May 04
As a home sewer, I frequently threw away the remnants. Then I became a quilter and saved the dressmaking left-overs, throwing away only those pieces that I thought were too small to do anything with. Then I became a fiber artist, and now my closets are doomed. There is NO SCRAP TOO SMALL for a …
Apr 25
“Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain” made a big splash when it came out decades ago, but the title made me think it was some sort of feel-good manual where any exercises would include a chorus of Kumbaya. Boy, was I wrong! It is a prescriptive and concrete guide to the physical activity of …
Mar 30
Yes, like we fabric stashers need one, I found another source of fabric that I’d like to share. The best part is that it’s cheap and you’re actually doing good deeds; supporting a charity and reducing the landfill. Goodwill’s last chance for merchandise sales occur at the Blue Hanger, on Burleson near Montopolis. Goods are …
Mar 05
I had read about Craftsy in the Wall Street Journal- an on-line class vendor that was doing very well financially by creating low-cost classes directed at home craftspeople- mostly women. When I went to Quiltcon, the modern quilt show in Austin this February, the Craftsy people had a booth and were giving out free classes. …
Feb 22
AFA members have an email circle to pass interesting fiber art news and inspiration, which is how I found out about Art Bra Austin, a benefit for breast cancer survivors. Since I’m also a belly dancer, I apply fiber arts skills to costume decoration – lots of pretty bras and belts. Art Bra Austin was …
Feb 01
It’s finally here! We have been waiting for a long time for this great event! “Fast Forward,” AFA’s Winter 2013 exhibit, opens on February 6, 2013, at the gallery at Tokyo Electron. Join us! Juror, Mary Mikel Stump (Gallery Director/Curator with the School of Art & Design at Texas State University), has selected 25 pieces …
Jan 02
Zig Zigler said “People often say that motivation doesn’t last. Well, neither does bathing – that’s why we recommend it daily.” Fair enough! It also is a fine way to explain why being part of the Austin Fiber Artists’ group is a great idea. Being exposed to a wide range of creative talents motivates me, …
Dec 25
On November 10, 2012, eight dance groups wove magic through a fiber art landscape in Stacy Park. Colorful fabric tubes came to life. The colors were stunning against the green of the park and blue of the sky. One dancer was high in a tree balancing apples on a branch. Another group moved athletically between …
Oct 27
One of the benefits of joining the AFA is to be exposed to new forms of fiber art. Some media and techniques have their own built-in barriers, so it’s nice to have enthusiastic experienced companions on your voyage of discovery. I was curious about felting, but would never have done it had AFA not made …
Oct 02
It’s been almost a decade since I’ve made it to the Austin quilt show, largely because my favorite arts festival friend Milli moved to New Mexico. (Art is better appreciated when you can ooh and ahh with a like-minded buddy!) However, joining the AFA has refocused my attention on the fiber arts world and besides, …