Spinning on the Edge

2011-11-20T19:17:00.001-09:00

Cheers!

2011-11-13T19:30:00.001-09:00

Day of the Dead ATCs

2011-11-13T19:20:00.001-09:00

"Death by Caffeine"

Mixed-Media

2 1/2" x 3 1/2"

"Purgatory"

Mixed-Media

2 1/2" x 3 1/2"

"Frida's Garden"

Mixed-Media

2 1/2" x 3 1/2"

"You Devil"

Mixed-Media

2 1/2" x 3 1/2"

Recent Stuff

2011-11-13T18:57:00.001-09:00

I've been kicking it in the studio ALOT here lately. It's been a whirlwind getting ready for local art shows and markets. Here's a little peek at what I've been up to...

Guerilla Art in the Toilet

2011-10-11T23:14:00.000-08:00

The ultimate in guerilla art! Try smuggling one of these into your local watering hole and swapping it out. Not for the squeamish or for germaphobes.

Night Owls

2011-10-11T23:06:00.003-08:00

These were created for the "Cap It" Bottle Cap Art Show and were a collaboration between myself and fellow local artist and friend Chrissy Johnsrud. The show ran for the month of September in the Harbor Building hosted by Emerald Isle Framing, The Rookery Fiber Art Shop and Kodiak Island Brewing Company.

Art on Display

2011-10-11T22:58:00.003-08:00

This piece was created with help from students at North Star Elementary during my residency there last year. It was donated to the Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge Visitors Center and is currently on display. The background is painted and collaged fabric stretched over a frame. Anemone and rocks were created out of felted wool and stitched down. The fish and jellyfish were constructed from recycled materials.

2011-06-18T21:03:00.003-08:00

It's been waaaaaay too long since I last carded fibers for spinning. I'm still getting settled into my new studio space and have finally unpacked everything- most of it stuff I haven't seen in a few years. I'm currently in the process of carding up ALL of my of spinning fibers. Not sure if these batts will make it on to etsy... I really want to spin them!!! I still have more to card up. I'm about half way through my stash I think. There's still a whole other stash of fibers for dying, and another for felting. Dye pots are next on the to-do list I think.

Sketchbook: Alutiiq Petroglyphs

2011-05-04T13:19:00.002-08:00

Stencil, Stitch & Saw

2011-05-04T13:04:00.002-08:00

Most of the pieces I've been working on are a combination of collage, sewing, stenciling and paper cut outs mounted on painted plywood.

Earth and Sky

2011-05-04T11:38:00.004-08:00

Octopus Stencil

2011-02-26T19:22:00.001-09:00

Originally uploaded by yarnpunk

I've cut several different sizes of this stencil and am making some prints with them before I use the actual cut outs on collaged backgrounds.

Octopus in Progress

2011-02-24T21:46:00.001-09:00

Octopus in Progress
Originally uploaded by yarnpunk

Working on octopus stencils to use in some collages I'm working on. Referenced some unfinished pages in my journal for my stencil sketch. Trying out different sizes and can't wait to spray paint.

Taking Flight

2011-02-22T01:06:00.003-09:00

Postcards made from recycled cardboard. I'm sending a whole flock of these birds out into the world. It will be interesting to see how many of them reach their destinations.

Completed Works

2011-02-22T00:53:00.002-09:00

Post Card Art Show Submissions

2011-02-16T19:35:00.001-09:00

Post Card Art
Originally uploaded by yarnpunk

I've been busy working my stitched collages into finished pieces. These three are for Kodiak's annual Post Card Art Show. Show opens 6:00 PM Friday, February 18th at the Harbor Building at 334 Shelikof Street. I am currently working up more of these in a slightly larger format. Stay tuned for photos!

2011-02-14T22:10:00.001-09:00

Originally uploaded by yarnpunk

Trash Rescue

2011-02-12T13:16:00.002-09:00

So last May, as I was completing my Artist in Residence job, I was busy trimming and mounting student collages for display in a student art show. I couldn't help but noticing all the left over bits piling up in the trash bin next to me. I had a hard time convincing myself that what I was looking at was trash, and that it should stay right there in that bin where it belonged. Despite telling myself I did not really need to bring home any more stuff, all I could see was color and texture waiting to be worked into something new and exciting...
Getting just a little bit side tracked yesterday, I dug out the sewing machine and threads and...
lost myself to several hours of stitching, stitching, stitching. And when finished...
found myself busily collaging and weaving strips together to create backgrounds for smaller works of art. Here are a few examples of the finished backgrounds I intend to use:

Now all I need is some plexiglass, wood, spray paint and a few tools and supplies from my arsenal to finish these little guys! Time to start sketching designs...

Exit the Black Hole... with vintage Sci-Fi Yarn

2011-02-10T12:51:00.004-09:00

Haven't posted one of these in awhile. Actually I haven't really posted much of anything in awhile. Might as well have been living in a black hole as far as blogging goes. Having my life packed up in cardboard boxes and moving from rental to rental over the past couple of years has proved creatively challenging. Thankfully I had residency work last school year to keep me busy and explorative. Now that the moving is over, the boxes unpacked, I have permanent studio space! I still plan to spin yarns and create mail art, but I am definitely drawn to exploring more mixed-media applications involving fibers and recycled materials and putting more energy into the Tide Pool Project. Feeling a bit rusty and slow to start, but I'm moving again. Right now I'm working on assembling jellyfish out of recycled plastics and yarn for a gallery in Anchorage. More details and photos to follow soon.

