More TAFA Market Participating Artists

Continued from yesterday:
Meet a few more of our artists displaying this week in Paducah
Posted by Barbara Harms, Asian Art And Quilts

and, remember, if you can't step into the market you can still purchase the Market items on TAFA’s site

Ready, to meet a few more artists?

These were questions I asked each of them were:

1 -How would you describe the style of your work?

2--Describe yourself in 5 words?

3-What has been your proudest professional accomplishment to date?

Constance Rose

1. My work is abstract. I design my quilts to highlight the surface-designed fabrics I create, the fabric itself is the main focus. (This is more so now than when I created the quilts at the TAFA Market.) The machine quilting emphasizes the dyed, printed or discharged pattern lines. I like my quilts to make a statement just because the fabric is beautiful and worthy of being displayed as artwork.
2. Five words to describe myself ~ perceptive, broadminded, inventive, nonconforming, down-to-earth
3. My proudest professional achievement to date ~ having 2 articles published in Quilting Arts in 2010

check out my blog and read all about me~  Connie

Jwrobel

1 -How would you describe the style of your work?

There has never been a time in my life when I wasn't knitting or sewing. I learned those first lessons from my grandmother when I was too young to recall a beginning. It just became a part of my descriptive adjectives: long hair, green eyes, fiber addict. I love how color and texture combine to not only create beauty, but function, as well. Manipulating and combining my textiles with my experience in costuming, papercraft, and surface design is a never ending and enthralling pursuit. My aesthetic is an amalgam of my bohemian and vintage sensibilities with a good dose of classic design. Everything is a surprise.

2--Describe yourself in 5 words?

The Business:

Handmade. Natural. Vintage.

Sustainable Design and Decor.

me:

Eclectic. Devoted. Cranky. Mischievous. Coffee Addict.

3-What has been your proudest professional accomplishment to date?

A year ago I closed and walked away from my successful special events floral design studio to return to my roots and true love- fiber. Big changes in life tend to always be nerve wracking even when the changes are "the right" changes. I'm relieved to find that I was courageous enough to take the risk and am so grateful for the support and encouragement I've gotten from everyone around me.

Jwrobel, LLC

Rose Hughes - RavenSpeak Quilts

1. I would best describe my work as 'expressionist', for I take in the world and then give back through my quilts how I see it. I love to travel - near or far, and by paying attention find some small or large, special scene to give back.
2. 5 words - that's tough -- intuitive, open, patient, reflective, tenacious
3. I feel very blessed to have been able to share my work and my passion for all things 'fiber' with many people, though many ways, but I believe through my books, Dream Landscape & Exploring Embellishments, I get to share ways for so many others to see they can 'do it, too'. I love that moment in a workshop where my student's eyes light up with possibilities now open to them... that's the best!

TAFA Team Etsy Pick of the Week: Turquoise and Linen Lariat

This week's Etsy pick might seem a bit surprising as this is a textile based group, and clearly this necklace, while beautiful, isn't a textile, right?  Well, take a closer look!  Susan Shinnick out of Iowa City, Iowa, created this lariat style necklace out of turquoise and crocheted linen! 

Turquoise and Linen Lariat Necklace by Susan Shinnick

You can read more about her and see more of her work, including her many hand-printed fabrics and for home and wear, by visiting her on the TAFA List, her website, or on her Etsy site. 

*Etsy Pick of the Week feature by Stacey Sharman from Peppermint Pinwheels.  Every Thursday, we will post one item from a TAFA Team affiliated Etsy store. In choosing a Team member photo, we will be looking for beautiful, Etsy Front Page worthy photos.

TAMMACHAT in Paducah

We're very  happy to be part of TAFA and love, love, love the textile art of other members. The TAFA Market in Paducah, Kentucky will be a very special place to see, in person, the variety of fibre art made, collected or fairly traded by TAFA members.

Although we're unable to be part of this market in person, TAMMACHAT Natural Textiles is supporting TAFA by being part of the "postcard drop." Colourful postcards will introduce TAFA and some of its members to the public throughout the quilt festival and town.

Meanwhile, back at home in rural Canada, it's tagging day for us. Just before Easter weekend, our postal delivery person dropped off a box, shipped by sea from Thailand. Box #2 from Kumpor Eco, a worker-owned co-operative in the north of Thailand.

