Round the World Blog Hop

This is embarrassing, but back in October, Penny Baugh asked me if I would like to participate in a blog hop, and I was excited about joining in.  Then the weeks of computer problems ensued, then I wasn't even going into the studio (no creative endeavors what-so-ever), then guilt because I had not followed through, and a multitude of other reasons and excuses that kept me paralyzed.  

After a dearth of ideas and energy, I have finally returned to the process of making stuff, and I'm going to do this much belated post.

Here are the instructions that Penny (Art Journey) received from Hilary:

Here are the instructions from Hilary:

You will acknowledge the person and site that involved you in the blog
 and share your answers to these questions:

1. What am I working on?
2. How does my work differ from others of its genre?
3. Why do I write/create what I do?
4. How does my writing/creating process work?
(apparently we're free to interpret/adjust these questions as we like, so
if you feel like only answering one or two that's fine).

You'll need to list 2-3 tagees for the next week.  You'll give a 1-2 line
bio and link to their website. This means you'll need to find 2 or three
blog friends to do the same thing the following week or so.

I love Penny Baugh's (Art Journey) dolls and have posted about them before.  She has created a whimsical imaginary world in Lickety-Split, a community with the most charming inhabitants.  Penny, I'm sorry it has taken me so long to respond.

OK - here goes.

I live in Bossier City, LA, right across the bridge from Shreveport where I spent most of my growing up years.  I've always been interested in crafting and making things, useful or not. Mostly not.  But I have such fun!  My other interests include reading and gardening, and usually one activity excludes another, and I will devote endless time and energy to whichever interest is on the plate at the time--ignoring all others.


What am I working on?

I finished my last witch shortly before Halloween.

 Then came the long hiatus.  I'm not sure why  intense cycles of frenzied "making" (like the three months during the summer when I worked on something every day) decline into less frequent activity, and finally, into a complete stall.

I have only recently returned to spending most of my time upstairs in the studio.  Once again, I decided that it didn't matter what I made, as long as I worked on something each day.

My first efforts came when I saw My Poppet's  twisted cord on Pinterest.  Just the sort of mindless, but soothing activity to keep my hands occupied.

  I'm so glad I saw the tutorial just when I needed it;  I love both the meditative quality of this activity and the result. Rummaging among my fabric scraps and larger remnants, I found lots of ugly fabrics, some beautiful fabrics, left-overs from years ago, pieces left from half yards, fat quarters bought for some specific project that never materialized, etc.   Most were cut up to some extent, but saved for smaller projects. 

And I started twisting.  

I caught up on back  episodes of The Walking Dead while making yards of the stuff.

  I have some more old spools that I'll use for storing it, 
but I have to look for them.
The broken ruler serves for now.

Then I thought about making single twisted strips 
and weaving them on a twig form for a Christmas tree. 

 The above examples of cord are doubled and too thick.  
So I tore off a bunch of fabric strips
 and twisted them singly to make the tree.

Some of the fabric strips and scrap fabric were not long enough to make the twisted cord efficiently, so I've been making some fabric beads.  I still have a bunch of these I made several years ago, and I've used them in a number of various projects. 

 Making fabric beads is another one of those calming,

 undemanding activities;

 even if there is no immediate purpose for them, 

they are satisfying and look nice in a jar. 

Both activities lower my blood pressure, give me a sense of accomplishment, and keep my hands busy when there are no projects on the agenda.

Going through my bags of scraps and thinking of Christmas, I decided to make another fabric brooch.  Perfect for my grey wool coat to give it a splash of cheerful color.

How does my work differ from others in the genre?

I don't really have much of a genre, and my crafty endeavors range from embroidery to creating Eccentric dolls, but there is little consistency in my approach.  I experiment with a lot of different techniques.

I often make a doll head and then create a body and theme to go with it;  whatever my original thought, what actually happens is a result of spontaneous trial and error rather than planned execution.  I wish my stuff had a more recognizable aspect--you know, like when you see a particular doll or piece of fabric art and know right away who made it.  

Why do I create what I do?

There are so many things I would love to make, but where my attempts are always a fail.  I like scrappy stuff, working with odd bits, and experimenting. 

 I "make" for the process, whether one of my Eccentrics or fabric brooches or making yards of fabric cord like My Poppet's; the process of "making" is deeply gratifying in an emotional, as well as a physical sense.  I can't seem to help myself--it is an addiction and it is fun.

How does my creating process work?

No real method to the madness.  Sometimes, I have to get into the process gradually  and make twisted cord or fabric beads as mentioned above, for example.  At other times, I have an idea in mind. Halloween always inspires me to make strange creatures, and I will get out the paper clay or fabric and see what happens.

Here are my taggees (I wasn't able to get in touch with everyone, but even if they don't participate, you will enjoy looking!).  

Let me introduce:

Carla Trujillo  

Carla  is a mixed media artist who works with found objects to create one-of-a-kind assemblage pieces.  She produces these inspired little creatures that have fascinated me for years.  (of course, I had to have one of my own.  It hangs in our cabin in the country--an angel by the door--yep, a bad photo, but a cool piece)

You can visit Carla's blog or her Online Shop to see her creations.

Love the one below.

Sandy Mastroni 

Ha!  Sandy's weird little creatures always make me smile!  I have one hanging around on a mirror that looks at me impishly each time I pass by.  You can visit her blog or check out her Etsy Shop.  Here is the little guy I have hanging on a small mirror.

Carol Roll Nostalgic Folk Art

Carol is a folk artist who works in paper mache and creates these lovely characters with a vintage feel.  You can find her work on her blog, in galleries, and in her Etsy Shop.

Including Penny, that makes four artists whose works I admire.

Go visit!