Done and check…

Three posts in three days, I’m coming up for air, and anxious to write about it!

I spent a frantic day yesterday, mounting my weave a memory piece for the Visual Arts Center of New Jersey 6th Annual Blank Canvas Benefit.  And I spent a frantic day packing for the NJ Consortium for Gifted and Talented Annual Learning Carnival where I present seminars in fibers for Gifted and Talented grade school students in the county.  Preparation for both events happened to collide on the same day.  Sigh…

I made 32 kits with hunks of clean Corriedale wool, baggies, a towel and a large rock.  I had students wrap a rock in wool and create a felted vessel while I regaled them with stories about fiber and how we make it into cloth.  It was fun and just a little bit messy…  Most of the wet soapy water was contained in the baggies, but you know kids…

I will admit, whenever I prepare for this event, I am always in a bad mood, I pout while I’m packing, thinking to myself, why do I volunteer myself to do these events, spend an entire day preparing for just a couple of hours work, (even though they give me a small stipend), and once I actually present the seminars, I remember why I love doing this, to see 32 bright happy kids having a blast with fiber, wide eyed, appreciating what I do, and maybe just maybe, one or two of them will take enough of an interest to bring fiber into their own lives.  One girl happily told me she already knew how to crochet.  Sigh…

Besides, I went out to lunch with an old friend who helped me during the presentations, and I went shopping at a really upscale clothing store in downtown Morristown.  I fell in love with a knit print vest and actually bought it.  And I had a blast driving my new car which performed it’s task, spinning wheel upright in the back, perfectly.

And once home, I frantically finished the framing of the donation piece for the art auction.  They provide the 16 x 20″ canvas, and I chose to weave something and cover the canvas.  I hand stitched a silk backing over the weaving that was stretched around the canvas over padding.  The canvas had to be wired for hanging, and though I didn’t get a professional shoot with lighting, etc. I captured the essence of the work with a quick photo before I deliver it in the morning.

Now to finish unpacking and start the packing process for the WEBS workshop this weekend.  If you can get up to (or down to) WEBS in April, I’m teaching a one day class, on Friday April 13th, in Color and Inspiration.  This is the class I write about often, where we have a table full of yarn and spend a day making yarn wraps and exploring color and warp design through a series of exercises, and everyone has a blast, including me.  I think there are still a couple openings in both classes, so sign up early and often!

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Ted wiz
Ted wiz
March 29, 2012 5:50 am

Not to sure where you find all the time. Your work is beautiful and I enjoy reading your blog.

Mary Mather
Mary Mather
March 29, 2012 7:42 am

Incredibly beautiful!

Nancy
Nancy
March 29, 2012 9:37 am

Awesome! So beautiful and ethereal! And, working with kids is so rewarding, even if you’re grumpy getting ready for them — the end result is a lightbulb going off, maybe not now, but in their futures! Thanks for doing it! We need to continue to try to inspire all future fiber artists and you are definitely one who is doing it!

MJ Martin
March 29, 2012 3:51 pm

Thanks for posting the weaving—it is lovely. I was anxious to see how you were going to “finish” it. Hmmmm..Color and Inspiration…….another Daryl-course added to my AIR-list. (After-I-Retire)

Judy
Judy
March 30, 2012 9:01 am

It’s working with kids that reminds us this art that we love will not end. I love volunteering each week with 7th and 8th graders at a city school. 4 or 5 grey-haired volunteers get respect and find enthusiasm, skill, great color sense, and fun with 12 new weavers in each 5 week session. And they have such big smiles when they go home with their handwoven pillow.

Gail
April 1, 2012 11:52 pm

Daryl, I made it to the 35th anniversary exhibit of the NY Textile Study Group, I saw your piece there. Today was the last day. It was a very impressive show and i was very lucky to get there in time to see it. Congratulations! XO Gail & Fog

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