Friend’s Gift Leads to Experimentation

When you encounter a pièce de résistance, do you share your discovery? In what ways do you help ignite new, explorations for others?

During the busy pre-Holiday season, a friend showed up with a brown bag stuffed with tissue. She literally buzzed with excitement as I unwrapped goodies: a plastic box stuffed with silk and harem cloth fibers, note cards and envelopes, and a book.

The book gift, explored cover to cover and recommended to you is: “Creative Embellishments” by Sherril Kahn. It’s now no surprise that the book fell open to a chapter about Angelina embellishments. In a separate bag I found intriguing sparkly fibers called “Angelina” fibers. Fascinated? Yes. Speechless.

This book, Creative Embellishments by Sherrill Kahn, talks about Angelina Fibers and is recommended by Mary Ellen Beads, Albuquerque.

I love metallics: the shine, the gloss, the intriguing sparkle. Wow! I say “Yes!” to fibers, threads, paints, beads and a host of other things metallic.

It is the supreme art of the teacher to awaken joy in creative expression and knowledge. –Albert Einstein

It’s no wonder that I call my Angelina fiber pack the “pièce de résistance.” The “Creative Embellishments” book is permanently open to that chapter. Learn more about Angelina fibers, including the fact that they were developed for the space program, in this YouTube video.

In quiet time since receiving my gift, I’ve combined the fibers with various other elements and labeled them as “indispensable” in my studio.

Angelina Fibers Offer Dramatic Enhancements

Angelina fibers fuse to each other with heat and pressure. They then be cut and shaped. The subtle glitz transforms other fabrics and materials.

This is a heart shape cut from fused Angelina fibers by Mary Ellen Beads Albuquerque.

Angelina fibers fused with foils by Mary Ellen Beads Albuquerque.

This experiment by Mary Ellen Beads Albuquerque shows Angeliana fibers fused with sequins and beads.

Here's a sample card done with Angelina fibers, batik print and hand-dyed ribbon by Mary Ellen Beads Albuquerque.

If you want to touch the past, touch a rock. If you want to touch the present, touch a flower. If you want to touch the future, touch a life. –unknown

The gift of creative inspiration in the form of Angelina fibers and a book touched my life. I’m grateful. I plan to use this idea to touch the lives of others. Angelina fibers are my current pièce de résistance.

What will you do to share your most important creativity component?