Finally, a Posting Day!

Brrrrrrr! The fall, (yes autumn, we're still not officially in "winter" yet!) has been freezing, and even more than that! Snow has fallen, and temps have been waaaayyyy below zero. My shop/studio has been too cold to work in... BUT, thanks to some westerly winds, the warmth is back! (And by warmth, we're talking 40'F! :-)

I am pleased to announce my posting of three crochet hooks on eBay and three more on Etsy! Hopefully the temps will hold, (and I can get a better heating system in the meantime!)

One other announcement: if you are looking for a VERY special gift item, please see my friend Cindy Drozda's web site and brand new Etsy shop! She makes the most exquisitely gorgeous work -- beautiful beyond belief! Truly wonderful art pieces that would make an incredible gift for a treasured person.


I absolutely LOVE candy canes... as a child I used to eat them all through the Christmas season, tasting their delightfully sweet peppermint flavor, reveling in every last bit! Nowadays it's the color that I find most appealing -- those simple red and white stripes that swirl upward with a prancing sort of happiness!

I couldn't help but make a "Candy Cane" crochet hook this Christmas -- the stripies were calling out to me! The red in the hook (pictured above) is naturally crimson Bloodwood, a hard, dense wood from South America that makes wonderful crochet hooks. I then carved and textured two stripes that swirl around the entire top of the hook, and painted them with metallic acrylics, adding little dots that seem to dance to the heavens!

For extra shine and sparkle, I then added a 3 mm brilliant-cut Cubic Zirconia gemstone, set in sterling silver... right in the middle of the larger stripe. The pictures don't show it well at all, but in the hand it sparkles like magic! (Check out my Candy Cane hook on eBay.)

The second hook in the photo is wonderfully special -- it's made with Olivewood... but not just any piece of Olivewood... this is a fantastically wonderful piece with beautifully curling swirling grain! Paired with the double purples, simply gorgeous! (I posted this lovely on Etsy.)

Posting Day!

I'm back, I'm back! The symposium was GREAT! I learned a lot from my very favorite woodturner, Cindy Drozda, having watched all three of her marvelous demonstrations! (She made these absolutely precious mushroom boxes... one of her signature fine finials... and a tantalizingly sophisticated multi-axis hollow form in which the inside of the piece is larger than the outside!!!) On Sunday I saw Matthew Hill do some fantastic things with finishing, carving, and pyrography. I can't wait to see how my new work will evolve!

Today I've posted SIX gorgeous new hooks on eBay, including those beauties on the left! I love, love, LOVE working with wonderful figured woods, and when they are dyed, those chatoyant stripes just JUMP right out at you! Like cat's-eye gemstones, those stripes dance in the light!

As I was making these hooks I also wanted to play with color, and experimented to my heart's content! I think they turned out GORGEOUSLY well! Please check them out!

Cindy Drozda 5-day Workshop -- Review

I've just come back from Utah -- 16 hours driving through the deserts and mountains of Wyoming, crossing the Continental Divide four times, (ask me how this is possible), and finally arriving back home with new ideas, new thoughts, and new inspirations!

A five-day workshop is pretty intense... even for me... (and I'm known for my insatiable desire for knowledge and improvement)... Cindy shared so much of her expert knowledge, it was a dream come true!

Days 1 & 2 were devoted to learning proper turning technique -- beads and coves and vee-grooves with both the bowl and spindle gouges, culminating in design exercises which resulted in some very interesting forms! With so many in the class, it was incredibly valuable to be able to see others' ideas for shape and composition, share critiques, and try out new designs with each iteration of turning. Cindy shared her secrets about what makes a successful design, as we worked on both vessel and finial forms.

Day 3 was devoted to making our own Fabulous Finial Box, which Cindy is so well known for creating! My box (photo on the right) was made from Claro Walnut with a Holly inlay and foot. Such a beautiful design, complicated too, but Cindy's step-by-step instruction made it easy to complete within the day. (Yes, even that tiny finial was easily within reach with Cindy's superb teaching of technique!) Another session of group comparison led to all kinds of design inspirations!

Day 4 brought a wealth of possibilities, with the fabulous Cindy Drozda allowing a choice of projects among the group!

There were at LEAST 5 different projects/variations going on at once, and Cindy, who is so incredibly versatile, like the great turning Masters, went from lathe to lathe, easily switching gears to help each student with his/her chosen turning, and effortlessly demonstrating methods of solving any difficulties s/he might have had.

Of course, me being me, I watched ALL the projects, and got a little behind on my turning, but I did finish the natural-edge Mushroom Box (on the left), made of English Yew. (Even though I didn't get to make it in class, I also watched Cindy turn a square-edged bowl, as well as demo dyeing techniques, both of which I am going to try at home!)

By day 5 I was almost exhausted! Cindy suggested I do a hollow form for relaxation purposes, and what a fantastic idea that was! I turned a spalted wet maple hollow form with walls 1/8" thick -- what a joy! (And that Jamieson hollowing system is a MUST HAVE!)

