Crafts

Cards

When my mother died and we three kids had the honor of going through the special things she had saved for years, we found news clips about us, notes we wrote to her, and cards we and our children had made for her. We always knew Mom liked hand made cards and that was enough encouragement to continue making them. When Steve and I were younger and more adventuresome we silkscreened our Christmas cards. The year (actually, the day!) Alan was born, I was in labor at the art store as we chose materials for our cards. Unfortunately I never took pictures of cards I made through the years, but now I have begun to save some that way before sending them.

]]> Holiday card 2008, snowflakes punched from white paper and
glued onto the base with a glue pen.

Card for church craft fair - cut paper tree comes out of pocket
and unfolds to a 3 dimensional ornament to hand or stand

A castle pop-up card that was sent as a Valentine. This design is not original, I found the pattern in a book.

Another Valentine, this with an origami man's shirt

More Valentines

Lampworked Glass Beads

Ah, a new craft to explore! Playing with fire and glass, what could be more fun than this?

I wondered, when I first started making beads, why the suppliers were all in the south or southwest, or even the northwest, but not in the north or northeast. When the temperature dropped with the change of seasons, I found out right away - making beads is a seasonal activity here in New England. Good ventilation is mandatory for a healthy work area. All the air exhausted to the outdoors from a warm house is replaced by outside air, so when it's below freezing for the winter I just don't make beads. The heating bill increase would be enormous, and it would still be cold indoors! It makes sense now that the suppliers are where folks can work year round. In cold weather I suffer withdrawal from the challenge and thrill of daily torch time.

]]> Below are some beads from my second bead making season, 2008:

Here are some pics of beads and finished items from my first bead making season.

These are my very first beads:

Here are some various beads from my second week of beadmaking:

This is an experiment with how certain colors react with each other. Here the turquoise over the dark ivory creates a black edge with interesting thready edges. Some have black added, most do not!

Now an exercise in making two beads the same, and hopefully round. Some successful, some not, but an interesting group anyway. I read the suggestion to use one color combination for different sizes and configurations of beads so they could be used together if they work out. That was a good idea! This group is the size of a bracelet, and may become one despite the flaws.

Beads from July-August 2007, third week of beadmaking and beyond:

First, some earrings and bead sets for earrings:

More bead sets, and individual beads. It is still difficult to make beads exactly the same! I may someday be able to do that, with LOTS more practice!

Earrings from 2007 beads

Bracelets

Zipper pulls from 2007 beads.

Some trays of beads, but not all of them by any means.

Copper Enamelling

These are a few of the enamelling projects that I completed in the 70's and 80's. Some were given as gifts and have found their way back to me. The intense color, transparency and reflective surface of enamel is unlike any other craft medium. Enamel is basically ground glass that is applied to a metal surface and then melted in a hot kiln. It may be manipulated while hot, fired many times for layers of color and applied in a variety of manners such as painting, dusting or stenciling.

]]> The bowl with flowers is 6" in diameter, opaque blue enamel with opaque red and yellow stencilled on, then outlined in black. The "maple leaf" bowl, also 6", uses transparent enamels that let the bright copper color shine through. Thick transparent enamel in the center was manipulated while hot to create the highly textured leaf shape.

The 6" bowl with dots uses a combination of opaque and transparent enamels. Transparent lump enamels melted in the middle create the dots. The hot dish holder is a 6" square tile with stenciled design made especially for my husband's mother who collects blue and white china.

Winter Moon tray (left), Millefiore Tree tray (right), and Raked tray (bottom), all had former lives as ashtrays

Dish with Millefiore, and another hot dish holder

This little picture holder is only 1.5 inches square and is hinged so it folds closed. A combination of opaque and transparent enamels creates a luminous surface. It sat on my Mom's dresser for over 25 years holding school pictures of my children, who are now adults with their own children.

Basketry

The first weaving I remember doing was making a "sit-upon" at a Brownie Scout meeting. It was a square woven mat about the size of a chair seat and was to be used for sitting on the ground. It may have been made from folded strips of oilcloth, though I am not sure of the material - that was a long time ago! The next thing I wove was a basket, made at a 4-H club meeting. It was my first basket, but definitely not my last!

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Here's a wall "pocket" basket based on an antler which is drilled to accept the ribs of the basket. It was a gift to my Dad, who was the hunter.

