Look what I got in the mail today - another fabulous postacrd from the swap
Wednesday, March 30, 2005
Phillipa's postcard back
This is the back of that wonderful card. This was sent without an envelope. Somethinga that I wasn't game to do, but mine were all fabric.
Sunday, March 27, 2005
I've got some catching up to do...
I've been away for a couple of days this week. B and I took our Easter weekend early (Wed/Thurs/Fri) because he's working Sat, Sun Mon. We took ourselves off to Geelong, stayed in a nice hotel for 2 nights, went horse-riding (and still feeling it), went to the movies, and wandered about.
I also took one of my pieces of work into a Gallery down on the Great Ocean Road to see if they'd take it... They did!!! I dropped in at Christmas time and was told that there is a 2 year wait, but to bring it in an show them and they see about it. It seems that the owner has a soft spot for Textiles and waived the waiting list, promising to hang it after Easter (pitty she couldn't do it straight away cause it quietens down after Easter but anyway...). She was a bit dubious about the price, saying that anything over $1000 doesn't seem to sell, but has agreed to hang it and we'll see how it goes. As I see it, my work is nothing like anything that she has there so it has that going for it. I'm going to work on some smaller pieces in the same vein (the one I took is the one at the top of the page - the green trees) and see if she'll take them.
I've also been working on some more scarves (I'll post pics when they're done Claire so you can choose yours). Yesterday I did 20 rust dyed ones, and tomorrow I'll finish the batik ones with procion dyes (another dozen). There are also some orders that I need to work on but they'll have to wait cause I've got no blanks left. Mum's been selling them up in Queensland, and I'll take a batch back into work when they're done and do up a bit of a display.
I also took one of my pieces of work into a Gallery down on the Great Ocean Road to see if they'd take it... They did!!! I dropped in at Christmas time and was told that there is a 2 year wait, but to bring it in an show them and they see about it. It seems that the owner has a soft spot for Textiles and waived the waiting list, promising to hang it after Easter (pitty she couldn't do it straight away cause it quietens down after Easter but anyway...). She was a bit dubious about the price, saying that anything over $1000 doesn't seem to sell, but has agreed to hang it and we'll see how it goes. As I see it, my work is nothing like anything that she has there so it has that going for it. I'm going to work on some smaller pieces in the same vein (the one I took is the one at the top of the page - the green trees) and see if she'll take them.
I've also been working on some more scarves (I'll post pics when they're done Claire so you can choose yours). Yesterday I did 20 rust dyed ones, and tomorrow I'll finish the batik ones with procion dyes (another dozen). There are also some orders that I need to work on but they'll have to wait cause I've got no blanks left. Mum's been selling them up in Queensland, and I'll take a batch back into work when they're done and do up a bit of a display.
Monday, March 21, 2005
Weekend Report
This is a long post as my puter has been sick. It's had viruses, spyware, adware, and any other disease that a computer can get. SOoooo after an expensive purchase of a viruse suite (which they tell me kills ALL of the above), I now have things back on track... well almost...
As planned, I moseyed on over to the Stitches and Craft Show after dropping B off at work in at 9am. I couldn't believe it. I knew that I'd be early, and figured I find a coffee, review the schedule of workshops and make my way over at 10am when it opened. As it happened, the ticket booths were open when I got there (around 9.30am) and they were allowing people in the gate, but not into the building. So in I went to get my coffee and sit down and wait, only to find nearly 100 people lined up at the first door. Why do people insist on lining up? Their tickets had already been taken, so when the doors opened, it was just a matter of moving in - no need for lines!!
Anyway, lines and peoples pigheadedness to be in the door first aside, I had a good day. I'd done my homework and decided on which workshops and seminars that I'd go to and off I went.
I did a machine embroidery and embellishment seminar run by Punch with Judy, which was mostly telling us about their new products, which was quite good. Admittedly I didn't get as thrilled about the patchwork stuff as the others, but I did find some things of benefit. As a result of that workshop (as well as already having a desire to try such things prior to the event) I purchased a 'stencil cutter' which is really a soldering iron with the tip bent at right-angles to make it easier to work with. Of course my use is burning and cutting fabric, rather than stencils as Arlee would attest to - check out her flowers where she has used a soldering iron to cut out sheer fabric.
