Thursday, June 21st, 2007
I’m still thinking about white quite a bit and I’ve continued to experiment with polymer clay. These are thin discs I was thinking of stringing on cord, like the cell pendant I made earlier. I really like the smoothness you can achieve with the clay, and the way slight indentations show up so subtly. I would like these to be much thinner though, especially at the edge. The one thing I don’t like about the polymer is the weight. It is really light. I think the weight of something like porcelain would be much nicer.
Speaking of porcelain, have you seen this beautiful pendant?
I’ve also been trying out methods of attaching a cord to the polymer in a way that connects the cord directly to the clay. I think it looks so much more elegant than using little metal jump rings like I did with the zipper pulls. In the cell pendant I just made what I think is called a half hitch. With these discs I wanted to try some sort of lacing through holes. I like how this worked, but the chunkiness of the clay is making the whole thing look clunky. More sanding….
UNIFORM Studio, laced oblong necklace
Along with trying to get the polymer as thin as I can, I’ve also been seeing how delicate of a strand I can make. I think I’ve been inspired by the white algue we have on our table.
UNIFORM Studio, strand necklace
More polymer images here.
added: Paula just sent me this image of some porcelain and crochet work she has done. It’s stunning, like all of her work.
I’ve been doing some more knitting with the white kitchen cotton too. I love that yarn. Or maybe I should call it string.
And have you seen White Bike Ceramics? The epitome of textural white. I need a set of the Hewes tumblers. (via Lena Corwin)
Monday, June 18th, 2007
A few days ago I received an unexpected box in the mail. Inside was a beautifully wrapped package with this note. Now I’ve never actually met Gwen, but like many people I feel like I’ve gotten to know her a little through reading her online journal and seeing the wonderful photographs she takes and beautiful things she makes. One of those beautiful things (the yellow one, of course) was in the package for me.
“this bowl made me think of you…i hope you like it. thanks for the inspiration.”
The thought that someone I haven’t met made something by hand they thought I would like and then sent it to me…I feel completely overwhelmed at how thoughtful a gesture this is. Yes I like it. I love it - and I love the thought even more.
I also recently purchased something from Underdog Inc. and when Lisa sent me my package she included this wonderful handmade felt pouch. Inside was a note saying how she had been using this industrial felt and it made her think of me - it seemed like a material I would like.
I haven’t met Lisa either, but she nailed that one on the head. I love felt and have recently been researching sources for a thick, industrial felt to use for some clothing. This felt Lisa used for her pouch is perfect - exactly what I’ve been looking for. How did she know?
The pouch is simple and elegant (like all of Lisa’s work) and I love the attention to detail. It means so much that she thought to send this to me.
And speaking of the generosity of (almost) strangers, this past Mother’s day I received another surprise package. This one was from Sally. A beautiful book about the workspaces of artists and and craftspeople, many of whom make clothing and other items for children. She said she thought I might like it and find it inspiring. Talk about perfect timing - I am currently working on the design of my own workspace and this book is the perfect inspiration.
Like Gwen and Lisa, I have not met Sally in person but I greatly admire her work and photography and was so touched that she thought to send me this book.
I started this online journal as a personal incentive to work more consistently as well as a way of recording my process. What I have actually gotten out of it is so so so much more.
Thank you Gwen, Lisa and Sally. And thank you to everyone who takes the time to stop by and read and comment -I really appreciate it.
“give often”. I like that idea.
Friday, June 15th, 2007
I’ve been tinkering around with new colors for my cards and tags for fall. I think the top one is my favorite. Which one do you like? I’m using a lot of this deep blue/green in the new clothing line and I really like it paired with greys and almost white. Looking back through flickr, I realized that this color has been slowly creeping in over the last months.
A few other things:
There is a great spread on Le Bouton over in the summer issue of Small magazine. I really like Small. I think it’s fabulous that small, independent designers have a venue that is so modern and professionally presented. On my brief perusal, I also saw some bibs by Sheppard Girls, one of Dawn’s rabbits!, a paperdoll from Wee Wonderfuls and some stuffed toys from Hop Skip Jump. wow.
Sadly, we lost a good good friend and companion yesterday. I am going to miss Gus terribly.
Tuesday, June 12th, 2007
tie neck halter
Do you ever have an idea that is so noisy in your head that no matter how many other things you have that need to get done, that idea has to push its way to the head of the line? I have found it’s best to just give in and let it have its way since I have no chance of getting anything else done until I do.
Ok: little girl’s halter neck dress with cotton knit tie? check.
Back to special orders and swim trunk linings. Carry on.
Added: These won’t be for sale. I just had this fabric, the kitchen cotton yarn and an idea in my head, and wanted to make one:)
Monday, June 11th, 2007
from my flickr favorites - click on the image above for photo credits
Lately I have been thinking about white (again, or still), especially seeing texture in white, and all the subtle colors of white. I am working on a new color palette for my clothing tags and cards and the inspiration comes from the above images. I could look at all of these whites forever.
In the near future I hope to have some textural thank you notes with a similar “white” palette made. I am super excited about these and really hope they work out.
This continued fascination with white might have started with this photo from Ah_Yi.
I also realized that I rarely use white, in fabric or yarn, unless it’s as a base to dye. I think this might have to change soon. For some reason I have this ancient ball of white Kitchen Cotton calling my name….
Friday, June 8th, 2007
simple dress, adult
I am glad everyone was so happy about the knitting pattern. I would love to see photos of the completed shoes if you make some. Also -There was one person who was confused by the wrap instructions. I should have noted that this is the method you use when doing short rows to avoid getting holes. There are tons of tutorials on this online -just do a search. Oh -and if you’re thinking of using Manos, here is a picture of some shoes I made using that yarn.
I get alot of requests for adult versions of my children’s clothing. This is tricky as many things just don’t translate into a bigger size without looking ridiculous. Lately I have been thinking about this more and decided to try two patterns out. One was the side draw skirt which you can see child size here. I think the adult version worked pretty well, although my tester thought that for an adult there could be fewer gathers, which I totally agree with.
The second pattern I have been working on is the simple dress. The adult version is on its way to the tester right now, but here is a little glimpse (above). I am pretty happy with this one as well. I hope the recipient likes it.
By the way, the necklace was made by my friend Tia. It is so simple and elegant -I love it and wear it almost every day.
Monday, June 4th, 2007
Note : This pattern is now available on Ravelry.
I was traveling this weekend, and ended up spending alot of time in airports. This was actually good as it gave me time to do some backing up of my beloved powermac, which is old and, I’m afraid, getting ready to crash. I also used the time to finally write up a pattern I had promised months ago for the knit baby shoes I made last fall.
So here it is. You can click on the image above or the link in the sidebar. Please note that this is only the second pattern I have written for others to use and I haven’t had anyone test it. Let me know if you come across any problems or if it’s difficult to understand. I just wrote it like I knit it, so I’m sure it’s not exactly standard knit pattern language. This is also the first time I have put a downloadable file on my website, so let me know if you have problems with the download as well.
I used Rio de la Plata Yarn, which is a wonderful hand spun, kettle dyed, thick/thin yarn from Uruguay. You could also use Manos, or any other worsted weight yarn that’s just on the bulky side and has a thick/thin texture.
Now back to sewing -I am so behind! Hope you had a lovely weekend.