my friend brenda taught me about temari--embroidering a string ball. more fun than cross stitch, but still rough on the eyes. they were my christmas ornaments in 2001.
i like to paint, too --and 2003's ornaments involved acrylics! hooray! other times i entertain myself with watercolors. but i haven't done that for a while...
sometimes i get it into my head to start a stained glass project--slower going there, but i'm learning and having fun. even made myself a desk for it. christmas ornaments 2002!
so i took a class at jomoco studios and they taught me how to play with fire and glass simultaneously. we focused on beadmaking... and poof, there i found myself making ornaments for 2004...
also along those same art-like veins are valentines. i gave up on christmas cards long ago for several reasons, and now find that the yearly handmade mass-mailing is in february.
and even other times i decide to investigate those traditionally feminine activities, like sewing-- it does happen.
not only THAT, but liz and i took it upon ourselves to learn pysanka, also known as ukranian easter eggs. we saw it at a craft show out at the raceways and figured "hey, WE can do THAT!" and we did.
then, on tuesdays, i took an etching course at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts Studio School. LOVED it. i'm trying to make my own printing press, but so far this goal has not reached fruition. let me know if you have ideas (so expensive to buy!!)
after etching i got the urge to rediscover my pottery roots (also at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts Studio School). i like my earlier work better, but i did make some friends and try out some new things in my most recent go at it.
suddenly, there came a point when i realized i hadn't explored the textile arts as much as i might have. sewing is one thing, but.... to dye one's own fabric...very cool. so there i was back again at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, learning shibori, japanese dye-resist (tie dye!)....
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