Open a can....

Is it age? Am I getting grumpy or just tired of seeing people behaving badly towards others?

Yesterday a woman backed out of a parking spot like a honey badger...didn't give a sh**. She completely ignored the honking little smart car (more of a beep, I suppose), first polite-like, "beep :o), hellooo, I am here!" Then with increasing urgency, length and frequency, "BEEP, Beeeep, You-a gonna hit ma' CAR, laydeeee!", drawing attention from all in the lot.

She was about to drive off when I stepped into her path, well, with my cart leading. I am not totally crazy. I "asked" if she was completely unaware, or just rude. She waved her hands around, I think more upset that I was delaying her than anything. What is wrong with people?!

The very best part: Two little old ladies hooted, "Good for you!" as a walked past. I would like to say this was followed by fist/chest bumps and high-fives (wouldn't that have been cool?!).  I went on to pick peppers feeling like a super hero.

This story has very little to do with the remainder of my day, other than giving some thought to giving myself permission to be true to my feelings in the moment and not always question myself; More action, less I-shoulda, less concern about how I will be perceived. Hopefully achieved without getting shot. I guess that could be art related, no?

On that note...

I am working on some new work that is actually getting more complicated rather that simplified. experimentation and samples seem to take forever and I don't seem to enjoy the process as much as I an excited to see the end result...now. I am also probably working too large so that "if" I am happy with the result it can be shown. This also means more time consuming, and the use of more of my new, more costly materials. Such a wonderful quandary. Okay, enough eating comfort food, websurfing and cat cuddling. Time to get in the studio. Those samples won't felt themselves. I'll keep you posted...


Visit my site www.andrea-graham.com

Turkey Day in Canada

Turkey Day

Momentary distraction

Tree killer

What did I do this week? Well, it began with thinking about work for my show in 2014 at the Mississippi Valley Textile Museum (a "joint" show with one other artist), which then led me to think about exhibition grants, which took me to the Ontario Arts Council website seeking deadline dates.

This led me to look at creation and development grants, which led me to 3 days of printing (and reprinting) my application...agonizing and re-thinking. Made some calls. Feelings of inadequacy and trepidation, committing to projects that hinge on money I am not sure if I will receive...and finally, an almost complete application (waiting for hubby to put images on the CD). It is amazing how something I had not given much thought a couple of days ago is now of paramount importance.

I had a mid-night sketch book frenzy the other night with thoughts and ideas spilling out...new materials, new forms, new installation ideas...I am on that creative climb that causes a continued feeling of anticipation and a ball in my stomach until I can assemble everything and begin to execute the ideas...it is also possible (okay, definitely) I have been consuming too much coffee.

last night hubby and middle one brought home a sweet little stray kitten that was so starved for attention she was practically mauling us. She spend a cozy night here and was taken to a local shelter today where she will, hopefully, find a family that will give her lots of love. Would have loved to keep her, but Pattycake is the "big boss" and enough of an distraction and responsibility along with my beastly dog (who is aging and slowly getting less beastly).

This is Thanksgiving weekend for us Canucks and we are lucky to be guests rather than hosts, for a change. I hope you enjoy this weekend...give thanks. Gobble, Gobble.


Visit my site www.andrea-graham.com

My Day...

I was so happy to have such a beautiful Autumn Sunday. Sweater and wooly socks with scraggly hair pulled back. Nothing but natural light spilling in and a chilly breeze through the open windows. Hot coffee...I spent the a.m. getting all my hang tags on my work headed to Toronto in the next couple of days. I was taken by the months and months of work that will fit in a couple of boxes. The inventory sheet includes thousands of dollars worth of art/art to wear and I hope they will all be well received and....that I get none of it back (not likely, but I can dream!) Commission sales can be such a drag...you must produce so much work hoping the pieces will strike a chord with the right person at the right time.

The afternoon bought me wondering the aisles of the grocery store with every crazy person with a day job that leaves buying food for the week until Sunday afternoon.

...See how happy I am?

Everything is put away and planned meals for the first time in over a year for the week. Now I really want to nap rather than even consider cooking any of the purchased food...or make a hat. Coffee and a hat...sounds like a plan. :o)

 and Visit my site www.andrea-graham.com

Hats!

I have been in the studio getting thing ready to take to the guild shop in Toronto. I have lots of beautiful scarves, bracelets, ornaments, bags...and a few hats. I was inspired by the hats of Norwegian artist, Hillevi Huse, and am making a few for fun.

My eldest asked if I was planning to market them to retired circus performers. What is he implying, I wonder? Are they a little wild? Too colourful? Too may protrusions and springy things that sprout out or collapse? I think I am okay as he did say "retired" performers suggesting they are more sedate than those which would attract currently active circus performers. That is what I am going with, anyway. I will take images, of course, once they are all ready to go! (scroll down!)I know some daring folk in Toronto will appreciate them!

