Last week I realized that I was treating the development of this blog like I treat my crafting - mostly in the planning stages, rarely in progress, and even more rarely completed. So, I'm forgoing the perfectly crafted opening post in favor of just getting started. It helps that I'm fresh off my annual shopping spree at the Bad Girls of the North art show in Fairbanks. Nothing like an arts show and a little retail therapy to motivate.I have what really amounts to an obsession with arts and handicrafts, particularly fiber arts and other wearables, but also pottery and paintings. I try not to buy things that I can make myself, even if I rarely get around to doing it. This year I bought two paintings by Dee Carpenter. This one, "Evening Glow", with the chickadee and fireweed was the girls' choice. I also bought this lovely set of wool mittens by Nancy Nolfi of PIZZAZZ Fiber Arts. I could definitely learn the techniques to make them, but that won't happen anytime soon and these were irresistible. I also bought several new pieces from one of my favorite glass bead artists, Elise Krauss of Koi Creek beadworks. This polar bear pendant will go great with the polar bear wearable art vest I'm planning to make this year (and last year, and the year before that...but this time I mean it!).
One goal for this blog is to get me going on finishing some of the 70 plus UFO projects I have (photos of many of them can be found in the gallery) and start the many projects I have rolling around in my head. I do best if I have someone around to talk to about my projects, but I don't have a chance to share in person very often so I'm hoping writing a blog will help. I will also use this blog to occasionally discuss the relationship between art, craft, and culture as that is a special interest.
This weekend I hope to paint one wall orange (not really a craft project, but a project nonetheless) and make some small wall quilts of my girls school logo using a fusible stained glass technique to sell as a fundraiser. That means my UFOs will have to wait for another time, but at least I'll be creating.
