Smokin Toast and Eyeballs

Thank you to those of you who came to the workshop over the weekend and to the potluck on Saturday night! Bill had a great time. We all appreciated seeing how he has made an impact on metalsmithing field over his 40 years of teaching at UW-LaCrosse.

In case you were wondering ;), I chose to wear a SecretLentil cropped layering top over a simple black dress, a Paul Sasso Smokin' Toast pin, and some of my own gold earrings. People in Wisconsin don't really care about such things, but I enjoyed my fashion choices nonetheless

In the Metals studio, I am doing the final clean-up on the railing- no new photos.

In the house, I've been trying to get back into my daily creativity exercises- my stitch sketches.
I started off with this self portrait collage postcard.

Then got into my some more close-up self portraits. I started with this macro shot of my eye.

printed it out onto a printable cotton fabric and did some quick free motion stitching.

So- finishing up metalwork and getting back into the daily sketch groove. That's about it!

p.s. I recently sent out a large wholesale order, so both of my shops are quite a bit emptier. If you are looking for something similar to what you've seen before, please contact me through Etsy conversations in my knitsteel or joyheart shop.

Me and My Bamboo

I have so much fun jewelry that I truly have a hard time deciding what to wear.  In this photo, I'm wearing my own blue bead earrings (made from drapery pulls) and a Danny Mansmith pin.

I enjoy every single one of my cameras now, my dslr the Olympus Evolt 420, my Blackberry Curve built-in camera, even my webcam. Here I am looking tired on webcam.

and finally, though I am obsessed with me ;), - more metalwork!  I made these pieces several years ago, but finally photographed them on the wall.  Yes, they are available in the Wall Art section of my Knitsteel shop.

Flowery Railing Update

The railing is all rough-welded together.  This section goes on a slope, the lower section of a stairs, which is why the ends and the elements are all angled.  I added a little extra angle, just to give the impression of the wind blowing over a wetland meadow.

Today I will fill in and clean up all of the welds.

I had enough leaves and flowers to weld a few up into individual art flowers.  When they are all cleaned up, they will look fabulous in a tabletop display or handcrafted vase.

With the weekend away, I got a little behind on daily stitch sketches. I will start working on them again tonight. I'm looking forward to it.

Metal and Fiber updates

The kids and I are going to Southern Illinois for a long weekend, scoping out the new old (very old) house.  Wish us luck and don't tell my husband any flaws that we find. 

In the metalshop, I've made great progress on the last section of the neverending trade railing.  Yes, the railing and the trade are coming to an end. 

I am still stitch sketching, but have been a little distracted the past few days.  Here are numbers 16 and 17

In 16, I am still clearly carried away by the free-motion presser foot, lost in blob art land. 

I don't really mind...

This is what sketches are for.

In #17, I am trying to exercise a touch of self-restraint and use the free-motion foot for a purpose.

I was inspired by the birch trees, shining super-white under the spring sun, against the muddy sooty landscape.  I like this one.

I have some more that I will show you in a few days, if I can find a wireless hotspot.  If not, see ya Monday!

2009 Workshops

Between my husband and myself, quite a few learning opportunities are coming up in the next few months.

*****40 Years of Metals at UWL *****

- a celebration of 40 years of learning with Professor Bill Fiorini. Bill is retiring at the end of May. To help him celebrate, five alumni are coming to present demos for two days in March.

Dale Wedig
Ted McDonah
Becky McDonah
James Viste
Bradley Nichols

March 27th and 28th, University of Wisconsin La Crosse metals studio. Free of charge.
for more information, please call 608-785-8232 or email fiorini.will@uwlax.edu

*****Tunnel Mill Spring Workshops in Minnesota*****

Adjustable Forged Candlestand

Tom Latane, Instructor

April 30, May 1, and May 2.

Class will cover the traditional skills involved in constructing an adjustable tabletop candle holder. Students will begin by forge welding the tripod base and forming penny feet. the vertical staff will be tenoned into the center of the tripod. Mortise and tenon joinery will also be used to assemble the frame holding the springs which hold the crossarm in place. Candle cupsand drip saucers will be forged. Decorative filing will be demonstrated as well as a decorative finial to inspire students who wish to carry the projectbeyond forging and assembly.

