Surprise Mordant!

I guess my acorns will have a bit of metal influence, like it or not! How did that get in there? Anyway, these are just soaking so they are easier to crush. Pictures of my recent experiments coming soon.

Snow Day!

I had all kinds of plans today, the rummage sale at Spokane Art Supply, getting some work done at the Potters Guild, maybe visiting with friends. Oh well, a bit of snow is as good an excuse to putter around the house and studio as any. Miss Not-a-Bird and I will be doing just that. She apparently has no interest in post holiday dieting, so I guess the first thing to do is fill up the feeder.

A Good Day

I went to see the movie Wild today and I was impressed. It didn't quite give me the same sense of passion that the book did, but they did a good job with it. I came home and rinsed out several rusty nail scarves which all came out well-whew! Although I am not sure what I was worried about, the worst that would happen is that I would eco print them later. Then I took a small hike of my own over to the river. The wind was blowing and the sky was brilliant blue. The Spokane River was teal green as it is at this time of year. The wind is completely still now as the sun sets behind my favorite tree in our yard.

Not Blue...

But a fun color nonetheless! This is the result of my experiment in the last post. The turquoise and mint will make a nice ground layer for an eco print this spring.

Woad and Indigo Fermentation Experiment

I dried a bunch of woad and indigo leaves last fall. I wanted to see what would happen if I tried to ferment powdered leaves instead of buying the actual powdered dye stuff. So far the liquid is turning the right color, and they both have a smell, so we will see what it looks like tomorrow!

Nesting

Birds nest in the spring, I nest in the winter. The art fair circuit is done for the year, and it is time to rest and reflect. The days here are very short, it gets dark around four in the afternoon. Since there is nothing that has to be done outside there is time to nurture ideas that have been waiting their turn. It is also a good time to look back over what ideas I did make come into to reality and decide if they worked, or if they could be expanded. Several years ago I decided that I would also use this time to experiment with new materials and it has turned out to be a good decision. Even if I don't pursue any of them to a great degree, I always learn something or am inspired in some way. This winter's experiment is with ceramics. I have no interest in making my own coffee mugs or dinnerware at this point, but I have been searching the world over for earthy buttons, beads and pendants to work into my scarves and accessories. I am having some success (pictures coming soon I hope-ceramics can take as long as eco printing) and have had many insights into my fiber work; not to mention meeting an inspiring group of artists.

On this morning's walk I found this little nest resting in a branch over the Spokane River. It does remind me that I should also probably think about cleaning and reorganizing my own little nest. After a year of eco printing, my studio does resemble a pile of sticks!

Zen Books

I read Cheryl Stayed's Wild last year and then read it or parts of it over and over. I can see why they are making a movie out of it, the story is astounding. Hope they don't screw it up, the book is incredible. It gives new meaning to "walking the path".