Rowena Bead and Fiber

Tucson Fiber Show - Fibers Through Time - Rowena's Treasure Tail Art Yarn

Yesterday I got a call asking about the Tucson Fiber Show in April. This Fiber Show is "Fibers Through Time", "Connections to the Past", and it is a show and conference presented by Arizona Federation of Spinners and Weavers. They do this every other year and the last conference was in Coolidge, Arizona in 2006.

"We will celebrate our

Connections with the Past

by sharing old traditions including historic patterns in the center pieces and scarves, and learning more about the history of fibers grown in our area from our keynote speaker, Dr. Glenna Dean, as she talks with us about the Archeology of Cotton. Please join us in learning more about our crafts and their connections to the past and be inspired to stretch our abilities and imaginations to plan for future endeavors", writes Elaine Ross, President.
http://www.azfed.org/FTT2008%20Registration%20booklet.pdf

This registration page will give you all of the information needed to find your way to the show.

Don't forget, the vendor room and the Juror's Choice Exhibit will be open to the public this year.

I will be showing at this show and the vendor hours are:

April 4- Friday    11am to 5pm and 7:30pm to 9pm

April 5 - Saturday 11am to 5pm and 7:30 to 9pm

April 6 - Sunday 10am to close

Holiday Inn Palo Verde, 4550 South Palo Verde Boulevard, Tucson

The photo today is a Green Tone Rowena Treasure Tail.

Prescott Downtown Mural Project-Prescott Public Library

The Prescott Downtown Mural Project (PDMP) is hosting the Mural Mice Crazy Crafting Pizza Parties for ages six and older. Join us for two weekends of fun and frenzy: March 29 and 30, and April 5 and 6, from 1 to 5 p.m. in the art room at Mile High Middle School, 300 South Granite Street. Attend any or all sessions. Groups of 10 or more, please contact Project Director R.E. Wall at 928-713-2296 or muralswork@gmail.com in advance.

The Mural Mice will be making giant tea pots, puzzles, hats and more from recycled materials in preparation for the Mouse Hatter Tea Party April 12 at Prescott Public Library. Take the opportunity to work with professional Mural Mice artists who love to share their knowledge and skills with up-and-coming talents while eating pizza! If you are the kind of kid who likes to paint, paper maché and help your community, then the Mural Mice want to meet you!

The Prescott Downtown Mural Project (PDMP) is a non-profit organization under the auspices of the Prescott Area Arts and Humanities Council painting community murals of enduring value for the people of Prescott. For more information contact project directors at 928-713-2296 and visit www.prescottmurals.com. This project is a partnership with Prescott Public Library, with support from the Friends of the Prescott Public Library.

Rowena Tank - Glass Art - 4th Friday Prescott Art Walk

Kahlua - Recycled Kahlua bottle glass was used for the necklaces in this photo.

During the Prescott 4th Friday Art Walk many bead lovers stopped by my case to see what I do with my lampwork beads. I use off loom bead weaving to accent my lampwork. Sometimes when the mood hits me I go to my torch and create a piece just to get to my seed beads. I love to lampwork pendants with different edges and wholes to snake my seed bead ropes around.

Arts Prescott Cooperative Gallery also has several great glass blowers and here is one of Cindy Myers glass bowls. Yes, you are right, you do see some weaving in this photo. Cindy is also the Fiber Artist who creates the large wall hangings in the gallery. She dyes her fiber and weaves these pieces. Beads, Glass Art and Fiber is sprinkled throughout the gallery.

If you missed the Art Walk last night in Prescott think about another 4th Friday. Jump in your car and drive to Prescott, spend the night at one of our great hotels around Whiskey Row and visit Arts Prescott. Check out the walk walk information at: http://www.artthe4th.com/

Petite Buffalo Muffler by Prescott Fiber Artist - Beads on the Art Walk Tonight

Buffalo Fiber is rare and special to say the least. Our own Earth & Fiber Designs will present the Petite Buffalo Muffler and the Petite Buffalo Muffler Kit at the Tucson Fibers Through Time Show next week.

The Muffler kit includes 1.5 oz of Buffalo yarn and one hand crafted head pin with Swarvoki crystal.

The easy instructions for beginners to advanced knitters will make this a great gift for any knitter as well as for yourself.

You would need a size 6 needle and a bit of time to complete the project. You can visit Joanne Manginelli at her web site: www.earthandfiberdesigns.com or drop by the Arizona Federation "Fibers Through Time", Connections with the Past Conference and Show. The vendor and the Judge Show Room are open to the public. Next week should prove to be a great success for everyone as well as a lot of Fiber Fun. (Photo: compliments of the the Manginelli Earth & Fiberdesigns)

Tonight is the 4th Friday Prescott Art Walk and I will be at the Gallery for the first hour of the walk and then take the art tour myself. Drop by the gallery and say hello. Also, go to http://www.artthe4th.com/ and print out your 4th Friday Artwalk Guide.

