Rowena Bead and Fiber

Alpaca, a Natural Elegance, a Renewable Luxury, A Sustainable Lifestyle writes Dreamweaver Alpacas

Sharon Travis Spins and We Enjoy the Alpaca

craftycrone@earthlink.net

dreamweaveralpacas@earthlink.net

Saturday was an exciting day on

the Alpaca Farm. We drove out to Coyote Springs and visited several farms in one location.

Maverick with his ribbons and Sharon Travis Spinning for the Public. The weather was perfect for such a short trip.

The Alpaca fiber is sorted into 22 distinct colors, ranging from blacks through browns and whites, and including subtle shades of maroon, peach and grays. Alpaca fiber can be blended into an infinite array of natural colors, including combinations that do not occur naturally. This is found on Gary and Sharon Travis' Dreamweaver Alpaca flier.

Juergen and his sister are enjoying the new experience of visiting Coyote Springs.

To the right is a baby Alpaca owned by Sharon and Gary.

Alpaca fiber has little to no guard hair and no lanolin. It is unusually strong and resilient. Fabrics made of alpaca fiber are unusually easy to care for and long-lived.

Sharon made sure that we all had something to feed the Alpaca. The animals would come right up to the fence and eat from our open hands.

Alpaca in Arizona---What a dream.

First Press Weekend of Wine - Southwest's Premier Celebration of Fine and Rare Wines - Rowena Donates "Loves Chardonnay"

Each Year I like to donate a Recycled Wine Bottle Glass piece to the First Press Auction. The auction benefits public radio.

"Loves Chardonnay" -- A one-of-a-kind Lampwork Bead Necklace which was created with recycled Chardonnay Wine Bottle Glass, off loom bead weaving, and several Vintage European Glass Buttons. Rowena sent along an Arizona Collectors Guild. Loves Chardonnay is featured in the Prescott Gallery Section.

Photo Credit: Chris Marchetti (Prescott, Arizona)

About First Press - Southwest's Premier of Fine and Rare Wines

First Press Weekend of Wine is the Southwest’s premier celebration of fine and rare wines. The centerpiece of this multiple-day extravaganza is the First Press Fine Wine Auction. This event is surrounded by live entertainment and merrymaking, the evening starts with a fabulous silent auction, followed by a four-course gourmet dinner where vintners from distinguished wineries will host company and individually sponsored VIP tables, serving their wines to the guests. Highlighting the evening’s festivities is the live auction of rare and collectible vintages — donations from private cellars, corporate collections, and fine-wine vintners from all over the world. Auctioneer extraordinaire, Fritz Hatton will preside over the live auction as some forty wines and vineyard-experience packages go to the highest bidders.

The First Press Weekend will kick off with TV Personality, Terri Ouellette and Chef Jon-Paul of Scottsdale Culinary Institute emceeing an exciting culinary experience featuring a "food fight" between celebrated chefs Aaron May of Sol y Sombra and Matt McLinn of Methode Bistro. Food Network's host of "Quick Fix Meals" Robin Miller, Barbara Fenzl of Les Gourmettes Cooking School, KEZ's Marty Manning and one lucky audience member will decide which chef will come out on top! Wine and tasting stations will also be available courtesy of Valley of the Sun Fine Wines, Willamette Valley Vineyards and Scottsdale Culinary Institute. On Friday evening, First Press VIP Welcome Party which will afford vintners and event sponsors the opportunity to socialize in an informal setting at the private home of one of the First Press benefactors. Following Saturday's main event, Sunday's First Press Grand Tasting will be presented with wine sampling from some 40 vintners exclusively represented by Alliance Beverage Distributing Company. This tasting format highlights 350 wines, accompanied by gourmet hors d'oeuvres to tantalize the palate.

First Press Gourmet Sessions "Food Fight" Thursday, Oct. 18, 2007

First Press Fine Wine Auction, Saturday, Oct. 20, 2007

First Press Grand Tasting, Sunday, Oct. 21, 2007

http://www.firstpressarizona.com/2007/event/about/

Hand Painted Silk - Rowena Tank - Hand Dyed Silk Cording

An Artist takes time out of her work schedule to do some silk painting. Her colors are vibrant and fun to wear.

This Silk Scarf was a gift some time ago and I enjoy it so much because the colors fit to my fashion color pallet.