Next I spent a bit of time wandering amongst the exhibits a perusing the glorious "stuff"!!. Whilst I looked at all the lovely fabrics, I avoided purchasing any as I now have the abilty to dye fabrics and tend to prefer this. I've decided that when I need other fabrics, that I will shop for them then, rather than collecting bundles of fat quaters that I'll never use. This theory stands until I see something particulary special, like the japanese fabrics I bought at a recent quilt show - but that's different *grin*
The next seminar wasn't really what I thought it would be. I saw machine embroidery and though FREE mcahine embroidery. It wasn't!! It was programmed machine embroidery but not bad just the same. A lot of the stuff talked about, could be applied to free machining, but there wasn't any real 'techniques' for me to pick up.
Lastly I went to Gloria McKinnon's cloth doll talk. Gloria is from Annes Glory Box and has an array of dolls from country to art and everything in between. She even has a few by Eleanor Peace-Bailey both finished and in progress to show how she does her faces. I think that I've been to this talk before, but i like looking at the dolls, and you never know what you might pick-up. This time I discovered that the prismacolour pencils that I use to do faces with, should be set with an iron. Well not exactly set but they become brighter and the colours merge when heated with an iron.
So all-in-all I came away without having spent too much, of which I am very proud, considering that I was there for around 6 hours.
In other news (non-textile-news) I spent Saturday night at my brothers place. It was a fairly quiet night as B and I had to work in the morning, and to top it off we has an extra 45 minute drive from L & S's place to get there.
As planned, I moseyed on over to the Stitches and Craft Show after dropping B off at work in at 9am. I couldn't believe it. I knew that I'd be early, and figured I find a coffee, review the schedule of workshops and make my way over at 10am when it opened. As it happened, the ticket booths were open when I got there (around 9.30am) and they were allowing people in the gate, but not into the building. So in I went to get my coffee and sit down and wait, only to find nearly 100 people lined up at the first door. Why do people insist on lining up? Their tickets had already been taken, so when the doors opened, it was just a matter of moving in - no need for lines!!
Anyway, lines and peoples pigheadedness to be in the door first aside, I had a good day. I'd done my homework and decided on which workshops and seminars that I'd go to and off I went.
I did a machine embroidery and embellishment seminar run by Punch with Judy, which was mostly telling us about their new products, which was quite good. Admittedly I didn't get as thrilled about the patchwork stuff as the others, but I did find some things of benefit. As a result of that workshop (as well as already having a desire to try such things prior to the event) I purchased a 'stencil cutter' which is really a soldering iron with the tip bent at right-angles to make it easier to work with. Of course my use is burning and cutting fabric, rather than stencils as Arlee would attest to - check out her flowers where she has used a soldering iron to cut out sheer fabric.
Next I spent a bit of time wandering amongst the exhibits a perusing the glorious "stuff"!!. Whilst I looked at all the lovely fabrics, I avoided purchasing any as I now have the abilty to dye fabrics and tend to prefer this. I've decided that when I need other fabrics, that I will shop for them then, rather than collecting bundles of fat quaters that I'll never use. This theory stands until I see something particulary special, like the japanese fabrics I bought at a recent quilt show - but that's different *grin*
The next seminar wasn't really what I thought it would be. I saw machine embroidery and though FREE mcahine embroidery. It wasn't!! It was programmed machine embroidery but not bad just the same. A lot of the stuff talked about, could be applied to free machining, but there wasn't any real 'techniques' for me to pick up.
Lastly I went to Gloria McKinnon's cloth doll talk. Gloria is from Annes Glory Box and has an array of dolls from country to art and everything in between. She even has a few by Eleanor Peace-Bailey both finished and in progress to show how she does her faces. I think that I've been to this talk before, but i like looking at the dolls, and you never know what you might pick-up. This time I discovered that the prismacolour pencils that I use to do faces with, should be set with an iron. Well not exactly set but they become brighter and the colours merge when heated with an iron.
So all-in-all I came away without having spent too much, of which I am very proud, considering that I was there for around 6 hours.
In other news (non-textile-news) I spent Saturday night at my brothers place. It was a fairly quiet night as B and I had to work in the morning, and to top it off we has an extra 45 minute drive from L & S's place to get there.
Friday, March 18, 2005
Journalling
As part of the Healing Doll project we need to keep a journal to track the journey. I have never really kept/done a journal. I did a bit of a visual diary at school but wasn't very good at maintaining it, but I'm really gonna give this a go.
I also thought I'd use this as an opportunity to make my own journal. The only fear I have is that I I'll be too precious about it and won't be able to draw and write in it. I'll just have to bite the bullet and do it. I've got instructions on book-making/book-binding in a recent purchase, and discovered a bundle of watercolour paper that would be perfect, as I was cleaning the studio (no pics yet cause whilst the outside is clean, there is a growing pile in the middle of the floor of 'stuff I need to sort out and find a place for').