Lampwork Beads for designs are also to be found ath the Arts Prescott Cooperative Gallery. See you there.

Fibers Through Time - Tucson AZ - Packing for the Show

All my fiber friends are packing up for the "Fibers Through Time" Show and Conference in Tucson beginning April 3rd.

Here is the Carrying Bag for Roberta ready to travel to Tucson with me. I will have spare Jumbo and Standard Bobbins for your Roberta as well.

Check out Loom N Essence for Wild Fibers Magazines. I will have back issues of Spin Off and Hand Woven Magazines as well as a few Bead Magazines at my booth.

I will be spinning with the Roberta Electronic Spinner during the show and you can come by and spin with me. Here is a Raggedy Ro Batt, one of several, I carded for the show. www.rowenart.net

I plan on checking out the new line of Knitting Needles during the show at Loom N Essence. Sharon will also have all of the Buffalo Yarn and Roving you need. I buy all of my Buffalo Roving at: http://www.loomnessence.net/

Carolina Homespun will also be there showing some great tools and wheels as always. She normally has some Chasing Rainbows Roving and Yarn. If you are interested in Willard Taylor's Clever Kate check by Carolina Homespun. I am sure she will have several of Will's finely made wooden tools for weaving and spinning.

Prescott Fiber and clay Artist  Joanne Maginelli will also be in Tucson with many surprises.  http://www.earthandfiberdesigns.com/

Fibers Through Time 2008 - April 3 - 6 -- Holiday Inn Palo Verde - 4550 South Palo Verde, Tucson      520-746-1161 or call Rowena 928-899-3574

Black Diamond - A Carbon Fiber sometimes called Black Gold

Black Diamond, a bamboo fiber that spins like butter, and a new favorite of mine. I first experienced this fiber at the last Mountain Spinners and Weavers Guild meeting. I will never be without it. Bamboo was first introduced in the U.S. by SWTC in 2002.

"According to the American Chemical Society, in 1879, Thomas Edison invented the first incandescent light bulb. It used electricity to heat a think strip of material, called a filament, until it glowed. Edison may also have created the first commercial carbon fiber. Early filaments, were made from bamboo slivers which were formed into the proper size and shape then baked them at high temperatures. Since bamboo consists mostly of cellulose, a natural linear polymer made of repeating units of glucose, the filament was 'carbonized,' when heated. It became a true carbon copy of the starting material -- an all-carbon fiber with the same exact shape. Tungsten wire soon displaced these carbon filament, but they were still used on U.S. Navy ships as late as 1960 because they withstood ship vibrations better than tungsten", writes SWTC.

Apparently, Black Diamond fiber is resistant to ultra violet rays and SWTC writes that it also possesses anti-odor properties as well as the ability to adjust to both humidity and dryness. I am thinking of socks here. Another thing to learn to knit soon!

Black Diamond was described as a top that glides from your hand and it certainly does that. It comes in 1/2 pound bags. When you first take it out of the bag you cannot believe how soft it is, and the shine is amazing. I cannot wait to ply this hand spun fiber. I will post a finished skein so you can see my results soon.

Bamboo is made from the bamboo plant. It is described as being in the grass family and it is very fast growing.

The fiber is cool to the skin and it should be perfect for Arizona.

I will have a limited amount at my booth in Tucson so check out the fiber section of my web store to order your Black Diamond. www.rowenaart.net/store

Read more about "Fibers Through Time", a show and conference through the Arizona Federation at:

http://www.lasr.net/pages/city.php?Tucson&Arizona&&City_ID=AZ0411025&Event_ID=AZ0411025e081&VE=Y

Trade Beads - Finger Weaving

Imagine Collectible African Trade Beads around you neck.

The closure is an antique button with a group of beaded fringe down the back of the necklace. This off sets the weight of the beads.

Finger Weaving is a technique which is often used with larger Trade Bead Collections.

"Today, Yesterday & Tomorrow" is the title of this piece.

For more African Trade Bead pieces check my web store:

www.rowenaart.net/store

A Bead Book Signing at Arts Prescott

If you are interested in learning more about beading these two books are for you.

The Idiot's Guild to Beading Illustrated will guide you step by step though beading techniques. Learn about all of the tools, supplies and beads you will need. Learn all of the stitches used working with seed beads.

