My first official photo album

Between 3 and 4 years ago, my husband (then-boyfriend) and I attended at least 30 weddings over the course of two summers. Wouldn't you know it, now is the time for all those friends to be reproducing! I can name at least 15 people who are or were recently pregnant, lots of them with girls. So I decided I should get 

Setting up my Studio

Sneak peak of a wool and silk piece I'm working on in my new studio space.

Just over a month ago I started as the Fiber Artist-in-Residence at the Lux Center for the Arts. I am grateful for the space and excited to start teaching classes this summer. So far I feel like I've spent my residency just finding supplies and setting up my area. It's definitely a challenge when the many techniques I do--dyeing, printing, felting, papermaking (luckily I've chosen to limit all my bookmaking to my home)--require their own set of newly-purchased equipment and table space. Thank you Grandparents, for setting up a college-fund that I forgot about during college! Here is what I've figured out so far:

My desk serves many functions--in addition to my writing area, it holds my pot, hot plate and kettle (don't worry, I don't plan to use the burner with those fabrics hanging so closely above!), bucket of mordanting silk, and covers my drying system for newly made paper. 

This is one of the random stations in my space--paper pulp next to drying onion skins, the latter courtesy of thé Cup where I just started working several weeks ago. My coworkers are so nice to save these for me! I can't wait to see what shades of yellow and orange they give my silk. 

This is a view of the Fiber Room, which I share with the Painting Artist-in-Residence. I hope he doesn't get too frustrated with my goldfish syndrome or the smell of wet animal hair and onions.

The Lux even has a tiny beater! This was the selling point for me--when I saw that they had a beater to make paper pulp, I applied for the residency within two days. I have yet to use it--I'm waiting for Tim to build me a stand for the motor to sit on--but I look forward to the day when I can make my first beater load. I'm sure it will take quite awhile to prepare a pound of fiber in that tiny tank, but it's infinitely better than using a blender! 

A base layer of merino wool for an upcoming felted piece. Another random but necessary station. 

If anyone out there is working on their spring cleaning and would like to see their cast-aways go to a creative use, I am still on the lookout for:

• bath towels
• food processor
• shelves 
• long tables--I'm thinking those white plastic ones for picnics and potlucks
• electric tea kettle (I bought one already, but could always use more for teaching)
• panty hose (to cut the legs off and use as ties. perfect use for the ones you've snagged!)
• stainless steel pots of any size
• dish drying rack
• iron
• measuring spoons/cups
• egg timer
• rain gutters
• Assistants--welcome any time!

Tim photographed me listing out the supplies I still need during my first First Friday event at the Lux. It's been strange starting to refer to myself as "artist" rather than "student" when I meet people. I guess if an organization lets me into their space as an artist, it must finally be true of me? It's been an exciting journey getting here--I can't wait to see where it continues to take me!

Portfolio Commission

I'm so excited to have been able to co-create this book with Dede Lusk, a photographer based in Louisiana. I think our styles blended beautifully. She sent me her photographs, and I bound them into a book covered in walnut-stained handmade gampi paper, tied with linen thread around a found twig. Check out more of Dede's beautiful work at www.dedelusk.com. 

Day Planner and Running Log

 I love writing things in tiny boxes. It's one of the characteristics that misled me into thinking I wanted to be an accountant. I have several different calendars that I take time to update and plan my days with. I don't always remember to check them, but I love writing in them. I've also been trying to plan out my half-marathon training, since I recently had to account for an IT band injury, and decided I should combine my day planner and running log. I designed the weekly layout in Photoshop and printed on Mohawk Superfine paper in my printer, covered binder's board with one of my hand-dyed fabrics, and bound everything together with a Coptic stitch. So far I'm in love with it. I almost wish I had more to do so that I would have more to write in the boxes. Almost!