Ahh, it is the hour I need to consider dinner and the 2 hats I was working on today are complete. The purple one is my attempt at creating a more sedate head piece. successful? Yes. A bore? Yes. The next one will, perhaps be a hybrid...either a funky design in a sedate colour...or a sedate design in a funky colour. Time will tell.

bracelets ready for Toronto...sterling magnetic closures :o)

Ultimate comfort food.

THE hats...what fun to make.

love this cutie. 

More to come...I will keep you posted :o)
Visit my site www.andrea-graham.com

I'm Baaaack!

Beads ready to go. Findings? Where are you?

From little prop plane to...

...even smaller prop plane!

some of the pods made by my students (and me)

Tracey's fabulous hat made in Hillevi's class

My new felty friend, Tami.

Hello devoted blog followers. Are you still with me? It was been a lazy summer with my family and making lots of felt for Fall "stuff". I was also looking ahead to my trip to the Creative Felt Gathering in Michigan. What a great event! It was organized by the lovely and entertaining Jone (pronounced either Johnnie, or Yo-Na). She clearly holds this event for the joy of surrounding herself with creative, talented feltmakers. So generous, warm and easy going, she's a kind soul. It was a week that felt more like a vacation than work. The evening downtime allowed me to feel like I could re-energize rather than feeling like I was missing something. A few things were planned, but just enough.

I was happy to see many familiar faces from past teaching and other events and to meet some new people that I had only known from Facebook. The Lithuanian camp it was held at is a beautiful retreat with wildlife, a glistening pond and uncomfortable beds, as required by all camps. Just enough comfort and just enough rustic. Can you tell I loved it?

In any case, I am now home and settling into the routine of back to school finally. Ready to blog daily again. felt. create. I'm so excited, really.Of course more pods will abound. Perhaps some new forms...3D, for sure. Looking ahead to the next couple of years (hard to imagine) with teaching dates booking, show commitments...getting my ducks in a row. The week will be spent unpacking studio things, having a look at what I have to take to Toronto for the Guild Shop and finishing any odds and ends up to take. I have some beads made for bracelets and am awaiting the findings, am thinking about a few hats after inspiration this week from Norwegian, Hillive Huse, but we shall see. I will keep you posted...you know I will!



 Visit my site www.andrea-graham.com

Web Cam class info!

As some of you may know, I have been doing some teaching by webcam. I had been thinking about it long before I actually began last fall and I wonder now why I did not do it sooner!

I thought, "Oh, I am not tech-savvy", "It will be weird", "How can I translate feltmaking without me having hands on". Well, it is way easier and better than I anticipated and have had over 30 students now with fabulous results (and several repeat offenders)

In any case, rather than having you all overcome trepidation in asking details, I thought I should share them HERE. All you need is a webcam, which is pretty standard on laptops (see the tiny little lens above your screen?) and inexpensive to buy for desktops (mine was $30). I use both to demo, but you only need 1.

1. Email me regarding desired dates and what subject matter you would like to cover. I am really flexible and work days weekends and evenings. Accommodating time zones has not been a problem as we split the hours for one "day" over 2 days. I have had no connection issues from anywhere in the world.

2. I will then send you a link to connect your webcam (so easy), a materials list to have ready, and a paypal invoice to be paid the week prior to our dates. One 6 hour "day" of instruction is $250. I find with the webcam, it is best to split this time over 2 days, for example 10-1 on Saturday and 10-1 on Sunday. This allows time for any homework between, a rest and time to think.

3.  If you like, we can connect briefly the day before to check in, or we just connect the day of instruction.

Pods and 3d techniques have been popular, but we can cover hats, vessels, bags, jewelry...I have lots of experience with a wide range of subjects. I can also be available for consultation at $50 an hour if you have specific questions regarding issues you are having or need some guidance.

Hope to hear from you...!



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 www.andrea-graham.com

Where to begin?

My lovely "Blooming Sharon"

A new collection of pods

detail

One of the NEW scarves

I have been a naughty blogger and been neglecting you all. It does not take long to fall out of a habit. The summer has been spent abandoning some habits and creating new ones (both good and bad!). While I have not created to many new exciting things, I have been making lots of scarves and bags. Sometimes this can feel like a chore, especially when I am asked to make them, so doing so on my own timeline has really allowed me to enjoy the design and process.

 I did take a little trip and am getting ready now for the boys to get back into the school routine. I have 2 show entry deadlines in the next 48 hours, which means I have 46 hours to further procrastinate. I do not consider myself a perfectionist, but I am painfully aware of the strategy to delay as long as possible so if it is not "perfect" one has an excuse...but I continue to do this!

I do, however, promise that I AM back to blogging :o), so stay tuned and I will keep you updated and show you stuff. Off to have ice cream and sprinkles...a summer habit that I consider good and bad!



Visit my site www.andrea-graham.com