2010-08-12T19:15:00.001-08:00

Originally uploaded by yarnpunk

Playing with Sharpie poster paint pens on acrylic paint...

Artist in Residence: North Star Elementary

2010-05-21T11:44:00.001-08:00

Some of the work I've been creating with students at North Star Elementary.

Artist in Residence: Peterson Elementary

2010-05-03T16:49:00.009-08:00

Just finished my 3 week residency as guest artist at Peterson Elementary. This was the art walk we had on friday to showcase the students' work. Large collage panel was made with the 5th grade students. Smaller collages are the work of the 3rd and 4th graders. Sea Urchins were created by the kindergardeners and starfish by the 1st graders. Recycled jellyfish were assembled by the 2nd graders, crabs were made by the 3rd graders and the recycled fish were created by the 4th graders. Felted Sea Anemones were also made by 5th graders. Imaginarium creatures created by 3rd and 5th graders.

"Artists in Schools Program is made possible through partnership between the Alaska State Council on the Arts, the National Endowment for the Arts, with additional support from the Rasmuson Foundation.

Artist in Residence: North Star Elementary

2010-05-03T16:38:00.002-08:00

K-1st grade students helped with wet felting the background for this Tidal Zone Chart. All the creatures were needle felted and embellished by me. I've sewn magnets into the backing so that teachers can display the chart on their magnetic boards in the classroom, while using the chart to teach students about tidal zones and the various creatures that inhabit them. Laminated labels velcro onto the chart for student placement.

Artists in Schools Program is made possible through partnership between the Alaska State Council on the Arts, the National Endowment for the Arts, with additional support from the Rasmuson Foundation.

The Dream Rocket : Global Collaboration

2010-04-09T13:39:00.001-08:00

I've reserved my spot on The Dream Rocket! There are still spaces available at www.thedreamrocket.com

Artist in Residence: North Star Elementary

2010-04-05T15:15:00.003-08:00

I've been working on fabricating jellyfish of all sizes to hang in the school library. 2nd graders at North Star Elementary made their own using all sorts of textured white yarns and recycled plastic bags. Those will be displayed during the Student Art Show toward the end of the school year. Can't wait!

Artist in Residence: North Star Elementary

2010-04-05T15:07:00.004-08:00

Dungeness crabs made with 3rd and 4th grade students at North Star Elementary.

Artist in Residence: North Star Elementary

2010-03-05T09:51:00.005-09:00

Kindergarden and 1st graders explored printmaking, dying, creating image transfers and collage. These are samples of some of their creations.

Artist in Residence: North Star Elementary

2010-03-05T09:42:00.003-09:00

Kindergarden and 1st graders worked together wet felting tentacles for sea anemones. These anemone will be part of a larger collaborative effort from the entire school to create a large textile relief panel that will become a permanent installation in the school. Each anemone will be hand stitched on to hand-dyed fabric that will be painted with a tide pool scene mounted on stretcher bars.

Artist in Residence: North Star Elementary

2010-03-05T09:32:00.003-09:00

I've recently completed work with Kindergarden and 1st grade students at North Star Elementary. We kicked off the 2010 Artist in Residence program learning about sea urchins and starfish. Students worked with air dry clay, paint, modge podge, tooth picks and beads to create three dimensional representations of these creatures.

Handspun Revolution in Lillehammer Norway

2010-03-04T09:53:00.003-09:00

There is still time to join Pluckyfluff's Handspun Revolution taking place in Lillehammer, Norway in May. Hurry, cause the deadline is fast approaching! You can find the details on Pluckyfluff's BLOG. Above is my submission spun from recycled cotton fabric scraps and ecospun (recycled soda bottles).

Student Sea Life Collages: Installation

2010-03-04T09:43:00.003-09:00

Here is the finished collaborative effort of 5th graders from North Star Elementary. I mounted their collages (made from painted muslin with dyed and printed papers and contact paper image transfers) on a quilted background. The edges of the collages were sewn with a zig zag stitch and each piece was attached to the background with beads and heavy thread. The edges of the quilted background were rolled and bound in a blanket stitch with variegated silk based yarn.

Kodiak Arts Council "Curtain Call" Submission

2010-01-21T12:58:00.004-09:00

Here's a peek at my submission for the Kodiak Arts Council's annual Art & Adventure Auction taking place later this month. This year they have provided local artists with pieces of the old theater curtains from the Gerald C. Wilson Auditorium, and challenged them to recycle the curtains into art that is to be auctioned off to support arts programs in our island community. The smaller collages are left over from work I've been doing at North Star Elementary, so really this piece is a collaboration between myself and 5th grade students. I love that we are working together on a project that has a social impact, for as we explore, learn and work together, we are creating something that benefits the community that we live in. I hope to do more projects like this.

