but they're cute helpers

Home from work a little late, trying to take some photos outside in an effort to catch the light before the sun goes down completely. Not ideal, but I needed a photo of this piece in order to apply for a show.

I got a couple done and then...

Reality.

Reality comes with helpers.

(claw claw claw on my thigh to get my attention)

I had to bribe them with a piece of lunch meat so I could finish taking pics.

They've trained me well.

awaiting finishing touches

The mushroom has been captured and is awaiting his finishing touches. The last peek before my show in September.

In other news, I'm expecting a delivery of wool today. 102 pounds worth. I'll snap a pic.

Happy Monday, all.

mini mushrooms

I've been working on some little mushroom terrariums for an upcoming class.  Teeny tiny little things.  They make me happy.

Still working on them but will share photos when they're done.  I'll share details of the class, too, when I have them.

Happy Saturday, everyone!

a mouse in progress

 A wee mouse is peeking out of his hole beneath the boletes.

A piece I'm making for a fundraiser for a local charity.

I just need to finish up a few details and the wood base.  Almost done.

As always, this piece is made of solid wool by means of a felting needle.  No gluing, no structural sewing, just poking wool a gajillion times with a barbed needle until it tangles into a shape I like.

little shrooms in the shop today

A trio of tiny terrariums will be heading to the shop this morning, right after I finish photographing them.

Each scene made of wool with a few stitched details.  No wire, no glue, just fiber.

They each come with a small glass dome to help keep them safe from dust and kitty claws.

They're sewn to wood bases that I make by hand of oak and poplar from my woods.

Little labors of love, they are.

I appreciate these captured moments from the woods on these cold wintry mornings.  Even on days that I can't venture out to be among the moss and mushrooms, I can still conjure up that feeling when I'm surrounded by these pieces.

If you'd like to have a look, check HERE later this morning.

Thank you!  Happy Sunday!

meddling with mushrooms

I've taken a break from stones to meddle with mushrooms for a while.

These little sweeties will be under glass soon, and now that my new bandsaw blade has arrived, given some little wood bases too.

Pics soon.

Happy Thursday.

more spice jars and spring has arrived!

 

The collection of specimens in spice jars is growing.

  

6 now, all lined up.

 

I thought I might have a shop update at the end of this week but I think I'm going to push it back a little.  I want to have a decent amount of work finished so there's enough to "go around" so to speak.  I know some of you have tried but haven't been able to get a piece yet because they sell out pretty quickly, so hopefully if there's more work in there, your chances will be better.  As an artist, selling out quickly is a wonderful problem to have, but I can't help but feel bad when I get emails from people who wanted a piece and couldn't get one.

In other news, spring has finally arrived!  Our snow banks are almost gone and I'm spending as much time outside as I can, even if it means needling while watching the chickens, guineas, and ducks (and one dog) scratch the earth.

 

  

Have a wonderful day, all.

 

specimens in spice jars

 Wee specimens from the woods all bottled up.  

(The imaginary woolen woods in my mind, that is.)

 Old spice jars have been fitted with new wood corks.  Each teeny toadstool has been needled and given a few stitches and sprouts to keep them company.

More to come.

amethesyt mushrooms and a shop update to come

 

The glass is cleaned, the base is finished, and my amethyst mushrooms are finally completed.

 

This is my largest mushroom scene to date, measuring about 14.5" to the top of the glass and 10" wide at the base.

 This scene is a reflection of the darker corners of the woods.  The oft-overlooked little scenes that play out beyond our gaze.  The sort of scene you'd have to really look for in order to see it.  

Mushrooms doing their job, decaying a log beneath the moss.

 A spider taking advantage of a downed twig to catch its dinner. 

 

It seemed fitting that this darker scene have a darker base as well.  I took a large chunk of oak and planed it to size.  I applied a vinegar and steel wool solution and watched it combine with the tannins in the oak to form a dark finish.  Being careful to leave the shape organic and bumpy, I sanded the surface smooth and applied a layer of natural tung oil and local beeswax.

 

Rather than glue this scene into the base, I sewed it instead, much like I did for my 'Stepping Stones' piece.  I found that my needles weren't long enough for this job so I made one by shaping and sharpening a piece of wire.  It was by no means a fancy needle, but it did the job. (sometimes you have to do what you have to do)

 

Though I'll be putting this piece in my shop, it makes me want to keep it and build a room around it.  Stacks of books, a big leather chair, an air of mystery...

This piece, the other small terrariums, some brooches, and my 'Stepping Stones' piece (I know a few of you have asked, and I've decided to sell it) will be in my shop tomorrow morning (Fri, Apr. 12) at 7am, central time.  If you'd stop by or spread the word, I'd very much appreciate it.

Have a good day everyone!  If you're getting the snow like we are today, hang in there, spring is coming.  (keep saying it over and over...)

amethyst mushrooms nearly completed

 

I'm almost done with my latest mushroom terrarium.  The weather is a bit dreary and isn't doing my photography skills any favors so I'll have to share better pics later.

I've finished with felting and now I just need to complete the wood base and wait for a new glass dome to arrive (the last one arrived broken).  I've chosen a chunk of oak that I've had in the barn for a couple of years for the base.  It's a hefty chunk left from a tree that was felled when we built our home.  I counted 57 rings on it before I started sanding.

I'm planning to do a shop update later in the week and will have more info soon.

Today I'm switching gears (again) and have stones on my table, including some from my project.  Lots to do.

I hope your week is off to a great start.

boletus bicolor mushroom terrarium finished

 That little mushroom I showed you in yesterday's post has been completed.  It was inspired by the bicolor bolete (as clever Karen noticed yesterday), a lovely and edible mushroom.  I took a little liberty with the hue (hey, that's an artist's prerogative).

 

I added a slimy little friend, who I adore.  I had so much fun making him that I actually giggled while needling him into place.

 

I also added some pebbles and sporophytes in the moss, a signature touch for me.

 

I set this one into a piece of chokecherry from our woods.

You can see I'm gradually working a little larger.  Just wait until you see the next piece I'm working on.  It involves these:

This one will take me a little while to finish but hopefully I'll have a good start on it by this weekend.  I can't wait to show you when it's done.

Enjoy your day, everyone.

captured - verdigris toadstool

 

Aww, look what popped up on my table yesterday.  The first mushrooms of the year.

I do so love making these little guys.

Needle-felted wool complete with pebbles, sprouts, and even a velvet mite.  I set it into a base I made from aged oak.  I left a little character in the wood, including some bug trails and knot holes.  The mushrooms have stitched caps.  All in all, only 4" tall.  Just a tiny bit of happiness.

The sun is out today so I'm feeling cheery.  Hope you are too.