Needle Worship

Happy Bithday

2009-09-02T09:09:00.000-07:00

I fell in love with this Don Blanding image representing the month of August. I decided to print the image, embellish it with embroidery and have my friend and collaborator Elizabeth Daniell turn it into a handbag for my mom's birthday.

The bag itself is made of a heavy canvas that was once a pair Martial Art's pants. The material is perfect for durability! Elizabeth used leather for the bottom and handles.

I have been absolutely thrilled to work with such an expeienced designer & seamstress in Elizabeth and recommend her highly.
Contact at: ehud.ben.daniell@juno.com
She gives lessons too!!

H is for Hannah

2009-07-21T12:47:00.000-07:00

Kris Michiels is one of my favorite artists and dearest friends. She has a very keen eye for botanicals and the iconic female characters seen in her amazing etchings. Her prints keep me intrigued endlessly and her spirit lifts me each time I spend time with her. One day I saw this initial that she designed for our mutual friend (and fellow printmaker) Hannah and got the vision of embroidering this lovely piece. I feel incredibly lucky for this collaboration. If you want to see more of Kris' work go to: http://inkimage.net/

I am wildly in love with Linen right now, inspired by the embroidery and home decor of the Arts and Crafts movement. It is a wonderful feeling to create something beautiful and useful and this pillow case is exactly what thrills me.

Again, it was my pleasure to work with professional seamstress Sandra Oseguera (sandraoseguera@comcast.net) who you can read more about below in my last post. Thanks Sandra, beautiful work!!!

Apples For Meryl

2009-06-03T19:25:00.001-07:00

This is my first serious piece of embroidery which I did while reading Michael Pollen's, The Botany Of Desire, www.michaelpollan.com. I was transfixed by his descriptions of apples and their history, inspired to carry on in my embroidery beyond the simple line drawing I expected to finish in a week. I ended up working on the piece for many, many weeks, filling it in diligently. My work was a prayer to this ancient fruit, one of our earth's greatest blessings.

Thank you Meryl for your generous and kind way, my offer in this gift, is to shine light on the true nature of my respect for your generous action in support of me and my artist's life.

I had the very good luck to work with Sandra Oseguera (sandraoseguera@comcast.net), a very fine, professional seamstress who I am blessed to work with in our print studio at Laney College in Oakland. Her excellent skill in creating pillowcases from the 100% Linen that I choose to embroider on was a match made in heaven. After spending a good deal of time on this embroidery, I felt that her work created a finished product worthy of my efforts. Her attention to detail astounds me, encouraging me to an excellence that I hope always to strive for in my creative pursuit.

Thank you Sandra!

Mood, Orange: Custom Order For Bill

2009-02-24T20:22:00.000-08:00

This is a lovely shade of orange made of irregular Aussie Merino Wool. The two oranges that I chose for you are of different moods; this one a deep burnt shade and the one below a brighter shade. Which appeals to you?

Brown Loves Orange

2009-02-24T20:20:00.001-08:00

This warm variegated brown yarn caught my eye. It is 30% Silk and 70% Merino Wool.
The bright orange that I have pared it with is made from organic Merino Wool.

More Choices For Bill: Oceanic

2009-02-24T20:17:00.000-08:00

Another Variegation but in blue, made of Merino Wool. This one could be combined with a solid green or blue to represent oceanic tones, instead of using the contrasting orange shown here. Of course, I mean our Pacific Ocean. If you look at my older posts under the title "British Isles" you can see what variegated wool looks like when it is in knit form.

Chocolate & Lavender

2008-12-20T20:17:00.000-08:00

50% Angora and 50% Merino Wool
Silk Lined With Snap Closure
16 1/2" Long x 2 1/2" Wide

Bottle Neck Scarflett

2008-12-20T20:08:00.000-08:00

Cotton/Merino/Bamboo
Snap Closure
21 1/2 Long x 7" Wide

Choker & Cuffs

2008-12-20T19:54:00.000-08:00

Felted Alpaca/Merino/Angora
Ribbon Lined with Tie Closure
10" Long x 2 1/2 Wide
Pull on Cuffs, Not Lined

Grey Skies Collar & Cuffs

2008-12-20T19:45:00.001-08:00

Felted Wool, Angora and Alpaca
Repurposed Rayon Scarf Lining with Snap closure
Pull on Cuffs not lined
Private Collection Vintage Mother of Pearl Buttons

British Isles

2008-12-20T19:38:00.000-08:00

Variegated Merino Wool
Silk Lined With Snap Closure
17" Long x 7" Wide

Black & Blue

2008-12-20T19:34:00.000-08:00

Black, Kettle Dyed Merino Wool and Electric Blue Angora
Silk Lined, Snap Closure
Private Collection Mother of Pearl Button Detail