Jewelry Making

Earrings that I made from my random stash of beads. I like the mix of rounds with the triangle gold bead and the rectangular pearl.

This is a mini-bib necklace that I made from polymer clay. I punched holes in it before baking so that I could sew the pearls on afterward with wire. I wore this recently on a birthday date with my husband. 

Found Textiles

Found this really neat hand stitched piece at a yard sale over the weekend along with some sewing odds and ends. It was originally mounted in a really hideous green faux marble frame, so I decided to take it all apart and reframe it.

I actually like that the raw edges are showing now, though I probably could have done a better job making sure it was centered- oh well for now!

I wish I knew more about the artist and previous owner. The needle work is so intricate- it must have taken forever.

Not My Dissertation

Many anonymous people out there keep a blog as a kind of creative outlet or alternative life-world. Mine is no different. Slowly but surely I've been investing in a variety of print publications that delight and inform the part of my mind that tends to shut down during the daily 9-5. 

Kinfolk Magazine sure has been getting a lot of press. On the one hand, I like what this work stands for- local, sustainable communities; good friends and food; and a recognizably urban rustic aesthetic. On the other hand, I feel a little suspicious about how it idealizes a lifestyle that is both commercial and artificial but not apparently so. I bought my copy at Anthropologie (case in point) but still am really looking forward to the read.

This new book features a number of Brooklyn based artists that I really admire, includes DIY projects for weaving, dyeing, sewing, knitting, etc., and teaches the reader how to set up a home studio space. I'm light years away from anything like that but love the idea anyway. Fully intend to visit the Textile Arts Center while visiting Brooklyn in the fall!

Japanese Minimalism

I recently got this Japanese pattern book by Natsuno Hiraiwa. I specifically bought it with a mind to make the two-way stole featured on the back cover. I love the unusual shape and versatility of Hiraiwa's designs.

Here is some of the fabric that I picked up recently from Haberman Fabrics- Japanese woven, linen, ikat.

Although the book is in English, the pattern sheet at the back is a little tricky. I accidentally cut on a fold line and had the hardest time figuring out what was wrong! Nevertheless, I really like the finished product. The stole pictured above is for my mom. I made a less voluminous version for myself out of the Japanese woven. These fabrics are relatively lightweight and easy to layer or belt but I could see the pattern also working well in winter wool. 

Gingham Tank and Clay Necklace

Made another Wiksten tank. The pattern is now also available for download here: http://www.shopwiksten.com/product/tank-top-dress-sewing-pattern. I especially like the contrasting pocket! Paired with a necklace that I recently made using polymer clay (of all things), gold-plated greek ceramic beads, and leather cord.