fibre friday: a needle pulling thread

a flotsam cuff in progress

Fibre has featured this week. I'm halfway through teaching my wire and fibre workshop at Place des Arts. Even though I get highly anxious about this teaching malarkey I'm enjoying the company of my students. Right now it's a wonderful bunch of ladies who craft, learn and experiment together while keeping a steady flow of chat going round the table. I'm getting as much out of their company as I hope they are getting out of expanding their crafting skills. We even had chocolate this week (thanks Vicki). Ladies - I do have some ideas for a further workshop and I've been working on some of your suggestions for some wire classes too :)

During each class I try to have some works in progress (WIPs) to demo with. I try to tie this in with whatever I'm prepping for. Luckily Fall/Winter is one time when I do work on wire and fibre (it's too warm for summer IMO) so I used this purples cuff to show how I stitch the fibre in place. Next week we're tackling beads so I'm preparing the components for another "warm ice" to demo some stringing techniques. This piece uses beads without fibre but the same techniques apply. We'll cover several different stringing techniques, some using wire and some using flexalon, to explore the possibilities.

Phew! I'm glad we have 2½ hours for class :)


a cluster of beads "nesting"

studio portrait Thursday: on my desk today

self portrait studio shot: on my desk today, originally uploaded by ebbandflo_pomomama.

In the spirit of the Etsy Self Portrait Thursday group, here are my studio's self portraits for the day.




There's a lot on the desk nearing completion. I find it easier to work in batches sometimes so I'll make the main pieces then leave them for finishing off. The image above shows some multi-strand necklaces I've been spool knitting from wire and adorning with these gorgeous lampwork beads. Still to be done = finish off the handmade crimps and add clasps.


wire crochet cuffs with a copper wire brooch in the background

I also have a clutch of wire crochet cuffs to finish off. These need clasps and a bit of straightening out as usual. I prepped these in a batch by stringing loads of bead soups onto wire then had a crazy crochet few hours, churning them all out (in the most artistic way of course).

... and when it's all done they're heading for the christmas craft fair circuit (see the Events tab above).

wordless wednesday: re.in.car.nation

re-working some old pieces into new luxurious stranded bracelets

fundraiser

"faberge" argentium sterling silver and freshwater pearl cuff

Attention all Mad Hatters! Get your laughing gear on and help out a worthy cause.

The BC and Yukon division of the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation is having its annual fundraiser, Pret a Pour Tea - an afternoon of high tea and high fashion, on Wednesday, 27th October in Vancouver. The theme is Mad Hatter's Tea Party so dig out your bestest hat and prepare to be entertained by the amazing Bif Naked. There will be a runway show and also a silent auction (where you can raise lots of money by bidding on my "Faberge" cuff pretty please ;)

WIPs: works in progress

This is my plan of attack for the next three weeks - the only way I can stay on top of things is by listing everything on a whiteboard in front of my very nose! So far it's keeping me focused and (so far) on track.

On the left of the whiteboard are the five craft fairs I'm signed up for before Christmas - yes, that's one a week from the middle of November!

The list on the right shows all the "must do" pieces I must create ie. there is no option for waiting until the creative moment strikes - they must be completed. I must admit I'm very happy that so far, everything is almost on track. If I can keep away from too much twitter and spend my working hours over my bench then I should be completely inventoried by the first craft fair.

Wish me luck :)

PS: Check the new Events tab above to see what, where and when for craft fairs I'll be attending.

new seahorse fine silver pendant

new seahorse fine silver pendant, originally uploaded by ebbandflo_pomomama.

art clay fine silver embossed sea horse pendant

This embossed fine silver pendant and other pieces from the life's a beach collection will be for sale in the Place des Arts Christmas boutique this year.

