What does the world need more of in 2021? Joy. Positivity. As I began my studio practice one sunny day, I reflected on the past nine months of pandemic-induced life in isolation. Instead of a focus on uncertainty, I thought of possibility, of positive energetic difference in the moment. In that realization, Blessing Angels were …
“When there is a crisis, let your heart pray, but let your hands work.” — John Kramer Friends and acquaintances alike describe a shelter-in-place that includes working hands gardening, gourmet cooking, collaging, crocheting, sewing, or other creative activities. Miranda July, a multi disciplinary artist talked about the value of resourcefulness in an interview about handling …
The isolation of shelter in place as a response to the coronavirus gave me pause. In a new world where I was suddenly unable to attend barre or spin/NRG class, unable to meet friends for lunch, gather with other artists to plan a tour or participate in creative pursuits such as open studio, I found …
My love affair with needlepoint began in Oshkosh, WI as a result of my deep friendship with Dorothy Gram. Although she was long past retirement age when I met her, Dorothy was the manager of a Seifert’s retail clothing store in the area. She always laughed that HR had her down as age 58. I …
“You will enrich your life immeasurably if you approach it with a sense of wonder and discovery, and always challenge yourself to try new things.” –Nate Berkus When the unexpected happens, when my project seems at the risk of failure, when almost everything ends up differently than imagined at the outset, I remind myself I …
“A bead is any item that has a hole in it, can be threaded and then used to adorn a person, an ail, or an object. …Bridging all cultures, it is the bead that unites us in our differences and celebrates us in our diversity. Beads speak a silent language of those who made them. …
Beaded Beads and Other Delights of Beadiful Work Read More »
Connection. Meaning. Direction. These three words set the stage for my annual theme. A theme for the year is a tradition for me, one characterized by a piece of art that illustrates the concept of my word or phrase. An article in Psychology Today describes an easy, five-step way to set your theme for the …
The creative muse waved her December wand. I was smitten with the idea of handmade fabric gift tags that could double as ornaments. Some might call them folksy. Bits of ribbon, sequins, trim, felt shapes, buttons, beads and charms make for Christmas cheer with texture and character. I stitched the pieces most evenings, adding whimsical …
Happy colors, history, hand-stitching: these three inspirations emerged from A Reversible Kantha Quilt Vest class experience. The word Kantha, pronounced (KAAN taa), means rags in Sanskrit. A Kantha stitch can also refer to a small straight running stitch in Bengali embroidery. Something about alliteration tugs at my heart. It resonates. I’m prompted to repeat it. Thus, …
Do you hand-stitch? “Smack!” “Because it is so easy to purchase, hire, replace, and stay in place, we have stopped making things, repairing things, and using our hands. We are losing “process,” but process is gratifying. Process, not product, is what we need to feel alive and well.” This premise forms the basis for The …