Tide Pool Project Submissions

2010-01-21T12:49:00.004-09:00

More amazing submissions from artsist across the country for our tide pool! From top to bottom is a Nudibranch (Sea Slug) a copper Sea Anemone, an Octopus and some wonderfully crafted rocks. To find out more information about the Tide Pool Project or how to participate, visit: Tide Pool Project

Submissions for Tide Pool Project

2009-12-19T14:31:00.002-09:00

Finally finding some time to focus on the Tide Pool Project. Its a bigger undertaking than I originally thought and I have had very little time to devote to promoting it this past year- which is why I am extending the deadline to January 15th 2011. Above are some submissions that I hope will inspire you to participate in this global collaborative. For more information please visit the Tide Pool Project's official blog.

Student Sea Life Collages

2009-12-19T14:20:00.002-09:00

Here are a couple of Sea Life collages made by 5th graders at North Star Elementary. I've been working with them on and off since October. These are postcards made of muslin with paint and printed papers. The images are contact paper transfers. They worked really hard on them and were able to take them home before Christmas break to give as gifts to family or friends. More of their collages will be worked into a large textile panel and will form a mosaic of sorts. It will hang at the school until the end of the year and will later be included in an exhibition at the Kodiak Wildlife Refuge Visitors Center.

A curious creature emerges...

2009-08-27T19:26:00.002-08:00

Made from a recycled wool sweater, this little one-eyed sea monster is fully pose-able, likes to ride in cars and is very, very curious.

International Call for Entires: Textile Tide Pool Project

2009-03-30T13:32:00.010-08:00

I am seeking submissions from fiber artists around the world to create a collaborative tide pool made up of textile stones, kelp, anemone, barnacles, octopi, crabs, shells and other related flora and fauna. My goal is to create a textile tide pool that will bring awareness to the importance of our coastal waters and the delicate and critical balance they play in the health of our planet.

This international collaboration will be exhibited at the Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge on Kodiak Island, Alaska in 2010. I hope to find other cities around the world that are interested in hosting this exhibit and drawing attention the importance of the health and sustainability of our oceans worldwide. This project has the potential to bring a tactile and diverse representation of tide pools to people who might not have otherwise experienced the marvel of exploring the thriving biodiversity found in tidal waters.

Submissions may be no smaller than 2 inches and no larger than 6 inches in any direction. Artists may work in any textile discipline (i.e. knitting, felting, sewing, crochet) and are encouraged to create 3 dimensional works OR 2 dimensional surfaces with raised detailing and embellishment. Recycled materials are also acceptable, as garbage and debris pose a threat to coastal wildlife that ingest or otherwise become entangled in discarded trash and lost fishing gear.

All objects received will be documented online at www.tidepoolproject.com with credit given to artists and links to blogs or websites. Please include your name, city/state/country where you reside, email address and URL you would like us to link to. There is no limit to the number of objects that can be submitted. Submissions become the property of the International Textile Tide Pool Project. Deadline for submissions is January 15th, 2010.

Please mail all submissions to:

TIDE POOL PROJECT

c/o Elizabeth O'Donnell

P.O. Box 3075

Kodiak Island, Alaska

99615 USA

or email for more information:

info@tidepoolproject.com

International Call for Mail Art

2009-03-05T23:12:00.007-09:00

I'm sending out an international call for submissions of Ocean Themed Mail Art. Thoughts, visions, dreams, poetry, imaginings and interpretations of the the Sea to be sent in the post. Please visit my page on International Union of Mail Artists for complete details, to see current submissions or to learn more about mail art in general. All submissions will be documented on my blog The Sea: International Mail Art Project.

1001 Journals Project

2009-02-28T17:59:00.003-09:00

JOurnal #3397
Originally uploaded by yarnpunk

I've launched an ocean themed journal on 1001journals.com that I hope to include in an art show at the Alaska National Wildlife Refuge in Kodiak, Alaska in 2010. If you are interested in signing up to participate please visit the 1001 Journals website (you will need to create a user account to participate) and check out Journal #3397.

Kodiak residents are welcome to participate in a local journal that I will be launching within the community very soon. Watch for details or email me with your name and contact info and I'll put you on the list to receive the journal.

"WILD LIFE"

2009-02-23T17:35:00.001-09:00

WILD LIFE
Originally uploaded by yarnpunk

Mixed-Media and Acrylic on wood. This piece was created for the Women's History Month Art Show "TAKING THE LEAD TO SAVE OUR PLANET" hosted by the Kodiak Soroptimists in the Gerald Wilson Auditorium foyer February 28th, 2009 from 3-6 pm.

Love Crush Mail Art Show

2009-02-13T12:58:00.001-09:00

Textile Postcards
Originally uploaded by yarnpunk

My last two postcards for the Love Crush Mail Art Show opening Fri. 13th (tonight) at the Harbor Building. Bottom one is my "trade" that will be randomly mailed to another artist participating in the show.

Love Themed Mail Art Show

2009-02-04T15:13:00.002-09:00

Here are a couple of postcards I've been working on for a local love themed Mail Art Show to be held at the Harbor Building for the month of February. Artist reception will be on Friday, February 13th around 7:00 pm. Each participating artist must make an extra postcard which will then be randomly mailed to another artist participating in the show. Looking forward to finding some art in my mailbox this month!

