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Author Archives: debbie
One ounce wonders
This week was my personal deadline for mailing Day of the Dead exchanges.I made mini banners and shrines for participants.Over the years I have researched Halloween ,Samrath and Dia de los muertos traditions.I highly recommend the Smithsonian website for information on this topic.I created these shrines and mailed a few yesterday.
Brittanium
The previous post describes my little trip to Port Townsend.One of my favorite little haunts is Wynwoods Gallery and Bead studio.I found this little space needle charm hand cast from the original space needle charm bracelet by Lois Venarchick in Britannium.
Britannia metal (also called britannium or Britannia ware) is a pewter-type alloy favored for its silvery appearance and smooth surface. The composition is approximately and typically 92% tin, 6% antimony, and 2% copper.I had never heard of it before.I love learning new materials so we chatted about how she come to own a shop in Port Townsend and I should be so far from the Britannia.
The space needle charm makes a great addition to my long keyworking necklace.I’m currently deeply involved in research for docent duty tomorrow.The current exhibits include 49 artist representing Metalmorphosis the current biennial at Bellevue Arts Museum.
Four Ferry Day
Loving the bricks
Saturday was very special.I got to ride 4 short ferry hops and visit Port Townsend a Victorian little town that can be accessed on foot from the Couperville ferry.Just down the road from our regular short eared owl / marsh harrier spot.We had the company of a Bald Eagle sat in the marsh waiting out the squalls of our first fall winds on our return.
Port Townsend has a fantastic vibe even has it’s own Steampunk scene.There was a kinetic sculpture hat festival going on in the morning and some amazing sculptures passed us on our way into town.I love the combination of stores and vintage galleries where I can collect new bits and bobs.My best buy was 2 for a dollar vintage match boxes for my Day of the Dead pieces.
We found an honesty child’s wagon full of Victorian bottles on the street.In the early days people buried their rubbish in pits and some very enterprising local now digs them up and sells them for two dollars a go.I choose 2 iridescent and one advertising Bartell our local pharmacy.As a child we collected clay pipes from Pitsea an area that gets it’s name I always think as being down river from London on the Thames estuary.We rarely found similar glass bottles but rarely whole bottles.They are currently in the process of being cleaned and I’ll share when the process is complete.
Still here ( Metalmorphosis introduced)
Have been very busy in the the last week.Returning to docent family and starting to learn the new Metalmorphosis show which I will be touring until Feb 4th 2017.We had an lecture from Nick Statius. Nick makes metal tapestries on her houseboat anchored on an island off Portland,Oregon.Her technique is awesome using a vintage knitting machine to create copperwire cloth which is then adorned with different types/colors of gold.Her connection with nature is amazing and her love of gold made me reflect back to our visit to Mary Lee Hu’s home. ( Mary Lee also has a piece in the show)
Wednesday saw my student return to the studio.She has been travelling in Europe and had brought a new artist to share with me and a venue Jupiter artland.
My student also brought back her textile journal which I look forward to filling over the fall days.We bound it using a new technique to her.This took some patience from both of us but we were pleased with the end result.When the computer and phone will talk to each other I’ll post some images !
Patchwork
So during a F1 slow race I ideally made this piece to add to my patch series.The poppy was sourced earlier in the year it commemorates the Battle of the Somme.I grabbed it as we arrived and used the colonels wife hoop to work the embroidery.
I still need to catch up from my Pilchuck experience.We also had an out of town guest who always leaves our household in a spin.
English garden
Pilchuck Glass School
I’m just back from Pilchuck Glass School having taken a 4 day residency with Hannah Smith exploring.The class was small and very diverse.Probably my favorite time was Saturday night when we were all rocking out in the print shop.Peeps were on the computers making masks to sand-blast and printing our plates-team work all around.We had a print exchange and created prints to swap.I’m looking forward to finding a place for around our home.
I managed to squeeze a limited print run with a blended brayer . I also picked the most amazing t-shirt from the store left over from session 2 of this summers class
:o)
Just playing
Silk and Paint
Sounds strange but summer is short in the Mountains.It’s hit the hot days. We’re past August the 15th so some a thinking of returning to school.My walk this morning was beautiful.We have a day of transients. TYM is pulling his late in his new job.Hubby is two days out from a huge release.I have a Ground Girl Friend visiting on a standard Tuesday but I hope to cope.
Best of all I can crunch through the Alder leaves that I have fallen from the trees as I get to the house.
Calder and Moore
Somewhere in my brain I’ve been thinking about extending the UP series .To be a group of wired Mer-people.So here are a couple of starters.I’m kind of sketching in 3D with these figures.Learning as I go along about armature ,weight and portions.
