Deep sea, blue handwoven Scarf

Lately I've been trying to make myself create with the materials that are already in my studio, instead of always running out and buying more colors of yarn. As I've been journaling about my creative process, I've become aware that I am much more productive and creative when held under some restraints and some pressure. The trick is finding the right balance. So far I've found it challenging and fun to only create with the yarn that I already have, instead of going out and buying more.

I have a lot of blue yarn, and while I enjoy the color blue, for some reason I don't like to weave with it. But I made myself, and I fell in love with this piece, so in love with this piece that right after I finished I began putting blue yarn back onto my loom. I just love the two shades of blue together and the movement of the yarn. This is one of those wonderful pieces that turns out way better than you planned.

I also just started playing with picnik.com to edit my photos, and am really having fun with it. I also use picassa. Both are great free ways to edit your photos.

Interlaced Stitches, Interwoven Lives

I have been busy in my studio these last few weeks trying to get as many new pieces created for my first craft show that is Tomorrow, as possible. I am participating in Fall into Fine Craft, the show is at the Zembo Shrine in Harrisburg on Saturday Oct 30th from 10-6. I am excited and nervous for my first show, and hoping that I have thought of everything that I need.

My recent pieces are light weight scarves, with free flowing yarn. I then sew details with my sewing machine after the pieces are woven. I am having so much fun making these, and hope that people of just as much fun wearing them. They are perfect to dress up an outfit, and their light weight makes them great to wear all day long. 

American Craft Magazine and Kay Sekimachi

I was so excited to get the newest issue of American Craft Magazine, my day is made when I see it appear in my mailbox. This month there is a wonderful article on weaver and jewelry maker Kay Sekimachi. I fell in love with her work immediately.







I am drawn to the natural organic feel of her pieces. Much of her work just seems to flow. She creates a lot of non functional pieces, which I often wish I could get myself to do, but just can't seem to let go of functionality. Sekimachi has been making art for over 60 years, which is insprining in itself.

Cream and Blue Table Runner

  I've come back to sewing into my pieces which is interesting- I began sewing into my work as a process of forgivness. Once again I'm challenged to forgive when staying angry seems more satisfying_ and again I find myself drawing to the idea of the sewn line_ crossing_passing_ missing eachother. I love line. For this piece I choose to sew with a thin delicate line in light blue, as it is to be peaceful, and simply flow, as I let love and forgiveness flow through me.

- My weaving shows our paths always changing, we get the same results until we change.

Orange Scarf

Grad class has begun again and for one of my classes, I am weaving and journaling while I create to record my thoughts while creating. So I'm going to share some of what I wrote while making this piece.

While making this scarf I listened to Iron and Wine

- When I started making this piece it was a tight straight plain weave, however while weaving I felt too tense, I needed to relax and let go, so I started moving the weft strings. I love the movement that this creates, and it was very relaxing.

_ I was trying to find a way to make the bright orange color both exciting and calm at the same time. The color itself if is exciting, and the movement of the yarn is calm. Curved lines are calming to me

_ After I finished the piece, I began to contimplate if I wanted to sew into it, and if so how. Sewing designs into the pieces is always a bit intimidating to start. Once I've sewn something it's very hard to remove without damaging the weaving, so there really is no turning back.  But I didn't feel like the piece was finished so I decided to add some delicate stitching into the piece.

- What I wrote: " It's off the loom, I"m trying to decide if it's complete- shoudl I let it go or sew into it- I still have more forgivness ( weaving helps me to practice letting go, and forgiving), a need fore more stiches, but is that my need- or the need of the piece. I then began sewing.

Jason Lyons speaks to Boiling Springs High School Students

Artist Jason Lyons visisted Boling Springs High School to share his work with interested students. Jason shared his processes and inspiration for making art.




Jason says about his work; " Some of my earliest memories are of trips out "junk" hunting iwht my father and of spending summers traveling the art show circuit in the family's red VW bus. This and a childhood spent camping and hiking has greatly influenced my inspirations and mediums I sculpt in. My inspiration comes from the visual images I hold in my head. Every sculpture is an artistic adventure that begins with a single piece of raw material. I can sense exactly what a certian item is to become just by its very shape, material, and innate energy. Many times, ideas and inspirations for a sculpture will begin with just a single piece of metal and the sculpture literally grows from that humbel beginning.



My formal education, as well as much of my daily life, revolves around art. I excel in areas that focus on creation, on creating something from nothing. To me, it is the organic nature of art that guides my hands towards sculpting. I use the elements of the Earth to give life to the figures that I create. Consisting of primarily wood and metal, augmented with, well, whatever else I can find, I then construct my sculptures with the use of fire. These Earthly elements are a natural inspiration for me and lend themselves to the organic figures that I create. "
Where you can find Jason Lyons work:

Perry County Council of the ARts- Newport, PA

Sweet Mabel Gallery- Narberth, PA

Natalya Sots Tea Pots

Since the weather has been getting cooler, I love drinking coffee, tea, or hot apple cider. If I had a tea pot as much fun as these, I think that I would make tea all of the time. You find these and more here: http://www.etsy.com/shop/natalyasots



Hello, my name is Natalya Sots.


Thank you for visiting my store! As a child growing up in Kazakhstan with neighboring Russia China and Mongolia I had real interest in color ceramic clay and culture. With the love of ice skating and the colorful costumes, I commenced the arts with music, dance and art classes. Enjoying this very much I came to spend many hours in classroom which at times ran into the night to become an art teacher where I taught painting, drawing, theater, sculpture and craft for twelve years. The lessons I taught had profound effects on my students who keep in touch with me as they went off to become prestigious architects, designers, art teachers and moving to cities such as Milan, Paris, NY and Chicago to name a few. This brings me such joy to see my children grow up to such success.



I continue to teach here in Chicago in my in home studio, private lesson to students who also share the same love. I also make enjoyable art pieces to look at and that are fun to use. I hope you like them too. Have a wonderful day!

Also see me http://www.flickr.com/photos/10418916@N08/

Kings Gap and Black Acorns

My husband, Peca, and I often go hiking at Kings Gap on Sunday afternoons. A few weeks ago we went, and I was surprised to find black acorns. Maybe I'm missing something, but I've never seen these before. They are so beautiful. All of the black acorns that covered the groud remained intact with their tops still securely attached, while almost all of the others were missing theirs. Have you seen black acorns before?

Photos by Boiling Springs Childrends Lake

I spend a lot of time walking around the wonderful lake in Boiling Springs, with my photography students, however, I normally don't get the chance to take photos. This week I had some time to take my camera out on a sunny day and get some really fun shots. I love searching for interesting photographs and new ways to see things. It can be challenging to deteremine what to take photos of in an environment that you are in everyday, but challenge can be good.

Paper Pottery

I came across these the other day on craftgawker. They are so cool, and would you believe that they are made from strips of paper and glue? I'm tempted to try these out, but think that I need to wait until I have more time on my hands.