgeous! I'm honored to have my work there. Thank you Jacky! I'll be delivering the new work soon.
http://www.vmfa.museum/Default.aspx
Also am excited that 'Living on Grove' is taking some pieces. Hi and thank you to Martee and Mallory.
http://www.livingongrove.com/
Each place will have different scarf styles and colors. What fun!
Thank you!
New opportunities abound!
The Virginia Museum Gift shop has decided to buy some of my pieces. The newly renovated VMFA is wonderful. The new shop gorgeous! I'm honored to have my work there. Thank you Jacky! I'll be delivering the new work soon.
http://www.vmfa.museum/Default.aspx
Also am excited that 'Living on Grove' is taking some pieces. Hi and thank you to Martee and Mallory.
http://www.livingongrove.com/
Each place will have different scarf styles and colors. What fun!
Thank you!
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Opportunity
Suddenly lots of opportunities! It's exciting and scary too.
Over time I've worked on a new approach to opportunities. They come along and it's easy to want them too much. To think that getting in the gallery or show will 'save' me in some way. So I find it better to be more even about them. If I get in the new gallery...or the show...wonderful. If I don't get in...okay...yes, some disappointement but another opportunity will come along. I can try again another time.
The other fear is an inventory...or how am I going to get that much work together fear.
In the past I've had a tendency to think I needed to give a gallery a huge collection but I realize that often 6 pieces can be enough to get started. Therefore I've managed to talk myself down from my fear about that.
Another thing is that I no longer want to feel pressure or pushed. I don't seem to handle anxiety well anymore and I like a gentle pace to my day. So I've decided that I can have that gentle pace and I will just do the best I can and I can still take on new opportunities.
So let me tell you a little about some of the recent excitement! It all makes me feel that the economy must be turning around.
My first recent opportunity was the Blue Ridge Fiber Show in Asheville NC at the North Carolina Arboretum. To get in the show I just needed to send in my application along with $30. to show two pieces. Nice. Easy, I like! So I submitted my two pieces to the show and then found out that I could send items for one of the Arboretum gift shops if I wanted. Yes, I did! http://www.wncfhg.org/brfs10/brfs.html
Next up was a chance to get my work into a gallery sales space at the new art center in Arlington, VA called Artisphere. For this one I had to send in an application along with a CD of images of my work. Luckily My work was accepted! YAY! Artisphere sounds like a fantastic space and I'm excited that my work is in the ACV Gallery there.
http://www.rosslynva.org/play/artisphere-cultural-center
Finally I have two possible opportunities to place my work in Richmond VA.
This is where suddenly I felt overwhelmed and scared. Things almost happening too fast. Most of my inventory is out and what I'm working on is for Lynne Goldman Studios. Which, by the way, is another wonderful space that I'm excited about.
Over time I've worked on a new approach to opportunities. They come along and it's easy to want them too much. To think that getting in the gallery or show will 'save' me in some way. So I find it better to be more even about them. If I get in the new gallery...or the show...wonderful. If I don't get in...okay...yes, some disappointement but another opportunity will come along. I can try again another time.
The other fear is an inventory...or how am I going to get that much work together fear.
In the past I've had a tendency to think I needed to give a gallery a huge collection but I realize that often 6 pieces can be enough to get started. Therefore I've managed to talk myself down from my fear about that.
Another thing is that I no longer want to feel pressure or pushed. I don't seem to handle anxiety well anymore and I like a gentle pace to my day. So I've decided that I can have that gentle pace and I will just do the best I can and I can still take on new opportunities.
So let me tell you a little about some of the recent excitement! It all makes me feel that the economy must be turning around.
My first recent opportunity was the Blue Ridge Fiber Show in Asheville NC at the North Carolina Arboretum. To get in the show I just needed to send in my application along with $30. to show two pieces. Nice. Easy, I like! So I submitted my two pieces to the show and then found out that I could send items for one of the Arboretum gift shops if I wanted. Yes, I did! http://www.wncfhg.org/brfs10/brfs.html
Next up was a chance to get my work into a gallery sales space at the new art center in Arlington, VA called Artisphere. For this one I had to send in an application along with a CD of images of my work. Luckily My work was accepted! YAY! Artisphere sounds like a fantastic space and I'm excited that my work is in the ACV Gallery there.
http://www.rosslynva.org/play/artisphere-cultural-center
Finally I have two possible opportunities to place my work in Richmond VA.
