Category: needle felting

“The silver apples of the moon, The golden apples of the sun”

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This is the piece I showed at the Art Guild Annual Members Exhibit. Glimmering Girl. Found metal objects, hand-stitched cotton thread, mono printed torn and cut paper collage, 8 x 10 inches

Here’s a closeup peek at the piece I’m working on now. The patinas and colors are so luscious. I’ve been collecting the found bits for years, and the process of messing around assembling them into beings is enjoyable. Something wants to emerge.

In the monthly discussion group I attend, we decided to exchange Artist Trading Cards. Fun to make, pulling out all the old scrap materials, and working small and fast.

So fun that I decided to do the backs as well. And afterwards, I was moved to tidy up and get rid of so many bits and pieces and better organize what remains.

Sharp Park winter sun beach walk, high tide, storm clouds gathering

New Tenants in the Old Sea House Leadlights building!

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Well this is exciting! Studio Inki is moving into the old Sea House Leadlights building. (Leadlights needed more space and moved into the imaginary milking barn near the Warming Hut.) Interior design planning is in process, and will feature an open concept to maximize the abundant natural light and epic views. The famous Leadlights-designed windows and doors will remain. “I still really love them,” enthused the new owner.

At this point, the adobe and brick fireplace on the side deck will remain largely unchanged, aside from a thorough cleaning and new limewash. I’m very looking forward to actually completing the set of Kris Compas estate chair kits with the Pescadero thrift store dress fabric upholstery… very Studio Inki.

RIP Starla Argo v1

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I came home to find this grisly modification to Starla Argo, whom I had thought was safely ensconced in the Sea House Warming Hut, up on a high shelf. Here’s the weird part: nothing else was disturbed.

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And there’s a lot of random stuff on the stairs and deck.

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When I asked Scarlett if she knew anything about this, she sniffed Starla a few times, then galloped off down the hallway.

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I found her lounging in the kitchen sink. Her head was bobbing rapidly in that cat way of gathering as many perspectives as quickly as possible to assess if I was going to use my big voice again, which is why her face is a bit blurred.

It’s OK. Starla v1 was a learning prototype, and I had notes on changes to my technique and her design. But I am going to invest in some of those upright square plastic boxes I’ve seen stop motion animators use to store their models for v2 and subsequent characters.

Starla Argo

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Introducing Starla Argo, a seven-point celestial, who lives in the semi-autobiographical North Coast community all my builds inhabit.

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This is a first prototype and is not fully felted or finessed. I’m happy with the proportions, but want to try out some different construction techniques for the star rays, as well as highlight colors.

I also just learned about Paverpol Craft Medium, a liquid textile hardener that seems perfect for preserving details. I want to read a bit more about it, and then check it out!

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The “tin” sign above the cubbies is this old yarn label I found at the Graphics Fairy, then tinted with watercolor and glued to a flattened wine lead foil.

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The pair of porcelain sheep figurines on the back wall bookcases are feves from ValueArtifacts. For which I credit and blame our dear reader Barbara W for my growing obsession. If you’ve not visited the shop, there are some treasures to be had. The tiny fish pitcher on the table is from there, as well as the sleek white and black mid-century cat duo in the front left corner.

Sea House Warming Hut: Interior This & That

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Working on a wee Gotland sheep using, you guessed it: Gotland fleece and dyed black wool roving. The fleece is from Big Sky Fiber Arts in Montana; check out their wonderful selection of fibers, silk and prefelts. The wee (1.5 inches/38 mm) sheep will be an ambassador for Argo Wool Works :)

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It’s overcast, foggy and damp here in Nancyland today and the light is low. I wanted to used vintage photography as wall art in the hut, and have found some good imagery that sets the historical background of the area (real and imagined).

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This undated shot from before 1950 shows some of the headlands and other parts of the Sea House Pleasure Pier empire (now demolished).

I found this postcard of an old view south of the Warming Hut

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and decided to tint it

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but didn’t like how it looked on the wall. I’m showing it here anyway because I like the handwritten greeting from George to Tom.

And of course there will be this map from Cavallini & Company.

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It’s the same one that is on the ceiling of the Sea House Pavilion (2013), and the source of the color palette. The green, anyway.

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Merrily, merrily, merrily…
and with love to all.

 

 

 

Sea House Warming Hut: Argo Wool Works

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www.nancyland.com

This morning, nearby farm Argo Wool Works started delivering their line of pillows, blankets, felted toys, roving and yarn for the winter fair. This season they’re featuring woolens from both their Gotland sheep and Angora goats. Both flocks pasture on the headlands south of the Sea House Warming Hut, and lambs and kids are frequent springtime visitors. Stop by to see — and feel — their incredibly soft-and-sturdy offerings!

Gnome Retrofitting

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I know. Still both busy and distracted, but able to work on these guys inbetween and on breaks. You can see I got some Mohair fleece wool. It’s like the softest thing I’ve ever touched ever. Also mustache wax for the dandy gnomes. And still learning lots, which makes me happy.

Part of my distraction is that I’m finally building out the little lean-to shed on the back of our garage to use as a wood shop. We had been using it for general storage, so my studio is now a shambles of unsorted boxes, disused music gear (his) and bins and tubs full of materials and supplies (mine) that all must find new places to be.

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And this is just one side of the room. It is… unwholesome, and overwhelming, and not conducive to getting stuff done.

My granddaughter is sick today, so I’ve been sending pix of the gnomes to cheer her up.

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The tall one with mo’hair is about to sit down and have a sunshine smoothie. Did you know gnomes live on smoothies?

 

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I think this one needs ears too, but more sticky-outy ones. It is very proud of its mustachios.

Also I have learned the difference between combed wool roving and clumpy wool batting. And I want my own curly wooled sheep.

Gnelf? Elfome?

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www.nancyland.com

www.nancyland.com

Finished Other003 between work tasks. And by “finished” I mean “This is what Done1.0 looks like. I don’t want to be the crazy gnome/gnoelf/gnelf/elfome lady.” Lessons continue to be learned.

Of course, there will be others. I want some of that curly wool for beards :)