Silk has always been a favorite of mine. I use hand dyed silk cording often when designing jewelry. I tend to gravitate toward using cording for many of my necklace designs.  I love the feel of the silk. This piece can be found in my on line shop.

SIMPLY SILK

http://www.rowenaart.net/store/products.php?catid=1&category=Jewelry%20and%20Hand%20Spun%20Gallery

More to Wirework than Jewelry - Fun with Wire

I love wire work in all forms. Wirework beads are awesome and fun to use within an off loom bead woven piece, but there is more you can do with wirework than just jewelry.

Here hangs a wire heart hanging from a silk ribbon bow. A small candle is nested inside the heart.

Note Bachelor Frog, a print from Carolyn Peterson's original painting of the frog. This can be found at Arts Prescott. The wire work heart is something you can create for yourself.

A ceramic cone shaped vase created by a Yuma Potter by the name of Neely Tompkins was adorned with wire and beads by Linda Lane, a Yuma bead artist. I have a set of Neely's wonderful functional pottery which I love very much thanks to sister Patricia Brockert. The Cone Pocket has two loops on the side where Linda begins with her wire work magic. I use the pocket for flowers or like this little birds nest I dropped in for the photo.www.claystuff.com

Linda Lane opened The Dragonfly Bead Shop years ago and I was lucky enough to do a lampwork demonstation in the courtyard at her shop. I am sad to say that she retired and sold the bead shop.

In the coming weeks I will show some simple wire work art. Maybe this is something of interest.

Wirework is a creative way to adorn your fiber art as well as your bead art.

Prescott Artist Sandy Evans Wins First Place and Judges Choice at the Yavapai County Fair

Prescott Fiber Artist Sandy Evans won First Place and the Judges Choice Award for her Silk Hand Painted Hand Woven Scarf at the Yavapai County Fair this weekend. She also was one of the spinners demonstrating for the Mountain Spinners and Weavers Guild. She was spinning on her Majacraft Rose.

I saw Sandy coming into the fair entrance at the end of the day as I was leaving the fairgrounds. She had such a big smile on her face and now I know why.

Sandy is a beader, quilter, art-to-wear designer, spinner and weaver. I am sure I have left something out in that list because she is just a great artist of what every she does.

Sandy writes, "I am sending you pictures of the scarf that I wove from the hand painted silk that I bought from  you at the Beading Jewels show last year.  I told you that I would try and make something beautiful - hope you like it too.  I won First Place and Judges Choice at the County Fair.  Thank you for painting such a beautiful warp and giving me a great palette of colors to start with.  The weft is teal mohair".

I purchased the Louet 5/2 natural silk yarn and hand painted it with Gaywool dye from Louet. Once you get into the dye pot you don't get out. It is just too much fun.

Congratulations Sandy, you make all of the other Mountain Spinners and Weavers Guild Proud!

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Beading Projects -Rowena Tank's Fish Mobile Project

The beginning of a Project...

Begin with getting your supplies together. Here we have supplies for my "Prescott Fishing Expedition Fish Mobile" which is featured in "The Complete Idiots Guild to Beading Projects Illustrated" by Prescott author Georgene Lockwood.

Arts Prescott Cooperative Gallery, 134 S. Montezuma St. is gearing up for their Annual Holiday Raffle and this finished project is one of the raffle prizes along with a copy of Lockwood's book. The drawing is during the Annual Holiday Party, November 17, 2007.

The process of making my Fish Mobile is illustrated with directions in "The Complete Idiots Guild to Beading Projects Illustrated". You can find this book at most book stores and bead shops or go to my on-line store and pick it up. http://rowenaart.net/store/

The finished mobile project is hanging at Arts Prescott. Come by starting October 1, 2007 to see all of the Raffle Prizes and pick up as many raffle tickets as possible.

Mountain Spinners and Weavers Guild Spin at the Yavapai County Fair

Mountain Spinners and Weavers Guild Spin at the

Yavapai County Fair

Each year the Mountain Spinners and Weavers Guild donate time to do some Spinning and Weaving at the Yavapai County Fair. The guild shares information about their craft and answers questions while they demonstrate their craft.

Here Rowena Tank and Gisela Gminder enjoy speaking to the public about Spinning fiber and showing how it is done. Rowena is spinning commercially prepared fiber which is called roving and Gisela is spinning both commercially prepared and natural wool right off of the sheep. The fleece Gisela is spinning comes from a Chino Valley Sheep Ranch.

