More Fiber Fun

Once the threads/floss were all sorted it was time to move on to the many fibers that I have 'hanging' around here.  I hang them over dowling -- so just taking them off the dowel can make a mess which has to be straightened. 

Piles of fiber lay before me, stubbornly clinging together as I tried to put them in order.

My goal was to sort into color families and to hang them back neatly back on the rods.

This small wire box holds some yarn fibers that I hope to incorporate into future pieces.  Now, I think I'm ready for whatever ideas come my way.

"I long to accomplish a great and noble task, but it is my chief duty to accomplish small tasks as if they were great and noble". - Helen Keller

A 'Cuff' Prototype

This is my first punchneedle cuff bracelet.  I made this prototype to fit my very small wrist - more will follow in sizes that most people can actually wear.

I've never used punchneedle in this way - but by the time I finished I could actually say "it worked"!  That isn't always the case, and when it does it rates an extra square of chocolate as a reward *smile*.

I began the design by punching to the dimensions necessary for the bracelet.  After punching I added decorative fiber.  Once the punching was finished I added a shank button and created a thin cord to use as a loop closure.  I attached that to the back and then secured felt to the back of the bracelet.  Last step - stitch around the edges of the felt and punchneedle.

I'm hoping for a little more decorative fiber and brighter colors with some of the upcoming bracelets.  Also I'd like to add a few beads or other adornments.  Guess its back to searching through my 'stash of stuff' (*smile*). 

"Beauty is whatever gives joy". - Edna St. Vincnet Millay

Ribbons and Fibers - oh my!!

I sit here, holding these oh so colorful ribbons and fibers in my hands.  The colors intermingle and I am in heaven!  This batch of beauties came to me via Ribbonsmyth and I was so happy to receive them.  I have a space in my studio where ribbons and fibers hang over dowel rods but when I first receive a batch of them I cannot bare to hang them in their oh so proper place - at least not until I've run my fingers through them and soaked in their colors and textures.  The varigated ribbons are my favorite - sometimes the color combination fills me with ideas.  In this particular batch there is a varigated ribbon with the combination colors turquoise, brown and cream.  Now isn't that a lucious mix and one that will be stirring around in my brain until I can figure out how to use it on a beaded piece. 

Some artists go to the local paint store and collect chips of paint to get ideas for color matches and blends and contrasts.  That is a great idea, and certainly a lot less expensive than buying packets of ribbons and fibers BUT the fluidity of the ribbons and the texture of the fibers fills me with the anticipation of using that blend.  I'm a pretty tactile person - I want to touch it - I want to feel it - I want it to drape across the palm of my hand.  So lucky me -- to have just gotten a whole new batch of inspiration.

"Inspiration can come from any direction, but only you can tap into it." - Faith Puleston