An apple wood and bark basket, and a tall bark basket.
The wet inner bark has a consistency and color similar to leather.

Grapevine and Virginia Creeper from my yard made a great rustic basket.

Ash Baskets made in class "From Tree to Basket"
given by Linda Hartman. Rims and handles are
hand made. Note handle end on cheese basket.

Scrap Metal Sculpture

A trip to the old Merrimack Scrap Metals junkyard with Steve, who was looking for a particular piece of steel for a project, really stoked my imagination. There were all sorts of industrial scraps in varied sizes and shapes, heaps of old railroad nails, machinery and tools. What a feast for the creative eye! We became regular customers and spent many weekends combing through the heaps looking for great finds, which we bought by the pound. Steve has welding equipment and experience so he taught me to weld and, together, we assembled whimsical metal sculptures. Unfortunately, the scrap yard has closed. We still have materials on hand, though, and our scrap pile grew when we removed two ancient heating systems from our house. On my 50th birthday I was given a bent up, rusted, old crowbar as a gift and was totally pleased to get it! Anything, everything, is a potential art material.

]]> Our favorite pieces are the birds. One is outside at my Dad's house in Connecticut, the other is just into the edge of the woods by our house. It doesn't photograph well there, blending into the trees even though it is over 6 feet tall, so we'll have to wait for spring to haul it out and take a picture. Perhaps I'll remember the camera on the next trip to see my Dad.

Porch plant stands

Yes, here is Dad's Bird, but standing in 6 inches of snow so you can't see its long legs! It looks different from every angle, so is hard to photograph.

Cow, and leggy thing with antennae

Smallest bird

Gold and Silver Smithing

My introduction to metalsmithing came in the form of a class given by the League of NH Craftsmen in 1971/72. It was a non-stop trip to the present, and there's no end in sight. Although I've oficially retired from my 30-year career of designing and producing one of a kind pieces in sterling, gold and gemstones for consignment and on special comission, I still enjoy time in my workshop. Here, I will try to show a representative sample of the kinds of pieces I've made through the years. It ranges from baby bracelets to medals of office for college presidents, from boxes and bowls to intricate rings, pins and pendants.

]]> 14K Gold ring, fabricated from wire and sheet gold. The understructure of the ring looks like a ladder turned round on itself. The leaves, flowers, scrolls and balls are made individually and soldered onto the framework. LOTS of solder joins!

These sterling silver "See Shells" contain magnifying lenses

Earrings: 14K with pink and green tourmaline, Sterling with amethyst and Sterling with garnet

Pendants:14K with Topaz, Amethyst and Beryl crystals; 14K with garnet and granulation; Sterling "Bauble"

Bead Necklace, 24" long, with antique amber beads from Kenya. This necklace won the Stevens Metal Award in the League of New Hampshire Craftsmen Foundation 1986 Annual Juried Exhibit at the Currier Gallery of Art. Each sterling silver bead is individually hand made, as is the clasp.

LEFT:The Embroiderer's Giuld of America comissioned this Medal of Office to commemorate past presidents of the organization and to be presented to each new presiddent. Their names and dates are engraved on both sides of the many plates making up the chain. The central badge, an emblem of the Guild, was provided and I mounted it. Sterling Silver and 14K Gold.
RIGHT: Chain of Office for the President of Rivier College, comissioned and presented in 1983

Paper Marbling / Bookbinding

The element of chance in paper marbling makes it attractive and addictive. The marbling process may be controlled to a certain extent, but it is never entirely predictable. Color combinations, design manipulation and serendipity provide endless possibilities, and create a compelling need for me to marble "just one more sheet!" Simple bookbinding came on the heels of paper marbling as a way to use the special papers.

]]> This portfolio is for loose artwork on paper. I constructed it from chipboard (cardboard) and covered it with hand marbled paper, book cloth and, inside, the same colored paper that I used for marbling.

This marbled paper over chipboard pencil box has been used in my workshop for 10 years.

What else can I use the marbled paper for? Notecards?

Some bound notepads and photo holders.

Another box that's been in use for years.

Bound covers for standard sizes of self-stick note pads.

Sewing Projects

When I could reach the foot pedal of my mother's sewing machine over 50 years ago, I began to sew. I sewed for my dolls, for my self, and for friends. I sewed my prom dresses, my wedding gown and a friend's wedding gown. I sewed for my children, for my husband, and for my house. Now I sew for my grandchildren, and their dolls.