Teesha's Yarn Project

2009-02-04T01:35:00.002-09:00

Teesha's Yarn Project

2009-01-28T13:55:00.003-09:00

Ready to ply...

Cyber Fyber International ATC Trade

2009-01-28T13:06:00.007-09:00

These are the three ATC's I received from the Cyber Fyber International ATC trade. The bottom one is ceramic!

Teesha's Yarn Project

2009-01-13T12:32:00.006-09:00

Here is a sample of four more segments spun into Teesha's Yarn. More imagery and texture went into these than what is photographed here. Each segment represents a page in a artist's journal. As with many mixed media journals, the creative process is executed in layers. This is also true with this piece, as more objects and elements will be plied into the yarn that correspond to each page, and a final layering of hand stitching and embellishing will come into play.

Coffee Art

2009-01-13T12:00:00.007-09:00

I received this little kit as a trade at ArtFiberFest awhile back, and finally found some idle time to play and embellish the coffee sleeve that came so neatly packaged in a coffee cup with fabric, yarn bits and beads. I added some metal to the mix and am now enjoying the finished results along with my favorite beverage: Cappuccino, mostly dry, with half a shot of hazelnut.

Cyber Fyber : Exquisite Corpse

2009-01-02T16:06:00.006-09:00

Above is the section of Arlee Barr's Corpse I worked on. I really love how cohesive this piece turned out and think that I will borrow her format in the future. By not segmenting the design into perfect squares as I did with mine, the various techniques used seem to flow more seamlessly into each other. This piece is heading to the Cyber Fyber Exhibit opening this month.

"Gathering"

2008-12-17T23:58:00.001-09:00

"Gathering"
Originally uploaded by yarnpunk

This piece is on its way to our local Wildlife Refuge Center to hang in their bookstore. They have been very kind in displaying my felt work and offering it for sale. I hope to start on some new pieces for them soon as some of the proceeds benefit the refuge.

Cyber Fyber Exhibition 2009

2008-12-17T22:52:00.002-09:00

Check it out! Susan Lenz has posted videos of postcard and ATC entires for the 2009 Cyber Fyber Exhibition. The show will hang January 8 - 20th at Gallery 80808 in Columbia, South Carolina.

International Fiber Collaborative

2008-11-29T13:03:00.003-09:00

IFC has announced its 2008-2009 project: Interdependence. Participants will create a full-sized tree for display in April 2009 at Big Springs International Park in Huntsville, Alabama.

Much like a living tree is interdependent on its leaves and roots for survival, societies are interdependent on the greater whole, family units, communities and countries.

Participants from around the world are invited to create leaves to contribute to the creation of the tree. In total, up to 30,000 leaves may be used. For more details on this project or to download an entry form, please visit the International Fiber Collaborative website for more information.

Mariners' Shrine

2008-11-14T19:29:00.001-09:00

Mariners' Shrine
Originally uploaded by yarnpunk

Shadow Box Shrine made from an old dresser drawer. The inside was lined with a nautical chart of Kodiak Island and assorted photo transfers, beach metals, fishing net and other odds & ends. The coral is a drawing I transfered and mounted on foam core. The fish image is mounted on plexiglass.

Sea Monster

2008-11-14T19:20:00.001-09:00

Sea Monster
Originally uploaded by yarnpunk

Made from recycled sweaters, tights and felt. I started construction on this at ArtFiberFest 2007 in Keeley Barham's WOOLY BEASTS workshop. I think he'll be tagging along to ARTFEST 2009!

Day of the Dead Themed Show

2008-11-01T13:35:00.011-08:00

Now hanging in the Harbor Building for the month of November is an ATC Day of the Dead themed show. These are just a few of the many works presented by local artists.

Tidal Windows

2008-11-01T13:29:00.001-08:00

Tidal Windows
Originally uploaded by yarnpunk

I started this piece ages ago and finally got around to finishing it. I've been trying to complete all of my unfinished art projects before I start anything new in an effort to clear out my creative space and start fresh with some new ideas. This piece and others will be hanging at The Fly-By next month.

2008-09-28T11:20:00.002-08:00

Exquisite Corpse Textiles

2008-09-18T16:08:00.009-08:00

I've been taking part in an interesting project for the past few months- an Exquisite Corpse Textile exchange. I haven't mentioned it before because I'm not allowed to post any pic's of my work until the entire project has been completed. Each participant creates a design on fabric that is segmented into 6"x6" squares. One square is chosen and the design within the square embellished and worked in colors chosen by the creator of the piece. The finished square is then covered with fabric, front and back, and sent to the next person in the group to work on. Each person remains blind to what the person before them has done. The only guide is the drawing on the fabric and the color choices given at the start. When each square has been completed, the piece is returned to the person who started it and all the squares are then uncovered to reveal the finished piece. So when I finally get my "corpse" back, 5 other artists will have worked on it and I myself will have worked on a total of 6 different designs. I'm currently on my fourth square/piece. It's been fun to see each person's designs and the creative challenges each piece brings. Since I'm participating in the 2nd round of Exquisite Corpse, there are some round 1 photos starting to trickle in now that its ended. You can see them here.

