I've been building bridges (out of fiber)

My brother in law and I are both "bridge nerds" but while for him it is all about cards and trumps (and who knows what else) for me it's the other (dare I say real) kind of bridge - the kind that takes you from one place to another, and takes you over water. I have favorite bridges (do you? does everyone?) and recently I decided to memorialize them in fiber. There are currently 3 pieces in this series and a fourth an potentially last in the works (my most favoritest). Here are some photos I took of them at West Medford Open Studios this past weekend along with a brief bit about how they each made the list. Hope you enjoy them.

Zakim Bridge or the Leonard P. Zakim Bunker Hill Memorial Bridge (for long)

A beautiful relatively new (2003) bridge crossing the Charles River in Boston.  With 10 lanes it is the world’s widest cable stayed bridge.  It is one of my favorites both for the design and because it was named to commemorate Boston civic leader and civil rights activist who championed “building bridges between peoples”.

Bridge of Flowers, Shelburne, MA

A former trolley bridge, it is covered in with an exuberant flower garden from end to end.

Tapan zee Bridge

When traveling between New England and New York, there several ways to cross the Hudson River.   If I am travelling in daylight I always choose the Tappan Zee because it crosses at one of the widest points.  It is a cantilever style bridge spanning 16,013 feet and carrying 7 lanes. It is scheduled to be replaced by 2017 and judging from some of the photos viewed while researching this series, that seems like a good idea :).

My new Mascot -- Our Lady of Stray Notions

Isn't this little thread juggler sweet? She was custom made for me by Crystal and I just love her. She's aptly standing among some vintage finds that I picked up at at fabric sale (true to my business name, I actually bought very little fabric). She helps me to remember that while juggling everything it takes to keep a business and life running ... it is fun too!

Sounds like a plan

The other day I was with my 12 year old nephew while he was doing his homework (some sort of massive biography, family tree/history sort of thing). He covered the screen and told me it was private but then later called me over and showed me this paragraph. Then he had to call someone to mop up the puddle I had melted into. (of course when I was his age I was going to be an architect :) )

My Future Plan

My future plan is to be an artist. My parents say I have a touch for art, but I say it just comes to you. I am planning to accomplish this goal by taking art classes, visiting some artists, do some doodling and art when ever I can, and read some books about art. I think this will help because I can get information from artist to help me be a better artist, learn at art camps I will attend too, and by reading books about art. When I read the books I can learn some great art to make and/or learn about. With all this information I will store it and when I take out a piece of paper and a pencil I will produce some fabulous artwork for all to enjoy and love.

Samplers old and New

Several months ago Jessica Burko hosted a get-together at her South End studio to send a Boston Handmade member off in crafty style. While rummaging through her stash of paper ephemera I happened upon a page of notebook paper with a small stitched sampler attached and was so completely charmed that Jessica gave it to me (thanks Jessica). I can't be sure when this was stitched but it seems young Wilhemina received a grade of 92 for her efforts

Recently I reinterpreted the sampler for a workshop I taught at the BCAE using some awesome "by the yard" toweling that I picked up at Gather Here in Cambridge. I had a great time teaching the class and hope to do so again. In the meantime I will be posting a tutorial on how to create a tea towel stitch sampler of your own so stay tuned.

Happy Mothers Day

No waxing poetic here ... it's just not my style or reality. I will be giving mom this dragonfly pin when I see her next weekend, but only because she offered to buy it when she saw a similar one that sold over the holidays. While I was at it I made a few more for the shop :).

West Medford Open Studios

Please join me and other members of Boston Handmade this weekend for West Medford Open Studios. Over sixty visual artists and artisans will participate along with musicians, writers and community organizations. We'll be at "site #8" 56 Bower Street hope you'll stop by to see what's been keeping us busy.

Hint number two

I met this artist when we both worked here


only it wasn't a furniture store ...

Can you guess what it was? Just kidding - It was the Allston home of the Boston Food Coop (Now Harvest Cooperative Market)

mural The potluck by David Fichter

I don't get to Allston much these days (or to Central Square for that matter) so I took a little walk to see what had changed and what hadn't. I'll share some pictures and perhaps a story or two soon.

First hint -

Okay maybe it's obvious, maybe not but since I announced the contest on Boston Handmade, it seems only appropriate to let you know that this artist was born and raised in Boston and was working here at the time that the items pictured were created. Because we all like pictures in our blog post here's one of the bowl I was happy to receive from BH'er Arthur Halvorsen at our
"holiday" swap back in January. (filled with Red, White and Blue potato salad - scary looking but yummy) Yay for local artists.

