Friday 11 September 2015

The Ash Leaf Bag


 So, there were these off cuts from the making of the Moon Bird Bag and I thought...“going to have to come up with something to make from these at some stage” (only slight grumble involved!) Looking at them later,

I saw glimmers of ideas for a second bag... 
Here's what I ended up with



And here's how it came to be...







 










It was really satisfying to get two bags from the one original felted piece! 
 
I'm off to the local pub up the road now, not for the Guinness though, but to pick up on their wifi so I can post this ; )

Thank you for reading x Mia

Sunday 6 September 2015

The Moon Bird Bag


Hey All, it's been a while since I've posted here, a long while actually! I've been busy teaching, and being taught... and computer time has not been a great part of it.

It's some years since I've had Internet at home (I still don't) but I'm looking forward to making regular posts and connecting again with you all.


I completed the UK Waldorf Handwork Training in Wynstones Steiner School in Gloucestershire this past school year, lots to share around that soon. In our studies,we covered several different craft disciplines, as indeed we are called upon to teach in the curriculum. At times, as a craftsperson the picture can become very big indeed and I think you can end up feeling like you have some knowledge/experience in many different areas, but to specialise in one has become a great desire for me these past months, a need I suppose, both as a teacher and an artist.


So I have settled on Feltmaking... returning, having walked a wide circle, home again to my first love : )

When I'm Felting, I feel like the wool is working with me, and that I know it somehow. I seem to have a deep connection to it as a material and I strive to learn more. 
 

I jumped into Bag Making some months ago and have really found something there, of the beauty and purpose model that so resonates with me. With all the allure of spikes, craters and other surface embellishments so popular in contemporary Feltmaking, I seem to be a traditionalist in the end! I love to make practical things of everyday use and value that are beautiful to use and behold. And this is what I love to share with others, in leading them on their own 'handmade' journey.


The wish to travel teach has been simmering away in me too. That journey begins this November! A wonderful painter, the lovely ElizabethPorritt Carrington has invited me to teach some Fibre Arts workshops in Asheville, North Carolina where she now lives and works. I will be delighted to share details of this upcoming trip shortly.


In the meantime, here's some of what I've been up to...






 Mixing different fibres ( ie. wool from different species of sheep, wools that have been processed differently) is generally not recommended in the main body of a project like this. But I was on a mission to use wools I've had stored for some time, four completely different kinds... it all felted just fine.



Bit of help from my favourite star in the sky, 
which lasted at least two minutes ; )

















Love the transformative process from fine wisps of soft wool to this foolhardy bag... which, if I can keep the moths away will most likely outlive me!


Thank you for reading x Mia