The Idiot's Guild to Beading Projects takes beading to another level. The projects in this book are described so the beginner to the intermediate beader can work along with Georgene.

Georgene Lockwood and Bobbi Wicks work on many projects together. Bobbie did many beading projects for both books and she is also Georgene's Treasurer for her campaign in the next election.

Georgene is running for County Supervisor for the District 1. You can read about her ideas for the future of Prescott at:

http://prescottdailycourier.com/main.asp?SectionID=1&subsectionID=1&articleID=52199

http://www.readitnews.com/content/view/586/42/ 

  Julie, Granny J in her blog,dropped by Arts Prescott for the book signing and to meet with Georgene.

I was happy to finally meet her. I read her blog often and anyone interested in visiting Prescott should drop by and read Julie's blog to see what Prescott has to offer. Local Trails, Creeks, our National Forest, city parks, clubs, and about anything you want to know about Prescott is in this blog.

Julie is a one-time journalist who worked and lived in Chicago and now she lives and loves Prescott.

www.walkingprescott.blogspot.com/

                        

While at the Gallery Julie took photos for her blog so visit it today and see my work as well as many of the other artists in the gallery. She even has a photo of our Easter Egg Tree.

Linnie Thomas was also on hand with her book of paintings she has done in the past few years.

Don and Beth Rantz illustrated two well know children's books which you can also find at Arts Prescott.

Lana Ante, Georgene Lockwood and I are holding up the Beading books, The Idiot's Guild to Beading Illustrated and The Idiot's Guild to Beading Projects. 

www.rowenart.net/store.

Lana and I are Arts Prescott Members and our work is illustrated in the first and I have a Fish Mobile Project in the second book.

You can find these books at any book store, at the gallery or

The Daily Courier and the Hand Painted Easter Eggs - Happy Easter

Happy Easter! Enjoy Prescott and the sunny Easter Sunday. The weather is perfect and the birds sing an Easter Song today while building their nests.

Stroll down Whiskey Row and view the Arts Prescott Cooperative Gallery Easter Egg Window once more. This is the last day to view the Hand Painted Eggs. Tomorrow morning before anyone is out and about, I will be plucking the eggs from the branches.

This year The Scene in the Prescott Daily Courier added the Easter Tree information in the Arts Scene section.

During the week it was encouraging to see the public stop and read the information posted about the Easter Tree. Be sure to keep this in mind for next year.

Along side the Hand Painted Easter Eggs hangs Cindy Myers Hand Blown Glass Balls. The Easter colors also celebrate the Holiday.

In Mary Kaye O'Neill's jewelry case you will always see a holiday favor. Her Easter Chick is among her Sterling Silver Jewelry bringing cheer to all.

 

The Difference Between Electric and Electronic Spinning Wheels

Many have asked about the difference between Electric and Electronic Spinning Wheels. I looked to the Ertoel Spinning Wheel Company for this information. Ian Spark at Ertoel provides such great help and information to his dealers. I love my Roberta and I love to share this with you. Check out all of the models of the Roberta at: www.rowenaart.net/store

The difference is not so much about the ability of the spinning machine to do a job, but more about the lasting ability of the motor. 

            There is however, still a difference to consider, which is in the spinning capacity of motorised spinners. This being between the bobbin led machine (Irish brake design) or the flyer led machine (Scotch tension design). The “led” part being what is driven by the drive band.  The Roberta electronic spinner is the bobbin led type. The reason is in the control of the drafting rate, which is governed by the flyer speed.  If the flyer is driven by a motor (as occurs with the scotch tension design) the speed needs to be altered continuously to suit whatever is wanted in the drafting speed from your fingers. Failure to handle this correctly, will affect the quality of the yarn produced or even to break the yarn.  With the Roberta electronic spinner (bobbin led), this is not a concern, because the motor speed is affecting the bobbin, not the flyer. The motor affects only the twist rate, not the pull-in rate for drafting. Therefore no broken yarn, when starting up, with a motor speed set too fast.  The Roberta electronic spinner design is based on the same design as is found in modern spinning mills today.  The only difference being, the mills run at 6000 revs. per minute.  Just a touch faster than the Roberta!!

            Regarding the lasting of the motor; “electric” means mains power goes straight to the motor with only a speed control.  The speed control is just a resistor, that restricts the voltage going to the motor to make it go faster or slower

With the straight electric, the motors are not designed to do the job required of them (sewing machine type motors). What is required, is high torque (twisting effort of the shaft), at slow speeds. These sewing machine electric motors are designed to run at high speeds under load.  They use AC (alternating current) power, as found in the mains supply.  When you restrict the voltage to slow it down, and then put the motor under load, you then create a burning of the armature (the middle core).  This will become very bad, if the motor actually stalls under load. With all this stress and burning on the armature surface, the motors are not likely to last more than 5 years with constant use.