]]> July 2008
Wacky, wicked weird Things for the church craft fair

Also for the UUCM craft fair, embroidered felt ornaments

FEBRUARY 2008
Esther's Valentine Shirt
I loved the applique for Esther, had to make a Valentine Red shirt to put it on. Her Groovy Girl got a little red shirt, too.

FEBRUARY 2008
Bunny Puppet wearing nightie and bunny slippers similar to Martine's. When I made her a nightie from this fabric I put a little felt bunny in the pocket, so this bunny puppet had to have a little bunny finger puppet in her pocket, too!

NOV 2007, Doll Clothes for Groovy Girls

Here's the whole batch!

MAY 2007, BABY CLOTHES
Martine will soon be a big sister, so it's time to make some baby clothes! It wasn't easy to be "gender inclusive" in this project but I think it worked out okay.

MAY 2006, SUNDRESSES
Martine and Esther are coming to visit, so of course I had to sew for them. These are sundresses for a June visit, size 3 or less in width and size 5 in length. They are tall and thin, not quite three years old. Perhaps I'll make some matching outfits next, since Esther likes it when she matches someone. Who better to match than cousin Martine, just nine days older?

LITTLE DOLL FOR A DOLLHOUSE, about 3.5" tall
Made from wool felt, a painted wood bead, wool roving and pipe cleaners wrapped with embroidery floss.
From the book "Wee Felt Folk"

FABRIC WALLETS
Small, lightweight and flexible, these are perfect for stashing the essentials in your shirt or pants pocket. From pattern #221 by Lazy Girl Designs.

FLEECE JACKET
This light weightfleece jacket was made from "Green Pepper" pattern #F765. The binding at sleeve ends and bottom hem is stretch lycra fabric cut into strips with a rotary cutter, and the same fabric is used for the chest pocket flap. When I make this again I will narrow the chest pocket flap slightly. It is the same size from XS to XXL in this unisex pattern, and seems a bit wide even on the medium size.

WILD WOMAN DOLL
Here is a little doll that babies seem to like a lot. The arms and legs are small enough to grab well and the whole thing is good for chewing, waving around and bopping your mom, grandma or auntie on the head. The basic shape and most of the face comes from a pattern for an old fashioned doll, but the fabrics and string hair are definitely from this 21st century!

ESTHER'S OVERALLS
These overalls are made with a crazy-patch top and are fully lined. The cuff turns up to reveal the lining, and turns down for longer legs. The straps adjust to different lengths, as well, but unfortunately there is no way to allow for circumferential growth! Forgot about that- it's been a LONG time since I made clothing this small! They're really orange, not red; many colors of orange
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VON'S PILLOW
Crazy quilt pillow from scrap velvets, silks, velveteens and other fabrics, embroidered with rayon, cotton and mrtallic threads. Some of the embroidery is floral, some follows designs on the fabrics, some depicts things in Von's life - sewing, raking leaves, commuting, etc. I've made several pillows of this sort, and they are great fun but very time consuming.

ROXANNE & HEATHER'S PUPPET THEATER
This puppet theater, adjustable in height for children or adults, hangs in a doorway from a spring tension curtain rod.I made it for my grandnieces for Christmas. Since they like to do crafty things too, kits for making spoon puppets and sock puppets were the perfect addition.

Gingerbread Houses

Every November our church craft group makes gingerbread houses for sale at their Holiday Craft Fair. It's great fun, and you can eat your mistakes! Folks stand in line at the church door before the fair opens so they won't miss out on the gingerbread houses. Here are some of the houses I've made.

]]> Gingerbread houses from 2007. It took me a long time to get into the spirit of decorating houses this year, but on the third work session I got my Gingerbread Mojo back and it started going well.

I like the big cherry candies. Jelly-like things glow with the white icing underneath. The cherries and the checked border are inspired by Mary Englebright illustrations.

A face-off at the skating pond, and it's not hockey related... do large cats eat small penguins? Will they live to tell the tale? Penguin candies are fun to use with houses, and I wish I could find other animal candies. The small cat cookie cutter is made from a tuna can.

Fruit stripe gum makes a great shingled roof, or shutters, below. Above, the yellow gum works as "lights on" in the house. But, oh, boy how it reeks!

Necco wafers are still my favorite shingles. This house required 3 rolls of chocolate flavor neccos...