The guild members took 3 hour shifts all during the fair. “This has been an annual event for the guild”, says Jeanne Zinda. Jeanne was in charge of the group and you could find her somewhere during the fair weekend helping to keep the Guild event running smoothly.

Pictured along the wall, Joanne Manginelli, Jean Zinda, Sandy Evans, Carma Koester enjoying spinning at the fair.

Jean Zinda and the children visiting the fair seem to be having a very good time.

The Mountain Spinners and Weavers Guild meet every 3rd Saturday 9 AM to 12 PM each month and vistiors are welcome.

The Guild meets at the American

Lutheran Chruch, 1085 Scott Drive, Prescott.

Weaving on a Schacht table loom is Carma Koester while Gretchen Mummert looks on as Joanne Maginelli, Jean Zinda and Sandy Evans spin.

Recycled Glass Pendant - "Rainbow Over Prescott"

"Rainbow Over Prescott" - I created this pendant from a piece of scrap glass that Margo Hughbanks brought to the gallery. Margo is doing housecleaning in her pottery/glass studio and I was the happy recipient of a box of her stain glass project scraps.

The lamp work pendant is attached onto a cord using copper wire and then adorned with beads, a vintage button, and off loom bead weaving. I nearly always add a fresh water pearl or two. What can I say...I love pearls. The cord is about 16 inches in length and with the pendant it hangs 18 inches. http://www.rowenaart.net/store/products.php?catid=1&category=Jewelry%20and%20Hand%20Spun%20Gallery

Back from Wichita and in the Studio

Back in my studio after a short trip to Wichita, Kansas. My cousin Roger Foss is a manager of one of the Walgreen's stores on Maise Street. He and his wife Kelli along with their three kids are fun to visit. Each year my husband and I travel to Wichita. He works and I play. My aunt Norma and Uncle Don Foss drove down from Elwood, Nebraska to visit and this year my cousin Douglas Foss came too. He arrived a day after we got there. The guys went golfing and Norma and I hit the shopping circuit. Of course we dropped by the Kay Wiggens Store. Wichita bead dreams! What a great trip!

Today, I will lamp work like crazy to catch up on beads for the gallery.  I want to get some loose Recycled Wine Bottle Beads made to put in my on line store. The store will grow each week with more of my favorite beads, fiber, supplies and tools. I hope to get the bugs out of the shopping cart today. While I was gone some bugs appeared and I was unable to get them solved. If anyone visits my store and has suggestions feel free to e-mail me at: rowena@rowenaart.net or check out my online store at: http://rowenaart.net/store

Spinning and Clowning Around

The Porcelain Clown Doll was found here in Prescott a few years ago at an Estate Sale. I use him to indicate that I am "Clowning Around Spinning or Beading the rest of the week.  See you this week-end back on the blog. Rowena

If you get a chance visit my new On-Line Store. Just the beginning of my favorite Beads and Fiber.

http://rowenaart.net/store/

Prescott Art Walk - September 28, 2007 - Pick up Maps at Arts Prescott Cooperative Gallery

Prescott Artist Carolyn Peterson is gearing up for the 4th Friday Art Walk in Prescott. Here she is among her wall of paintings at Arts Prescott Cooperative Gallery, 134 S. Montezuma St., Heart of Whiskey Row. Carolyn is known for her Monotype art work.

www.artsprescott.com

Cindy Myers, also a member of the gallery shows her hand blown glass plater.

The 4th Friday Art walk is always an exciting event. Arts Prescott is open until 9PM that Friday.

Patti Ortiz and Kris Eberhard are pictured inside Arts Prescott during the last Art Walk enjoying the artist opening. Patti is an active member of the 4th Dimension Art Walk board.   Check out more about the Prescott Art walk:

http://www.artthe4th.com/

Cindy Myers measures wall space for the guest artist show.

Sept. 15 -- Oct. 14, 2007

Deb Henry & Margaret McCreanor

Fiber Show

Reception: Sept. 28th during the Prescott Artwalk from 6PM to 8PM. Arts Prescott will be open during the Prescott Art Walk until 9 PM.

Mountain Spinners and Weavers Guild 30 Year Anniversary

Wow...Thirty Years Ago...I'd love to hear stories of the beginning!

A Thirty Year Anniversary party was celebrated yesterday and I was there! Great conversation and great food!

