Automata and mechanical toys

Just flipped through my new book, and wow, it is amazing. Wish I didn't have so much to do and could start soaking up all the goodness inside. There is much less "how to" and more contemprary history. I am too excited.

Trojan deer sketch

New piece in the works.

Fabric ornaments

Found these great ornaments for my tree next year.

New fabric

We have been cleaning out the house and a mattress had to go. Couldn't help salvaging the fabric. Now what to make. (After a good wash.)

Crow berry.

Sent via DROID on Verizon Wireless

Sketch for Crow

I did a lot of holiday sewing. This is a sketch for a picture I made for my grandmother.

Eight geese a laying.

All the babies are getting a goose for Christmas. If I can get them finished.

Art Sale!!!!

I was able to take part in a wonderful art sale last weekend and we are doing it again. Sat. 10th. Lots of good stuff from great folks.
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Christmas Cards

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Lightenin' Bugs

This is a new piece I made with my new electronics knowledge. Nostalgic scene of fireflies caught on a summers evenin'. They flicker in the mason jar and never die (well until the battery does, but it can be changed).
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Electrical Station

Now that I sorta have a general knowledge of circuits, LEDs and switches, I felt free to spread out and dive into this project full force. The odds and ends look a little different than my fabric space. There are still spools but they are covered in wire instead of thread.

My new electrical tacklebox.

"New Do" Sketch

Layers for "The Crusade"

I have been working on re-working my mechanical toy, "The Crusade". You can see older post on what it looks like to date but soon it will take a new form with more sophisticated layering and stronger working parts, and lights. Here is a quick look at the lasercut layering.

Drawn Layers

Lasercutter in action

Lasercut Layers

Cut Acrylic

Turtle Transportation: Shell

The turtle shell is Done! and the birds are on their way to take over their new ride.

The shell before it is glazedBefore it is glazed. (what it looks like underneath)Under glazed shell

Glazed and fired shell!!!!

Locating my inner Electrician

I have been working on incorporating light into my work for a while now. You may remember the shadow boxes I took to the American Craft Council show. Those were cool and all but they just tore through batteries. I needed to figure out how I could make lights last longer and incorporate them better into my work. I had already been thinking about the "Creatures of the Night" and had them pretty much finished when I got the bright ;) idea to use them as guinea pigs. (are guinea pigs nocturnal?) So here my journey into the world of electronics begins.

First step was figuring out how the light effects the piece. What needs to be lit. what is too much light. things like that. I really wanted white light but found it hard to find flickering white lights in town.

This is the final combo. Checking all the connections with alligator clips. I found this fascinating. I think i might start making my artwork with them. White paper is great for dispersing the light. Or diffusing it. This is my embroidered star with the light.

Creatures of the NIght (unsewn)

The next step in the process is done. Usually I would stop here, put on the back layer and get them ready to hang. The end. But not this time. These pieces have a greater purpose. Stay tuned to find out what.... If you dare. Mmwwhahahahahah. ( That is my mad scientist chuckle. Happy Halloween!)

Sketches for "Creatures of the Night"

The "Creatures of the Night" for a gallery in WV, Taylor Books/Annex Gallery. Here are the sketches from my sketchbook. Now I have to get them ready to sew, frame, and possibly illuminate. (If I can figure out what I am doing and get the more technical side of my brain to work.)

Fiber Options Post Card

I just recieved some postcards for the Fiber Options Show.

Fiber Options 2010

I just mailed a piece to an fibers exhibition at the Maryland Federation of Art in Annapolis, MD. "Happy Thought Vacuum" has been around my studio for a while and I am excited to show it. I did a makeover on it before it left, adding a wooden frame and a permanent light source.