This year, the Christmas boutique opening coincides with the start of the Positively Petite exhibition in the main atrium gallery. The opening reception will be held on Thursday, November 18th between 7pm and 9pm.

self portrait thursday: the studio edition

wire crochet daisies, originally uploaded by ebbandflo_pomomama.

yes, of course you can see me - i'm in the reflection off all these lovely shiny wire crochet daisies!

today is, apparently, component day where i gather up all the (in this case) daisies i've made and assimilate them into something amazing. today i'm making pendants for an upcoming craft fair, Canzine West taking place on Saturday (16th) at W2 Storyeum in Vancouver.

so .... if you'd like to see what some of the finished products look like you know where to find me ;)

wordless wednesday: DIY christmas?

faberge glass mix, originally uploaded by ebbandflo_pomomama.

craft kits are now in stock

happy thanksgiving

fine silver maple leaf pendant

It's that time of the year again, when we can be thankful for friends and family, for the harvest home, and the beautiful world around us. The leaves are starting to turn and the Fall winds will soon be blowing them from the trees. Very soon I'll be walking around my neighbourhood, eyes down in the search for That Perfect Leaf.

applying layers of art clay silver paste to each leaf

Once collected I stick them down with some vaseline to an old margarine lid. Before they dry I get a couple of layers of art clay silver paste onto them to preserve the shape. (Art Clay Silver is a clay-like substance made from recycled and recovered silver particles from the film and medical imaging industry). As each layer dries another is applied until sufficient depth has been built up.

each leaf is torch-fired for two minutes

Then each leaf is torch-fired for two minutes to burn off the organic binders in the clay and sinter the silver particles together. The oxidation layer is brushed off and the leaf given a gentle tumble in stainless steel shot to polish. This process reveals the individual vein patterns from the original leaf making a very unique pendant. Only a limited number of these pendants are made each year because it is a very time-consuming process. Since they need so many layers of paste and are also quite delicate before firing, bench space is limited. I have to be able to put on a quick layer in passing but keep them safely out of the way of small hands and inquisitive paws - not easy and this kind is space is in short supply around the house :)

fine silver maple leaves

It's something that cannot be repeated since the original mould is destroyed with firing. Truly a one of a kind piece.

From Evernote:

Lunch

Trying to maximise the work day does not mean skipping lunch!

In a former life

In a former life, originally uploaded by ebbandflo_pomomama.

From Evernote:

In a former life

10 years ago I would have been at the conference on the second level - this year it was a social media conference which held my attention.

fibre friday: a cluster of scarflets

a cluster of scarves, originally uploaded by ebbandflo_pomomama.

handmade scarflets in mohair, bamboo and cotton

yes, i know it's saturday but i did have good intentions ...

Yesterday I unpacked my stash of hand knit and crochet scarflets for the winter season. They're shorter, easy-to-wear neck attire, designed to keep the draughts out without adding bulk to the neckline.
This year, as part of my inventory prep for the christmas season, I'm planning on making for each scarflet. I think a brooch completes the package and makes them an easy gift to give.



This year's brooch collection will be simple wire clusters, similar to the one shown above, or I'll pair some of the wire and fibre flower brooches. A brooch is a good way of focusing the eye upwards toward the face, thus distracting from any lumpy bits you'd rather someone ignored.

Camouflage dressing at its finest :)

wordless wednesday: Fall flavours

gold wire bead acorn pendant

We're currently rocking Fall in the Etsy shop this month. Go on - channel your inner squirrel :)

wire bead acorn pendants

fibre friday: running amok

fibre friday: running amok, originally uploaded by ebbandflo_pomomama.

I really enjoy making these wire and fibre rings but this week I've been concentrating on some fibre-less versions. Without the fibre, it seems a little tame at first but then my imagination starts to wind up, thinking of the wild embellishments I can add in. Usually I leave the wires unfinished for a while, and it's then that some strange ideas take hold.

The above ring was "one of those moments". It's lovingly known as "you'll have someone's eye out with that ring, dearie".

 Wonder what I'll do with this "blank canvas"? I'll keep you posted. It's headed (I hope) to the Positively Petite exhibition at Place des Arts this christmas (keeping fingers crossed).