            “Electronic” means that the power or current is modified, and is also continuous monitored and controlled according to the demands placed upon the motor by the spinning person.

All the disadvantages of the pure “electric” machine are removed. The power voltage is reduced to 12 volts only, and is changed to DC (direct current). This type of current gives very strong torque to the motor at slow speed.  No harm can come to the motor because of the reduced voltage. It is a special DC motor designed for the purpose.  In addition, the current is automatically and continuously adjusted between amperage and voltage according to load and speed factors wanted by the setting on the front knob control. There are a number of electronic components in the circuit to accomplish this.  They include a transistor, transformer, bridge rectifier, potentiometer, diodes, and a capacitor, among other things.

             If a manufacturer cannot offer a 12 volt auxiliary power source to the spinner, as an option, it is highly likely not electronic.  They should also be challenged to match our 10 year guarantee on the motor, as is found with the Roberta electronic spinner.

A Day of Spinning With Briana and Ian - 2 Kids and Wheels

Spring Breaks brings new adventures for Ian and Briana McBride. Their Grandma Patricia brought them over to experience the art of Spinning.

Both enjoyed the stories about how the sheep enjoy the spring hair cut and how we use their wool to make our winter clothing.

First I explained a little bit about wool fiber and where it comes from. Both Briana and Ian enjoyed spinning for the first time on the Ashford Elizabeth II.

After enjoying the Spinning we looked at some great books on Spinning.

They were then introduced to the Electronic Spinner "Roberta". They both were able see how to spin the yarn with the modern method of Electronic Spinning.

Ian created thick and thin yarn!

  We ended the Spinning morning with the Soy Silk Pals. The Soy Silk Pals are small bears created by SWTC with the Soy Silk Fiber. We learned about fiber made out of plants.

After some ice cream and a rest we all went to the Peppertree Park and played a bit.

We also experienced how to card wool. The Electric Carder was also put into action and I demonstrated how I make my Raggedy Ro Batts.

Here they are amazed at how fast the Roberts works.

Spinning With Beads - What To Use To String Your Beads

Spinning with beads -- Oh yes -- a way to include two of my passions. I love to Spin and I love Beads.

To begin this progress you need to think about what you will use to string your beads. Many spinners have been using sewing thread. That is okay if it is cotton and you are spinning with cotton or silk thread and you are spinning with silk, but if you are spinning with other fibers this is not okay.

You want your hand spun to look and feel the best it can so the fiber you are spinning is the fiber you want to use to string your beads.

Spinning with Soy Silk? Use the Soy Silk Infinity by SWTC. They also have the Bamboo Xie which is great for your bamboo fiber. These two yarns come in cones and they are perfect for size 11 or 10 seed beads. If you are planning on using larger seed beads it is good to use a thicker yarn. The color is also important. You can dye the skein after you have spun it and your colors match or look for the color that either fits or contrasts with the fiber you are spinning.

I use 20/2 wool for my beads while spinning wool. This is most important if you want to felt the hand spun because the wool with your beads will felt but thread will hang out of your felted project.

While planning Spinning With Beads think about spinning your yarn to string your beads with the same fiber. This works if you think about your bead size while spinning your fiber.

With thicker yarns you will are unable to use a bead spinner but that is okay, just use a needle large enough to fit the yarn through the needle hole and the beads will fit on.

This is just one step in the Spinning With Beads Process, but an important one.

Drop by my booth in Tuscon April 3 - 6, 2008 to see both Soy Silk Infinity and Xie Bamboo along with my Raggedy Ro Hand Spun.

Showing the Roberta Electronic Spinner
April 3-6, 2008
in Tucson, Arizona,
at the Holiday Inn Palo Verde
"Fibers Through Time 2008 --
Connections With The Past”

Book Signing by Georgene Lockwood at Arts Prescott

Check out the gallery on Saturday the 22nd -- Arts Prescott Cooperative Gallery Bead Artists, Lana Ante and Rowena Tank are on hand for Georgene Lockwood's Book Signing as well as Prescott Bead Artist Bobbi Wicks.
Writing a book is one thing, but getting someone to publish it isn't always easy. Local author Georgene Lockwood does just that. She has been writing about crafts for more than 20 years.

Lockwood's newest book is The Complete Idiot's Guide to Beading Projects. The Complete Idiot’s Guide® to Beading Illustrated teaches all the skills you need to create jewelry and accessories using beading techniques from around the world. With hundreds of step-by-step instructions and simple samples illustrating each technique, you will be beading happily in no time. Make your own beads; choose the right fasteners and clasps; pick the best color, size, and shape of bead; master basic wirework techniques; learn how to embroider and embellish with beads; and more!

