hold me near

This weekend I got away on a little retreat, well really I was taking a class but I was alone for the six-hour car ride.  I found myself thinking, praying and singing (very loudly and badly…) to pass the time.  Of the little music  I had with me this song was from one of the cd’s I listened to repeatedly, “hold me near” by Karla Adolphe/ enter the worship circle.  It is based on one of my favorites, psalms 73.

Hold Me Near

Hold me near when I’m restless

Hold me near when I’m bitter

Hold me near when I”m rebellious

Hold me near until the end

 

Hold me near when my heart is broken

Hold me near when I’m ignorant

Hold me near when I am jealous

Hold me near until the end

 

But as for me my feet almost gave out I nearly sold my heart

It’s good to be held by my Father it’s good to be where you are

 

We are creating these theme/scripture paintings as one of the spring crafts for the women’s retreat.  I just had to try it out ahead of time with some left over supplies I had at home and the lyrics from the song & psalm 73.  I love reading into the phrase,  it just has layers for me.

r-o-y-g-b-indigo

 

I have been wanting to try out some shibori designs and mix up a vat of indigo for sometime.  I decided to test out some different tying techniques on cotton napkins.  It took several tries to get the indigo dark enough but resulted in a new little set of six unique napkins and a new table runner!  I threw in a few wooden beads for fun overnight and stung them on a natural leather cord to wear.  Hummmm what to dye next…

  

easter praise

 

Happy Easter.

I finished my vases in time… they didn’t make it to the gallery but this one made it to my table.

hatching swallowtails

I got a call from a local shop “can you make some new stuff for spring?” Nothing like a little pressure to get back to the wheel. Therefore, I am hatching some new swallowtails and monarch tumblers in the next few weeks. How many should I make? I can’t stop carving new print blocks, I may have to add a few new species. Can’t wait to glaze these.

cont edu…

I think our kids school district is trying out a year-round calendar unknowingly through snow days…  we have surpassed the alloted days, so every day from here on out will be tacked on in June.   Oh joy!   While my kids are happy to be out of school, I am eager to jump back in.

I tried to get into this class at Hollanders last fall but it sold out too quickly.  This past weekend I had another shot,  Barbara Brown did an excellent job teaching us how to make these gorgeous leather wrap journals.  See those paper signatures all those pages were torn by hand and using a paper knife… not my favorite part, but I love the sewing!  I thought this design would be a great use for some of my buttons and beads.  Beyond that I just always feel a boost of creative energy whenever I take a class,  it helps me beat the winter blues…

A few other folks in the class let me take some photos of their work,  I am always amazed to take part in classes with such talented people.  It wasn’t too long ago I just longed for this kind of experience but failed to follow through, paralyzed by insecurities, scheduling, and fear of costs. Have you taken a workshop in something you are interested in lately?  It was an investment worth while,  here I’ll give you my top 3 reasons.

1. It builds your resume and confidence in your craft.  Taking classes often leads me down new paths.  I have gained confidence in my artwork and exploring creatively.
2. It is a source of entertainment.  There are a ton of classes/workshops out there to fit every budget.  I got on my computer and searched for classes in my area and online.  I am excited to start this clayer class next month, I get to participate from my own studio!
3. It is cheaper and more effective than therapy!  It is hard to stay in a funk when you are learning something new that you are interested in. It typically gives me a jolt of productivity as well (who couldn’t use a few tons of that!)

Cheers to learning!

k

 

forget the bunnies

I wish I could say this was purely by discipline that I am working ahead on Easter projects.  But truthfully it is fueled by my new dining room table.  I have been slightly obsessed with tablecloths, vases, plates…. decorative stuff that I put little value on previously.  After following a few internet rabbit holes (pun intended) literally everything I saw was completely designed around fluffy bunnies and eggs. What a sad thing this holiday has become…

As if plastic eggs could ever replace the amazing story, of love, death, resurrection, and redemption found in the Bible.  I know hospitality is more than decorations and menus,  it is about the welcoming.   Oh to share a meal and have ones home reflect  the warmth of the Savior. It’s a learning and making season for me.   I am enjoying my Mains book , ”If Christians, corporately would begin to practice hospitality, we could play significant roles in redeeming our society.  There is no better place to be about the redemption of society with the captive, the blind, the downtrodden, the more we realize that in this inhospitable world, a Christian home is a miracle to be shared. ”  Do you have an Easter or Lenten tradition in your home?

 

Daffodils have long been some of my favorite spring bulbs.  Emerging warm yellow blooms from the snow-covered ground.  I carved two new daffodil blocks and used old printers letter stamps to lay significance in the clay.  We’ll see how these fire up and fill with spring blooms.

jan 8

 

Two days of sunshine in a row… hope it continues.  I love seeing the sparkling snow and the birds happily about.  New little cardinal block.  What to put him on?  Perhaps I need a little mixed flock…

the silent stars go by…

My obsession with the Christmas hymn “O little town of Bethelhem” continues…

This year I made some votives in varying sizes for an art fair in Midland.  After creating my ancient city & star roller stamps, I  hand-built these guys.  I glazed some all-blue, all-white, and just a few mixed.  After adding a few battery powered candles they flew off the table at the fair,  I have just a few left in the shop.   I am currently making a few more and a few special ones for a Christmas centerpiece. I also made an 18 inch platter, which sold before I even got a picture!  It is always so humbling to make something and sell it, these especially because I feel so connected to the inspiration behind it.

I just LOVE how these turned out!

french link & double tapes

 

 

” Logic will get you from A to B.  Imagination will take you everywhere.  ”  ~ Albert Einstein

Last weekend I took a class at Hollanders bookshop,  French Link Stitch Sewing on Double Tapes with Jean Buescher-Bartlett.  I took my camera, but I didn’t get one photo in-progress, It was quite a productive afternoon.  I loved poking around the kerrytown shops in Ann Arbor,  It is good to be learning.

The covers were made of rugged flax Cave Paper, the multiple signature text block with handmade chiri paper endsheets, sewn on double tapes woven into the book’s front and back covers. The exposed sewing is highlighted through windows cut along the spine and into the cover paper.

smashing pumpkins

I have been making, making for this upcoming market.  Last year I made my first batch of pumpkins,  eager to make more, I was having a hard time on the wheel closing up the tops without collapsing them (they are hollow on the inside) but finally I found my groove.  Throw on the wheel, wait about 10hrs for them to firm up a bit then carve.  They are slightly larger this year, but man they are just so cute!  As I was carrying them upstairs from my studio to work on them by A, when I totally tipped the board and one splatted on the ground.  Amazingly it added the best character, I thought it was a goner,  it just goes to show you we’re all redeemable!

And fyi, I have totally been sucked into these two sites craft gwaker and poppytalk.  Not that I have the time to actually be online or need to pin more ideas to my pinterest  but check them out, so fun!