White Gum Wool

Welcome to StudioSvenja, Pegasus overlocker!! It's made it just that little bit more full, but I am so happy to have it!
Progress continues within both studios (and really, the house in general!) on the latest WoW piece. Leather moulding in one, and leather sewing in the other. RSI in one hand already. Oh dear!
My main reason for posting tonight though is to share with you a couple of interesting sites. You may remember I have previously sent down some felted garments to Tasmania for display purposes.
These were for Nan Bray, who runs White Gum Wool in Oatlands Tasmania. I first stumbled across White Gum Wool when trying to source superfine merino roving for a workshop, referred by Mandie Chandler at Ewe Give Me The Knits, if I recall.

"The story behind White Gum Wool is one of mamas and babies, of diversity and abundance, and of ethics—for the land, the animals and the people involved in making this yarn.

And the story includes you, because you, or your grandmother or friend will create something beautiful and lasting from this magical fibre.

White Gum Wool sheep are raised on a single farm, in the high midlands of Tasmania.  They graze in mostly native pastures where they can find the plants they need to keep healthy.

Mamas teach their babies how to forage in this landscape, hanging out in family groups of grandmas, mamas and lambkins.  Sheep are highly social animals, and keeping families together means the sheep are just plain happier.

The abundant, diverse landscapes are healthy, too—they are real ecosystems doing what ecosystems do best—turning sunlight and water into energy through a squillion different animal and plant pathways.  No fertilisers, pesticides or fungicides are used in growing White Gum Wool."

White Gum Wool was recently featured on ABC's Landline programme, and it was a really interesting story, and a lovely opportunity to get to know Nan! Take a look and learn about her radical approach to wool farming.

The other site I wanted to direct you to is Wendy Moyer's blog. A fellow WoW designer, her blog is a beautifully written and visually delicious exploration of her adventures in textile and costume design. I met Wendy at WoW the year her design Iggy, aka Abracalypse Now, left, was an engaging and successful entry in the awards show. As someone going through the same process, I greatly enjoy her descriptions of her journey. From what I've seen so far, I'm pretty sure I'll be seeing her and her latest design at the next WoW show. Well, I hope I'll be there!

What the hell is going on with my fonts, I hear you ask? I don't know. I did art. This is the best I can do with technology. It hurts my brain to look at these things that I can't fix, so I just concentrate on the fabulous things I can do. NMP - Not My Problem!! 

Ice dyeing experimentation

I'm a bit sad that college finished this week.On Friday I gave my presentation to the Textile class, which comprised a powerpoint presentation on textile technologies. I chose to investigate phosphorescent fibre, based on my discovery of this fabulous piece called (No)Where (Now)Here by artist Ying Gao. This work incorporates several technologies - photoluminescent fibre, eye tracking technology and tiny motors. Click on the link to see it in action.

(NO)WHERE (NOW)HERE

(NO)WHERE (NOW)HERE

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g04tjpe6dEM

Saturday morning I attended a workshop organised by ATASDA, where the delightful Lyn Baxter introduced us to the simple but fascinating technique of ice dyeing. It was a lovely relaxed morning, and I am very pleased with the results of my experiments. They are not as lovely as Lyns' samples - I think they might need a little more ice to get the same effect she did. However, I think the spots of dye powder are another interesting effect. 

Mishka didn't really have much of an opinion to offer on the matter....

The weekend was rounded off with the last visit to Gallery 159 for 2013, to see the Baltic Mini-Textiles Exhibition, supplemented by selected works from ATASDA members. The delightful vision of Janet in her summer finery on the stairs was the first thing we saw!

"A total of 70 works in miniature, from the collection of the Museum of Gdynia, Poland have been brought to Australia by TAFTA at the instigation of Jolanta Szymczyk.  The exhibition continues to 15th December, 2013.  Textiles from the Collection of Dana McCown will be sold in conjunction (ideal for Christmas presents).  The International Baltic Mini-Textiles collection which has been touring Australia for nearly two years through TAFTA, will have their final showing atWARWICK ART GALLERY, Warwick Qld from February 6 – March 16, 2014. This is the last opportunity to view these remarkable works provided to Australia by the Museum of Gdynia Poland. The exhibition tour has seen the works shown in Victoria, New South Wales and South Australia as well as several venues in Queensland. Jolanta Szymczyk, instigator of the touring concept will be joined by Janet De Boer O.A.M. at the opening in Warwick; for details see www.warwickartgallery.com.au".

With the regular barman Peter away, Matt and Liam stepped in to fulfill barman duties for us all - much appreciated, boys!       This left Janet free to make sales - yahooo!!