Georgene Lockwood not only wrote the book in Prescott, she used local bead artists work to describe all types of beading and how to do it.

These local artists, Lana Ante, Rowena Tank and Bobbi Wicks will join the author to do a book signing at Arts Prescott Cooperative Gallery.

You can also find the book: www.rowenaart.net/store

Beads, Arts Prescott and Prescott College Helps Kenya Village Build Classroom Addition

Arts Prescott Cooperative Gallery ends the Kenya Jewelry Show with great news. "Beads to Feed Our Daughter's" was a great success and we are all happy to announce that you the public who visited the show helped with your bead purchases and donations to build a new class room for the Village School in Kenya.

Here is Barbara Garvey during the Kenya Jewelry Show reception. Prescott College catered the reception and I must say they did a wonderful job. The college gave great support to this show.

http://www.prescott.edu/

At the end of the reception members take a minute to reflect and close the gallery.

Just a reminder -- be sure to drop by Arts Prescott Cooperative Gallery for the 4th Friday Art Walk on the 28th. Pick up your Art Walk Guide at the gallery and enjoy Prescott.

http://www.artthe4th.com/ 

  This was a rewarding Guest Artist Show for the gallery and we hope everyone enjoyed it as much as we did.

Verde Valley Gem, Mineral & Jewelry Show and Portland Bead Expo Both in March

Annual Verde Valley Gem, Mineral & Jewelry Show March 21-23, 2008 -Location: Mingus Union High School -18 E. Fir Street, Cottonwood, AZ -Friday 9-5pm  / Saturday 9-5pm  / Sunday 10-4pm-Presented by Mingus Gem & Mineral Club- Free Parking! Food & Beverages Available.

Bead Expo and Bead Bazaar at the Bead Expo in Portland, OR - March 27 - 30, 2008

Oregon Convention Center, 777 NE ML King, Jr. Blvd., Portland, OR 97232 Be prepared to be dazzled by the spectacular array of beads, wire, tools, and more! Be inspired by simply walking around the Bazaar and seeing all the beautiful creations worn by other shoppers, vendors and students!  Check for more information on classes offered at www.beadexpo.com

Earth Friendly Fibers - SWTC - Infinity and Xie Bamboo

The Saturday Mountain Spinners and Weavers Guild was swept away with "Go Green with SWTC", pioneers in Earth Friendly fibers.

Earth Friendly - SWTC Features Yarns made without Fossil Fuels, and stem from annually renewable resources.

Here are SWTC new Soy Silk animals. They all three have names, but I didn't write them down. Maybe someone can help me with this. Make a comment and continue the story.

Jonelle and Joe Rafino brought their two daughters to help our guild experience the fun yarns, fibers, books and animals. I am sure they enjoyed their weekend in Prescott.

Showing with the Rafino girls is Houston Koester, grandson of Carma. He enjoyed the morning as well.

 

The many natural products shown by Jonelle can be found at all finer fiber shops and if you can't find them ask them to get it.

Soy Silk has been a favorite fiber of mine since the beginning of my fiber journey.

Soysilk is as soft as cashmere writes SWTC. "Soybeans were grown as early as the 11th century BC in northern China, and were among the first crops grown by man. Ancient Chinese culture considered the soybean both food and medicine."

"Soy fiber is made from tofu manufacturing waste. The protein is liquefied and extruded into long, continuous fibers that can be sup like any other. The difference is in the 'hand', or feel of the fabric. As soft as 'real' silk, with a shiny pearl-like luster, soy is a joy to knit." writes SWTC.

Drop by my booth at the "Fibers Through Time" in Tucson and see the Infinity 100% Soysilk brand fiber as well as the Xie 100% Bamboo Fiber. I will also have Soy and Milk Fiber for the spinners so don't forget that trip to Tucson.

The Painted Easter Egg - Arts Prescott's Easter Egg Tree - Glass Art

Arts Prescott Cooperative Gallery has their Easter Egg Window on display on Whiskey Row.

It is time to stroll down Whiskey Row and see the Egg Tree. Hopefully you will have a sunny day like this one.

One special part of the window is a Branch which was burned in the fire south of Prescott a few years ago. This is just a touch on the memory of that week. Now, Easter Eggs adorn it and the sun showing through the window lights it up.

Along with the painted Eggs you will find several hand made leather Easter Eggs created by our Luminated Leather artist Kris Eberhardt. Also hanging along side the branch is the Hand blown Glass Balls blown by Cindy Myers. One of Cindy's Glass Bowls also adorns the window. Paintings by Linne Thomas and Raina Gentry along with Floral Prints by Carolyn Peterson .