On day 5 Cindy also gave a wonderful presentation on how to "read" burls as well as plan projects using the figure of the wood to best advantage -- invaluable knowledge for us to have.

Conclusion: Whenever Cindy Drozda teaches a class, I will be the FIRST to sign up! Her knowledge of turning is impeccable, and her ability to teach turning technique is nothing short of extraordinary. By the end of the week, each and every student in the class improved his/her technique, as well as improved design in their unique style.

"Phoenix" by Cindy Drozda

Far from being a "copy me" class, Cindy encouraged and spurred each student to find their own direction. No one's boxes looked the same -- and through her encouragement of group communication, we all learned from each other.

Cindy Drozda, the Great Woodturner, is nothing short of a woodturning Master. And the best part is.... we all had lots of FUN!!!

Fantastic fantastic class! I can't possibly say enough about this incredible experience!!! I arrived home filled with new knowledge, overflowing with inspiration, and best of all, the insatiable desire to TURN...


Another event of note... I have it on good authority that Cindy will be at the Loveland Sculpture Invitational this very weekend, August 7-9th! I can't wait to see more of her exquisite artwork in person!

See you there!
Katherine

Posting Day!

Greetings everyone!

"Banksia Space Station" by Cindy Drozda

If you haven't signed up for Cindy Drozda's workshop yet, TODAY is the day! I am soooooo looking forward to it! She makes the most extraordinary boxes and lidded vessels you've ever seen! And she's teaching us how to make them! What could be better??? Check out her blog for more information, or her web site to see more of her exquisite work.


My news for today includes four new lovelies on eBay!

My roses are blooming like crazy! They're so beautifully bright in the summer sunlight -- pinks, and peaches, and reds, and fuchsias! They inspired one of my hooks today.

Lovely pink flowerets bloom on a verdant green background, golden-green vine connecting these seeds of life!

I quite enjoyed making this hook -- it's a design I've never tried before, and I think it came out quite beautifully. I'm particularly pleased with the shape of the flowers and petals, (as well as the shading within the painting part of it). So pretty!


The second hook is from my new series "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea" -- it is entitled "Squid #2".

I'm particularly fascinated at the way the craft of turning can produce such a perfect squid shape. It's made me wonder what other sorts of creatures are similarly round and radially symmetrical, in hopes that I can find a way to represent those as well.

The hooks are always so much more magical in the hand than they are in photographs... and the squid hook is no exception! The "eye" is a 3mm Garnet set in Sterling Silver, and sparkles beautifully in the light, really seeming to bring the creature to "life." The tentacles wrap all the way around the hook.

This, as well as the "Summer Blooms" hook are signed pieces.

Posting Day!

Another Posting Day has arrived -- Hooray!

I've posted six lovely new crochet hooks on eBay today, including the two pictured.

Did you happen to see the blog entry below? (About the incredible opportunity to take a class with world-renowned woodturning artist Cindy Drozda? (If you didn't, check it out!) If you did... I just wanted to prove how fantastic a teacher she is! Check out my Before and After photo and story.

On to the hooks!

That little gal on the left is made from Asian Satinwood, and absolute pleasure to work with! It's so very smooth to cut, and the chatoyant stripies on the sides add such playfulness to the hook! I think that the amethyst looks absolutely stellar on that hook.

I've never done black painting before -- never really thought of it with regards to my general proclivity to color. However, I think it turned out to be a wonderful combination of colors, especially after adding the silvery colors as well.

The hook on the right is an absolute STUNNER -- sooooooo pretty. Indeed, after I uploaded the photo for eBay, I thought... ooooh, maybe I should keep this one! Soooooo gorgeous!

This beauty was inspired by "Apollo's Frock" by Tori Amos, a B-side from the Scarlet's Walk era. One of my favorite songs, another in which she uses metaphor upon metaphor, including prolific historical and literary referents. A very complicated song, and complicated meaning.

I suppose I wanted to transcend a lot of that -- it just isn't possible to create a small work of art that can express all of the meanings present in such a vastly meaningful work. Indeed, I went with the most apparent of meanings, and chose to incorporate color as a primary part of the design. The flames are obviously representative of the solar innuendo, though also include deeper parts of the lyrical meaning.

I had quite a lot of fun painting this hook -- I used various metallic acrylics: bronzes, copper, golds, etc., applying shading to the flames to give them a bit of life -- as though they truly are licking upward to the top of the hook. I added a 3mm brilliant-cut Garnet set in Sterling Silver to complete the piece... and does it! Garnet in place, the whole hook has a jewel-like effect!

Woodturning Dream!

Greetings everyone,
I thought this was too good an opportunity to pass up, so I wanted to post it here: I just found out that there are still spaces in Cindy Drozda's Workshop at Craft Supplies USA this month! You've all heard me rave about her -- she is an absolutely extraordinary teacher! She

"Inanna" by Cindy Drozda

can coax gorgeous works even out of raw beginners, and teach any advanced turner tricks to making exciting work.