I also thought I'd use this as an opportunity to make my own journal. The only fear I have is that I I'll be too precious about it and won't be able to draw and write in it. I'll just have to bite the bullet and do it. I've got instructions on book-making/book-binding in a recent purchase, and discovered a bundle of watercolour paper that would be perfect, as I was cleaning the studio (no pics yet cause whilst the outside is clean, there is a growing pile in the middle of the floor of 'stuff I need to sort out and find a place for').
Thursday, March 17, 2005
More Batik...
I got in a did a bit of work on my next batch of scarves. I have a dozen that have been dyed once, so I started applying wax to these. I got 4 done - quick applications using brushes and a square stamp that I've made. Hopefully I can get some more waxed tonight so I cen dye them again over the weekend. I think that with this batch I'll only wax about 8 of them, and will have a go at folding and tyeing the rest - an attempt at shibori - for a bit of a change.
Wednesday, March 16, 2005
Healing Doll Project
This project was promoted throught the Wildartdolls yahoo group. It looked interesting so I've joined up. Healing dolls is an idea that I've toyed with trying, but have never known where to start. Hopefully this group/class/project will do just that. We'll make at least 4 healing dolls over a period of about 10 weeks and also a journal to map the process. Looks like it could be quite a journey of discovery, both about myself and artistically, something which I could use at the moment.
alt="Click here to join healingdollproject">
Click to join healingdollproject
alt="Click here to join healingdollproject">Click to join healingdollproject
Tuesday, March 15, 2005
Spring postcard 03-05
This is what I have been working on lately - postcards. I joined a postcard swap recently. It's based on the seasons although because the organiser is in the other hemisphere the seasons are all reversed for me. This is Spring, just as we in Australia are heading into Autumn (or fall as the rest of the world would know it).
I'm quite pleased with these. I did them as a large sheet and then cut them into postcard sized pieces. That way I got parts of the flowers, not just whole ones. It also means that I got a few extras, one for me and a couple to give away or sell or something.
I'm quite pleased with these. I did them as a large sheet and then cut them into postcard sized pieces. That way I got parts of the flowers, not just whole ones. It also means that I got a few extras, one for me and a couple to give away or sell or something.
Spring postcard 03-05
This is what I have been working on lately - postcards. I joined a postcard swap recently. It's based on the seasons although because the organiser is in the other hemisphere the seasons are all reversed for me. This is Spring, just as we in Australia are heading into Autumn (or fall as the rest of the world would know it).
I'm quite pleased with these. I did them as a large sheet and then cut them into postcard sized pieces. That way I got parts of the flowers, not just whole ones. It also means that I got a few extras, one for me and a couple to give away or sell or something.
I'm quite pleased with these. I did them as a large sheet and then cut them into postcard sized pieces. That way I got parts of the flowers, not just whole ones. It also means that I got a few extras, one for me and a couple to give away or sell or something.
Arlees Orchids
This is the piece that I did for Arlee for our Flickr challenge. Next time I will make sure that I have a greater contrast between the flowers and the background so that they don't get 'lost' as they do here. I was kinda working blind as I had the fabric sandwiched between soluble vylene to give it strength during sewing, and to allow me to draw my design on without putting it on the fabric. I am still pleased with my efforts though.
Wednesday, March 09, 2005
Maureens cat
This is the cat that I sent to Maureen - I can show it now 'cause she's received it.
It's rust dyed silk with hand-dyed embroidery cotton.
It's rust dyed silk with hand-dyed embroidery cotton.
Arlee's landscape for me
Look what the postie brought for me today!!!
This is the landscape that Arlee created for me as part of the Flickr comtemptextarts challenge that we set ourselves.
I'm gonna have to frame them both and put them on display. Thanks Girls!!!!
This is the landscape that Arlee created for me as part of the Flickr comtemptextarts challenge that we set ourselves.
I'm gonna have to frame them both and put them on display. Thanks Girls!!!!
Saturday, March 05, 2005
It's cold, it's raining, the funds are low, soooo....
I'm gonna stay and play right here in my studio (spare room/computer room - depends on the current use) and play. I still need to do a good sort through, so I may give that a go. I've also been added (I was a bit of a late-comer) to the Postcard exchange, so I might start on that. There's also the mundane tasks of washing and vacuming and a bit of tidying which I may fit in as well (the washing is priority).