Name that artist - a little contest

I announced a little contest over on Boston Handmade. If you didn't see that post the deal is that I thought I'd have a little fun and post a picture of some very early work by a now very established ceramic artist who I had the pleasure of working a "day job" with many years ago. I loved his/her work then and now and through all of the intervening developments and changes in the ... wait for it ... 20 plus years since then (gosh I feel old). The first to guess whose work this is will receive $5 toward a purchase from Boston Handmade member and ceramic artist Karen Mahoney's shop. I will be posting a hint a day for at least 3 days, possibly more if no one gets it by then. I'm also running a little experiment, as I wonder if this artist would recognize his/her work from so long ago so ... if you know people working in ceramics who this might be ... point them to this post I'd love to hear from them.
Enter by commenting here - on this post

More Testing

A pattern this time. Jen of Zooguu, maker of the cutest plush creatures, recently introduced her first pattern for sale in her etsy shop. For some reason I've always wanted to be a pattern tester, and Jen needed one so ... there you go. I won't be changing my career anytime soon, although my nephew who is one of Jen's biggest fans and to whom I gifted "Marion" thinks I should. I think the horn, or actually tooth, on my version came out looking like those hats (sans veil) that medieval maidens wore when going to the fair.

Next up (finally) some new work of my own!

Making Book and other testing adventures

This past week was a whirlwind of "crafty" activity with only a small portion of it spent on my own solitary endeavors. I've feel so lucky to be included in a group of artisans who meet up in person every month over various hot and cold beverages with no expectations other than to share experiences, advice and (sometimes stuff) and to provide support and feedback on life as an entrepreneur in this particular market.

In addition to the regularly scheduled meeting hosted by Melissa and Mimi, I also volunteered to be a tester for (another) Melissa and Jen.

This was by no means a sacrifice - they are both so talented in their respective fields: Mel as a maker of handcrafted books and journals and Jen as the creator of a fantastical world of plush toys for children of all ages.



Five of us (including Jen pictured above) gathered to help Melissa test a workshop she will be offering on making travel journals. The workshop like her other work was meticulously well thought out, organized, presented and executed. For the first time in quite a while, I got to be the one in the class everyone had to wait for: That's what happens when everyone is a professional crafter I guess. But I figure this was good research material for Melissa, cause somebody's gotta be last, right? We made a set of 4 pamphlet style notebooks and a case for them and then building on that experience a 4 signature expandable book with various pockets and a closure. I learned so much from this workshop. Now I just need to plan a trip, but my first stop was at my sister's house to show off (she's been yearning to learn how to make books and well it's just a sister thing). I touted Melissa's workshop to her and to you, if you are in the Boston area or can get there. I highly recommend the experience.

In

In my head I blog all the time

... but it never seems to make it here. Is it that I a) am lazy and undisciplined? b) have a life that lacks interest? c) something else and if so what?

and now that I've said it maybe I can move on cause I actually want to blog for so many reasons.

Beginning my Virtual World Embroidery tour - first stop, Japan

I love seeing embroidery from around the world ... and have decided to learn a few of the techniques which differ quite widely from my own. So I'm planning on documenting a "world tour" of sorts on my own blog.

My first stop will actually be a recurring one as I've also decided to add a bit of "formal" study to inform my own techniques and use of materials. In May I visited a course sponsored by the Japanese Embroidery Center in Georgia and in August I began as a "Phase one" student with a local private tutor so that I could join quarterly classes offered locally by a traveling tutor. It's sort of like working toward a Black belt ... there are ten phases to the program and specific pieces one chooses to work to learn increasingly difficult techniques. The classes are conducted in near silence and the teacher moves through the class providing the opportunity for guidance and questions. I've never been into yoga ... but the near meditative state achieved is as close as I get. Working with untwisted,pure silk threads is unlike anything I've ever tried before ... at times it is like trying to sew with a spiderweb strand (though a little less sticky). Some twisted threads are used but one twists them manually and on demand (Unless you are a master in which case i understand you have an understudy who does nothing but twist thread for you!) Each type of twist reflects light differently.

students working on a variety of phases

This is a Phase 9 piece though when Susan (pictured) began it was classified as Phase 6


When I was working on finishing my Phase I piece --- I tried to spend an hour or two each morning bringing out my inner perfectionist (she doesn't often make an appearance :))I enjoyed the discipline and the concept of there being a right way and a wrong way to work even though this is pretty far from my personal freewheeling style. Below are some photos from the class and of my own Phase I piece at various stages of completion. (Between the lack of both available light and great photography skills I do not have a picture of the completed piece).

While I don't anticipate making a career of embroidering ceremonial kimonos the experience in learning to work with silk will probably find it's way into some of my work. I sold a few of those embroidered jewelry pieces (brooches and pendants) in the gallery this holiday season and will be adding some to my etsy shop as well.



