Michigan League of Handweavers Biennial Exhibit

Two weekends ago I spent the day in Jackson, MI at the Ella Sharp Museum for the Opening of the Michigan League of Handweavers Biennial Exhibit.  I had submitted 3 pieces to the show, all of which were accepted.  The juror for the Exhibit is Sherri Smith, my Fibers Professor from my BFA at the University of Michigan.  It's kind of a weird thing going submitting pieces to a show where you know the juror knows your pieces.

I submitted the Pac Man Bangle (which I still need to create a power option for exhibiting it with the LED lights), the Goldfinch Feather bangle and a weaving named "Flipped and Tangled" that I finished hanging the day before it was due.  The above photo is the beaded end of the dowels for hanging the weaving.  I didn't get a final photo of the weaving before I turned it in, bear with me, I'll post a blog about it when I get it home.

I received 2 Honorable Mentions. One for the Pac Man Bangle and the other for my weaving.  Thanks Sherri!

There are a ton of great weavers and fiber artists here in Michigan, so it was tough competition.  The show at Ella Sharp is absolutely beautiful, the space is amazing.  The show is up through June 16th and you can make a day of the museum since they have a great restaurant to boot!

Fiber Feast 2012 with the Ann Arbor Fiberarts Guild

This past weekend I spent 2.5 hours tagging the jewelry that I had left after the NTGM 2 Day extravaganza and headed to Ann Arbor in the wee hours of Saturday morning to set up at Wastenaw Community College for Fiber Feast. 

Fiber Feast is put on every year by the Ann Arbor Fiberarts Guild and it is a SUPER fun event. The event is focused around a Fashion Show and Luncheon with door prizes at intermission.  There is opportunity to shop at the begining and at the end of the event from those guild members who decide to sell.  Normally I sell jewelry and help with set-up and tear down, however, this year I had made a piece for runway (the Red Leaves and Lace Tunic) so I was modeling that for the show.

They were also using me as a model back-up and I was lucky enough to fit into Michelle Moenssen's beautiful hand dyed, original pattern skirt. (Below).

I would say that my tunic was definitly a success, now to decide where I should wear it out to next!

Back Detail of Red Leaves and Lace Tunic

Front Detail of Red Leaves and Lace Tunic

All photos in this blog post are compliments of Jeanne Sarna of Page Additions. Thanks Jeanne!

Speaking and Teaching at the Needlework and Textile Guild of Michigan

If you follow me on Facebook, Twitter or Linked-In, you may have noticed that I had a busy week last week of speaking, teaching, selling and modeling.  I had a small panic about the lack of jewelry I had on hand to sell so I did switch gears to make a few more jewelry pieces and took a break from my large project.

On Tuesday morning I drove to Birmingham, MI to set up my jewelry and my laptop for a presentation on my beadwork (and other artwork that I dabble in) to the Needlework and Textile Guild of Michigan.  My talk ran about an hour and fifteen minutes, then I was able to speak to guild members while they took a look at the jewelry items that I sell.  I got a ton of great feedback from the members, it was all very exciting.

(Group Shopping Photo)

After the talk and lunch, we started in on the first half-day of the workshop I was teaching.  I taught 2-Drop Peyote Stitch and went over very basic design elements of the stitch.  I had 11 ladies in the class the first day for the bracelets.

Day 2 (a full class day) I had 9 students and we worked on finishing our bracelets, then after an hour or so we switched gears to making our rings.  The rings we made are a small version of the bangle bracelets that I make.  I require everyone to use the delica beads for this project.

I found that on the second day it was really great to have 2 projects going.  Every student needs help at different levels and I try very hard to get around to everybody.  While some of my students were waiting for me to get around to them for help on the ring (tubular peyote), they could work on the bracelet from the day before.  I know I don't like to have idle hands while waiting, so neither should my students!!!!

(Group Ring Shot)

I would like to shout out a HUGE thanks to all of my students.  Jeanne Sarna of Page Additions gets all of the photo credit for this blog post (I'm so bad at remembering to take photos).  I had a wonderful time working with everyone and thank you for your patience while I got around to you for individual help. 

Forest Through the Trees, part 2, Weaving

I am finally sitting at the front of my loom and into my weaving.  I think I forgot how long it took to warp a loom with this large of a project.  I've started in on the actual weaving potion of this panel.  I spent a good portion of last week and the weekend getting about 10 inches done.

The weaving technique I am using is called Double Weave Pick Up.  I am weaving two fabrics at the same time (see close-up of of the two fabrics open on the loom).  I started with weaving them individually and when I had a good start, I started in on the pattern.  The "Pick Up" part of this technique is that every time you weave, you must pick up the pattern with sticks.

Double fabric, open to show black-based fabric and brown-based fabric before starting in on the pattern.

Double fabric, closed

9 inches of the pattern woven. 

Note the pick-up sticks at the top of the photo holding up one warp.

This activity is made possible in part by a grant from the Arts Council of Greater Lansing.