This is where suddenly I felt overwhelmed and scared. Things almost happening too fast. Most of my inventory is out and what I'm working on is for Lynne Goldman Studios. Which, by the way, is another wonderful space that I'm excited about.
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Georgia's Backyard
Back from Albuquerque!
My visit to the Ghost Ranch and Georgia O'Keefe's Landscape was inspiring.
O'Keefe has been one of my muses for years. It was wonderful getting to see what she considered to be her front yard and her backyard. I can see why anyone would be inspired out there. The light constantly changes and creates an ever moving show of color and form.
It was amazing.
My visit to the Ghost Ranch and Georgia O'Keefe's Landscape was inspiring.
O'Keefe has been one of my muses for years. It was wonderful getting to see what she considered to be her front yard and her backyard. I can see why anyone would be inspired out there. The light constantly changes and creates an ever moving show of color and form.
It was amazing.
Friday, July 2, 2010
No money, honey!
I decided to delete the adsense monetizing of my blog. It was fun to do but distracting. Plus I hate that the 'ads' pick up on conversation. Just mentioning bathrooms caused ads to pop up for bathroom fixtures. Good Grief!
Originally I thought it would be fun to link to amazon or other commercial sites.
So anyway...that's it!
It was easy to start and easy to stop. A good experiment.
Originally I thought it would be fun to link to amazon or other commercial sites.
So anyway...that's it!
It was easy to start and easy to stop. A good experiment.
Growth
My small tapestry is almost finished. Slow growth but that's the way it goes sometimes. I've been in a work drought. Not an idea drought so am sure productivity will kick in soon!
I've been distracted by home improvement research. We are updating our only full bathroom. We sprung a leak which is pushing us into a much needed upgrade. It's amazing how many decisions are needed. Mostly it's a fun process but then I get overwhelmed. All the decisions are almost made. Hopefully complete within a few days.
Soon it will be time to prepare for Convergence!!!! Albuqueque!!! Woo Hoo!!
For conference info go to the Handweaver's Guild of America at:
http://www.weavespindye.org/
I've been distracted by home improvement research. We are updating our only full bathroom. We sprung a leak which is pushing us into a much needed upgrade. It's amazing how many decisions are needed. Mostly it's a fun process but then I get overwhelmed. All the decisions are almost made. Hopefully complete within a few days.
Soon it will be time to prepare for Convergence!!!! Albuqueque!!! Woo Hoo!!
For conference info go to the Handweaver's Guild of America at:
http://www.weavespindye.org/
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
A new loom
I'm waving at Cheri! Thanks for your encouragement. I've been dragging my feet about adding to this blog.
In May I traveled to Florida to visit my Mom for Mother's Day and while I had a very good trip going away disrupted the flow here.
So it's time to get going again.
That brings me to my new loom! A few months ago I bought a portable tapestry loom made out of copper pipe. This past week I finally put a narrow ( 3" ) warp on the loom and started weaving a small piece that I intend to attach to a larger piece of weaving that I have on my big Glimakra loom out in the studio.
The loom is an Archie Brennan design but it was Jesse Brennan, Archie's son, that built the loom and shipped it to me. Archie Brennan weaves wonderful tapestries. I also hear via Joan Griffin that he is an excellent teacher. Joan is a wonderful tapestry artist as well. Check out her web site at http://www.joangriffintapestry.com/
Here is the url if you'd like to see the loom. From this you can navigate around the Brennan-Maffei site and see pics of their excellent tapestries.
http://brennan-maffei.com/Loom.htm
In May I traveled to Florida to visit my Mom for Mother's Day and while I had a very good trip going away disrupted the flow here.
So it's time to get going again.
That brings me to my new loom! A few months ago I bought a portable tapestry loom made out of copper pipe. This past week I finally put a narrow ( 3" ) warp on the loom and started weaving a small piece that I intend to attach to a larger piece of weaving that I have on my big Glimakra loom out in the studio.