Inlay and Stamping Techniques

Bill Fiorini, Instructor

May 29, 30, and 31

Bill will be doing tool making, inlay techniques and stamping techniques used by the Japanese to embellish the decorative parts of a sword. It will be for beginners through advanced students, including students that I had in the last class. The students will need to bring their own hand tools and a list will follow.

Exploring chasing and repousse in silver

Kirsten Skiles, Instructor

2 workshops - June 12 and 13th, and June 25, 26, and 27

Chasing and Repoussé for Jewelry -

For the first session, we will work on a leaf form and turn it into a pendant. For the second session, studentsmay either use their own design, or use one of Kirsten’s (either a rabbit or a flower). That design will be turned into either a ring or pin. In both sessions, students will learn how to use a jeweler’s saw to cut metal. The 2nd session will include basic hard soldering of sterling silver. There will be lab fees to cover the cost of the silver, findings, solder, and flux. (approx $20.00?) We will have torches to share and different handheld portable torch options. A three day class would include making tools, the two day class tools would be furnished. Students will again need pitch bowls filled with pitch or small cast iron skillets filled with a small quantities of pitch.

Future plans: Peter Ross will be coming to the mill in 2010. Also, Nathan and Roger are still on for 2009, but no dates set yet. (see February Forum for more details). We are still looking for ideas and input from YOU! What are your interests? How can we help? Call or email us!

Tunnel Mill is located 85-100 miles south of the Twin Cities near Rochester, Minnesota. Contact for class registration: Carol and John Adams 507-289-4189 or 507-289-5246 Email-jc-adams at msn.com

Sketching and Inspiration

Here is Stitch Sketch 15

a big experimental blob using rice paper, metallic tissue paper, wool, silk, polyester, wool roving, metallic thread, regular thread and of course, my new transparent free-motion presser foot.  Can you tell I am having fun with my sewing machine? 
Just think, a week ago I hated this machine.  Now I kinda like it again.

Here are some books that I'm looking at right now for some inspiration.

Currently Mixed-Media Self-Portraits: Inspiration & Techniques By Cate Coulacos Prato

Currently Cover To Cover: Creative Techniques For Making Beautiful Books, Journals & Albums By Shereen LaPlantz

Currently How to Make Soft Toys and Dolls (A Sunset Book) By various

Currently
THE BIG BOOK OF SOFT TOYS
By MABS TYLER  (sorry no pic from amazon on this one)

The last two books are oldies but goodies, worth buying used. 

I'm taking the kids on a trip to Southern Illinois next weekend.  I'm going to make up a bunch of vague fabric doll forms and/or quick fabric sketchbooks for us to decorate on the trip.  I was originally thinking of stitch sketch material for myself.  I know that if I'm doing it, the kids will want to do it too, so I will make enough for all of us.

The trick for me is to make them without thinking that I need to go buy a bunch of supplies in order to make them.  I am quite sure that I have enough stuff lying around here to do it.... 

Must
Restrain
Myself

Stitch Sketches 12, 13, 14

I'm using house motifs, because we are moving this summer.    I'm also using text, simple but powerful phrases that have stuck in my head recently.  I love the feedback I'm getting on  my blog, flickr, and facebook.  People see value in places that I do not, making me view the work differently and pursue ideas that I might not have otherwise pursued.

#12

#13

Yesterday I bought a free motion transparent foot (presser foot) for my 22 yr old Babylock sewing machine, from Yellow Bird Art in Lansing, Iowa.  I just started playing with in on #14.  I went over the word "devoted" with hand embroidery because it didn't show up at all.  You can see how I used it with "house and home" on the bottom and some doodling in general.  You know- it's really tough to remember how to form the cursive letters and sew at the same time- good brain hand coordination exercise for me.
#14

**About moving **  We're going to the home that used to belong to my grandparents in Southern Illinois. 
I've realized that the "dream home" is all about family, not architecture or home decor. 
Our house and studio here in beautiful Southwestern Wisconsin is for sale through United Country Realty.  It is the perfect place for an artist looking for the rural life and lots of natural inspiration.  The shop is already piped for propane and has lots of 220 outlets for your big power tools and the house includes some of my own handcrafted metal accessories.  We are currently having it painted, so I will post the info again once there are some new photos.  Please pass on this info to anyone you know that might be looking for a home just like this to meet their own dream home needs.

