plant & earth pigments workshop with Judi Pettite

Super excited about the upcoming pigments workshop with Judi Pettite @ the Richmond Art Center. It's an introduction to Judi's work with plant and earth pigments plus working with various binders.

April 17th, 2010
Plant & Earth Pigments with Judi Pettite
Richmond Art Center - Richmond, CA

Native Plant Dye Workshop with Rebecca Burgess @ the Berkleley Botanical Gardens

This past weekend I attended a hands-on workshop and overview of dying fibers with locally harvested plants lead by artist and educator Rebecca Burgess at the Berkeley Botanical Gardens. It was a great honor to meet Rebecca in person after following her work on-line for some time. I admire her approach to using local resources and materials when ever possible. She has a wealth of information inside of her and a generous heart to match - I look forward to working with her again. The workshop was a small introduction, but definitely inspiring. So keep your eye out for the next one. Also at the end of the year, Rebecca's new book is being released: Gathering Color. It focuses on identifying, harvesting and creating dyes with plants in the area.

Be sure to check out the Fiber & Dye Exhibit on display at the gardens and to take the self guided walking tour of native dye plants. So beautifully laid out and such a unique way to learn.

Native Plant Dye Workshop with Rebecca Burgess
March 28th, 2010 @ the UC Botanical Gardens in Berkeley, CA

Chela's DIY felt circle window screen

Trying to decide which window(s) would be best suited for this DIY window screen project by Chela Edmunds. Just the thought of it hanging in the house really makes me happy!

Renegade Craft Fair - SAN FRANCISCO

THIS weekend is the second annual Renegade Craft Fair in SAN FRANCISCO @ the Fort Mason Center Festival Pavilion: JULY 18 + 19, 11am – 7pm! Be sure not to miss it! Over the last six years, RCF has gained the reputation of being the biggest, best and the most well-known of all the DIY craft fairs. With over 200 indie-artists selling cool, handmade stuff - including plush items, jewelry, posters, prints, clothing, stationery plus workshops and more. Don't miss it!

Donna Wilson's odd objects

Donna Wilson's unique and quirky knitted creatures have been a love since first site. Her knitted whimsy captured my heart with odd proportions, funny color combinations & lots of personality. I love how the machine knitted intarsia patterns transform her doodly drawings into 3D forms. So playful and cozy!

Again, I find myself absolutely mesmerized by the new projects she has been working on. It is impossible to choose a favorite, I seriously want everything! Be sure to check out the glassware, melamine trays, cushions, pillows, blankets, scarves, tea towels, the new creatures... Oh, so hard to choose, so hard to choose... (Which would you choose?)

To add to to the excitement, she has a new book out, so you can knit your own odd-bod bunch of creatures too!

kinetic drawing bug

" ...using a small motor you can create a kinetic bug that draws or create more than one to have a race with your friends." Bloesem Kids and Bookhou share another great DIY craft project for you to do with the kids. This one's gonna be lots of fun!

mud stencils

Graffiti goes green? Jesse Graves uses mud to create green graffiti and encourages others to join him. Graves explains , “I began stenciling with mud to put environmentally conscious messages in public spaces. I use mud or earth because it is a fundamental life-giving substance, logical for my messages. Mud stencils are an evolving medium, intended for art and social justice, not corporate advertisement.”