Teesha's Yarn- Chapter 2

2008-09-18T16:08:00.004-08:00

Here's a peek at the next section of Teesha's yarn that I'm spinning. I'm using fabric scraps for this one and a few add-in's to embellish. I've got lots of fun bits (beads, charms, etc) that I'll be plying in when the whole yarn is finished. I'd better make a note to self the order of each section I've spun, as I'm going to have to thread all those bits on my ply thread to correspond to each section!

Teesha's Yarn Project

2008-09-17T13:56:00.007-08:00

I've been wanting to make a yarn for Teesha Moore for ages now. When I met her last year, I mentioned the project to her and she generously offered me some fabric collage sheets to use. Since then I've been thinking about the technical aspects of the project, gathering and assembling bits and waiting for my muse to visit. She finally came round the other night and I've started work at long last! Here is a peek at the first pile of fibers to be spun... There was more additions than what is shown here, but it should give you an idea. The whole yarn will be made up of entirely different sections- like pages in one of Teesha's journals, each section will be unique but will compliment the others. For this project I'm using every spinning trick I know, and have come up with a new addition that I hope will work out as planned. I'll post pic's of each section I'm about to spin and keep you posted on where I'm at in the project.

ArtFest 2009 Confirmation!

2008-09-17T13:56:00.002-08:00

Got confirmation in the mail that I made it in to ArtFest 2009! I've got classes with Linda & Opie O'Brien on Thursday, Theo Ellsworth on Friday and Micheal DeMeng on Saturday. Can't wait!!!

ATC Trades for ArtFest 2009

2008-09-15T00:15:00.001-08:00

ATC Trades for ArtFest 2009
Originally uploaded by yarnpunk

Getting started on trades for ArtFest!

ArtFest 2009

2008-09-07T16:30:00.004-08:00

Registration for ArtFest 2009 opened up this past week, and hopefully I'll get to attend this time around. I've sent in my registration, however this event fills up FAST and my paperwork is still in the postal system. I've got my fingers crossed! I attended last year's ArtFiberFest and completely thrived on the energy and atmosphere. ArtFest is like ArtFiberFest to the 5th degree drawing 500+ people, whereas AFF was a modest 150 or so. I'm holding my breath until the confirmation parcel arrives.

Cyber Fyber Exhibition 2009

2008-07-28T12:31:00.003-08:00

Cyber Fyber Exhibition 2009
Originally uploaded by yarnpunk

Cyber Fyber is an international Postcard & ATC swap hosted by Susan Lenz, that will be exhibited at Gallery 80808/Vista Studios in downtown Columbia, South Carolina January 8-20th 2009. The focus of the exhibition is to highlight the influences of internet access for todays fiber artists. To participate in the swap and/or sponsor this event please visit:

Cyber Fyber Exhibition

More from the Scrap Pile

2008-07-21T19:08:00.001-08:00

Originally uploaded by yarnpunk

Here is another yarn spun from salvaged bits from various projects. This yarn contains wool, alpaca, angora, recycled silk, some unidentified sheer fabric and burned out velvet.

still single

2008-07-21T19:05:00.001-08:00

Originally uploaded by yarnpunk

This yarn was spun from merino fiber carded up with felty bits I received in a swap with Wooldancer in Australia.

the single life...

2008-07-21T19:03:00.001-08:00

Originally uploaded by yarnpunk

I seem to be favoring singles here lately...

Extreme Tweed

2008-07-21T19:01:00.003-08:00

Extreme Tweed
Originally uploaded by yarnpunk

Extreme Tweed

2008-07-21T19:01:00.001-08:00

Extreme Tweed
Originally uploaded by yarnpunk

Extreme Tweed

2008-07-21T19:00:00.001-08:00

Extreme Tweed
Originally uploaded by yarnpunk

Natural silver romney wool carded with lots of fiber scrapage!

Art in a Carton

2008-07-12T23:06:00.001-08:00

Art in a Carton
Originally uploaded by yarnpunk

Here are two of the cartons I put together... I've got another finished and 3 more to make.

ATC 's in the Works

2008-07-12T20:24:00.001-08:00

ATC 's
Originally uploaded by yarnpunk

I've been slowly working on these. They are made of watercolor paper I had done some printing on during a journal making workshop. The second layer is made up of leftover bits of painted papers and end cuts from other mixed-media projects. I have one more layer of textile elements to add before they are finished.

Art in a Carton

2008-07-09T20:50:00.003-08:00

Here is the contents of what I received in my Art in a Carton. This came from Germany. I tried to upload a pic of the carton, but for some reason blogger and my new mac book just are not working well together. It took me ages just to get this photo to upload. Blogging through flickr seems to work at light speed, however I can only blog one pic at a time unless I put together a mosaic.