The loom is an Archie Brennan design but it was Jesse Brennan, Archie's son, that built the loom and shipped it to me. Archie Brennan weaves wonderful tapestries. I also hear via Joan Griffin that he is an excellent teacher. Joan is a wonderful tapestry artist as well. Check out her web site at http://www.joangriffintapestry.com/
Here is the url if you'd like to see the loom. From this you can navigate around the Brennan-Maffei site and see pics of their excellent tapestries.
http://brennan-maffei.com/Loom.htm
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Another 'Guardian'
Handwoven fabric mounted on collaged foam core. This is attached to a another piece of foam core which is wrapped with fabric.
In progress
One of the pieces I'm working on.I've attached a piece of weaving onto a foam core board wrapped with fabric. The face is ceramic.
This is part of my 'Guardian' series.
Static
It's easy to get distracted. Speaking for myself, of course.
I get distracted by limiting thoughts.
One of these is a ....why bother....train of thought. It's a negative riff that can go something like this...
"why bother...there are plenty of weavers out there making wonderful things...why should I bother?
or...who is going to like this piece...or will anyone like this...or is this good enough....or...or..OR..."
then I catch myself. Stop. Breathe. Pivot.
Ask some good questions ala the Abraham teachings...reach for thoughts that feel better.
Why did I become a weaver? Because I love it.
Does it really matter that there are other good weavers? No
Is it a good idea to try to imagine what someone else might think of a piece? No
Do you, Jan, realize that there will always be some people who love what you do and others who hate what you do? Yes.
Therefore.....drum roll......the most important thing is that YOU, JAN, love what you do and do what you love! YAY!
From the start...1966 or 1967 I was interested in selling. Nothing wrong with selling, I think it is a wonderful exchange of energy, BUT it can turn me outward a lot of times. 'Outward' thoughts are directed away from 'Self'.
It is freeing for me to just make things to please myself and do my best not to pre-judge what I am creating. Also very important for me to cut loose the 'what will they think' thoughts because it is limiting to create under that thought-form.
Right now I am finishing up a series of small wall pieces and doing it for me. I have no idea where I will show these pieces. I also have no idea what I would charge for them if I decided to sell them. It is very freeing to be doing this and I'm having a good time working on these pieces.
This issue is just one issue that spirals for me. I re-visit it and that's okay, too. Each tiime I re-visit it gets easier to turn myself around. Progress!
I get distracted by limiting thoughts.
One of these is a ....why bother....train of thought. It's a negative riff that can go something like this...
"why bother...there are plenty of weavers out there making wonderful things...why should I bother?
or...who is going to like this piece...or will anyone like this...or is this good enough....or...or..OR..."
then I catch myself. Stop. Breathe. Pivot.
Ask some good questions ala the Abraham teachings...reach for thoughts that feel better.
Why did I become a weaver? Because I love it.
Does it really matter that there are other good weavers? No
Is it a good idea to try to imagine what someone else might think of a piece? No
Do you, Jan, realize that there will always be some people who love what you do and others who hate what you do? Yes.
Therefore.....drum roll......the most important thing is that YOU, JAN, love what you do and do what you love! YAY!
From the start...1966 or 1967 I was interested in selling. Nothing wrong with selling, I think it is a wonderful exchange of energy, BUT it can turn me outward a lot of times. 'Outward' thoughts are directed away from 'Self'.
It is freeing for me to just make things to please myself and do my best not to pre-judge what I am creating. Also very important for me to cut loose the 'what will they think' thoughts because it is limiting to create under that thought-form.
Right now I am finishing up a series of small wall pieces and doing it for me. I have no idea where I will show these pieces. I also have no idea what I would charge for them if I decided to sell them. It is very freeing to be doing this and I'm having a good time working on these pieces.
This issue is just one issue that spirals for me. I re-visit it and that's okay, too. Each tiime I re-visit it gets easier to turn myself around. Progress!
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Solutions
My new shelving is coming together after some trail and error.I bought and installed replacement hooks only to discover that the new hooks don't fit the old wire shelves. ARGH! Both are Closet Maid. Evidently they have made some changes in the last 15 years to the size of the wire used in the shelves. So it was back to the drawing board. If possible I didn't want to have to discard all the shelving.
I started thinking about how when I was in my 20's we used to build bookshelves using cinder block and boards. Didn't really want cinder blocks to support the shelves but then I had the flash to go to Bed, Bath and Beyond to look for plastic bins that would support the shelves, hold yarn AND be lightweight.