 

The flower egg is easy to make. I first blew the egg out by piecing two holes, one on the top and one on the bottom. After it was washed and dried I drew the flowers all over the egg and then with the same color of colored pen I filled in the background.

The eggs were created by members of the gallery and they will hand until after Easter Sunday. The Easter Tulips didn't make it through the week so Don Rantz, folded artful flowers made from colored paper.

Each egg on the tree is a little different. You will see the beaded eggs by Lana Ante and the vivid colorful eggs by Mary Kay O'Neill. Sherry Curtis added a few and the Rantz family made the Lady Bug Eggs.

The Bird on a Wire of Time was created by Melody McConaughy. Melody also mad the wire Easter Eggs on the tree.

The Noise - Arts & News

"The Noise is a monthly publication of Weavel Inc., a nonprofit arts and education organization. The Noise is a free forum for ideas and creative expression." writes the magazine. (Flagstaff, Arizona)

This free Arts & News magazine ran a story on Arts Prescott Cooperative Gallery showing the "Jewelry from Kenya" this month. It is always refreshing when papers share information about special art shows in the Northern Arizona Area. I like to share their name with you and remind you to pick up this free edition of The Noise.

The cover is Cover Art: "Spring" by Bear.

All inquiries: tel: 928-634-5001 or www.thenoise.us

Fiber Amulet Bag and Lap Loom - Tucson AZ Federation Show and Conference

Handwoven Fiber Amulet Bag adorned with beads, buttons, ribbons, seeds and lampwork can be created using one of my kits. I will have the knitted and the hand woven kits at the Fibers Through Time, "Connections With the Past", show and conference in Tucson. April 3 - 6, 2008 at the Holiday Inn Palo Verde.

You will find the classes you can attend and the vendor hours at: www.azfed.org/2008.html

The public is invited to come and see what the vendors have to offer. That means...come to Tucson and visit me. The Juror's Choice Gallery is also open to the public and that is also for non-participants in the conference. This will be a fun show.

A few days ago I wrote about fringe and how to adorn fringe with seed beads. Here, I show a completed project.

The buttons are all Vintage Glass Buttons from Europe which were in my button collection. The large focal piece is a bead made from Chardonnay Recycled Wine Bottle Glass and you will find Chardonnay Lampwork Beads throughout this piece.

I will be showing my Kits, Handspun, Lampwork Beads, Roving, Raggedy Ro Batts, Shibori Scarves, back issues of fiber and bead magazines, some Finished Jewelry and of course - Roberta, the Electronic Spinner as well as extra bobbins, oil and ideas for Roberta.

Along with my kits I will also carry the Harrisville Lap Loom A. Harrisville has one of the nicest lap looms on the market.

I use the Harrisville Lap Loom A for my hand woven Fiber Amulet Bags along with my baby wolf. I weave with tubular double weave with the floor loom and finish several amulet bags with one warp. You can see more of my kits and the lap loom at my web store. www.rowenaart.net/store   

A Brooch, Buttons and Seed Beads With Off Loom Bead Weaving-Merlot Recycled Wine bottle Glass

Here is just a sample of the recycled wine bottle glass beads I use in my one-of-a-kind pieces. Merlot is it today. A few drops of Chardonnay is also seen on the Horse Button Brooch named "Alert in Prescott".

The horse button comes from an old glass mold from the 1950's made in Northern Bohemia. CZECH lustre glass buttons are a favorite of mine.

If you are interested in these type of buttons read, "Baubles, Buttons and Beads", written by Sibylle Jargstorf. It begins with the comprehensive history of glass working in the Gablonz area. The book charts the history of jewelry, glass and bead making in that region. It talks about the heritage of Bohemia. This book was one of the first books I purchased for my bead book collection.

Here pictured is the CZECH button brooch with Peyote Stitch used for the off loom bead woven bezel around it and it is completed with lampwork wine drops of Merlot and Chardonnay. The wire ear rings have sterling silver beads and Merlot recycled glass lampwork beads. You can see part of a flat peyote stitch cuff with fresh water pearls. See more at www.rowenaart.net

Fiber and Beads-Adorn Your Fringe With Beads

Each fringe needs Seed Beads or just one seed bead per inch or so, sewing down the fringe to make sure your fringe is strong. Try to make your bead thread hidden inside the yarn. This adorns the fringe and also gives it body and a swing. The yarn left without adornment may break unless it is ribbon or novelty yarn. You may tie a knot at the bottom and ad a bead on the stronger novelty yarn fringes.