The Mountain Spinners & Weaver Guild is an organization to promote interest and skill in weaving, spinning, basketry, and related fiber arts.

Meetings are held on the 3rd Saturday of every month at the American Lutheran Church, 1085 Scott Dr. in Prescott, Arizona.  Our meetings begin at 9:00 am with a business meeting, coffee and social time, and our program at 10:30.  http://www.mtnspinweave.org/

The meeting was packed! I spoke about Marketing Your Art and how to create a Press Release. This group is so appreciative and I always enjoy presenting a fun topic or just being among them!

Invitations were sent out to members and many past members were also invited. Pictured on the right -- past members of the Mountain Spinners and Weavers Guild.

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Beading Projects book Coming in November 2007 - See Rowena Tank's Fish Mobile Project

If you are in Prescott and you happen to be strolling down Whiskey Row, drop into Arts Prescott Cooperative, Rowena Tank has her Lampwork Bead Fish Mobile displayed behind the counter. This project will be featured in Georgene Lockwood's up and coming book the The Complete Idiot's Guide to Beading Projects Illustrated. The book is to be on shelves November 2007-- so check it out!

The first book, The Complete Idiot's Guide to Beading Illustrated has been a hit and you will also find that book at the gallery at this time.

The Fish Mobile which is displayed at Arts Prescott will be part of the October 1 --  to November 17 Raffle to benefit The Margaret T. Morris Center.

More on the Art and the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University gift certificate for (one person 60 minutes in a Cessna 172 Flight Simulator) coming soon.

This raffle runs through November 17th. The drawing is during the Annual Arts Prescott Cooperative Gallery Holiday Party. Drop by and see the Mobile and check back October 1st to purchase your raffle ticket.

Check for more information:  Videos and Books:     http://rowenaart.net/store/

Joanne Manginelli - Prescott Weaver

Prescott Weaver Joanne Manginelli expresses fun in her designs and color while weaving art-to-wear along with household items.

Manginelli is an active member in the Mountain Spinners and Weavers Guild.

Woven Pillow by Joanne Also, watch for the Arts Prescott Cooperative Guest Artist Show

May 15 -- June 14, 2008 -- Joanne Maginelli -- "Earth & Fiber in Harmoney" -- Integrating Pottery and Fiber

Wild Fibers Magazine - Summer 2007

It's that time again! The Summer Issue of Wild Fibers Magazine is on the stands. I just received my issue from Mountain Spinners and Weavers Guild Member Sharon Poplawski, owner of Loom N Essence in Sedona.

This issue has Linda Cortright traveling to New Zealand! Oh...a spinners Paradise. The article "Living in a Rustler's Paradise" an adventure in Spinning Country. The article begins with John Simpson's back yard, a crime scene and a New Zealand Sheep Rustler.

Can you imagine traveling to New Zealand and visiting the Spinning Wheel makers there while enjoying the beautiful country!

The colorful photos in this issue along with other interesting articles makes you want to set down with a cup of coffee all morning and just enjoy the magazine. House work...whats that?

I am waiting to see Linda Cortright at the Spinning at the Winery in Livermore, California one June. There she will find wonderful fiber from California fiber farmers as well as every type of spinning wheel to be found! The food table isn't shabby either. Who would have known that spinners make such good cooks.

GLASS NOW 2007 AUCTION - National Liberty Museum - Rowena Fiber Amulet Bag Adorned with Beads

Check out Rowena's "Prescott Spirit" Red Fiber Amulet Bag in this auction. The auction benefits the National Liberty Museum and the auction items are out of this world. Check it out and enjoy the process. Rowena Tank --- link to page with "Prescott Spirit" http://www.libertymuseum.org/auction%202007/auction%20pages/Jewelry.html

You're Invited to have a Great Time!     Click here to Preview the Glass Now Auction Catalog Click here to register! National Liberty Museum 321 Chestnut Street Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19106 For more information please call 215-925-2800 x117 or x126 or Click here for more information on the Glass Now Auction and Weekend

Off Loom Bead Weave - Beaded Hats by Rowena

After taking a Masters Class in seed beads with NanC Meinhart, I ventured into the world of Beaded Hats. The class was offered at Glendale's Beads and Adornables. The first meeting was at Cheryl Coburn Browne's cabin in Pine, Arizona. The group was there for the weekend and it was a get-a-way to remember. The group met several times during that year and NanC would fly out from Chicago each time. NanC taught us all about Model Magic by Crayola.