We're excited to work with this dyeing, weaving and tailoring co-op. On our latest 4-month trip in Thailand and Laos, where we work with women's weaving groups, we visited their office and workshop north of Chiang Mai, Thailand. Most of the sewers work at home, supported by HomeNet Thailand, a Thai NGO that advocates for the rights of home-based workers (mostly women). Six sewing machines are available at the workshop for those who do not have their own machines or who prefer to work side-by-side with other women.

I can't wait to unpack the box, so I open it in my kitchen. Out come jackets, poncho tops and smock shirts in 3 colours each! Beautifully tailored and coloured with certified low-impact dyes, Kumpor has received a "Green Product" certification from the Thai government. For more about TAMMACHAT and our fair trade social enterprise, please visit www.tammachat.com. You can find handwoven, naturally dyed silk and organic cotton fabrics in our Etsy shop.

 

Commisioned work-Good communication equals happy customer

posted by Barbara Harms/Asian Art And Quilts

This is a quick over view of the process of creating a recently commissioned, hand painted silk art quilt.There is a fine balance between you as an artist creating original work and making something dictated by another person’s taste, and I have found some of my best art quilts have come from a commission.

It’s not a hard of conflict to reconcile. Someone who has commissioned a work from you already likes you work and style. They want one of your creations. So if you communicate well, ask a lot of questions, have them send pictures of something similar to their idea, and you, in turn send photos to them as well, to clarify what you are creating, everything should go well.

I always think of the analogy of going in for a haircut. You clearly tell the hairdresser what you want and she seems to understand exactly. When you get home, arggh-this is NOT what you wanted. What went wrong? She thought she understood you and you thought she did, but she understood what she thought you were saying.

So this is crucial step. Send a sketch or 2 of what you think the client wants, get feedback. Here’s an idea my client had and some examples of sketches I worked up and sent to her.

This was my interpretation of what I thought she wanted.
Way off base. I sensed a lack of enthusiasm on her part, so back to the drawing board.
She wanted a ship in peril with a huge octopus threatening it.

This is what she had in mind.
Next step translate her vision into my vision and style.
I painted the background of a big raging storm.
There was more painting to come.

Fusing with Wonder Under,  and more paint.
Postioning and Tweeking, and more paint.
Soon it was time to send progress photos to the client for feedback.
Now, with feedback in hand I set about completing the project.

I find it helpful to get the reactions back on my progress photos. I get encouraged to know if she is liking it so far. But of course the main benefit is for your customer. Who has been involved, there will be no unpleasant surprises for them with the completed work.. You have a happy customer, who had a good experience and will be back again when they need to buy art.

Curious to see how this turns out? Follow the progress on my blog

 

TAFA is having its first public event during the AQS Quilt Show in Paducah.  We are excited to introduce TAFA to the public at large and are hoping to raise funds for our new website.   We have a silent auction and raffle, both available to online participants and a member exhibit and vendors.   These are ways in which you can donate to support our efforts.  This blog will feature the works and vendors during the time leading up to our show.  You can see all of the TAFA Market posts in one place by clicking on this link. 

Today's TAFA Market focus zooms in on:

Meg Hannan

Visit Meg Hannan's Member Profile on TAFA

Fabric Jewels by Meg Hannan

Candy?  Something from the deep sea?  Meg Hannan's fabric jewels sure look edible or other worldly to me.  I remember stumbling on her website and just feeling awed by these gorgeous pieces and was delighted when she joined TAFA.  Now, Meg has sent a box full of her pins and earrings all the way from Seattle, Washington and I got to see them for the first time yesterday.  Light and hard, they are even more beautiful in real life.

Embedded with beads, Fabric Jewels are uniquely Meg Hannan's creations.

How does she do it?  Well, find a bunch of long scraps of cloth, yarn, strips of fabric, lay them all length wise on to a fabric that will contain them, sew it up, soak in resin, and then saw slices of them.  Embed with beads and other decorative accents.  Sounds easy enough, but I can guarantee you that it is not.  