Also, you may want to make some seed bead fringe between the yarn fringe. It is all up to you, you are the designer! I fringe everything I make because the fringe design is just something I love on my art to wear clothing.

Adding fresh water pearls to one fringe creates a focal point. I sew down the fringe adding the pearls every inch or so depending what I am adorning.

My fringe twister is what I treasure more than most of my tools. It makes any project easy to do.

The Fringe Twister can be found on my Weaving and Spinning on my web store:

www.rowenaart.net/store

Note that I do not charge shipping within the Continental United States.

Hangers and Things for the Fiber Studio

My Bead and Fiber Studio are nearly one in the same. I have an entrance room from a beaded sidewalk outside and that is where I keep my fiber to spin and yarn to weave.

Here are 3 wonderful Knitty Knotties Jürgen made for me with his Shop Smith. See he has toys too. He also created a wooden hanger for my rolls of Soy Silk and other yarns at the top of each wall. This allows me to select the type of yarn I want with a blink of the eye.

My shelves are surely full and I love it that way. Here you can see "Songs from the Loom", a gift from Loom N Essence. I get all of my Buffalo Fiber from Sharon at Loom N Essence.

Also, bags of hand dyed Kid Mohair Loks. I purchased the Mohair during the last Spinning at the Winery and dyed them with Gaywool Dye. Check out Treadles and Treads Guild (bay area) for the next Spinning at the Winery date. It is the last weekend in May.

Right now I have stacks of see through zipper bags full of Hand Spun, Treasure Tails and Roving all ready for the Fiber Through Time 2008, "Connections to the Past" Show and Conference -- April 3 - 8 at the Tucson Holiday Inn Palo Verde. Hope to see you there.

www.rowenaart.net/store

The Painted Easter Egg - The History of the Easter Tree and Arts Prescott's Easter Egg Tree

Easter will soon be here, and this year Arts Prescott Cooperative Gallery presents a display of Hand Crafted, Painted Easter Eggs in the Front Window. Right now there is a small part of the window with a taste of the Easter Tree.

March 14th stroll down Whiskey Row and check out the Arts Prescott Easter Egg Display. www.artsprescott.com -- 928-776-7717

The Easter Egg Tree has its roots in European Culture. Each year the families get together and blow out chicken, duck and goose eggs and hand paint them to hang on their Easter Egg Branch Tree. While we lived there we always had our Egg Tree and we brought the tradition with us to Arizona.

"When you combine Easter eggs, baskets, bunnies and spring flowers with the spindly branches of a budding forsythia bush or a cherry tree, you have all the makings of a fun way to celebrate the holiday with the creation of an Easter tree", writes Elaine Gaston from Knight Ridder Newspapers.

Gaston continues, "Decorating evergreen or leafless trees with eggs at Easter have long been the tradition in Germany and the Ukraine. When German settlers immigrated to the states, many brought with them their Easter tradition of decorating trees with eggs, which symbolize rebirth, renewal and resurrection."

You can read more of Gaston's Egg story at: www.azcentral.com/home/crafty/articles/0409easter09tree.html

Beads and Jewelry at Arts Prescott on Historical Whiskey Row

Sterling Silver Jewelry created by Mary Kaye O'Neill hangs on a swirl of copper in her case at Arts Prescott Cooperative Gallery. Mary Kaye's ear rings adorn many in Prescott.

Next to my case I have a cube full of Lampwork Beads for designers. I try to get new beads added each week, but I don't always get them done. The gallery keeps me busy for sure.

Off Loom Bead Weaving is one of my favorite things to do. Here is a beaded hat that I created first from Model Magic by Crayola and then fully beaded it. The black torch is also created with Model Magic and I used Peyote Stitch to adorn it along with lampwork beads.

www.rowenaart.net

Roberta Electronic Spinner - A Spinning Day in Prescott

Joanne Maginelli is spinning on her new Roberta Electronic Spinner. We two spent an afternoon spinning up a storm. It only took Joanne 5 minutes and she was a pro spinning on her NEW Roberta.

The afternoon when by in a snap. We both were so busy spinning we both were amazed when the clock struck 5 PM.

Joanne will continue the run in process of her Roberta tonight, and if I know her she will have it buzzing like a bee.

The bearing material needs to “marry up” with the steel of the flyer, thus producing the condition for the lightest draw-in. With this being achieved, you are able to create a draw-in from a very light level, to as hard as you wish, by using the tension brake. I did this before Joanne arrived. The first 8 hours spinning on her Roberta Joanne will continue the run in phase so her wheel will always spin perfectly.

