Art

by 3 comments on "The Purist"

We have a publishing date for THE PURIST: August 6, 2018! I’ve seen the first draft of the cover art from NineStar Press and Natasha Snow, and it’s *freaking gorgeous*. Added 7-9-2018: I have seen the final version of the cover. OMG. <Author falls over in twitching heap, burbling happily> It’s so good, folks. I…

Read More The Purist
by

Five careers ago, back in 2003, I sketched out an idea for a gonzo beaded and embroidered piece of wall art: The Borealis Tapestry. ‘Borealis’ is slated to be approximately 36″ high and 25″ wide.  It’s a fantasy-themed fiber art wall piece consisting of applique fabric panels, heavily beaded and embroidered. The general theme is…

Read More The Borealis Tapestry
by

I’ve rebuilt one of the Dia de las Muertos bone rings at last! This one now has a ‘feather’ theme. First, a digression about finding cheap craft supplies: Objects faced with bone, horn, and shell tiles have been part of the ‘neutral’ decorating trend for the past 15 years or so here in the USA.…

Read More Bone Feather Votive Ring
by

I still have #1, and just dug it out of storage a few days ago. Both of these are done on 8×6″ MDF boards, with unbeaded lips for sliding under a wood frame. These were fun but bittersweet pieces to do. In the spring of 2008, I’d been playing with my micro-mosaic technique for two…

Read More Storm Study 1 & 2 Mosaics
by

I don’t go to costume parties and I barely go to science fiction conventions anymore, so I have no logical reason to make hall costume pieces. Call it a challenge? The ‘Hamilton’ musical brought back tailcoats to public view, though steampunk and vampire costumers have always loved them. I’m also a big fan of the…

Read More Sage & Copper Tailcoat
by

Amid my busy scary schedule this week, I’m contemplating the kinds of jewelry pieces I’d need to make to effectively ‘go wholesale’. It’s a tricky calculation. Too elaborate (my normal setting) and I could never afford the time or materials to set up even a hundred-piece order with a boutique. Too simple, and I run…

Read More New jewelry ideas, new markets
by

I love book art. I love jewelry. More and more, I’m finding ways to combine them. I also really love the wrap jewelry from designer Chan Luu, and recently learned how to do my own wrap beaded designs. Cue a shipment of mini books back from a gallery, and a match that would be eerily…

Read More Tour Necklace/Bracelet
by

The book is done! I haven’t even had time to list it on the 2017 Book Art page, but it’s up on SaatchiArt now: https://www.saatchiart.com/art/Sculpture-Two-Jade-Buttons/799858/4038430/view Update: August 8, 2018: this book and a few others will be for sale on the 23 Sandy Gallery website soon. Here’s a teaser. Yes, those are detachable cufflinks in Burmese…

Read More Two Jade Buttons
by

Not quite the first completed project of 2018, but the first one ready to show off:   Spring Garland Earrings! 2″ long asymmetrical tendrils of beaded vines make up these lightweight, dramatic earrings. Findings: .925 sterling silver leverback ear wires from Plazko.com. Beads from Creative Destination, Drumbeat Indian Arts, Fire Mountain Gems, Bead World, Bead…

Read More Spring Garland Earrings
by

For 43 years, Ornament Magazine has been documenting personal adornment through the world’s highest levels of wearable fine craft and art media. The magazine itself has a physical beauty that has never been compromised: thick paper, glossy finish, stunning photography, and deeply-researched articles. I first encountered Ornament in January 1979 in the skimpy magazine section…

Read More Ornament Magazine
by

Artisans make bread-n-butter pieces: smaller, simpler objects that feed the bank account. But they also need room for the big or complicated gonzo works that feed their joy and skill. I don’t have pierced ears, I don’t intend to ever have pierced ears, and clip-on earrings tend to hurt me after about an hour. So…

Read More Earrings and other conundrums
by

These are coming along nicely. The teeny rocketships are all embroidered, and now both sides of the text blocks are sewn together.  I debated hand-sewn seams to anchor the folds, but my hands and schedule said ‘nope’. So my trusty old Elna sewing machine did the work, in about a quarter of the time…

Read More ‘Rocketship’ Fiber Art Books
by

For a couple of years recently, I worked at a strenuous but fun job painting faux finishes on fiberglass architectural forms. A mostly outside job winter or summer, it involved schlepping big cast brickwork arches onto sawhorses, fixing the (numerous) flaws from the manufacturer, and painting a three tone finish to mimic a particular type…

Read More Myself from Space
by 2 comments on "Tempe Festival of the Arts Awards, Fall 2017"

The latest award ribbons are done and delivered! As I mentioned here, they are based on the collage/printmaking work of Erin Curry. Here’s the Festival poster image, a commissioned piece. And here are the award ribbons I made in fiber applique, machine stitching, and hand-sewn beaded embroidery. Materials include polyester felt, commercial printed cotton, digital…

Read More Tempe Festival of the Arts Awards, Fall 2017
by

Because they make me smile: Sugar Skull ceramic planters from a nearby Trader Joe’s. I’m wondering if I could coax a Datura seedling into growing in one, instead of the succulent shown. Probably shouldn’t, though. Responsibility in gardening, and all that. But honestly: wouldn’t it be gorgeous?

Read More Happy Halloween, 2017!