The exhibition was lovely, and although I had seen it before, like Janet, I saw new things this time. Two of my favourite works were these two delicate pieces...

 I also loved this sea creature inspired piece.

At the end of the week, I managed to catch up with Jacqueline and give her the eco-dyed nuno-felt wrap that I had made for her - see my Facebook post for the story and pics. She looked absolutely gawdjuss in it, and if she weren't internet shy I could show you!
I also picked up a new addition to the stable this week - a Pegasus Industrial Overlocker!! Just have to make some room for it now......
 Work also progresses on the WoW entry for 2014 - in leather once again. After the main entry, I hope to make another trio of garments for another entry as well. After all, for the first time in many years, I have school holidays in which to work on this!! Yaaay!!!

Cloudlines

After TAFE on Friday, I swung past bridal designer Wendy Makin's work room to pick up some fabric scrap bags that were getting under their feet. Well, as I said to one of the girls, "It's like looking at footpath fruit - I don't need it, but I feel like it deserves a good home!!" Eight bags later, and I could barely close the kombi door! 

By 11:30 that night, Callum and I were 6 bags in and exhausted. 

Saturday morning I kept on sorting, and re-sorting the treasures. There's so much tulle, I'm trying to think of what kind of a WoW entry I can make with tulle?!! Speaking of WoW, congrats to them for receiving valuable government endorsement and funding to take the concept global!!

This was breakfast this morning - a fritatta made with the leftovers from last nights' delicious pizzas,  cooked in the still hot brick oven! Dericious!!

I finished my design assignment this morning, (motivated by my desire to clear the felting table so I could make a sample piece). Initially inspired by the paintings of Georgia O'Keefe, we were instructed to find other images that tied in and inspired us further - I was led to voluptuous storm clouds and the amazing sculptural work of designer Yiquing Yin, hence the title Cloudlines. As previously noted, I am not satisfied with my illustrative skills yet, but I am happy with the project overall, and with what I have learned. I enjoy practicing sketching, and this year's round of WoW designs should be the best looking ever!

Today I made prefelt yardage and stitched it into a garment which I will felt tomorrow, and eco-dye with plant materials from my mothers garden, as well as some lovely rusted horse shoes from her Uncle Larry's farm in New Zealand! It is a simple garment design based on a wrap my mother has, and she suggested it as a good way to utilise my dyed silk and felt work. I thought it would be nice if my sample piece could be a gift for her, and even more so if it were dyed by her own beloved garden. I also wanted to have an eco-dye bundle to unwrap for my TAFE class on Friday when the come to visit StudioSvenja! Hope it works out!!

Fashion Sketching

It's a love/hate thing. It's hard when you want to be so good, and yet you're not. On the upside, it would appear that simply practicing does assist in improvement, although this is a challenging journey in itself. Every time you draw a really rubbish arm or a completely gumby face, it knocks you back, but when you draw a lovely leg, it's two steps forwards!!

Trying to loosen it up on the drawing board.

I'm trying to complete my design assignment, and although my current version is acceptable, I just want to do something really fantastic and lively! It's hard to loosen up, but I just want that vital sense of life in my work rather than the static template look.

Matt Cat!

The fabulous wooden box I picked up at the markets which I now use as my TAFE toolbox was suffering a few stress injuries, and needed some reinforcements, so dear Matt screwed it back together as well as dressing it up with some lovely corner pieces! Lovely work!!
 I hope to progress a little further tomorrow, as well as working on my WoW design for 2014, which has started to come together this week! I'd like to enter the WETA Workshop Costume & Film section, as I'd love to win the prize of 4 weeks in the workshop - squeeee! Wouldn't mind doing an Avante Garde piece as well....... and maybe South Pacific again..... Back on the treadmill, indeedy!!

Old Friends

Does anyone else think Simon and Garfunkel when they see that title? "Sat on their park bench like bookends"..... 
I start with that because this week I did catch up with a friend, after far too long. It was so nice to visit with Beatrice, to talk textiles, and to meet her current houseguest, Min. What a beautiful girl!

Min the gawdjuss!

Over the years since we first met at an ATASDA meeting, Beatrice, a weaver and dyer, has been a wonderful friend, and has always given me treasures from her 'LoomRoom' such as beautiful silk, tencel and wool fibre offcuts to use in my felt work. This week I picked up some lovely merino wool threads, plus a roll of silk habutai, as well as a variety of beautiful polyester organzas.  Beatrice has often used these for shibori work, making such fabulous creations as these bubble shibori pieces.