Similar techniques are used in making glass and femo clay.  The technique is ancient, called Millefiori, from two Italian words meaning a thousand flowers.  It has taken Meg 20 years to perfect her process, a careful craftsmanship easily seen when looking at her pieces.

Fabric Jewels earrings are lightweight and durable.

Meg often sells her work at quilt shows and I just know that these are going to fly out!  She has them beautifully displayed on cards, making them perfect gifts for the artsy person in your life.  Not coming to Paducah for our TAFA Market or the Quilt Show?  Meg's Etsy shop is stocked with a great selection, so anyone can jump on over there and own a jewel for herself.

TAFA Team Etsy Pick of the Week: Tiny Baby Hare Soft Sculpture by Dragon House of Yuen

With Easter coming up this Sunday, this week's pick was easy, what with all the bunnies hopping around the shop of Dragon House of Yuen.  Annette Tait creates her animal-inspired art in Edinburgh, Scotland. And what's best about buying her cute (but not too cute!) bunnies is that a percentage of her proceeds goes towards helping rabbit and animal rescue organizations around the world!  For more details, read her profile page on Etsy.

You can read more about her and see more of her work, by visiting her on the TAFA List, her blog, or on her Etsy site. 

*Etsy Pick of the Week feature by Stacey Sharman from Peppermint Pinwheels.  Every Thursday, we will post one item from a TAFA Team affiliated Etsy store. In choosing a Team member photo, we will be looking for beautiful, Etsy Front Page worthy photos.

TAFA Market Focus: Plumfish Creations

Plumfish Creations:  Recycled Silk Remnants Made Beautiful!

TAFA is having its first public event during the AQS Quilt Show in Paducah.  We are excited to introduce TAFA to the public at large and are hoping to raise funds for our new website.   We have a silent auction and raffle, both available to online participants and a member exhibit and vendors.   These are ways in which you can donate to support our efforts.  This blog will feature the works and vendors during the time leading up to our show.  You can see all of the TAFA Market posts in one place by clicking on this link. 

Today's TAFA Market focus zooms in on:

Plumfish Creations

Visit Plumfish Creations on TAFA

An Australian Love of Silk and Color:  Plumfish Creations

Rosemary Boyd wins the prize for being the TAFA member living the furthest away who will be in our show.  On the other side of the world from me, her silk accessories are almost other worldly!  I see them as a flight into fantasy, a dream world, where bold color and texture transforms the wearer into a piece of walking art!

Plumfish Creations makes silk into a garden of life!

Rosemary describes herself as rather reserved, "The accessories I make are sometimes said to be flamboyant and lively - an expression of a part of me, that is otherwise hidden beneath a conservative quiet exterior."  Her work manifests the passion that is inside, that came manifest itself in anyone who wears her work.  Want to be a wall flower, fading into the background?  Then Plumfish Creations is not for you.  Want to create a little stir in the air, have people take a second look, have an icebreaker at a party where you don't know anyone?  Plumfish Creations will open those doors.

Lift up your spirits with Plumfish Creations!

Like so many other TAFA members, Rosemary's interest in fiber arts came through her grandmother.  Now that I have been doing this for awhile, learning about each member as they join TAFA, over and over I see tribute being paid to mothers and grandmothers who patiently taught their daughters how to work the needle.  Traditional stitches have morphed into contemporary interpretations, often leaving the original references behind.  I cannot stress how important it is for kids to experiment with art, to let their imaginations flow, and to develop those fine motor skills that someday may actually lead to a career in art.

Wrap yourself in the creations of Rosemary Boyd!

Rosemary's Etsy shop is loaded with beautiful pieces, so if you are not coming to Paducah for our TAFA Market during the Quilt Show, you can purchase her work there.

TAFA Market Focus: Ekohaus

TAFA is having its first public event during the AQS Quilt Show in Paducah.  We are excited to introduce TAFA to the public at large and are hoping to raise funds for our new website.   We have a silent auction and raffle, both available to online participants and a member exhibit and vendors.   These are ways in which you can donate to support our efforts.  This blog will feature the works and vendors during the time leading up to our show.  You can see all of the TAFA Market posts in one place by clicking on this link. 

Today's TAFA Market focus zooms in on:

EKOHAUS

Visit Ekohaus on TAFA!