Japanese embroidery is worked on a special frame -- the right hand is always above and the left below (rules!)



this phase one piece (NOT mine) is nearly complete

Handmade Channukah preparations

Just wanted to share a small portion of our family's handmade hannukia (menorah) -- The rosewood and aluminum one was made by my dad and is the one I grew up with, the painted wooden one was created by my niece, and the fused glass and ceramic versions are my own creations. On December 1 this year we'll light them all and a few more and eat too much fried food. Here's wishing a happy holiday season with family and friends to everyone.

Which came first?

Which came first?
Originally uploaded by safischer1

I joined a swap on Flickr and created this little hoop based on the swap rules and my "secret" partner's stated likes and dislikes. I guess I didn't feel I had enough to do getting ready for the holiday gallery and shows :).

Thoughts for a Sweet New Year



The Jewish New Year falls particularly early this year ... right upon the heels of summer and the start of the school year -- it made scheduling a bit tricky but also seemed so right because regardless of our beliefs and persuasions this is traditionally a season of new beginnings for so many of us. On a personal level taking the time to reflect and to be reminded to listen to the shofar as a wake up call that each of us matters and how we move through this world matters to us and to it was particularly welcome and timely. On a side note -- the tradition of dipping apples in honey is a delicious one that anyone could try :).

Where Fiber Frolics and Goes to College (and so do I)

by Sharon of Stray Notions

As a fiber artist I'm lucky to get to spend a good part of the summer in Maine where there is a very active community of fiber artists and producers - over 134 fiber studios, farms, shops and learning centers, are listed on the Maine Fiberarts Tour Map.


In June of each year the Fiber Frolic is held at the Windsor Fair grounds ... somewhat in the style of a traditional agricultural fair (minus the midway). Rain or shine individuals involved in any aspect of fiber art turn out along with alpacas, sheep, goats and bunnies to sell, learn, demonstrate and in some instances compete. This year featured a sheep to shawl demonstration, and Make it in Maine with Fiber contest, hands-on workshops and limboing lamas. Vendors sold tools, fiber products and handmade goods (along with THE BEST FALAFEL ever!) Several years ago I was so taken with some (very expensive) yarn that I bought it even thought I DON'T (didn't) KNIT.





In September Fiber College takes place in Midcoast Maine -- back to back and overlapping workshops, demonstrations and guest artists all on the shores of the Penobscot Bay and outdoors, weather permitting. It's like camp for grown ups in the best way possible.


In between there is a weekend in August when all of the sites on the aforementioned map are open to the public.

Boston Handmade Marketplace - Dry Run

... but sadly not a dry day ... so rain date plans are in effect!
(updated Friday night)

by Sharon of Stray Notions

Saturday July 10 (or Sunday the 11th if it rains which seems likely at this point) ... will be the third annual Boston Handmade Marketplace in Union Square Somerville. As a new member it will be my first show with the group and my first outdoor show in ... well ... ever. I'm totally psyched and a little nervous ... thus the compulsion to create a mock up of my set up in the living room complete with a recently thrifted "plus size" and headless model sporting my newly crafted show apron. Here's a peek at at what I've been working on.






I'll be sharing a tent with Crystal "sharing the Square" with more than 20 other indie artisans. Complete details on the events and participating vendors are here. Here's a peak at some of my newest work. Come on down!

Welcome to my virtual blog

pillows and other
Originally uploaded by safischer1

And and I mean that in the ancient sense as in ... barely existent (existing in essence or effect though not in actual fact; Existing in the mind, especially as a product of the imagination) rather than the more modern usage involving technology and computers.

That may be about to change though I do hope that "products of my imagination" will find their way here, that the "bold step" I announced over a year ago will finally be followed by at least a few more.

If you' ve landed here I'm going to guess that it's because you saw me on the Martha Stewart show (1/18/2010) or on one of the links on her website. Thanks for stopping by .. let me know in comments or by email if I can answer any questions you may have on any of the embroidery techniques which I demoed or if you'd like like to commission me to embroider one for you. I'm also planning on offering Custom Kits if there is interest --- where I would trace your design onto a tote back or pillow cover --- for you to embroider. These could be offered alone or fully kitted up with thread, needles, hoop and a guide to some simple stitches. I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Great giveaway for fmf fans

Flea market fancy fabric by Denyse Schmidt has a cult-like following (that's me chanting in the corner). It is out of print and those who were lucky enough to get some tend to either hoard it, sell it a exhorbitant prices, or just be very careful about cutting into it for a project. Follow this link to enter to win some and to sign the petition to bring it back into circulation .