2008-06-24T16:20:00.001-08:00

Originally uploaded by yarnpunk

Loop's Spontaneous Spinning Club

2008-06-24T12:17:00.009-08:00

I fell in love with the gorgeous colors and textures of the spinning batts produced by Loop. It was more or less an obsession at first sight, and even though I could card up similar batts of my own, I couldn't resist joining Loop's Spontaneous Spinning Club. I guess the allure is the anticipation of not knowing what's coming next, but knowing it will be something that inspires me. Each month a new and wondrous batt arrives in my mail box- an exquisite treat that has me running for my wheel as soon as I get home. I even forgot to take a photo of the batt for the last yarn I spun cause I couldn't wait to spin it!

Goth Rave

2008-06-23T22:39:00.001-08:00

Goth Rave
Originally uploaded by yarnpunk

Scrounging up Leftovers

2008-06-23T21:50:00.002-08:00

Originally uploaded by yarnpunk

Sometimes when you are driven to spin something, and all you have at hand are leftovers from other projects, you create something quite wonderful and unexpected. I love how this yarn shifts from coils, to standard ply to crazy plied. The colors and textures are continually shifting throughout the yarn.

Silver Lining- The Yarns

2008-06-23T18:17:00.001-08:00

Silver Lining- The Yarns
Originally uploaded by yarnpunk

Here are the yarns spun from my silver lining batts. You can see more details of these yarns on my flickr page.

Dyed & Printed Fabric

2008-06-08T14:49:00.001-08:00

Dyed & Printed Fabric
Originally uploaded by yarnpunk

Worked on dying and printing a piece of fabric this week that I've cut into smaller sections for working into mixed-media art quilts, ATC's, Postcards, etc. This is only one section. To see more visit my flickr page.

Weaving Works in Seattle

2008-06-08T13:22:00.001-08:00

Weaving Works in Seattle
Originally uploaded by yarnpunk

Check out Weaving Works next time you are in the Seattle area. They have an amazing selection of yarn and fiber. I had a very limited time when I was there and felt so overwhelmed. Make sure you have at least a couple of hours to kill, otherwise you are just torturing yourself.

Glen and Mar Rock Seattle

2008-05-13T16:14:00.005-08:00

Two words for this show: Fucking Brilliant! I managed to video the first song before I got busted by one of the bouncers, so once I figure out how to upload video from my flip camera I'll get it posted somewhere online. Snapped one pic of the show, but was worried about getting kicked out for a second offense so didn't risk any more photos than that. Got to meet them afterwards, as I was staying in the same building, and have to say they are both very warm, amicable human beings. I wish them all the best and hope they make it up to Alaska some day...

The Swell Season

2008-04-28T19:49:00.003-08:00

Tomorrow I'm heading for Seattle to catch The Swell Season perform at The Moore Theater. Irish singer/songwriter Glen Hansard of The Frames and pianist Marketa Irglova (who make up the band The Swell Season) starred in the movie Once together and also wrote the soundtrack. I caught this film last time I flew to Seattle for ArtFiberFest in October. I'm a huge Frames fan, so finding this movie on the inflight digi-player en-route to Seattle was AMAZING!

Printed Matter

2008-04-28T18:45:00.004-08:00

These are the prints I made in a block printing class I recently participated in... I've already sold one of the fish prints in our local Whale Fest art show this week. The star fish I plan to frame vertically in a series of prints matted together in one frame. I haven't decided if I'm going to put four prints together to make one long dramatic piece, or three and leave the fourth as a single print to sell. I have two more prints where the starfish are darker in the middle. Those I plan to mount horizontal as shown above in a single frame.

Silver Lining

2008-04-07T18:46:00.007-08:00

So... I went to the thrift store looking for inspiration and found some silver sparkle threads to deconstruct. The shirt I shredded and the sweater unraveled and brutally ripped apart...

which created this wonderful, glittering pile of crimped fiber that I love, love, love.

Combined with merino/silk, wool, angelina and novelty yarn...

and wildly carded on the drum carder...

creates these decadently soft metallic batts that I'm dying to get spinning on. I've got some bits to add in during the spinning process and some complimentary threads for plying.

Art + Yarn

2008-04-07T17:02:00.005-08:00

I can't believe I forgot to blog this:

This is the amazing package that I received in a seasonal swap from Australian spinner Wooldancer in early February. I sent her my "Spring Eternal" yarn (the one with the branches and bird nest) in exchange for this autumn inspired work of art. This was so worth the wait!

Bling!

2008-04-07T16:34:00.002-08:00

I fell in love with these and had to have. They got me thinking about textile peices I'd like to sew and embellish... I love the feel of natural stone.

Farewell Yarn Shop

2008-04-07T15:40:00.004-08:00

It's officially official: I have sold The Rookery to local fiber artist Chris Lynch. The deed was done on Monday March 31st. I would have blogged it sooner, but it took me awhile to get my laptop online at home, and as a result I have lots of pic's and stuff to share. At the moment I am still trying to settle in to a life without retail and make space at home for all my fiber and stuff I had stored at the shop. I am super excited for Chris- she's amazingly talented in so many mediums and I think she'll bring that energy and creativity to the shop and take it to the next level. I can't wait!
I know I could have used spell check when making that sign...

I neglected to take a pic of my favorite part of the shop: The fiber corner!

Sigh... I'm going to miss that couch. Best couch ever. So comfy...