The house below is bigger than most that we sell. It was made especially for a raffle in 2004. I put pieces of paper doilies in the windows for lace curtains. Gum drops rolled out thin in granulated sugar and cut into strips make the bows for wreaths and the snowman's scarf. It's hat, too, is made from rolled gumdrop. Thinned icing gives the front walk an icy look, and icicles hang from the eaves. Square grid pretzels are good for fences and porch sides. The birdhouse and dog house are made from graham crackers.

Front. with birdhouse, snowman, graham cracker front walk

Back, with graham cracker porch and tootsie roll woodpile

Side, showing dog house and pen, cats under birdhouse

The house below was made for the 2003 Holiday Fair

Here are some other gingerbread houses I've made.

The little red hearts for this one were a real find!

The yard of flowers in the "snow" is wishful thinking! I think my friend Barbara made this one, but I don't remember. We've made so many over the years, and shared so many ideas, that it's hard to keep track when going through old pictures. The other one below I call "Jazzy"

More houses, or details, from 2005

Here is a penguin igloo made for the 2006 UU Holiday Fair. Red licorice and Wilton brand leaf and berry sprinkles accent the gingerbread igloo. The water is made by melting crushed blue hard candy on aluminum foil in the toaster oven.

Beaded Jewelry

After retiring from a career as a metalsmith/jeweler I've started a new hobby - you guessed it - making beadwork jewelry! The process is entirely different, though, and offers opportunities not found in metalsmithing. The work is clean, there is no noise, the projects are portable, and the colors are magnificent. It all started with the bead crochet bracelets I wrote about in my breast cancer section. You can see them there, and the other beady things I've been working on here.

]]> PEYOTE WAVE BRACELETS
Using two different sizes and shapes of beads in this Peyote Stitch bracelet creates the wave pattern. These bracelets feel really nice, smooth and slinky! I had to touch it every time I saw it on display at "Glass Cat Beads" in Windham, NH, and finally asked where I could get the pattern for it. Cathy Lielausis, owner of the store, very graciously gave me a copy of the pattern, which is featured in one of the many beadwork classes offered at her shop.

ROPE CROCHET NECKLACE
A mix of red-family beads creates interest and texture in this rope necklace. The red faceted glass beads and silver findings make a center piece that doubles as a clasp.

CHOKER WITH A SECRET
This necklace hides its own clasp. The pattern, designed by Leslie Frazier, is from The Art and Elegance of Beadweaving by Carol Wilcox. It was my first project using tubular Ndebele, or herringbone, stitch. The central bead is woven in flat peyote stitch and forms a tube that fits snugly around the necklace. The beads are size 11 deep gray matte round seed beads and red glossy transparent delicas.

The central bead can be moved aside to reach the clasp, then repositioned to hide it.
Because it's a snug fit it doesn't shift during wear.

Here is an iridescent blue one, longer than choker length.

BEAD CROCHET ROPES
These are bead crochet rope necklaces, one with a dichroic glass accent. The glass piece is removable so the ends of that rope can be connected with a decorative clasp instead.

CRISS-CROSS BRACELETS
Czech fire-polished glass beads give these bracelets lots of sparkle.

DNA BRACELETS
The helix of beads around a core gives this bracelet its name. I found the pattern on a web site.

Life as a Serial Crafter

Did it start in the cellar with wood scraps, a hammer, nails and some string? Or was it at the kitchen table with scissors, scraps of fabric and paper, glue, crayons and paint? Either way, it was before my memory could capture it that I became absorbed in making things, and I am still making things more than half a century later. The crafting of objects has been my pleasure, my therapy, my career, and a means of expressing myself.

]]> There is always another craft waiting to be explored, but first I have to test the possibilities of the one I'm working on at any given time - and one thing leads to another, of course. Paper marbling led to bookbinding, covered box construction and handmade cards. Reed basketmaking led to weaving baskets from vines and leaves and other natural materials from my yard, and then to making splint baskets from ash logs. A trip to the scrap metal junkyard with Steve led to learning to weld in order to construct metal sculpture. Sometimes things go full circle; fifty years ago I was sewing doll clothes for my own dolls and now I sew them for my grandchildren's dolls.

My creations are often easily parted with - sold or given away. But sometimes the fruits of my labor seem like a part of me, almost like children, and can't be given up. It isn't so much the expense or the amount of time put into them, but the emotional connection.