Orange Dahlia bag

I've been busy with guests these past few days. Had a lovely visit and we spent all of our short time catching up...talking talking...
I did manage to finish some things before and after... such as this bag (cosmetics bag?) which has a velcro closing and it is lined with orange linen fabric.
It is already listed in my shop where you can see more pictures too!

Have a nice weekend!

Glass pebbles and woolhandbag2

Glass pebbles and woolhandbag2
Originally uploaded by Marian Florcita

And this is what I came up with after experimenting with those pebbles and the orange wool. I handfelted a bag in dark grey and added some pebbles randomly. Some are felted in the bag, and others were later attached to it. That is why there is a difference in the depth of each pebble. They are all very firmly attached (as proven by my son when he started swirlingthe bag around in a moment of (my) distraction).
The pebbles are just transparent glass but the grey background plus the light shining on them, make them look a bit metallic.

It will be listed in my DaWanda shop later today (have to make the german translation for the listing first).

Merry Go Round

Jump on our merry go round and join a group of artists/crafts-women as they link hands around the world and tell you a little about their lives in art a

We are group of 8 women from all over the world, we have got together in what would constitute an example of peaceful idea exchange and diplomacy, and agreed to come to our blogs once a month and share a bit more about ourselves.
We choose a question and all of us have to answer it in our blogs. It will be very interesting to read what each of us has to say, taking in account how much our lives and crafts differ.

This months question is: what craft would you like to attempt and learn this year, providing you had the resources for it.


I will be the first to admit that I am a very curious person and always like trying new things. I wouldn't have moved half way around the world if I weren't. I have a list of crafts I want to try out, techniques I want to learn. I think about this in a very philosophical way, whereas some other people might think that I have the concentration span of a kid: it isn't that I get bored of something I know already and decide to jump to something new... nono... I look at it more in terms of broadening my art's education, and adding one more skill. You don't forget what you already know and knowledge takes up no space. Learnign something new can help you with things you already know.
So, I'm still wet felting almost daily (the proof is in my roughed hands! too much warm water!). I'm still working with clay trying to master the art of making a tea pot (that works without you burning with tea...) and now I have a new sewing machine (even though I hardly know a trick or two of the sewing book).
And I want to try and learn this year:
To spin wool: I've looked around everywhere for a teacher but I can't find one. So, the internet shall have to do! My husband made me a drop spindle and I'm on it.
To dye wool with natural dyes: I already signed up for a workshop in May for a day of shearing a sheep and then working with its wool.
Glass fusion is always in my list, so is bookbinding, jewellery making, sewing, paper making and papier mache. That is quite a list you might say... and it is. But I take steps towards learning this things daily by reading, searching and even trying it out.

It makes me happy and excited to have all these interests because they add add ideas and challenges to my life. I might not have unlimited financial resources but I will find the way. This seriously makes me think of what a great life I have, apreciate my life's circumstances. It is just what I always wanted...

(sorry Im a day late, I am a bit sick and it takes time to drag myself to the computer...)
For more testimonials, please do check the blogs of the other women whom take part of this Merry go Round:

• Agathe, Le Bar du Vent
• Andreanna, Glamasaurus
• Anna, Half an Acre
• Fabs, Easterya Jewellery Creations
• Charlotte, Fancypicnic
  
• Lily, Lily Pang Art
• Ruth, Birdland Creations
• Sara, Sara's Texture Crafts

On my desk...thursday?

glass and wool1
Originally uploaded by Marian Florcita

Sorry, this was supposed to be posted yesterday. But instead yesterday, I decided to spend it all day in bed with sinusitis and an hear infection (second product of the first). Joy! After much begging on the phone with the doctor, I finally got some penicillin and...boy, it works wonders that stuff.
This little piece, which is just a square of hand-felted wool, was yet another experiment... attaching glass pebbles to a piece of felt whilst I'm making it... so, I place the pebbles and the wool and then went on to felt. They are very tightly attached now.
This particular piece isn't anything specific, but I just wanted to try. I have an idea already....mmmmh......

bubbles

bubbles2
Originally uploaded by Marian Florcita

Part of the session called "Experimenting, that is how we learn", in this -smaller- wall hanging I was just trying to get 3D texture. The back of those bubbles are hollow. Amazing how felt, once it is settled, will hold whatever shape.
I was looking for this little one this morning to photograph it and found it under a book... when I picked it up, the bubbles where still there, nothing had happened, the weight of the book hadn't done a thing to it. Wool, water and soap... that is all! oh yeah... and magic :)

little forest

little forest2
Originally uploaded by Marian Florcita

The second of those wall hangings I anticipated days ago... This little forest was hand felted with merino and tencel (wood pulp derivate product).

casitas wall hanging

casitas wall hanging
Originally uploaded by Marian Florcita

One of the wall hangings is done. I don't want to add anything else to do. I just like it simple like that. The sky is a mix of merino and tencel, so when the light hits it, it sort of shines... it's very nice.


Casitas: little houses in spanish.