Handmade wool slippers by EKOHAUS:  Precious Sweet Milky White shoes / slippers with removable felted wool flower pins

Dovile Sirmulyte, one of our newer TAFA members, joined in March and jumped right in.  She has sent the four pairs of her felted wool shoes for our TAFA Market, all the way from Lithuania!  Dovile describes her shoes:

My felted shoes are made from 100% natural wool. For excellent performance of the wool, my shoes are very soft, lightweight and comfortable. In addition, wool naturally resists microbial proliferation, protects from bacteria and neutralizes odors. Since ancient times it was believed that the wool is similar to acupuncture: it has pain-relieving, anti-inflammatory and body-enhancing properties.

I had a commercial pair that I wore all winter and do believe this is true about wool.  They never stank and seemed to stay clean, even in a house with dogs...

EKOHAUS:  Wool shoes with Eco value!  Turquoise Blue White Wool Felted Flat Shoes

Dovile says that she became inspired to work with wool after she found her great-grandmother's spinning wheel and a chest full of wool in an attic.  The genes kicked in, she started experimenting and now she has a beautiful line of hand-crafted wool shoes which she sells on Etsy, her blog and Bonanza.

The shoes are all hand made of felted wool according to ancient Lithuanian traditions using only natural sheep wool, hot water and natural soap.  They are non slippery because the sole is covered with latex. 

EKOHAUS Lithuanian Felted Slippers:  Ladybird Pastel Red White shoes/slippers with removable felted wool flower pins

As I have gotten older, my feet have also gotten crankier, demanding comfortable footware.  I have mukluks from Afghanistan that I also wear a lot in the cold weather.  It is just wonderful to know that someone made these things by hand!  I am curious to see these in real life and hope that just maybe, one of them is big enough for an old Viking with big feet!  If not, I am sure that Dovile can make me a pair in my favorite colors, just my size.  She does have a lot of offerings to pick from in her Etsy shop, so make sure you take a look there first before placing a special order.

EKOHAUS Shoes: Clear Minimalistic Style Peach Salmon and Gray Wool

It thrills me to see TAFA grow in its international representation, bringing so many talented people like Dovile together into one creative place.  I honor her path, her exploration of her traditions, giving continuance to her great-grandmother's story and handwork, while she also personalizes it with a contemporary translation.  She is young and has all of her eggs in a row.  My hope is that all of us can support her as she grows in her vision.  Shop EKOHAUS!

TAFA Market Focus: Asian Art And Quilts

"Yellow Birds Among the Cherry Blossoms", Detail, Art Quilt by Barbara Harms of Asian Art And Quilts

TAFA is having its first public event during the AQS Quilt Show in Paducah.  We are excited to introduce TAFA to the public at large and are hoping to raise funds for our new website.   We have a silent auction and raffle, both available to online participants and a member exhibit and vendors.   These are ways in which you can donate to support our efforts.  This blog will feature the works and vendors during the time leading up to our show.  You can see all of the TAFA Market posts in one place by clicking on this link. 

Today's TAFA Market focus zooms in on:

Asian Art And Quilts

Visit Asian Art And Quilts on TAFA

"Yellow Birds Among the Cherry Blossoms", Detail, Art Quilt by Barbara Harms of Asian Art And Quilts, 38"x21", (A similar one will be in the show), $400.

These birds on a blooming branch could be anywhere here in Paducah right now, except replace the cherry trees for dogwoods.  They are everywhere and in full bloom right now, a shame because the blossoms will probably be gone by the time our TAFA Market and the Quilt Show take place at the end of the month.

Barbara Harms, the artist behind this beautiful quilt, excels at translating nature themes to fabric.  Coming from a background in painting, she now uses fabric, dyes and stitches as her brush.  She often uses silk, dyeing and painting backgrounds, appliqueing elements, and then finishing off with graceful quilting.  

"Two Sunflowers", Detail, by Barbara Harms, 38"x22", $375

"Two Sunflowers" by Barbara Harms

Barbara captures movement so well in her pictorial pieces.  You can almost envision growth, wind, sun, and warmth in the work.  The translucent qualities of her dyes along with the detailed quilting, thread work, and appliqueing all come together into a snapshot of a moment, caught still in the action.

