My workspace
There is always something inspiring to see on the Textile Arts Center (TAC) blog. If you haven’t visited before check it out! While you’re there see a recent feature of my work and studio. Thank you Giovanni and the folks at TAC for sharing my work!
Braided Stud Earrings in Cobalt
In recent experiments with color and texture my braided stud earrings have transformed in time for Fall/Winter. Using the same braiding technique (kumihimo) I’ve shifted focus from multi-colored thread combinations to solid, metallic colors.
Inspired by the vivid, satiny, cobalt blue thread that I re-discovered tucked away, I wondered how well it would work for a pair of bold, blue studs. As I started braiding I was worried the slinky thread would be hard to manage, but it worked out!
Braided Stud Earrings in Gold
I experimented further with metallic gold thread and was excited by the variety that was emerging from using different materials with the same technique. The metallic gold studs actually look metal. Not your typical studs!
It’s hard to believe it’s summer already! Seems like yesterday that Bambako, Nina Mantra and I shared a tent at last year’s Renegade Craft Fair Brooklyn. This year’s took place along the Williamsburg Waterfront (compared to McCarren Park last year) conveniently located next to the Smorgasbord food market and Manhattan skyline on a bright sunny day! I was happy to recognize familiar vendors, see online shops come to life (Homako), and of course discover new things!
Some of my favorites were the textile mobiles and ‘My Lady’ dolls from Hillery Sproatt, ceramic heart and flower brooches from Julie Moon and more…
‘My Lady’ dolls handmade from vintage fabrics by Hillery Sproatt
I loved the colorful textile jewelry from Soledad of Sol del Sur. She uses brass bullet caps as jewelry findings for some of her wrap bracelets and earrings. I found her use for the caps creative as they are recycled materials and liked them as an unexpected detail when paired with the hand braided cords.
Sol del Sur
The simple, yet elegant necklaces by Sheena Jewellery are cast from pieces of antique and vintage lace. Each one was unique!
Cast lace necklaces by Sheena Jewellery
I loved the colors and textures of the collaged hair clips and accessories by Headmistress. Her ‘bowlos’ were a fun twist on the western bolos or lariat neckties.
Charisma Bowlo by Headmistress
Beautiful silk tops and scarves from the Textile Arts Center shop
Necklaces by AMiRA jewelry
Fun pouches from Made by Hank
Cheerful embroidered necklaces from Merriweather Council
Colorful, hand painted housewares by Young Alexander
Some goodies I purchased were a pair of faceted gold cube earrings handmade by Aimee of Hook & Matter, Lime Lavender & Bergamot bar soap from Key from Possum Hollow Farm Soap, and a DIY embroidery kit from Miniature Rhino that I’ll share later because it’s a surprise gift!
Love my tiny gold faceted stud earrings from Hook & Matter!
Can’t wait to try the Key Lime Lavender & Bergamot soap from Possum Hollow Farm!
Clever embroidered map of Brooklyn by Coral & Tusk
Already looking forward to next years Renegade Brooklyn; whether I am a vendor or attending!
In January, Awamaki founder Annie Millican and designers from the Awamaki Weaving Project hosted a sewing workshop at the Textile Arts Center in Manhattan. Williamsburg seamstress Tara Banerjee led the workshop, providing simple patterns for making pouches and pin cushions from remnants of traditional Andean textiles. It was fun to learn about the weaving tradition and heritage of the weavers of Ollantaytambo, Peru and to see the mash up between myth and modern motifs in their textiles.
In Ollantaytambo, the ‘Living Inca City,’ families are agricultural first and weavers second. Mobile looms made from branches and fastened at the waist, allow them to weave inside, outside, whenever, wherever.
I created a cell phone pouch! I decided attach a tassel from one of the textile remnants for an added detail.
Cell phone pouch with tassel (front), from Andean Textiles
Cell phone pouch with tassel (back), from Andean Textiles
Cell phone pouch with tassel (detail), from Andean Textiles
Thank you to Awamaki Lab and TAC for fun and informative workshop!
