It's a wrap.

I am making a few really luxurious wraps for Toronto and I am very pleased with both the surface and the shape. Very wearable, reversible and a few position options. hard to wear them the wrong way, really. I hope to deliver these in the next week or so.

Now, in the studio, I have a sculpture to make for a juried show. I am very excited and itching to begin. I also have confirmed the piece(s) I will be making for the Wayne State University gallery show I will be participating in "Oh, Canada". These will take me a couple of weeks full time and time is tight. More bags are also in the cards and a bit of time in between to play, attend events, and presentations. Time for my tea and cookies and them off to the studio I go! Deadline for a submission on Friday!

Visit my site www.andrea-graham.com

Shipped!

2 pieces to B.C., Canada for my Connections group show, "Pentimento"
2 pieces to Taos, New Mexico for "Seeds 3"

Now...to continue with my work for The Guild Shop, work for a Detroit show, another show- deadline in 10 days, bags for a December show...Oi!

Visit my site www.andrea-graham.com

What's up...

Well...I have been felting everyday for a few weeks and I am sad to say, it has finally reached the point that I must give my hands a couple of days break. I will try plastic bag on hands, but I am such a "hands-on" felter, this will be difficult for me! I have too much to do to not be in the studio.

laying out a new bag (the one that finally did in my hands) in pure Pelsull.
Some fun buttons I bought at the Fibrefest near Ottawa last weekend. Polymer clay...for what, I am not sure!
even threads on my table inspire me.
my last piece for the "Seeds 3" show...okay, these shots will be in weird order (sorry) The above is me fulling. I like to full on a towel. I has "tooth" and I am also so ready, at this point, to get rid of wet plastic.
fulling.
detail midway though felting
the piece has just been wet out and pressed flat. I then cover it with very thin plastic and then wet that so my hands glide over the plastic and I can get a skin on my piece before I am "hands-on"!!
The completed piece. In "real life" the yellow centre is not as prominent, but blends in nicely. I did something interesting you may find cool too. Note how the bottom has a dark band. My entire back layer was dark brown, but around the bottom was natural brown karakul which migrates like crazy and can eat up a surface design. I used this attribute to my advantage knowing it would give shading and texture across the bottom. Amazing stuff. Knowing your materials means freedom!!
ready to wet out!!
dry layout...
"Phillip" at the fibre fest. What a cutie!
a beautiful day in the mill town of Almonte...perfect place to meander and look at fibre things!!
wetting out.
Goodness these loaded in a strange order. I will have to figure that out, or at least how to move them!!
Next on the agenda is doing some layout for more pieces for the Guild Shop in Toronto. Mailing things out to 2 shows. I am also getting set up to teach by webcam...so exciting. This will be set up in the next couple of weeks. Oh, and you know I will keep you posted!!

Visit my site www.andrea-graham.com

Following my own advice....

I have been sketching, considering, mulling over, dreaming about, my second piece for the "Seeds 3" exhibition in Taos, New Mexico. The proposed sculptures are done and I am very happy with their colour and fun shapes, but the 2Dpiece has had me struggling to switch gears. I began layout today and had planned to do a variation of my sketches, but have decided to follow my own advice and "keep it simple". I am opting for colour, clean shapes and design on a larger scale and I am feeling really good about it and enjoying taking my time with the design. Oh, of course there will be some 3D elements. It would not be an "Andrea Graham" without that, now would it? You know I will keep you posted.
Visit my site www.andrea-graham.com

Shrinkage.

This bag is made with one of my favorite wools for making bags...C-1/Pelsull. The locks on the front are from an enormous Icelandic fleece that I am going to make a big fleece rug from (yes, yes, I really am). I have ordered some leather handles from a vendor on Etsy. I think I cleared her out. It is difficult to find high quality leather handles at an affordable price. This one will have some textured chocolate brown handles and a fabulous leather magnetic flap closure. I'll so want to keep it. Parting is such sweet sorrow.
Layout...the locks actually look a lot like my hair.