Barbara is prolific and has a shop full of choices on Etsy.  Do take a look at the widget at the bottom of this post, click and visit.  She will have several pieces in our TAFA Market, and I can't wait to see them in real life!

When Barbara speaks about her work, she says that color is her driving force.  She explores many different styles and also likes to work with abstract designs, but color is her constant.  I would add that her quilting also contributes greatly to the texture and feel of her pieces.  I've seen many quilts that have good designs, but because they are not quilted well, the piece just looks unfinished and bare.  Barbara's quilting is dense and completes the design.  Solid.

Melting Rainbow is an example of Barbara's more abstract pieces.  It's hard to see the details in these images, but if you look closely, you should be able to see that the quilting replicates the shapes of the appliqued pieces, creating an echo of form, repeated over and over.

The image on the left shows the full length of Melting Rainbow, while the one on the right is a detail.  42"x13.5", $275.


Barbara has been very active on our TAFA Team.  She is a regular contributor to this blog and especially enjoys interviewing other art quilters.  You will find most of her posts under the tag, "Art Quilts".  I am especially grateful for her joyous enthusiasm!


Barbara, native of Las Vegas, lives in Oregon, a green state teeming with nature.  I am sure that her inspiration comes from a full life brimming over with an interest in all that is around her.  Barbara shows determination in teaching herself new technical skills, both in her art and in technology.  It is a joy having her on board!

Here are a couple more quilts of Barb's which will be shown at our TAFA Market:

"Sunflower Garden" by Barbara Harms, 36"x 20.5", $375

"Under the Cherry Tree", by Barbara Harms, 35"x17", $350

 

If you are not coming to Paducah for our TAFA Market or the AQS Show, but would like to purchase one of Barb's pieces pictured here, email me.  We can ship it to you after the show.  Meanwhile, also explore Asian Art And Quilts on Etsy:  

TAFA Market Focus: Jwrobel

TAFA is having its first public event during the AQS Quilt Show in Paducah.  We are excited to introduce TAFA to the public at large and are hoping to raise funds for our new website.   We have a silent auction and raffle, both available to online participants and an exhibit and vendors.   These are ways in which you can donate to support our efforts.  This blog will feature the works and vendors in the next two weeks.  You can see all of the TAFA Market posts in one place by clicking on this link. 

Today's TAFA Market focus zooms in on:

Jwrobel

Visit Jwrobel's Member Profile on TAFA

Organic and Sustainable Baby Accessories by JWrobel

I always thought I would have my own kids, fantasizing about dressing them up with little outfits from around the world or beautiful handmade, natural clothing like this fun green cap.  Probably a good thing it didn't happen as the grown-up kids would probably have ended up in therapy for all my other eccentricities.  Although, I must say: My dogs do like me!

Those who do have a baby or a little one in their lives need to take a look at Jwrobel's beautiful baby clothing and accessories.  Carefully knitted, using sustainable materials like organic, hand dyed wools, alpaca, and silk, the results are soft and luxurious.

Baby Pixie Hat by Jwrobel

Jwrobel, or Jess Wrobel, will have several baby items and adult accessories in our TAFA Market.  She said grandmas are some of her best customers and we all know that there will be plenty of you coming to Paducah who have little ones on the way or recently arrived.  This is your chance to score big points with your child or grandchild!

Jess has been a great asset to TAFA ever since she joined us.  Freely sharing business tips and ideas, I have already learned a lot from her and look forward to continued growth in the future.  All of us have to wear so many hats as we make, design or buy our products, photograph them, get them online and then engage in the often tedious tasks of marketing what we do.  Jess has successfully integrated her products into a sensibility which reflects her commitment to being green and natural.  

Babies are not the only focus at the Jwrobel studio.  Adults have plenty to pick from to accessorize themselves and their homes.  Jess integrates an old world feel, sometimes calling out to Central Asia and the Silk Road and at others harking back to Victorian sensibilities.  She makes beautiful purses, bags, pillows and much more.  A couple examples of what will be at the TAFA Market:

Satin Garden Rose by Jwrobel

Knit Purse by Jwrobel

If you are coming to Paducah, definitely check out our TAFA Market to see Jwrobel's work in person.  Meanwhile, you can check out her shops on Etsy: