About surfaces...

You know I have a serious addiction to books! Well, here is another one that those of you interested in textures and lines would probably love. I found about it through Irene Semanchuk, when we were both teaching at the Campbell School this fall (by the way, check Irene's work in polymer clay- http://www.good-night-irene.com . It is quite incredible!)The book is called "Surfaces, Visual research for artists, architects and designers" by Judy A. Juracek. It has hundreds of images of textures in wood, marble, stone, brick, plaster and concrete aggregates, glass, metal, tile. It also includes a CD so you can download the images directly in your computer.The same author has several other books: "Natural surfaces, visual research for artists","Soft surfaces, visual research for artists" among others. Most of these are not cheap (however it is possible to find used ones a bit cheaper) but considering the wealth of images, well worth every penny! Here are some examples from the book. (isn't Santa coming soon? So may be you still have time to add it to your wish list, that is if you have been good!)

"Iceless?"

"Iceless?" is the title of the new piece in the "Offerings" series. As usual, I had some unexpected problems crop up when I was putting the last pieces together so I had to fix them but all and all, I think it works. With this one again, everything is done by hand. The embroidery on the felted outside is done with threads of different textures and thicknesses, the embroidery inside with 1 strand of embroidery floss.

I know it is difficult to get a good idea of these pieces from pictures, particularly from snapshots like mine! But at least you get a "little idea"! I feels so good to have that piece finished when it has been in progress for so long. These last few days, which I have spent mostly in the studio, have been wonderful and I am a different woman when I can do that!

"Iceless?"

Detail of the closure

When the first part of the box is opened

View from above

Close up of the embroidered trees

View of the box when the second part is opened

...and from above
Close up of the inside panel

Close up of the necklace

A wonderful present and help for a good cause

If you are looking for a funny and moving book to give your friends for Christmas and at the same time contribute to a wonderful cause, consider "The ARTFUL BRA". This project, which started as a challenge issued to members of Quilters of South Carolina, the state quilting guild, was spearheaded by Sandra Baker, who at the time was president of the guild and went way beyond what Sandra had imagined. News of the exhibit spread all over the country and the guild received a number of requests to let it travel to different venues. Diane McLendon, editor at the Kansas City Star Books offered to record the project in a book: here is the write-up about the book on the Quilters of South Carolina website:

"Artful Bras ~~The Book
To raise awareness of breast cancer, 41 members of Quilters of South Carolina artfully decorated 50 bras, which became the ARTFUL BRA exhibit. After traveling the state of South Carolina for the past year, the exhibit is being presented in this delightful book – complete with the stories behind each entry, construction details and inspirations!
All proceeds from the traveling exhibit and sale of the book are donated to Best Chance Network to assist women who are without insurance or are underinsured and have been diagnosed with breast or cervical cancer and undergoing treatment.
Price is $24.95 plus $4.05 first class
USPS shipping and handling."

To order the book, go to the website and follow the link:

http://www.quiltersofsc.org/

"Look at Them Ther's Watermellons" by Bev Buchanan

"Sports Bra" by Angela W. Faulkenberry