A Scrumble a Day

...is the title of the blog by Prudence Mapstone, the queen of freeform. I first encountered her techniques in my monthly knitting study group. A fellow knitter brought a book showing the bullion technique and I became "hooked" on those for awhile, but sadly, put it away with all the other "UFO's" (unfinished objects). I also tried some freeform knitting and again, it ended up in the UFO pile. If you want to see what scrumble she has going each week, check out her blog.

Gorgeous Fiber Jewelry

Just discovered this Russian fiber artist on Etsy whose work blew me away and I had to share. Her shop is TianaCHE and her name is Tiana Agapcheva. I just love what she does with knitting, crochet and beading. Enjoy !

Bobbin Lace Finds

Lately, the thought of learning bobbin lace techniques has been surfacing. Not sure I'll actually be able to follow through on those thoughts. They probably have occurred since I missed out on a bobbin lace workshop held in March that conflicted with a beadweaving class I was scheduled to give (secretly wishing that no students would sign up !). Anyway, here is a little treat for the eyes from a talented Etsian: Pure Harebell Bobbin Lace Necklace from FiredragonLace.

Summer Art Market

Fellow Artists' Undertaking Gallery member, Alice Webb and I are scheduled to participate in the Ballston Art Market this summer. It is held every second Saturday of the month starting in May. Our first market will be in June. At the market, Alice will be showing her whimsical handcrafted fiber sculptures and I will have my handbags and wearables made from recycled vintage clothing and textiles on display.

Artistic Artifacts

I want to congratulate a fellow Potomac Craftsmen Gallery member on the fulfilling of long-held dream. Judy Gula is a fiber artist whose wonderful handmade fiber bead jewelry and art quilts I have been admiring for the past four years.

For the past several years she has had a traveling and online business of selling her hand-dyed vintage linen and found object packets to quilters and collage artists. Her website, Artistic Artifacts lists all kinds of interesting fabric, game pieces, collage packs, books and supplies and now, artists can shop for all her goodies in a retail setting at the Artistic Artifacts Annex in Alexandria, Virginia.

I was able to stop by yesterday to see her new space and products for sale. Although I'm not a quilter or collage artist, I was getting seriously tempted by the myriad beautiful hand-dyed fabric packs, beads, sequins, vintage linens and embroidery packs, buttons, antique game pieces and vintage paper goods for sale. I can't imagine a more thorough stock of materials for the mixed media artist or quilter at any traditional art and craft store.

The store does not maintain daily business hours for now, but is open during workshops and classes which are posted on the website. Judy has already scheduled some fascinating workshops for fiber artists and I may schedule a few beading classes there myself.

FFF finally !

My cherished idea of posting my favorite new fiber-related Etsy shop every Friday is hanging on buy a "thread" so to speak. Here is the a wonderful shop I just found this week: Knitting Dream. She sells knitting patterns for modular knit totes, purses and hats which convert to wall-hangings. I love these shapes and of course, the colors. I'm going to order a pattern pretty soon I'm sure.

Favorite Fiber Art non-profit saved by pledge drive

The Springwater Fiber Workshop, a mainstay of the Washington, DC region's fiber communtity, almost went under last month and 22 years of operation. After a frenzied pledge drive brought in over $100,00 in pledges, the non-profit will be able to stay open. Read more about it
here.

Fiber Artists Collective Exhibit in DC

The Fiber Artists Collective will hold an all-member exhibit September 18th to November 16, 2007 at the American Association for the Advancement of Science located at 1200 New York Avenue, Washington, DC 20005. The exhibit is open M-F from 9:30 am to 5:00 pm

The Fiber Artists Collective (FAC), established in 1996, is an organization of professional fiber artists creating fiber art for residential, corporate and public settings. The Fiber Artists Collective's mission is to enable professional fiber artists to work cooperatively to present and market their work, educate the public and inspire its appreciation and awareness of works of contemporary fiber art.