Hex Bolts, Wire and Ink

 I am not sure why men have to change out their car lights to better and brighter when the originals are just fine.  With that said, I am glad that my son did that this weekend because I was able to snag the assembly and have been working away.  As I said last week, some projects just scream to be given life and this was one of them.  I should have pics to follow in the next post.

KBAG book swap 2013

Knoxville Book Arts Guild

 I have been collecting rusty metal bits and such for a while because I like the look, and the idea of giving life to something that may not be seen as useable by others.  I picked up a box of bolts, washers, pluming pieces, etc. at an estate sale, not knowing what treasures would be inside.  Lucky of me, there were some hex bolts that worked perfectly as the spine for this little industrial book. Repurposed book pages, wrapped in screen and wired to the hex bolts created the end product for our annual KBAG book swap.  

KBAG has been meeting each month for over 5 years. I feel very lucky to be in a group with individuals who are happy to share their ideas and techniques with others.  I will be teaching (use term loosely) this book in our February meeting.  It is always interesting to see the final product created by each person and how they differ from each other.  Can't wait!

I seem to be distracted by the NFL playoffs...Go Broncos!...off to a large plate of spaghetti and garlic toast.

Peace, 

Hilari

Weight of the World

As she carried the weight of the world 

on her shoulders she became

completely deflated and then simply defeated

This one came to me over the holidays...go figure.  I am sure that we have all felt this way at one time or another but as time passes the weights lifts and we become whole again.  Her weight is getting lighter as we speak so she will be back to normal any day now. Although, with tax time approaching...

 I have a new project on my work table which I have had to manhandle into submission.  At this point the wire seems to be staying in position but I have not put it through any stress tests to see how it will hold up under normal wear.  Some go smoothly while others have their own plans on how they want to be created and these can be the most annoying and even the most rewarding.

I have a wonderful husband who has a large pot of chilli simmering and a hot cup of tea for me to enjoy.

Have a peaceful night,

Hilari 

Gail Force Wind

When a gale force wind tries to blow you off course

put up your defenses and hold on tight

A new year brings on a new push to create, share and connect.  I hope the gale forces do not blow my way and I can stay on track.  I love to watch my ideas come to life through the use of wire, felt, paper, found items and rusty bits. Sometimes they are shy and want to stay in the shadows while others come out of my head in a full run and expect to be made RIGHT THEN.  When that happens I have to let the quiet ones rest and pay full attention to the demanding ones.  It is exciting when they come out and are made in a flash...relatively speaking.  I have 3 or 4 on my work table right now fighting to be next to be completed. We will see which one comes out on top.

I am sure glad that we are all tucked in on this cold, 13 degree dropping to 1 degree, evening.  Water will be dripping to keep the pipes from freezing this evening.

Stay warm!

Hilari

Hello,

It was nice to see everyone at the family reunion.  Forrest put this picture on Facebook saying that he loves his grandma.

Today I entered my first juried art exhibit.  It is for the Handmade and Bound venue in Nashville that we went to last year.  I will be notified mid-August if I get in.  This is one of the few times that others will look at my creations and say if it is worthy...not my friends and family who, thankfully, have always supported my work.

She is made with a wire body with the lower half, tail and hair formed with felt.  She even has wire mermaid boobies.  She is leaning against 2 rocks which are wired between repurposed book covers, the top one watercolored to resemble the ocean.  The word across her face reads Beauty.  12.5 by 7 by 5

Her story of why she is holding a flower in type written in her tail.  It go as follows:

She went to the sea to see what she could see.
It was to the coast she headed.
She had a shell to exchange for a beauty worth the same
and into a fisherman she ran.
She flagged him down with a wave and a smile
then explained her request.
He was happy to swap a flip for a flop
for by his side was a bouquet for his bride.
Both were in awe with the beauty they saw
and each went happily on their way.

It is time for the Olympics.  We know a very proud daddy of a swimmer, Clair Donahue, who placed 7th in the final 100m swim.  Because of her making it to the finals she has been asked to swim in the prelems of the 400m relay on Friday.  Good luck to her!

Hearts,
Hil

Hello,
Thank goodness for the rain.  It will sure help the flowers perk up and sing.  These Black Eyed Susans were at a customer's house and they were singing loudly.  They also had Purple Cone flowers which are one of my favorites.

For this one I used a thicker wire to create the heart shape and torn book pages shaded with color pencils
for the filler. The shades fall from red to pink to gray and finally spill out with black.

This picture better shows the dimension of the piece. I had to figure out how to get the paper pieces to "fall" without having the bottom layer color covered by the next layer.  I knew if I used a glue stick I would be one big blob of small torn colored pieces of paper so I used small thin double sided tape squares to form the shape.I was able to manipulate each piece and place them inside the curvature of the heart to gain the dimensional feel.


Time to get settled for the evening.
Hearts,
Hil

 Hello,

I hope that you are able to stay cool while enjoying the sun.  It is going to be a hot week...I wish that I had planted my flower box closer to a water source because now I have to fill my watering can in the kitchen sink and carry it across the street to give the droopy flowers some pep.

We had a nice weekend camping.  On our way to the campground we heard that there was going to be mermaid swimming at the Aquarium and on Saturday we made our way into town and enjoyed the show.  What a wonderful was to spend our lunch with a front row seat watching the mermaids swim with the stingrays.

I am working on a wire and teal yarn mermaid who, if it works out, will be resting between two rocks jutting through the book-board.  She might have a story in her tail (like the whale) or may just be holding a book.  It depends on if she has something to say.

 This little lady was inspired by a picture that Vicki sent me from a ceramic piece she saw at Arrowmont.  Her hair is spiral curls that protrude out and is adorned with a vintage broach from a collection of jewelry given to me by Judy which belonged to Don's grandmother or great grandmother. She is about 12 x8 and was a bear to make sturdy.  She would tip to the front, add more wire, to the back, add more wire, front, back, front , back....She stands tall now but I would not whip her about to test her temperament.

Well, It is about time for my evening viewing of Bob Newhart before bed.
Love to you,
Hil

Hello,

Glad that you are back safe and sound from your travels to exotic (yes, I had to get the dictionary) North Carolina.  I am sure many giggles were shared with all who breezed by the Godmother and her Lady in Waiting while they held court.

This is what I have been working on for a couple of weeks.  We had some trouble getting the drip to do what I wanted with the first epoxy chosen...it dried at an extreme angle.  The second attempt never dried.  Finally, with help from the Home Depot guy, we used J B Weld and it held great.  The antique faucet was purchased from e-bay on line.  I knew we had a water book of some kind in the bookshelf and with some additional plumbing parts...Art.

Next week...A really cool wire sculpture.

Don used his magic pencil on the schedule and we have Monday (his birthday) off so we are going camping.  We were lucky...they had 2 spots left.  Not on the river but the weather looks great and a grand time should be had!!

Love to you!
Hil