Bed, Bath and Beyond had the perfect thing. I'm loving this solution. Nothing is attached to the wall.
Not that I'm really surprised but this is a classic, small scale example of out of chaos comes order. I really liked my old shelving attached to the wall but it turns out that this will be better.
Friday, April 30, 2010
Thursday, April 29, 2010
What? continued...or Soft Tsunami
So yesterday, out in my studio, two long shelves filled with yarn torqued and collapsed. What a stunner.
CHAOS....female energy at work. The fairies getting my attention.
Today I began the clean up.
My studio has been lonely and it really got my attention today. I don't know why I haven't been working much lately. Lazy.....lack of discipline? Maybe all of the above. I thought I could be intuitively tapping into the slow economy. No need to work so much....take a break.
Taking a break is fine...but this event really gets my attention.
Get back into the studio...of only to pick up all the spilled yarn. An opportunity to look at the positive. At least yarn doesn't break. At least I'm not in Mississippi picking up after a tornado. At least everything isn't washed away in a tsunami.
It's important to look at the positive and take a hint from ALL THAT IS. Pay attention friend. Your studio misses you.
CHAOS....female energy at work. The fairies getting my attention.
Today I began the clean up.
My studio has been lonely and it really got my attention today. I don't know why I haven't been working much lately. Lazy.....lack of discipline? Maybe all of the above. I thought I could be intuitively tapping into the slow economy. No need to work so much....take a break.
Taking a break is fine...but this event really gets my attention.
Get back into the studio...of only to pick up all the spilled yarn. An opportunity to look at the positive. At least yarn doesn't break. At least I'm not in Mississippi picking up after a tornado. At least everything isn't washed away in a tsunami.
It's important to look at the positive and take a hint from ALL THAT IS. Pay attention friend. Your studio misses you.
Something to remember
My friend Larrie loves this book and series. I'm going to put it in my shopping cart at Amazon. I'm eager to read it and see the movie.
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
What?
I'm stunned.
I know it's mercury retrograde but I am having trouble processing what just happened in my studio.
Two long closet-maid shelves that hold my yarn just fell. Every clip snapped! At least 25' in length....omg
I'll have to be Scarlett and deal with it tomorrow. For now, on the positive side, at least yarn isn't breakable.
I know it's mercury retrograde but I am having trouble processing what just happened in my studio.
Two long closet-maid shelves that hold my yarn just fell. Every clip snapped! At least 25' in length....omg
I'll have to be Scarlett and deal with it tomorrow. For now, on the positive side, at least yarn isn't breakable.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
old is new
Just had a great trip to Richmond where I visited long time friends Larrie and Ann. Waving at both of you!
It's wonderful to visit long time friends.
Ann is re-reading 'THE WORK OF CRAFT" by Carla Needleman and showed me the opening paragraph for the chapter on weaving. Awesome. This is a book I too read long ago and forgot about. The ideas in the book are so close to what I intend to talk about in this blog that I'm going to use it as a jumping off place.
So I've gotten out my book and have quoted the first paragraph of the weaving chapter into my blog description.
Will share more as I re-read.
The book is out of print but still available from used bookstores. Here is the link to Amazon. You might also look for it at Allbooks.com, Biblio.com and Abebooks.com. These are three of my favorite sources.
.
It's wonderful to visit long time friends.
Ann is re-reading 'THE WORK OF CRAFT" by Carla Needleman and showed me the opening paragraph for the chapter on weaving. Awesome. This is a book I too read long ago and forgot about. The ideas in the book are so close to what I intend to talk about in this blog that I'm going to use it as a jumping off place.
So I've gotten out my book and have quoted the first paragraph of the weaving chapter into my blog description.
Will share more as I re-read.
The book is out of print but still available from used bookstores. Here is the link to Amazon. You might also look for it at Allbooks.com, Biblio.com and Abebooks.com. These are three of my favorite sources.
.
Friday, April 23, 2010
Crochet
I'm making crocheted flower pins today. I love to use variegated ribbon yarns for these and have found some wonderful yarns at WEBS in their close-out section.
Right now I'm having fun with some Berroco Bonsai.
Right now I'm having fun with some Berroco Bonsai.
Weaving Notes - Gearing up!
