Textile tradition

My youngest boy at 12 has just finished this piece of patchwork. I love that a Steiner school nurtures this ability in my son. Look at the fine hand stitching.

One dye pot

All this colour from one dyepot.

Snow scarf

A warm scarf, super soft with some texture.

Spiral hat

I have a hat workshop this Sunday and though I should make a new hat to show. I have an idea for another hat i want to do so this one is a "one along the way there" 

Blog issues

I am still unable to post any comments on most blogs. I have seen this link and have changed my blog comment settings. But I don't know that this will help me comment on other blogs. Perhaps you guys can check your settings too. From My end it all looks good as if it has gone up but when I go back it is not there. I can leave comments on my own blog and wordpress. I want to comment on so many beautiful blogs I see, but I can't!!
If you are a net wonder and can help me here I would love it. This has been going on for months and I cannot get boo out of blogger.

Sushi ring

Felt geodes

Playing with ideas from recent workshops. Making small felt geodes for rings and brooches.

Week2

Anita Larkin is another Aussie felt maker and we have finally met this week. She has the most fabulous way with form. She has come at feel making from a sculpture background. She has got me to try something other than my precious merino. I am quite pleasantly surprised with the flexibility of the Corriedale I have been using. I have made this shell using no resists. There is no stopping me now. Will take better shots when finished and dry.

Eternal student

I have been squirrelled away learning for the past 2 weeks. I've done my r&d budget for the next 3 years.
Wouldn't have missed it for the world tho. Marjolien Dallinga is the most amazing teacher and sage. I feel the wisdom from that week will permeate through my work for a lifetime.
I even have a photo of her wearing a dress of mine. It fit her like glove.

Will you still think I'm ugly if we turn off the lights.

These have come from a fascination of mine with the creatures of the deep sea. They live their whole lives in the dark and it does not matter how they look. They have little lights on their bodies to help them out, and with these they are beautiful. We all have a beautiful side. People are truly amazing and the more you get to know someone the less their appearance is what comes to mind when you think of them.

I enjoy putting some humor in my work and it has come through with these two. To switch on the big one you have to put your hand in that mouth!! They have the quirkiness I love. I learned a lot working with the optic fibre and electronics. Number one being take how long you think it will take -and quadruple it.  Number 2 have some technical back up. I would have like to get some better shots of them both in the dark, but they are in the gallery now. Perhaps when it is over I can set up a good one.

Love it when it works

Here's some wet shots of what I just pulled out of the pot this morning. Dress made using Freedom construction methods. A great way to get a dress that fits you. I will be teaching this in The Netherlands and UK this October and November.

First of 2

Yay. I have been working at these sculptures for a while now. I have never worked with electronics before but thanks to a bit of help from my clever dad I have the first one up and running. Optic fibre is wonderful stuff.

Beautiful Texture

Vilte has been sharing

The eyes have it

Aren't they just too much fun!!

Some pics of school work

Still working on the finishing off the hangings for the Kindlehill school. I am trying to also prepare for this weekend's workshops and get myself making some sculpture for an exhibition at Braemar Gallery in April. I also have a couple of dresses to finish for a fashion Parade at the  context art forum  here in the Mountains in April as well. I am going to the workshop with Anita Larkin and there may still be some vacanies so if you are nearby why not join me??

Here are some shots of the process with the gorgeous children of Kindlehill.
There is the literal pulling together of community to make these pieces but there is so much more community built in a more subtle way too. Children learn that it takes time to produce such work, persistence and co operation with friends to roll a felt. Parents work with children showing how much they value the work too. I am often asked how do you do this at home? " I can't " is the answer. I need the community to bring the work to life!!

love the orange glow here

Promise to get to the full finished pics as soon as possible.