Taking what I've learned and Experimenting with new TOOLS

The window of the Frayed Knot in historic downtown Savannah displaying the work of Picassso's Moon fiber artist Deb Lambert

 I met Debra Lambert over the internet on Facebook... where I've met many of my fiber friends.  I went to meet her in person last Spring when I attended the SWAY (SouthWest [FL} Art Yarn conference in Sarasota, FL where she has her Fiber Shop.  I was so excited to learn that she was coming to Savannah after I told Jen Schofield, the owner of my favorite LYS (local yarn shop) the Frayed Knot about her.  I signed up for Deb's 3 hour weaving with art yarns workshop on Sunday morning, April 3.

Deb (L) and Jen (R) at TFK

Deb had warped up some 10" Cricket looms with novelty yarns with a wide set and we were encouraged to play with all kinds of textures.  I quickly picked neutral colors with pops of pale pink velvet that Deb encouraged us to rip into strips.  She had artyarn and roving and sticks from bamboo mats and all sorts of textures to add into our weaving.  What fun!

Fellow student's weaving in progress

Weaving surrounded by wonderful "STUFF!"

TEXTURE!

My weaving in progress

Detail of my weaving in progress

My finished piece hanging on our wall!

Deb's Wallhanging

I ordered a curvy stick from her longtime beau Joe M who creates wonder tools.  I was blown away when Deb gifted me one of his little I shaped looms and then sent me home with a bag FULL of treasures including several pieces of leather.

If you ever have the opportunity to take a weaving workshop with Deb Lambert... DO!  Her enthusiasm and expertise abound! 

Well... I've been busy!

my Springtime in Savannah series on the loom

I'm enjoying having the creative push to be creative!  Being an active member of a gallery is encouraging me to create more work.  I was especially was encouraged by the fact that I sold two large items.

I was very excited to hear that one of my Moroccan tops in blue and greens had found a new home and THEN to have someone purchase my mostly handspun coat I was over the moon!  I priced the items I have in Gallery 209 quite reasonably.  Because they are very labor intensive to create as each one is unique and like a painting with yarns on the warp... the mostly handspun wools, alpacas and silk coat was $680 and the cotton, linen and silk lightweight summery Moroccan top sold for $275.   This reflects the 25% fee that goes to the gallery as well as the $100 monthly rental fee and membership fees. The people who now own my creations are getting a bargain as they now have something in their wardrobe where each fiber has been touched and loved many times and the piece has been created as a work of art.

one side of my finger fringed Soft Shoulders Top

the other side of my finger fringed Soft Shoulders Top

I just completed a warp that I call "Springtime in Savannah" as it is reds and fushias and different tones of greens from dark to yellow green.  It was funny that I had to force myself to add the greens when I wound the warp... when I looked around at paintings I have created lately they all are in these colors... they really are the colors of my surroundings here in Savannah.

one side of the Moroccan Top on "Springtime in Savannah" warp

the other side of the Moroccan Top on "Springtime in Savannah" warp

 When I work at Gallery 209 on River St in Savannah I often park in the hotel at the end of the Riverwalk.  The other morning it was glorious as I took my Moroccan top to be put on display.  It was in the mid70s and there was a wonderful breeze and I found flowers along the way that reflected my palette.  How lucky am I!!!

Looking back through my photos to add some to this post... I realize I am very far behind in my posts so I will try to catch up bit by bit in other posts:
Workshop with Deb Lambert Picasso Moon
Workshop with Margo Duke on Eco Printing
Guild activities - Sheep to Shawl Spring Celebration
Oatland's Mighty Oak fiber art installation Dedication and our Show and Sale
Writing an article for Shuttle, Spindle and Dyepot Magazine about the process of creating Oatland's Mighty Oak.
SCAD Fiber MFA thesis show for Marv Graff
Losing my dear friend and fellow fiber artist Mary Kelly