Saturday, May 23, 2015

Current Activities, Freeform Crochet, Beading, WWI Knitting, and Mining

Update on my activities.  About two months ago I finished my freeform crochet contributions to Prudence Mapstone's latest crochet/knitting collaboration: 50 Years of Flower Power.  My paisley


 is typical of many of the other contributions , but then I decided to create a tribute to Peter Max.

I can't wait to see how Prudence will assemble her collage of many hundreds of freeform contributions!  She is such a busy lady, teaching freeform knitting and crochet worldwide.  So I don't know when it will be completed, but occasionally she posts teasers of small sections that have been assembled.  See her blog (You may have to sign-up to access it):  http://50yearsofflowerpower.blogspot.com.au/2015_05_01_archive.html

A couple of weeks ago I completed my submission to this year's International Free Form Fiberarts (IFFF) Guild.  This year's theme is: The Ocean/the Color of Water.  I was inspired by Bobby Vinton's song "somewhere Beyond the Sea...on golden sands" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5bRAtV-jgoQ , by shells naturally "freeformed" by sea worms and surf (which I found at Carolina Beach, NC), and by my love of beachcombing.  Mine is done in thread and bead crochet and various beading techniques, including freeform peyote beading.  I can't release my pictures yet, not until approximately late June, but in the mean-time check out past year's IFFF challenges on 

Currently I am writing an article on WWI Knitting Propaganda for the Center for Knit and Crochet--due in about a week.  Their earlier articles (many of which are really interesting) can be found on: http://centerforknitandcrochet.org/ckc-blog/


A few months ago I bought a beautifully-made and unusually-colored Sonoran Sunrise Jasper cabochon from Laura Lyle Wing (who sells her cabochons on Facebook).  It is blue turquoise and copper color rather than the more usual blue-green and red.  This cabochon has been calling me while I have been working on all my commitments above.  It really wants to be made into a necklace.  Despite deadlines, I have bezeled it and have started its design.  I plan to submit my design to one of the many beading magazines.

Lastly, I am so excited about (and am starting to prepare for) my upcoming (July 10-12) Mining Women Beading Retreat with Amy Katz http://www.beadjourney.com/about.html and Paulette Baron http://paulettebaron.com/ .  We will be mining at Poland (Maine) Mining Camp for quartz, tourmaline and other gem stones and will have beading classes in the evenings from Amy and Paulette.  All food and bedding supplied by the Camp.  What could be more fun?  One of our little party has had to drop out due to family issues, so if you are interested in purchasing her slot contact Amy or Paulette.