These Hats are in the Arts Prescott Cooperative Gallery on Whiskey Row. I first was busy making the hats using Model Magic and then seed beads began to cover them. Off Loom Bead Weaving is my way of expressing my love for beads. The larger hat was modeled after a 1930's hat from Irene Heish's collect of hats. Irene is a Prescott glass and bead artist and a neighbor of mine.

Also pictured is one of my Red Amulet Bags. This bag was woven with my hand spun yarn. The Crystal Vintage Button is from Germany. Hope to meet you all at the gallery. www.rowenaart.net/store/

Beaded Pillows - High Desert Bead Society

The High Desert Bead Society here in Prescott makes sure that each year group projects are planned and carried out.

Beading on Quilts and Pillows for various raffles earn money for the guild. Also,community organizations are carefully selected for their donations.

Past President of the Society and founding member Stefania Schollaert  crafted these pillows after members brought in their beaded Quilt Squares.  September 15, 2007 "How to promote your work", lecture by Rowena Tank. Read more about the bead society: http://www.highdesertbeadsociety.org/

Duncan Electric Carder Makes Life Fun and Easy

As most of you know I can't go to Treadles and Treads "Spinning at the Winery" without coming home with a big toy.

This year I brought home an Electric Straucher Carder. I have had so much fun working with this machine! Recently, I carded a batt with a gathering of yarn ends for The Fiber Shop's knitting group here in Prescott. I cut them up and carded them in with my Raggedy Ro Batt. This created the greatest novelty batt! I spun it up and took it back to the group to use as a raffle prize.

The Duncan Fiber Equipment Line was described by Homegardens and More, "Duncan Fiber Carders produce a product that is far superior to many carders on the market. The carders are also able to be upgraded to electric (another strong feature.) Another big feature is the chain drive making them far superior and more durable than the belt driven machines of other manufacturers. These carders are made in the US. This was appealing to us both for delivery, the customs issue and holdup and the service and quality for which they were well known. In our research we got many glowing referrals from the fiber artists that had used their products".

The carder I purchased was used and I purchased it from a knowledgeable source -- so I know I got a great deal and I appreciate it everyday!

While learning double weave I created this wall hanging. It was done some time ago and today I would do many things differently. The fun of the design is the fringe on the right created using the Fringe Twister. I ended each fringe with a lampwork drop made from translucent glass. On the opposite side I added Coral. I purchased it during a trip into San Francisco with Glenda Campbell during the "Spinning at the Winery" event. I thank Glenda for getting me a special invitation to the "Spinning at the Winery" each year. It is her sister Kate Campbell Taylor and Kate's husband Will Taylor who are leading the pack at this event.

I used Raggedy Ro hand spun to weave this wall hanging and now with the carder and the wonderful batts I can imagine what I can create now.

Prescott -The Mighty Press Release Lecture by Rowena Tank

Mountain Spinners and Weavers Guild -American Lutheran Church -1085 Scott Dr. Prescott -– Rowena Tank Speaks on "The Press Release"

Bead Maker and Fiber Artist Rowena Tank will speak to the Mountain Spinners and Weavers Guild. She will talk about how to get your name, your art as well as your organizations information in the news. This is important for every organization to give the public information above events or even just what the organization is about. Rowena has been doing just that here in Prescott for several years. She knows many of the ins and outs of how to work with reporters and editors. Find out what they need and supply them with your information. The big part of PR is knowing that articles in the news will inform the public and get the word out about your organization at the same time. Also, not to expect to get everything you send out published. Not every newspaper or magazine has space for everything everyday. The editors look at content and what their readers want to read about.

The program is for Guild Members and Guests are requested to give a small donation to the Guild. This enables the guild to continue doing Community Projects and present more educational programs. Contact Rowena for more information: 928-899-3574

If you are busy that morning you can catch nearly the same program at the afternoon meeting of the High Desert Bead Society at 1 PM.