Shibori Organza

Beatrice is an inspiration to me, as she continues to make fabulous works, and exhibit in group and solo exhibitions, not to mention living life with a gusto I can only aspire to.
Of course, as many of you know, Matt and became engaged in New Zealand this September, and this week, my beautiful ring arrived from England! 2 tiers of 10 opals (we've been together 10 years) plus a central stone, with opal being my birthstone as well. I luvz it!!

The ring!!

Engaged!!

We decided to do the official presentation at my mothers house, which happens to be the house I grew up in, and where I last saw my dear Dad, so it seemed very appropriate.

Georgia O'Keefe design board

Sketching in the studio

Fabric test pieces

It's a short term at TAFE, so with only a few weeks to go, it's full steam ahead! I was fortunate enough to have four or five hours in the studio on Thursday, working on my design assignment. I was able to finish off my inspiration board for my Georgia O'Keefe based assignment, and then start playing with sketching. Now I search for the elusive title for this design collection!!
Today I worked more on this, as well as my Textile assignment, which involves burning, bleaching, stitching, tearing and rubbing fabrics to test their components and durability. I'm enjoying this technical aspect to my studies!
Sunday now looms, full of creative potential.....

Princess Week

Last week was another busy week, with the highlight on Thursday being Princess Day (my birthday!) Beginning in the morning with a beautiful gift of his and hers Venetian fretwork masks from Matt, my mother presented me with this giant box of goodies before we went to lunch together. After a lovely afternoon, I had to reassemble myself for dinner with ‘da udder Bunnehs’ at Stokehouse, Southbank.. It was a truly lovely evening.

The next day, I enjoyed a birthday  visit from my sister, before heading into the Convention Centre to attend the ATASDA stall at the Craft Fair,where I enjoyed an afternoon with Sharyn Hall, also planning our trip on behalf of ATASDA to Toowoomba in the morning. Picking up Lyn Baxter on the way, the Trio of Trouble was reunited! We enjoyed meeting new people and talking textiles at the Masonic Hall in Toowoomba, which had a beautiful pressed metal ceiling.

I was delighted to meet Helen Stumkat, felter extraordinaire, as well as many other textile enthusiasts.  On the way home, we stopped off at DanishFlower Art, where there was an abundance of beads, crystals and all sorts of shiny goodness!

They also had a collection of animals, including this funky looking rooster, guinea fowls, peacocks and geese, as well as a large collection of gourds to purchase. Not to mention this amazing book on gourd art – Oh Bunneh!!!!!

I also took a photo of my shadow – this is something my mother has been doing for quite some time, and I was inspired to take a shot of my elongated shadow, enhanced by my fabulous platform boots!

A quick word on Sunday – we went on a car run with the East Coast Muscle Car Club to the Grandview Hotel at Cleveland. The highlight of this trip was the petting zoo, which had a crazy baby piglet, a duck with hair like Elvis, a shit-stirring poddy calf and countless cute goats which I wanted to take home with me!

Back to work today, working on my design assignment, this blog (updating to include workshop outlines, after quite a bit of interest on the weekend, as well as now including buttons on how to follow posts - check them out!) and designing new business cards. It's never quiet around here! But how much do I love working in my studio? Let me count the ways....

A day in the felting studio

I just couldn't make it out into the world today, and decided to put all errands on hold whilst I spent yet another day in the studio. After a frustrating few days working on my sketching (a long way to go!!) with no nice end results to admire, I decided to work on some ideas for future felt workshops. I started with a multicoloured layout, using up bits and pieces, which I fully felted, ironed, then wrapped around a pvc pipe. I poured dye over it and hoped to just steam it to shape, but the dye just ran out of it, so I had to  immerse it in a dyebath. Even though I have a metal tube for this purpose, it still required a lot of water, so did not turn out to be the dramatic jet black that I had hoped. Still, I am happy with the result, and am sure this will lead to an interesting workshop project.

Shibori felt

The messy felting table!

I have long been inspired by butterflies and other insects, and have  also been inspired by the beautiful butterfly works felted by Jean Guager of SugarPlum Originals. I've played around with felted wing designs before, but this time really channelled Jean! I really wanted to get the lovely cracquelure effect that she achieves. I really enjoyed the time at the table, selecting pieces of silk fabric, yarns, silk fibre and wool to lay out. I made quite a mess!

Wing layout

 Again just using leftover wool, I didn't get the really dramatic effect as with using black wool (I had some, couldn't find it, remembered where it was afterwards!) But, I am again very happy with the results. Felting is so rewarding!
Back to college tomorrow - looking forward to the new semester!

Felted wing