Armstrong Industry Journal

Surface Design

My studio work is going in many directions, now.  I am working to combine my techniques of deying and printing on the fabric and wood, and manipulating the fabrics with other fibers, stitching, engraving to create texture.  I am working on a shop update for mid February, in the mean time we have a few items our wood store. 

I really love color, but in a very specific way.  The color has to be just right, sometimes it can be a little too much, for me it is one ofthe hardest parts of being a independent designer putting everything together and accetping when it is done, finished, complete.

                                     

                                               

Teaching Art and Craft

I teach art and design, at a private school, to middle school age students.  It is a challenge to come up with creative ideas for projects and still allow for the students creativity.  I never show a finished project, since everyone would try to make their finished work look just like mine.  To me this is a huge problem in the education system in the US.  All student are expected to learn and do the exact same thing at the exact same time through 12 years of "formal" education.  It stifles so many student early and they loose interest in learning at all.  I am so happy to have the freedom where I teach to offer a wide variety of learning options to my students. 

I love how my students take off in their own direction with just a few materials and a basic pattern.  That is the challenge for me, to keep the patterns and suggestions simple enough to not overwhelm some students while leaving open the possibility for more creativity  from other students.  These are some of the latest pieces from the morning class.

                                 

                              

Fashion Knits Friday

I am in the process (along with my friend Sasha) of expanding the knitting supplies and samples at the Red Thread.  I am not really a knitter, I can knit a little and I love to use yarn and thread embellishments with my accessory designs.  It has been a busy but exciting few weeks-meeting with yarn reps, researching and planning new design patterns.  I can hardly wait until the yarns start coming in and I can actually touch and feel and use all the beautiful fibers.

I did find this lovely pattern designer in the UK.  I just love her concepts, Thrown Together by Kim Hargreaves.

                               

A great color on this sweater and a lovely feminine shape.

Guest Blogging and Quilts

I am guest blogging ove at Design and Style Guide today.  It is all about quilts.  These have been a part of life for me since childhood.  So much fabric so little time.

 

This is a photo from The Red Thread Studio, the silks are my own designs, the beautiful quilts are by Anne Baxter.

Hope

We designed a little something for the upcoming inauguration and it is in the shop.  It seems we all need a little hope for the future right now.  SA and the boys worked on this with me and I think they came out great. The pendant is printed and embossed wood and comes on a ribbon to wear or a small cord to hang. 

                                

New Year, New Studio

Not exactly a new studio, but I am moving and sorting and cleaning as many people do this time of year. It is amazing all the things we have.  It is funny I have always been a collector and I hate to waste and now since I have the Studio/Gallery people want to give me things, they think I can "use" it in the shop.  Furniture, dishes, old clothing, sewing machines-the list goes on.  I am not a thrift store, but sometimes it feels that way.

 I start to get excited at the chance to start some new design and plan with ideas for future projects.  Even with all the strange things happening in the world, I think this is going to be a new beginning and I hope you work is the same for you.

My studio before, I will have the new studio shots soon.

2009 is Here

Happy New Year to everyone.  I look forward to a chance for new beginnings in design and personal style for this year to come.  Look for new creative ideas and designs coming soon.  Enjoy.

                                        

                                                                                    Photo Credit:  Frographer