When a new owner picks up a wheel I like to spend time with them to make sure they have everything they need. Of course, I enjoy the spinning time as well.

I have the Jumbo Dual Power Wheel with the 3 Jumbo bobbins.

Jo and I both have the Dual Power so we can spin during long car rides and we also have the Pause Control Option. What fun it is to have such great spinning tools.

www.rowenaart.net/store

Fibers Through Time - Gearing Up for Tucson AZ Federation Show and Conference

April 3 - 6, Tucson, Arizona will be busy with Fiber. Throughout the city Fiber Artists will be gathering to get the most out of Fibers Through Time. I am showing at this conference in the Vendor Room.

I am gearing up for the Arizona Federation Fibers Through Time 2008, Connections With The Past.  During the show I will be demonstrating the Roberta Electronic Spinning Wheel. It is always fun to show what Roberta can do.

Show and conference will be in the Holiday Inn Palo Verde, 4550 S. Palo Verde Boulevard in Tucson, and it is sponsored by Arizona Federation of Weavers & Spinners Guilds, Inc.

The Conference committee plans on bringing a celebration of our Connections with the Past by sharing old traditions including historic patterns in the center pieces and scarves while learning more about the history of fibers grown in our area. The keynote speaker is Dr. Glenna Dean sharing with us about the Archeology of Cotton.

Come and see my Raggedy Ro Batts. You can spin your own Raggedy Ro and stretch the batt by using a base color.

My booth will be full of Treasure Tail Yarn for Adornment or to create a designer scarf. 17 strands of Hand Spun Yarns, Soy, Bamboo and Raggedy Ro makes a designer piece.This month is a busy one.

Check out the vendor and conference hours at: http://www.azfed.org/2008.html

www.rowenaart.net/store   www.rowenaart.net

Amber - Used for Adornment - Volunteer Gathering at The Bead Museum in Glendale

Amber, a fossil, a mineroid and for us an adornment.

I love the warm golden tones in Amber. I am inspired by the history trapped in the sap.

Sunday, we took a trip to Glendale to check out out the Rubber Stamp Show to see if tables of beads and fiber would fit in the future. Well they wouldn't. The stampers arrived in groves, and all they see is stamps, new ink pads, glitter and all of the new toys to stamp with. I have to admit I went all over and asked for rubber stamps with the theme of Spinning or Weaving ... there were none to be found.

We also visited The Bead Museum. The grounds surrounding the Museum would make a great location for a Bead Bazaar. I love the wide side walks and the atmosphere of the area. While we were there I took several photos of interesting beads in the Bead Museum Bead Shop. I took them for my blog, of course, and to share with you so you will hurry right over and see them for yourself. Supporting the Bead Museum is important because for many years it was here in Prescott and it also was the only Museum only directed at beads in the world. Lets support it.

Also, Saturday March 8th from 10 to 11 am there is a volunteer gathering. "If you are an active volunteer or would like to become one please join us to hear about our new volunteer program! It's an exciting time to be involved as The Bead Museum reaches new audiences and grows to the next level. Our amazing volunteers make it possible to serve this community. We'll take a survey and share our calendar of events for 2008. Join us and bring a friend to learn about new opportunities and benefits! Refreshments will be served so please RSVP by march 7th" writes Katie Anderson, the Bead Museum Director.

The Bead Museum - 5754 W. Glenn Drive, Glendale, Arizona, 85301 (623) 930-8561 or www.beadmuseumaz.org

Learning How to Make Marbles and Fused Glass at The Glass Palette

This brings back memories. Here is Jürgen Tank and Don McKinney during a Marble Class at The Glass Palette.

I learned lampworking from Don years ago and I still feel he is the best. His beginning lampworking class begins with the safety of the process. Safety comes first when it comes to the lampwork and glass blowing process.

Jürgen also took a glass fusing class taught by Don. 

Here we are looking down into the kiln during the second day of the fusing class. So much to learn...so little time.

You can go to http://www.glasspalette.com/TheStudio.html and check out what Don has to offer as far as classes.

Rowena at Chino Valley Art Show

Chino Valley welcomed my fiber art yesterday. It was exciting to hear the comments regarding my Treasure Tails, Fiber Amulet Bags, Hand Spun Yarn, and most of all my ROBERTA Electronic Spinner.

The Show was a lot of fun.

Demonstrating spinning with the Electronic Spinner by Ertoel was the main focus yesterday. This was new to everyone who visited my booth.

The Roberta ended up the star of the show. Everyone could not believe how quiet the Electronic Spinner is while in use.

The show was sucessful and I will be doing the Fall Chino Valley Art Show as well.   Thank you all for visiting the show. 

www.rowenaart.net/store