CHA was great fun and very exciting! More about that next week.

Now for some vacation time in Southern California.

New podcast up this weekend. Really fun interview with Traci Bautista!

Don’t forget to sign up for Amulets and Talismans. Click here.

See you all next week.

XO

above: Me and Kathy Murillo, the Crafty Chica, at CHA!

Click HERE to listen to this weeks show.

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I took this picture of my little Budda in the garden after it snowed.

I transferred it to some thin muslin using Bubble Jet. Bubble Jet is a permanent bonding agent for fibers that go through a dye process. You soak your material in the liquid for around 5 minutes, and then let it dry. The material is then ready to use in an inkjet printer. (I iron wax paper on the back to make it stiff enough for the printer)

Next, inspired by Beryl, the fiber goddess, I saved all the paper towels I used cleaning up the mess I made when I spilled a bunch of fabric paint.

Once they were dried, I ironed the paper towels flat and adhered a fusible backing called Wonder Under to the ones I liked the best.

Then it was collage time. I stamped, stenciled, punched shapes from stamps, and layered over and over everything.

With all the grey outside, working with all the yellow and gold was great art therapy on a winter’s day!

above: budda in place, paper towels with fusible backing

above: finished collage 20″ x 20″

Click HERE to listen to this weeks show.

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Today I talk with goldsmith Jill Hurant.

Jill credits her mother, a talented artist in her own right, to starting her on her own creative path.

“I’ve always had the need to be doing something with a creative edge.” states Ms. Hurant.

Nine years ago Jill started taking classes at the Jewelry Arts Institute in Manhattan.

“I had never done anything like working with metal before and I found it incredibly fascinating. How from a flat sheet of metal or piece of wire one could produce an object of such beauty. Learning the ancient techniques of fusing and granulation was fascinating. I felt left back in time to another place. It’s the process of hand fabricating the piece that is enthralling. The end result or the beauty of the piece is just ‘the icing on the cake’ for me.”

Also, today I announce the next MasterClass!

I am so excited to offer this next class!

Now, with new and improved cutting edge software, it is even easier to join in.

Sit back, listen, watch, and even be able to raise your ‘virtual’ hand to ask a question. Make sure you computer has a mic and pickup some earphones so you can join in the conversation.

Check out the next MasterClass series with Robert Dancik called Amulets and Talismans.

Click HERE to listen.

above: 22k gold crochet bracelet with sapphires, granulated clasp with rose cut sapphires by Jill Hurant

Show Notes
Music Love I Have for You/Amanda Duncan
Book Exhibition 35/Susan Tuttle

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CRAFTCAST™ Fan Page crafting,crafts, podcast

A love playing with wire.

The upcoming inaugural balls influenced this piece!

I crocheted 28 gauge wire with a fine hook and added some vintage rhinestones. The back stays closed with a bit of velvet ribbon.

It’s the contrast of using an industrial material for ‘finery’ that I find appealing.

A fun project over the snowy weekend!

above: necklace made from crocheted wire and vintage rhinestones

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I stay up late.

I know I mentioned this before, I just don’t need lots of sleep, and I love being awake! lol

Hanging out in bed, and sleeping in have never appealed to my senses.

So… right now the late hours are filled with crocheting. It is very satisfying to experiment with stitches and color and no pattern to follow. I’ve just finished a slew of neck wraps using lots of different yarns and fibers.

Now I’ve moved on to crocheting wire. (see this post)

above: crocheted ‘rope’

above: neck wrap

If you are in the area and interested in seeing how this is done, I’m teaching the how-to behind this madness on Sunday February 1st, 11AM at this location.

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I love my ongoing Thursday fiber class!

(I think it is officially called Mixed Fiber Free-Form Collage! lol)

I’m always inspired!

Lots of color, texture and combination ideas. A real creativity workshop and chance to play!!!

Our teacher, Beryl, (aka favorite fiber goddess) each week brings a new technique or idea. This is my favorite creative “filling station”.

Here are some photos from our last class.

above: looking at everyone’s work

above: Beryl’s secret Santa gift for one lucky person

above: Beryls’ stitch sampler

above: different techniques from class

above: learning from each others work

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I love new art supplies! (I know I’m not alone on this!)

The Joggles site is one of my favorite. (there’s a sale going on.)

I just got a package of some new goodies. It’s always feels like Christmas whenever a package arrives! (my son and I always applauded whenever UPS or the Postman would ring the door bell!)

I like to stare at the new stash for a little while and let my mind wander over the possibilities. I need time for the newness to wear off. (like new shoes you wear for the first time and don’t want to get dirty!)

So, I’ll keep you posted on where these supplies end up.

Anyone else ordered some new supplies lately?

Love to hear what everyone else is getting!

above: colored threads, fabric paint, and netting
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I decided to switch from yarn to wire. Easier to carry spools in an array of colors while traveling.

Same crochet idea I played with here and here.

There is something I love about the feel and playfulness of wire.

Click here for supplies.

above: neck piece crocheted with wire

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Today I talk with Cate Coulacos Prato, author of Mixed-Media Self-Portraits: Inspiration & Techniques. I’m ready to dive in and create some self portraits after talking with Cate. (maybe I’ll even share some online…lol)

“This book is about showcasing different media and encouraging crafters to reveal at least one part of their personalities through art.” —Booklist

January is my favorite month to dedicate a chunk of time to self discovery. Check out this book for a jump start on the process!

Also this week, I talk about the Calder Jewelry Exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum in NYC, plus the latest CRAFTCAST news and upcoming classes.

LISTEN HERE TO THIS WEEKS SHOW

above: Cate’s new book. A definite craft library keeper!

Show Notes
Music
Aint No Time/Grace Potter and the Nocturnals

Featured  Books
Calder Jewelry
Mostly Metals /Karin Buckingham
Inspired Wire/Cynthia B. Wuller

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