Students: They came. They felted. They went.

What a great whirl-wind day. 4 wonderful women (we missed you Diane!) rifled through my ample stash, selected some fabulous stuff, and felted up a storm. You can never have enough time to design, but after cracking the whip ;o), I got a couple of them over the hump and felting. Wonderful, wonderful bags they made. So impressed with what they achieved. Leather straps are the finishing touch and 2 will be added at home, but everyone was smiling and happy with the full day! Thanks for a wonderful day, women. Until we meet again for vessels!

I am now having a glass of wine (okay, my second) and basking in the success of the day. The wet bubble wrap and mesh will wait until the morning and I will then move on to the reality that the regular routine is descending upon us here at home. Bittersweet.

space all ready to roll

materials outside the door to make space!

3 of my group, hard at work.

working.

layout...yummy.

c'mon, slow poke ;o)

Oooooo :o)

Nice C-1/Pelsull...made a great sturdy bag!! love it. Silk hankies on surface!

All us crazy women. Yes, I am wearing a fascinator (uncommon)

Great bag (hiding dead give-away of a feltmaker- wet middle)

perfection

the other side of perfection

2 wonderful bags...straps to be added :o) Love them all!!

Thanks again...Nice to be back in the swing. G'nite ya'll.

Visit my site www.andrea-graham.com

And today...

 Patty demonstrated dislike for my layout by taking it out with a strategic tail swipe.

 Layout...adding a pocket for fun.

 Resist on, edges folding...

 Silk fabric all in place, ready to rub!

 Patty can't watch anymore.

 Cutting out resists and lots more work to go...

 Inside of flap- zebra, of course.

 Pocket

 Front all finished

 ...and the back.

Front of flap detail. Added a swirly black and white bead...the one that was in the sari silk was plasticy and tacky!

Visit my site www.andrea-graham.com

Keeping you Posted...

As I have may have mentioned, I will have 5 students in my studio for a bag class this weekend. I have no samples here of the collage bag as they are all at galleries or sold. Decided I would make a small one to show them a design option. I think we will use the same shape, bigger and add a shorter strap. That is the plan, in any case. I will make another sample tomorrow, perhaps. The felting on this little bag was one of the easiest steps, the stitching and zipper can be a bit tricky. I have done it enough times, I have my own system down. I purchase the rings (in this case they happen to be "gate rings") and this particular leather strap on Etsy from these folks but there are lots of other sources on Etsy so have a look. So...now to show you some stuff...

Layout done (resist inside), all silk and embellishments added and ready to felt

midway though felting, showing texture.

Terrible picture (dark) but shows the shrinkage- 40% at least, folks!

Adding rings. deciding on placement.

Yup. That's good.

Pinned in Zipper

Unzip and sew from inside.

Zipper in.

Added optional zipper pull. Funky bead and silk ribbon.

Done! It is a little bag, so the sewing was fiddly.

...and the reverse!

 Visit my site www.andrea-graham.com

Gift for the Studio

We have a tradition of drawing names and making handmade gifts for one another for Christmas. with 3 teenaged boys, edible items have been the recent choice...fudge, pie, cookies, peppermint bark. I, on the other hand, received a new hat rack to display my hats in the studio, courtesy of my "little one" with father-technical-assist.

 Little one recognized that my hat blocks with hats on top took up valuable real estate on a shelf and an alternative was in order. I love it and, after lowering a favorite painting (by local artist, Mark Graham- no relation), the rack fit perfectly and with the hats, looks wonderful with the painting!

The painting was commissioned in the memory of my best friend, also named Andrea, who died by her own  hand 11 years ago along with her beautiful son, Karim. We had planned a career in law together and I found solace in feltmaking when she died. My life changed forever in every way. She would be very happy with my chosen path. For the homage to our profound friendship to hang in my studio space is most fitting.

This post had not been intended to be sad or reflective, but I think is a testament to the fact that life does go on, even if in a very different way, in the face of tragedy. Life is full of bittersweet moments and my little studio wall is a fine example of past and present. What lies ahead? Well, I will keep you posted.

Visit my site www.andrea-graham.com

Getting the itch...

The studio has been pretty quiet. I have popped in a few times in the last few days to move things around, check the mouse trap (so far so good), to survey my creative space. I am getting the itch to get back to the wool, but have so many options that I am a bit boggled. I have scads of  ideas and each one will take time to execute. My mind has been jumping from one thing to the next so need to have some peaceful time to immerse myself in each piece...one. at. a. time. I am also in "let's bake cookies!" mode and "Ahhh, wine and a book" (mid day, no less!) with the boys all home and hanging out!

I am looking forward to the next "thing" I felt and will document, step by step for you to see. Sound good? I sold a favorite bag I was keeping for myself (it went to a friend, so I was okay!), so perhaps and new bag is in order. Sounds like a plan, no?

I will be teaching a one day HAT class, followed by a one day SCARF class here in Odessa, Ontario in February (16th, 17th) If you are interested, you can contact my friend, Susan . She will give you the 411. Due to the time of year, I expect mostly locals, but if you are brave in nasty weather, you are welcome too! We will have some fun, that I guarantee. Should you be stranded, there is a couch at casa graham with your name on it.

I currently have a stack of things on my desk that also must be addressed. So much of being an artist has little to do with making art, I am afraid. Well, this wine is not getting drank by itself and my new book beckons. I am working my way up to some serious time in the studio, so watch out. I will keep you posted. 

Visit my site www.andrea-graham.com

Good Golly

Patty- sleeping in the warm laundry

Wow. It has been a while, No? Amazing how life takes charge and habits quickly change. Your dedicated blogger and feltmaker has been a slacker. Yes, I can say it... and I did. Thinks slowed down in the studio as holiday time approached and since closing the retail business I ran with my mother (too busy with art :o), I think the slower pace beckoned and begged to be embraced to the fullest!

I have had some wonderful social time and time with my boys, which is the very best of all. Now that "boxing day" is past and the new year is looming, I am aware on the periphery that a new chapter is imminent. I still have days to loll around, sip wine mid-day and curl up with a book, but work commitments are approaching. I have my "Niche Award" finalist package to send off, a group of students in the studio next weekend and an article to write. I am a list maker, so that will happen first in the new sketch book I gifted myself. Careful not to get ahead of myself, I am also looking forward to a few hours in the studio painting with wax with the boys.

Holiday time can be a happy time, but for those with not such happy family memories or who have lost close family or friends, it can bring sadness. I hope that you all have found some joy for yourselves, some peace and moments of gratitude. I am grateful to each one of you for your support and encouragement, even if you do not comment I see your "hits" and know you are there! I work very hard to be recognized, acknowledged and respected in my craft and it brings me joy to know that you are all watching (in a non-creepy way). I will keep you posted. 

Visit my site www.andrea-graham.com

World of Threads...piece for sale

Hi All,
I am missing my studio time as I have been busy doing other "business" stuff. So much of what I do is, sadly, not in the studio! I will do a complete update tomorrow (promise), but in the meantime, wanted to share a piece with you.

I sent a couple of pieces for the big World of Threads event and I have some inquiries about the piece on the invitation image...well, it had been sent off without a full image...I know, I know! I need to follow my own advice to never send a piece out without an out-of-the-ballpark great image. Sooo, here is a full shot of the piece. It is small, so easy to find a wall space for (hint, hint) at 12 inches by 12 inches. It is for sale for $250 and I will ship it for free!

Visit my site www.andrea-graham.com