Sapphire pendant necklace by Cynthia Rybakoff
Partridge charm ring by Cynthia Rybakoff
Quartz pendant necklace by Cynthia Rybakoff
Me wearing my Cynthia Rybakoff necklaces!
For my first ‘Featured artist’ post I’d like to showcase my personal collection of Cynthia Rybakoff jewelry.
My sapphire hexagon pendant necklace is my favorite and wear it all year round. When you look closely the sapphire looks different on both sides. I like to wear it with the side that looks like a stormy ocean landscape (as photographed above).
The first piece I bought when we met at the Hester Street Fair was a silver partridge charm ring, and haven’t taken it off since last fall! I’ve gotten a lot of compliments on this little ring.
My quartz pendant necklace, or as Cynthia named it my ‘power crystal’ has a front lobster claw enclosure and is really fun to wear. It’s my newest piece and I’ve been enjoying wearing it this summer!
I’m partial to the oxidized silver chains, but Cynthia also works in gold, and uses vintage charms in enamel and scrimshaw. I love that her work is simple, and elegant yet still has intricate details. Check out her work here.
Abby (Bambako), myself (Ashdel), Gina (Nina Mantra) on Saturday June 11th
Earrings and hair comb by Ashdel
Insight necklace by Nina Mantra
Headbands by Bambako
Thank you to all who came out to Renegade Craft Fair Brooklyn, rain and shine, and to all who supported Ashdel, Nina Mantra and Bambako. Also, congratulations to our raffle prize winner Lesly!
I discovered some really fun work while taking a break from selling. Danielle from Reshape Studio had these awesome porcelain cable-knit housewares. The ‘Shelf city’ miniatures from The Oak Leaves were adorable. I loved the delicate textile jewelry by Paz Sintes and birch bark jewelry and home decor by bettula.
I’ve been busy making lots of earrings to prepare for this weekend. Besides making multiples of existing styles, I also made some new styles (smaller studs) using recycled silks and leathers. Check them out in person at Renegade Brooklyn this weekend!
A few weeks ago, Bambako and I kicked off the summer season as vendors at Hester Street Fair. To our right, we met Angela Logan who was selling her Mortgage Apple Cakes. This was the first time I had heard about the inspiration behind her cakes. Her apple cupcakes (with cream cheese icing) and rum cake are some of the best I’ve ever had. They are made from fresh apples, unbleached whole wheat flour. I went home with an apple rum upside down cake and a half dozen of the cupcakes. yum!
Poster designed by Abby (Bambako)
Renegade Brooklyn is just two weeks away!
Here’s a sneak peak at what we will have ‘in store’ at our booth (#78) !
We will have ‘flash’ giveaways throughout the day on both Saturday and Sunday (times to be announced). On Sunday, we will have one grand prize giveaway which includes 3 handmade items!
Grand prize winner will receive one each of our bestsellers:
1) Nina Mantra’s ‘cosmic’ ring
2) Bambako’s ‘shout, shout’ headband
3) Ashdel’s ‘sun kissed’ wrap bracelet
Just stop by our booth #152 for a raffle ticket!
Gina (Nina Mantra) is working on a new line of crushed gemstone stud earrings, Abby (Bambako) is working on a new collection of bow barrettes, and I will have items from my sun kissed collection and new faded white series. Also, (shhh!) we will be giving gifts to our first customers each day.
Can’t wait!…but until then, I’m taking advantage of this Memorial Day weekend to continue preparing! I have more earrings and packaging to make!
My nested jewelry display for Renegade is in full effect (designed and currently being made by Mike). After gluing all the wood pieces together, next step is to sand them into smooth shapes.
Can’t wait to see it all finished!
Last fall I designed and created earring boxes for the first time. The design featured assorted vintage fabric prints on top and bottom with a button and thread enclosure.
After making several of these boxes I realized that I could simplify the process. The original design was less compact, time consuming and printed only five per page.
Goal: Optimize the process and use less materials
To simplify the design, I replaced the button and thread with a flap enclosure then added folds (thank you Mike!) to make it more rigid.
The new design is more secure due to it’s compact, rectangular shape. It’s easier to assemble, requires no additional materials and prints eight per page.
Now, on to making more boxes!