Just ordered some flake cotton from WEBS. I'm going to weave some lacy wide wraps using a combination of cottons, ribbon yarns and rayon chenille. WEBS has a big sale going on through May 31st. Good prices on the flake cottons.
Here we go!
Okay....I've signed up to be an Amazon Associate. So far the process is smooth and easy. Funny how I will put off plunging in to something new. Especially with the computer.
It's also often true for me when I'm ready to go in a new direction with my weaving. But I'll save that discussion for another day...or later today...whenever the time is right.
For this morning...linking to amazon. What fun.
So....yesterday I placed an Amazon order for one of the Law of Attraction DVD's "Getting into the Vortex'. Oh cool. Well that was easy!
I've listened to Abraham tapes for years and look forward to adding this DVD to my library. More on Abraham and a review of the DVD when it arrives.
Now it's time for coffee.
It's also often true for me when I'm ready to go in a new direction with my weaving. But I'll save that discussion for another day...or later today...whenever the time is right.
For this morning...linking to amazon. What fun.
So....yesterday I placed an Amazon order for one of the Law of Attraction DVD's "Getting into the Vortex'. Oh cool. Well that was easy!
I've listened to Abraham tapes for years and look forward to adding this DVD to my library. More on Abraham and a review of the DVD when it arrives.
Now it's time for coffee.
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Learning curve
Playing around with monetizing my blog. I think I'm set up but my eyes just crossed.....enough for today!
Since I love to read and love to buy on line I thought 'why not monetize'.
Just today I ordered the dvd 'Getting into the Vortex' part of Esther Hicks Law of Attraction in Action series; the latest #1 Ladies Detective Agency novel and 'The Urantia Book'. All from Amazon.com
Last week-end I connected with a young man in Shepherdstown W.VA who recommended Urantia. I chatted with him about the Michael Teachings and suggested he check out TruthLoveEnergy,com, Michaelteachings.com., and 'Messages From Michael' by Yarbro. He made his suggestion and so I'm following through. I'll report back. Waving at Joshua, who has no idea I'm writing a blog. Hey...I...didn't have any idea that I'd be writing a blog until yesterday!
No weaving so far today.....but I'm thinking about it.
Since I love to read and love to buy on line I thought 'why not monetize'.
Just today I ordered the dvd 'Getting into the Vortex' part of Esther Hicks Law of Attraction in Action series; the latest #1 Ladies Detective Agency novel and 'The Urantia Book'. All from Amazon.com
Last week-end I connected with a young man in Shepherdstown W.VA who recommended Urantia. I chatted with him about the Michael Teachings and suggested he check out TruthLoveEnergy,com, Michaelteachings.com., and 'Messages From Michael' by Yarbro. He made his suggestion and so I'm following through. I'll report back. Waving at Joshua, who has no idea I'm writing a blog. Hey...I...didn't have any idea that I'd be writing a blog until yesterday!
No weaving so far today.....but I'm thinking about it.
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Musings
I'm a weaver and want to share ideas about weaving but I also crochet, make jewelry and generally love to make things. So part of this blog will be about creating things...what I'm making......and the process of making them.
Metaphysics also play a big role in my life. I'm a seeker who is interested in the Michael teachings, Abraham, Seth and Edgar Cayce to name a few. I just came back from a Michael Student gathering that was held at Claymont in West Virginia.
While I'm at the loom my mind sometimes drifts. It seems to drift in the shower too! When it drifts at the loom it's usually when I'm weaving scarves and when I've settled on the design. At that point I'm pretty much down to throwing the shuttle and so there is space in the brain for ideas to float around. This blog will be about those driftings as well as ideas, experiments, recipes.......all sorts of stuff.
It will be fun to see how this evolves.
Metaphysics also play a big role in my life. I'm a seeker who is interested in the Michael teachings, Abraham, Seth and Edgar Cayce to name a few. I just came back from a Michael Student gathering that was held at Claymont in West Virginia.
While I'm at the loom my mind sometimes drifts. It seems to drift in the shower too! When it drifts at the loom it's usually when I'm weaving scarves and when I've settled on the design. At that point I'm pretty much down to throwing the shuttle and so there is space in the brain for ideas to float around. This blog will be about those driftings as well as ideas, experiments, recipes.......all sorts of stuff.
It will be fun to see how this evolves.
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