When I think of "shrinkage" I cannot help thinking of a Seinfeld episode. This, however is of a different variety. Check it. This bag was made with straight C-1 (and some odds and end for embellishment on the surface- wovens, corriedale, flax, yarn. Oh, and fish skin from Iceland stitched on the surface). The straight C-1 gets a bad rap sometimes, as it is slower to wet out and takes a little longer to felt. However, the end result is way worth it: tight, lustrous felt. I just used glycerin soap rather than olive oil, and warmish water. I fulled it tight by rolling and gently dropping (no slamming- maintaining control over my shape!). It's a good thing.
I must give my abraded hands a bit of a rest today. I stitched labels last night and will layout of a couple of cushion covers today as a bit of an experiment, perhaps. I also need to complete another piece for my "Seeds 3" exhibit. Several options. Kids to school, Facebook to peruse, you know I will keep you posted.

Visit my site www.andrea-graham.com

What's up...

Ahh. A clean slate. After the flurry of berets and scarves I am getting ready for Toronto (and bags to come) the studio is all ready to begin again. I am not one to display images of inspiration, or incomplete work. I like to focus on the work at hand without things staring at me.

4 of the 6 berets I have completed...I thought I did not make hats. I have to admit, these were fun. Felted super fast with some fabulous short fibre merino batt from New England Felting Supply.

all 6. I had a plan to make them relatively conservative. so much for that ;o)

Spikes clipped up to dry. Love the colours in this "strata batt" short fibre merino with some silk fabrics and fun stuff. I am looking forward to making some bags next...6, I think and then a couple more scarves or a wrap. I'll keep you posted (FYI, I answered a question from Fiona about my tables that some of you might be interested in the comments of my last post)

Visit my site www.andrea-graham.com

What I did on Summer Vacation...

I feel a bit like a grade school child about to revisit, in essay form, the events that seem long past now that I am back in the drudgery of day to day (although, little drudgery exists here)
I have been back from the fabulous Felter's Fling for several days now and it seems like long ago already. The above piece will be sent out to BC for a show themed "Pentimento", hence the pieces of recycled bag cuttings on a new base...had fun with the stitching...now, the saga of the past events in reverse/random/confusing order.


An absolute vision in Amish country as I escaped the thousands of cars moving slowly through the detour off route 90 in NY state. I ventured with trepidation as there were no cars and it seemed a bit surreal. I was certain with every turn in the valley I would reach a washed out road.
This is the stretch of road where I sat for 6, SIX, VI, hours! My entire drive was to be that long and it took me 14 hours. I topped up with gas and water at every opportunity. I made quite a dent in my book and also did some sketching and lots of thinking, which is a good thing after Fling.
I left Fling on Sat. night to stay with a dear, dear friend (she said she opened the "felter shelter") and we kept an eye on the sky. Sunday rained all day. Oh, then we lost power. So, what else were 2 feltmakers to do?

Felt by candlelight, of course. We opened wine early :o). we sipped and rubbed in between bailing out the sump pump.

Not sure why the random placement of this image, but another "Pentimento" piece in detail (? weird)
Ah, yes. Back to the saga. This is the end of my friends driveway. Lots of action followed the loud electrical buzz, zapp, poof.

The organizers and assistants that make Fling possible. I was assistant last year and was happy just to play this year!
some of the work from Anna Gunnarsdottir's class on display in the dining hall. many left early to beat the storm.
My awesome instructor, Anna. What a delight she was/is. Hoping to see her again.

Ah, more random placement. Self explanatory, no?

Now that I am safe home, I am in production for my shop in Toronto. Knocking out some scarves, hats and bags so I can move on to some show work for New Mexico and Detroit!

50% shrinkage, folks.
layout.
hand-dyed silk from NEFS.
The mornings at Fling begin with the a.m. stretch. I, however, begin the day by drinking coffee and watching the a.m. stretch.
Well, back to the studio. A blue beret awaits fulling. School begins soon, so my work day will be chopped in smaller increments which will involve some discipline with all the work I have ahead. You know I will keep you posted.




Visit my site www.andrea-graham.com