Interviews with Lexi of Pluckyfluff

2008-04-02T00:00:00.005-08:00

Just finished listening to this insightful and endearing podcast interview on CraftSanity with Lexi of Pluckyfluff. It's a meaty interview- so you might want to grab a coffee, beer- whatever you prefer- and get your wheel going. If you're an instant gratification sort of person, or just short on time right now and need a quick fix, you can check out Studioloo's online magazine for a printed interview with Lexi that covers similar ground...

We are trying to organize a Camp Pluckyfluff Alaska 2009 here on Kodiak Island. If you think you might be interested in partcicpating, please visit Lexi's website and email her. This has potential for being one seriously wicked weekend. BTW Lexi if you read this... you can swear like a sailor while you're here and no one will notice. Also: speaking your mind, or the first thing that pops into it, is socially exceptable... and... no one will hold it against you if you crack a beer with your breakfast.

2008-03-25T10:39:00.001-08:00

Visit Handspun Collective

Find more photos like this on Handspun Collective

Shifting Gears...

2008-03-21T14:53:00.003-08:00

Well.... a little update as to why I have not been blogging or posting any new work in awhile. I'm in the process of selling my fiber shop The Rookery, and if all goes well I should be handing over the keys on March 31st. People keep asking me if this is a good thing- yes yes yes!!! As much as I love the fiber shop and all the wonderful people who pass through its doors, I am ready to focus on full time art production. Spinning, felting, mixed media art, journaling...

With 2 small kids in grade school, running a retail business is becoming more of a challenge as they get older. Trying to stay on top of homework and find time for after school activities competes with running the shop- and having to have my kids at work with me after school everyday sucks all the way around. No fun trying to help a customer while you're prying your 5 year old son off his older sister as he tries to claw her eyes out for verbally taunting him.

In order that my children do not grow up hating me for keeping them imprisoned in a yarn store for their entire childhood, and so that I can make more time for what I really love, I'm giving up retail and will focus on studio work. Well, its actually more like closet work at the moment. My art room is a closet which my friend Liz thinks is really funny for some reason. Hey, you've got to work with what you've got. I will have a real studio though when our house is finished in about a year and hope to hold workshops. I've talked with Lexi about hosting Camp Pluckyfluff in July 2009 in my new studio- so anyone intrested in hanging with Lexi and I for a workshop weekend should visit www.pluckyfluff.com and email Lexi that you're intrested. If you've ever wanted to travel to Alaska this could be your excuse! Or if you live on the mainland and want to visit Kodiak Island for a weekend...

Knitting Guerrillas Rock the Yarn

2008-02-02T15:09:00.000-09:00

Sabrina Gschwandtner of KnitKnit was recently featured on NPR in an 8 minute interview about knitting's new wave: Knitting Guerrillas Rock the Yarn You can also watch and listen to an Audio Slide Show that features artists from her new book.

Look Inside....

2008-01-31T13:04:00.000-09:00

Here are some excerpts from Lexi's new book Intertwined. I'm over the moon to have been part of this project, even though my part seems so insignificant compared to all the work Lexi put into this. I can't even imagine the stress trying to meet the deadline for a book and make it all look so good. Lexi, you rock! The book is amazing...
I'm honored- all three of my yarns that Lexi chose made it into the book! Above on the top left page is Fire Bubble. On the left page featured below is Screamer and Punked!

The following are submissions from my creative co-conspiritor Liz. She designed the Antionette Skirt using Lexi's yarn. So pretty!!! And below that is her delectable Tossed Salad yarn that I featured here on my blog and on flickr last year...

2008-01-29T22:00:00.000-09:00

I got a peek at Lexi's new book Intertwined : The Art of Handspun Yarn, Modern Patterns & Creative Spinning. WOW!!! She stole my heart with her first book Handspun Revolution, but this... AMAZING! I'm waiting for the yarn shop copies to arrive so I can read it cover to cover!

YARN!

2008-01-23T14:11:00.000-09:00

Here's a peek at the yarns I've been hoarding. I haven't been spinning much of late, but these were the ones I manages to sqeeze in right before we moved house. There are a couple more that I haven't photographed yet, spun from fibers I received in an exchange with Lampe's Lumps. The yarn above, Shrieking Violet, was sent to Lampe. I'll post pic's soon of all the fabulous fibers I received from her....

WTF?

2007-12-24T20:58:00.000-09:00

Not really sure what to make of the holidays this year... My daughter and I flew to Anchorage last Monday on our first ever shopping trip- just the two of us. About 5 hours into department store overload, I get a phone call from my husband that his father in Ireland just died and that he has to go home. So, he makes arrangements to drop our son off at a friend's house, gets the neighbors to watch our dogs and bales for the old country. My daughter and I spend the evening trying to cram 3 days of clothes shopping for the whole family into less than a day. Talk about burnt! We flew home the next day and the house was like one of those sci-fi movies where a team of space travellers enters a drifting craft void of all signs of life- cup of tea half finished, clothing strewn about, lights left on- that sort of thing. Like they merely stepped out for a cigarette and would be back any second.