The High Desert Bead Society of Northern Arizona Meetings for 2007 currently take place at the Frank Pehlman Training Center Yavapai Jeep Posse  Building in Prescott, AZ. Please check the Meeting Map in the Newsletter Archive for directions. http://www.highdesertbeadsociety.org/

Rowena Tank
www.rowenaart.net
http://rowenablog.typepad.com/rowena_bead_and_fiber/
www.artsprescott.com/

www.rowenaart.net/store

"Loves Chardonnay, Loves to Dance" - Arizona Collectors Guide

Pick up your Arizona Collectors Guide as described in my blog a few days ago and turn to Arts Prescott Cooperative Gallery! You will find this Lampwork Necklace I created using recycled Chardonnay Wine Bottle Glass. This was a special bottle which I brought back from the Retzlauf Winery in Livermore, California. Just one bottle we enjoyed with our lunch during "Spinning at the Winery 2007"! (Photo Credit): Prescott's Chris Marchetti http://www.marchettiphoto.com/

http://www.azcollectorsguide.com/  -- -- http://www.artsprescott.com/

http://rowenaart.net/store/

Louet Victoria Joins My Spinning Wheel Family

Little Victoria by Louet found her way to my house and joined the Rowena Spinning Wheel Family. Victoria was made in Holland.

Victoria is now among my Jensen Saxony (Oak), Ashford Elizabeth II, and Majacraft Suzi Pro.

Suzi Pro is sitting in front of a photo of our son Erik at age 2. We were sailing near San Diego. It was his second birthday and we were celebrating it on my sister and her husbands boat. At that time we lived near Schlesweg, Germany in a small town by the name of Jagel.

Back to Victoria! Louet describes her on their web site as, "not like your everyday spinning wheel. It's light, portable and incredibly easy to use. The Victoria has been designed with precision and care, from advice received by today's hand spinner".

The Little Victoria weighs only 6lbs and it is light enough to go anywhere. My trips to Sharlot Hall on Mondays will get even easier! She will be great to carry on an airplane. Victoria has a ratio range of 6:1 to 12:1 and her optional high speed range is 6:1 to 25:1. She folds in half and fits in a nice little bag. Victoria comes in Contemporary Beech, but I have the Classic Oak.

Arizona Collector's Guide Now Available-Rowena's "Loves Chardonnay Loves to Dance" Featured on Arts Prescott Page

We at Arizona Collector's Guide are very proud to announce the second edition of our annual publication is delivering around the state this week.  Ask for it by name or email us to find how you can get your free copy.  This publication has grown to 304 pages, has grown 75% since last year!  We know you will enjoy this guide to arts as the new season rolls around.  Enjoy what is new in Arizona! Shaffer Gallery (Sedona) - 9/7 5-7 pm- Maria Sharylen will be signing the Cover of the Arizona Collector's Guide during Sedona's First Friday Art Walk. Heddenart Gallery (Scottsdale) Thursdays 7-9 pm. Leslie Gray and Tim Hern (Soulcatcher) are back for another entertaining evening of acoustic guitar music. Tucson Art Walk -9/13 5-7pm- Tucson's Art Walk's are at "Gallery Row" on Skyline & Cambell Jerome's Art Walks celebrate 1st Anniversary...(more) Win Art at Art on Boston (Chandler) Visitors to Art on Boston can take home an original piece of artwork by being part in a weekly “ArtSAC Drawing.” (more)		Arizona Collector's Guide     Issue 2   Now Available in Galleries, Concierge Desks, B&B's, and Visitor Centers throughout Arizona! Prophet Artist: Lisa Larrabee Size: 13"x18" Price: Contact Artist Medium: Oil Tri-Plex Artist: Pattie & Mark Johnson Size: 5' x 2' Price: Call Gallery Medium: Glass and Steel

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A Silk Shibori Find at "What Ever Was" Resale Shop and Reading Karren Brito's book "Shibori"

Dropping by "What Ever Was", a resale shop in Prescott I found 2 large Shibori Scarves which actually made my heart skip a beat. They immediately found their way into my shopping bag. "Oh My"!

Both Scarves are dyed using a different method as the one we used during the Kate Campbell Taylor Shibori class here at my studio.

This appears to be the hand stitching method. If you open up the designs which are not ironed flat you will see where the design areas were achieved by tying sticks or rods with thread.

Both of these scarves are 100% Silk.

The Karren K. Brito book "Shibori" shows the many colors and textures on silk. This book tells about dyeing and resists, silk a dyer's dream, understanding dyes and dyeing, the dye process, formulating dye colors, discharge, creating resists, pole wrapping, setting texture, and putting it all together.

My favorite Shibori dye method is pole wrapping. It is a fun process and it is a simple way to create your own Shibori Scarf.