Cindy is, quite simply, the turner to learn from. I can't even begin to tell you how much her instruction has improved my skill and artistry. Anyway, it's a 5-day workshop at the end of the month, July 27-31. Check out her web site (where you can see more of her amazing artwork), and her blog, (which has links to the workshop info & sign up).

If you've ever had interest in woodturning, this is a fantastic opportunity to learn! (I can't wait to go myself -- my bags are already packed! I hope to see you there!) It's going to be great fun!

Posting Day!

Well... post posting day, but I have soooo much to tell you, it's taken me two days to write! Firstly, I've posted some brand new, GORGEOUS hooks on eBay! (See those two beauties below? Check them out on eBay!)Speaking of... the new fashions for hooks have arrived! My new design series is called "Unexpected Details." Because I use so much color and shape in my work, I often feel like a fashion designer, and love to come up with new things. The "Unexpected Details" series will incorporate tiny details, perhaps even barely noticeable, but which make all the difference in the world. I guess it's my way of adding a "hidden treasure" in plain sight -- but only if you look closely!

In other news, I have returned from the AAW National Symposium in Albuquerque! I had an wondrous time!

I saw many woodturning celebs, and got to attend demos by the best in the field. I learned all kinds of marvelous things, and came back inspired, enchanted, and improved.

The instant gallery was absolutely incredible; the artwork was marvelous! My very favorite piece of the show was "Renaissance" by Cindy Drozda. (Second from left in the picture below).



The picture doesn't even come CLOSE to doing justice to her wonderful artwork -- the shape, the form, the finish, the colors are literally breathtaking! Soooooo beautiful, and unquestionably Perfect. (Yes, "perfect" with a capital "P," or, in other words, Magnificent!)

The walls of the goblet are incredibly thin. You can't see it in the photo, but the bead on the finial mirrors the natural edge finish on the amboyna goblet with tiny scallops. The very tip of the finial also has these carved points, ending in an emerald-green chrome diopside stone! The detail is just extraordinary!!! (I won't even TELL you what's inside!)

I was also privileged to see her demonstrate her ultra-fine turning at the trade show. I spent hours watching... I was utterly captivated by her skill and artistry. She's AMAZING! (Check out her web site). She created fine fine finials, as well as demonstrated her signature Finial Box and her Finial Star Box, using her brand-new line of signature tools! (Check them out at Packard Woodworks) The recess cutter is my absolute FAVORITE! (And the vortex tool is... well, "large grin" may suffice as a description!)

Even as I was watching, she came up with a brand new finial design incorporating what she calls "wave forms," separated by impossibly narrow v-grooves. She continued to demo these throughout the show, astonishing us with her prolific creativity!

In other news, I am glad to be back home! My cats missed me, especially my tiny Arabella. ...And it felt really weird not to be covered in wood chips!

Time to get turning again!

Posting Day!

Hooray! Hooray! It's Posting Day! Annnnnddddd, I've got some fantastic new designs for you! (Before I get ahead of myself, let me just tell you that I posted seven new hooks on eBay today. I also added the nifty little box on the right ---->, showing some items from my Etsy store, AND also a list of links to all the places you can find my work.)

Now down to business.... ("serious mode" engaged)...

I had an absolutely GLORIOUS time making this hook:




It is a wonderful thing to be inspired by a person, or their creation, so I like to try and give back some of that inspired thought with a direct link of some sort.

Inspired from Tori Amos' "Carbon" from her Scarlet's Walk album, I thought about what makes the song so very special -- the lines she sings, the meanings that come. "Carbon made only wants to be unmade" ... "crystalline irises" ... "shred in ribbons of lithium" ... "keep your eyes on her/on her eyes on her horizon"

In doing this, and figuring out how I could translate this into a piece of artwork, I discovered new meanings in the song. For example, I always, always thought of "crystalline irises" as eye irises, never even occurred to me that they might refer to the flowers. However, when I was searching for the right color to add to the hook, the images of those purple flowers in my own garden jumped to the forefront of my attention, and I knew it was right.

For this special dedication, a very special hook was in order, so I used techniques that I was inspired to learn at the Utah Woodturning Syposium: the textural design, plus a wonderful secret from world-renowned woodturner Cindy Drozda (web site / blog) -- the setting of precious gemstones and adding them to my woodworking. (She adds them under the lids of her boxes, which creates a marvelously special effect whenever you open one! You'd never mistake a Cindy Drozda original artwork with anyone else's!)

For this piece, I added a 3mm amethyst set in Argentium(R) Sterling Silver. (In case you're wondering, Argentium (R) Sterling is made with germanium, which severely inhibits tarnishing, yet is never less than 93% silver, like traditional sterling. You can read more about it here (PDF)).

Combining all of these techniques together was a delightful challenge, and I enjoyed every minute of it! I will be posting more artist-inspired (Tori) hooks in the coming weeks. Only my very favorite songs will be translated into crochet hooks, and I'm happy to say that I've got a few of them planned already.