I've already read my emails (most of them anyway) and my list of daily blogs, and chatted online with Mum (and Dad) and my brother who's in Peru (they're his pics that I just posted at Flickr so Mum could see them), so it's time I got in and did something.
I've already read my emails (most of them anyway) and my list of daily blogs, and chatted online with Mum (and Dad) and my brother who's in Peru (they're his pics that I just posted at Flickr so Mum could see them), so it's time I got in and did something.
Thursday, March 03, 2005
Sunset, artist exchange
This is the landscape piece that Maureen made for me - isn't it fantastic!!!
I got mail!!
I got home from work last night - frustrated and annoyed, as you do... - to find a little package with my name on it.
My Flickr ContempTextArts challenge piece from Maureen had arrived!! It's a wopnderful landscape (of course, that was my theme) made of hand dyed silk, ric-rac and felt. THANKS MAUREEN!!! I'll post a pic tonight if I get a chance to scan it.
My Flickr ContempTextArts challenge piece from Maureen had arrived!! It's a wopnderful landscape (of course, that was my theme) made of hand dyed silk, ric-rac and felt. THANKS MAUREEN!!! I'll post a pic tonight if I get a chance to scan it.
Wednesday, March 02, 2005
Arlee was talking about pricing artwork and directed us to this site "The painters keys". There is a very interesting article about pricing your work, and this little gem:
Ten Commandments of art pricing:
Thou shalt start out cheap.
Thou shalt publish thy prices.
Thou shalt raise thy prices regularly and a little.
Thou shalt not lower thy prices.
Thou shalt not have one price for Sam and another for Joe.
Thou shalt not price by talent or time taken, but by size.
Thou shalt not easily discount thy prices.
Thou shalt lay control on thy agents and dealers.
Thou shalt deal with those who will honour thee.
Thou shalt end up expensive.
(from Robert Genn - The Painters Keys)
I though it was an interesting way to look at pricing - Thanks Robert.
Ten Commandments of art pricing:
Thou shalt start out cheap.
Thou shalt publish thy prices.
Thou shalt raise thy prices regularly and a little.
Thou shalt not lower thy prices.
Thou shalt not have one price for Sam and another for Joe.
Thou shalt not price by talent or time taken, but by size.
Thou shalt not easily discount thy prices.
Thou shalt lay control on thy agents and dealers.
Thou shalt deal with those who will honour thee.
Thou shalt end up expensive.
(from Robert Genn - The Painters Keys)
I though it was an interesting way to look at pricing - Thanks Robert.
Mission Accomplished!!
My challenge pieces are all finished and in the mail. I am quite happy with them, although there are some things that I would do differently if I were to do them again.
I will post pics but only when the recipients have them in their hot little hands. The post office says that it will take 7-10 working days to get to their OS destinations, so it'll be a little while till they are revealed.
I have enjoyed having a task to work towards. It's very easy to 'leave it till tomorrow' when you don't have deadlines, and then I don't seem to get anywhere. B doesn't really understand. He can't see the point in doing something and then giving it away. My reply is firstly that I get something back in return, and secondly, I love to give my work to people who appreciate it - I get a bigger thrill out of that than doing it and then leaving it set on a shelf/wall for only me and him and the odd visitor to see. I can always keep pictures.
So what now?... I'm not sure at the moment. I have promised a new batch of scarves to the Hostel where I work and they are partially done so I need to get into that. I'm also looking at entering work into som e exhibitions/competitions. There are a couple that I've found out about recently and think that if I do that I can get my name and work out there for people to see, so I'll start looking at that this month too.
I will post pics but only when the recipients have them in their hot little hands. The post office says that it will take 7-10 working days to get to their OS destinations, so it'll be a little while till they are revealed.
I have enjoyed having a task to work towards. It's very easy to 'leave it till tomorrow' when you don't have deadlines, and then I don't seem to get anywhere. B doesn't really understand. He can't see the point in doing something and then giving it away. My reply is firstly that I get something back in return, and secondly, I love to give my work to people who appreciate it - I get a bigger thrill out of that than doing it and then leaving it set on a shelf/wall for only me and him and the odd visitor to see. I can always keep pictures.
So what now?... I'm not sure at the moment. I have promised a new batch of scarves to the Hostel where I work and they are partially done so I need to get into that. I'm also looking at entering work into som e exhibitions/competitions. There are a couple that I've found out about recently and think that if I do that I can get my name and work out there for people to see, so I'll start looking at that this month too.
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