Karren Brito's book is breath taking. The color photos will give you an idea of what you can do using a bit of dye and a bit of silk. This is indeed an adventure!

Melondy McConaughy -Figurative Sculpture-reclaimed mixed media

Prescott's Melody McConaughy uses beads in her Figurative Sculpture along with reclaimed objects. Color is what it is about in the Sculpture to the left. Of course the objects I see the most are the beads hanging on the side, of course!

Melody is one of the newest members of Arts Prescott Cooperative Gallery on Historic Whiskey Row.

McConaughy's brochure states, "Reclaimed, recycled, reinvented, recreated: the playful artworks of Melody McConaughy are brashly expressive in the authenticity of their materials. Weathered, rugged, gracefully-aged elements survive to keep the West alive. Melody unearths the remnants of a culture known for its spirit and independence to create one-of-a-kind sculptural works The character of the West emerges from her historic studio cast in Thumb Butte's embracing shadow."

Come by the gallery and see Melody's art work. Also, don't forget the 4th Friday Art Walk in Prescott. http://www.artthe4th.com/

Make Your Own Knitted Chain

This is one of my favorite tools! Great for Wire! "Knitting Spool"

It is grooved to rest on your thumb as you work. This is created from hard maple and made in the U.S.A. It runs $15.95 and this is one of the fun tools I carry on my Favorites Web Site.

I use Sterling Silver Caps to complete the chain and then add a Clasp.

Finding the right Clasp depends on the Pendant you want to add to your chain. Of course, you can also wear the chain without adornment.

 

http://rowenaart.net/store/

Quilt Show in Bozeman, Montana by Lorrie Petersen, Sedona Arizona

Lorrie and Blaine Petersen live in Sedona Arizona and they travel in their motor home several months out of the year. Lorrie is writing from Jackson     Wyoming. Read about this wonderful quilt show and its history.                                                             

"Our time in Jackson Hole, Wyoming was lovely and relaxing, taking in the magnificence of the jagged Grand Teton Mountains, and the intimate viewing of free range bison.  They are uniquely reliable wildlife to see there, where you can park you car and watch them cross the road right in front of you -- enormous, and completely ignoring our presence.

From there we made our first visit to Bozeman, to take in a quilt show I'd read about.  What a gem Bozeman is!  It's a fair sized city (75,000ish) with a university and hospital, nestled in an area of mountains and hills covered with dark, lush forests, and rolling open spaces.

Many of you already know that Blaine's grandfather homesteaded in Miles City, MT, where his mother grew up on the ranch.  Both her parents died by the time she was 13, and she lived there with nine brothers and sisters.  At age 19, she asked for money from her inheritance, and went to Bozeman to attend college, quite a feat for a woman in 1917!  What an amazing adventure that must have been for her!   When she returned to the ranch for the summer, after that first year, her remaining siblings told her she could have no more money for schooling, and that she was needed there to cook, clean and help work the ranch.  As I passed by the university daily, I thought of her,  and what a crushing disappointment that must have been, and how differently her life would have been, had she been able to finish college and become a teacher.  Our life journey doesn't always take the path we intend, does it?

But, back to the present!  On Thursday I drove out to the Quilting in the Country with five wall quilts I was putting in the show, to discover that the owner and author Jane Quinn lived there, as well as had her shop there.  What a delightful place!  It's an old farmstead, with a lovely home and many outbuildings, with shops in three of them, including the old bunkhouse and barn.  The enormous barn is over 100 years old, and mountains in the distance surround the whole place.

On Friday I took four fun mini workshops -- about 80 of us did.  I volunteered to help, and on Saturday left the RV park at 6:30 am to help hang quilts at this, the 15th annual show.  We worked in efficient teams, and hung 500+ quilts, on every building and fence -- what a glorious sight!   Blaine returned with me mid-morning, and was he ever blown away!  We strolled the grounds, enjoyed a great lunch, and soaked in the nicest ambiance of any show either of us has attended.  About 4000 people enjoyed the day, with perfect weather, and of course marvelous shopping. 

Cars were parked by Jane's husband in his adjoining alfalfa field, which he purposely left not mowed.  He wanted the green alfalfa to prevent a wildfire from being started from someone's hot catalytic converter, which we found quite interesting.

I can't believe we've been so close by in the past, and didn't know about this show, but we've already agreed that we must return next year, knowing we'll again have a great time!  Here's a picture of Blaine, viewing quilts on the barn."