It took a few days to settle in and get the house back in order. Tried to work on some art projects but couldn't get my brain around it. Talked alot with my husband on the phone who was emotional to say the least- tough, burly fisherman that he is- and heard all the details about the burial and could hear the music and drunken singing in the background. It was quite the wake. Anyhow, the only flight he could get home to Kodiak was today- Christmas Eve. Yesterday was clear skies and beautiful. Today, fog to the ground and its blowing a blizzard. Needless to say he didn't make it in. All flights were cancelled. He's booked for an early moring flight but I seriously have my doubts. It's looking like he may well be spending Christmas in a hotel room in Anchorage, alone. Suck. All I can say is that I hope the hotel has a well stocked bar.

Now if you think thats pathetic, it gets even better. Today I busted my 9 yr old daughter shoplifting! I FLIPPED! Yeah I remember doing stupid shit like that when I was a kid, and most adults my age have similar stories, but the fact that its Christmas Eve... She got marched right back in the shop and had to own up to what she did. Ofcourse the owner's son who works there is one of the nicest guys I know- even when he's trying to be menacing he's sweet. She was so embarrased and ashamed. So now what? Its Christmas Eve. She's officially in the top ten on Santa's naughty list! Do I fill her stocking with rocks? Cancel Christmas? Or as my hardass husband suggested: Let her open all of her presents then take every last one to the Salvation Army? I did put her to work doing chores, took away her favorite distractions: tv, video games, access to the computer, her friends and music, and grounded her from them all. Do I let her open her gifts and then ground her from playing with them as well? This sucks! Kids need to come with very detailed instruction manuals that have an extensive chapter on trouble-shooting.

Anyhow, I'd like to wish everyone a happy holiday (free of family drama -as if thats even remotely possible) and all the best in 2008! Cheers!

M.I.A.

2007-12-05T16:56:00.000-09:00

Long time no post. Seriously- I'm not slacking off here... life has been insane since I got back from ArtFiberFest in October. Running a retail shop has meant giving up my creative time and focusing on planning, ordering, packing & shipping orders and staying on top of book keeping.

Even though I've been stocking the yarn shop for the holidays, trying to stay on top of housework and making time for family, I have managed to squeeze out a few projects that I'll post photos of soon, as well as take part in organizing an art show in our retail building. Sold a couple of my peices which was pretty exciting and also had some of my felt work selected to hang in the new Wildlife Refuge Visitors Center through the summer months. Getting ready to submit my latest felted peice for the All Alaska Juried Exhibition and finish up an article for an upcoming issue of Artitude!

On top of all that, we have been planning for the past year to make our house bigger and now it seems it's all about to begin. We're moving out of our house Jan 1st and will start knocking things down and getting the lot ready for new construction. Thought we could just build up and add on, but our house was so poorly built (originally a cabin built from salvaged stuff by a car mechanic) and added on to over the years that its not even worth trying to deal with. Nothing is level or lines up- a serious nightmare to try and engineer. Yeah, we could have just sold our house as is and bought another one, but we have such awesome neighbors on both sides and a killer mountain view in a quiet cul-de-sac that I simply can't bring myself to leave. Good neighbors are hard come by.

Now that I've gotten completely side-tracked from the original reason for this post, I'll get to the point: there is a little blurb on whipup.com about spinning art yarns!
http://whipup.net/2007/12/02/hardcore-handspun/#comments

ArtFiberFest 2007

2007-11-06T14:05:00.000-09:00

Here's some of the stuff I made while at ArtFiberFest 2007 in Port Townsend Washington. To see more photos of this event, click on my flickr link in the sidebar. I'll post more pic's of projects made soon....

Fairytale Yarn

2007-09-11T14:01:00.000-08:00

This was made for me by my friend Liz for a yarn/fiber swap we did back in April. I had to be very very patient- but I'd say it was well worth it!

Guilty Pleasures

2007-09-11T13:50:00.000-08:00

I'm having to cut myself off from doing any more swaps or art projects and focus, focus, focus. Must spin more yarn.... The top peice was for a local art show called "Talking Trash" where trash had to be used in the composition. The little matchbox with ATC's was a swap I could not resist participating in as well as the mail art where you had to make your own envalopes in addition to the art. Now- Back to the wheel and to pimping out the yarn shop.

Animals Smell When Wet

2007-09-05T12:24:00.000-08:00

Animals Smell When Wet was a spin challenge recently posted by Pluckyfluff on her blog. The idea was to create a yarn the was either water proof or water resistent without using any animal fibers. Starting today, folks can vote for their favorite entry at http://pluckyfluff1.livejournal.com/ The winning spinner will receive a skein of yarn Pluckyfluff spun that provided the inspiration for this challenge. The materials I used to create my yarn include a water resistant jacket, vintage oil cloth, polar fleece hat, plastic coated wires, plastic bag and a foam packing sheet. Please drop by Pluckyfluff's blog to vote as well as http://www.yarnmuseum.com/ to see more photos of all the entries.

Vintage Inspired

2007-08-24T13:44:00.000-08:00

Inspired by vintage fabric sent to me in a swap with Lulubeans. Extra fine merino spun with vintage fabric, felted slubs, wool coils, recycled silk and mohair locks. Plied with vintage thread and beads.