Stitch Sketches 9, 10, and 11

The story behind these sketches is that there is no story. 

I was feeling completely uninspired over the weekend.  So I cut out some pretty teal blue wool felt and started picking up the bits within arms reach. 

That's the point- keeping the rhythm of creating, even when the inspiration isn't there.

#9

#10

#11

daily stitch sketch

Stitch Sketch 8


to see the daily creativity series as it progresses, go to the flickr set here http://www.flickr.com/photos/knitsteel/sets/72157614432470567/

Bronze Bamboo and a Stitch Sketch Explanation

*First the metal.* 
I made these bronze bamboo mirrors back in late 2007, after doing a commission that involved steel bamboo.  I forged and fabricated the elements and welded them together into funky asymmetrical mirror forms, both botanical and modern.  They've been exhibited several times since then, but I've only now photographed and listed them in the home decor section of my Etsy shop.  Please click on the photos for links to the detailed descriptions.

*Second- the fiber*

After a few comments and questions from metalsmithing friends, I realized that I ought to explain what I'm doing with the stitch sketch series.  I am sketching!  For years I've been telling myself that I need to get back into daily sketching, with my sketchbook and a pen, conventional sketching.  You know what?  I never did it!!!  However, I do like to pick up some sort of needlework every day.  I also love to look at other artist's spontaneous intuitive mixed media art everyday, on flickr and blogs. 

I finally realized, I should do my sketching in fiber.  That's the only way I will do it.

So... I am taking on the exercise of one stitch sketch a day, for 365 days (ack!).  There are no rules, no goals, no agenda- other than developing my artistic center. 
When I draw on paper, I can't quite get away from the idea that I am designing a piece of metalwork.  When I sketch in fiber, I am sketching ideas, feelings, and moods.   
Some pieces will be elaborate, some very simple.  A few might be impressive, many mediocre, and a few kinda ugly.  I'm not worried about where the pieces will go.  I'm posting them online because #1-I am a feedback fiend and #2-the online posting gives me an imaginary motivational daily deadline.  After my 365 days are done, I would like to see them all on a wall together, in a gallery show, in order.

There you have it.  I am playing. I am sketching. I am exercising.
Here is Stitch Sketch number 7.

mixed media,  mostly wool, measuring approximately 3-1/2 by 3-1/2 inches.

Braids

My paternal grandmother was short and round, with long silvery gray hair that she wore in a simple bun at the back of her neck. She wore conservative tailored ladies clothing, a lot of that brand with the golden lion head motif. I didn't really see her that often, because we lived far away. She was very nice and spoiled us with clothes and toys. She dressed us up and took us to visit with the coffee ladies. She died when I was eleven. I remember her as quite dignified, well groomed, with the perfect close-mouthed smile, petite chin and pretty cheeks.

I have this visual memory of seeing her one day, outside, maybe tending the rose bush, with her hair in long white braids, hanging down either side of her head, behind her ears. It was like looking at one of those holographic valentines, that alternates between miley cyrus and hannah montana- but with Grandma of course, in long white braids by the roses.

I didn't understand why an old lady like Grandma was wearing her hair in little girl braids. Her hair was always in a bun- always. I see this visual memory often now, with her hair in braids. Sometimes I remember her long hair out, brushed smooth, before bedtime. My hair is long enough for two braids. I tried it , and am maybe starting to understand.

daily Stitch Sketch -4

daily Stitch Sketch -5

daily Stitch Sketch -6

Coppery flower center

a detail of the copper center, after a light burnishing with a wire wheel.

Steel Flowers

I am working on railing elements in the metalshop.

I tig melted blobs of copper into the centers.  Right now the copper is heat oxidized black, but will show up later after I wire wheel the centers.

Stitch Sketch Day 4

This piece started off with me thinking about ponytails, braids, wearing two like a little girl.   It turned into something completely different.

Sometimes the work leads.

Stitch Sketch 2

In the stitch sketch creative exercises (flexings, pinches, yawns)   I vow to indulge in material, texture, symbolism, triteness, clichés, and crafty trends.  Every day has a story, though I won't share every story with you.