Snow Day

I love the smell of snow.  I never remember this until the first flakes begin to fall and then it hits me.  I forget how cold and wet everything will be and that slushing around will be a pain.  I just stop in my tracks and breath deeply enjoying the crispness of the air as it fills my lungs.  We were spared the Blizzard of 2016 due to our terrain -we are in the valley- but all around us got their fair share and ours as well.  

We did have some snow earlier in the week, which is all it takes to shut down our little city, so we took a snow day and I was able to enjoy the picture window view and creating.  I made the piece above out of a book from which I had already procured the covers.  I used the scroll saw to cut the curve and was reminded why one should always wear your safety glasses as the blade busted and spoinged across the workshop. I glued the curve closed to add stability, leaving a few pages free to soften the edge.  The wire flowers are made form left over book pages, dabbed with a bit of chalk for interest, and pushed into the spine. It's kind of odd but I really like the way it looks as it rocks back and forth.  This is one of the pieces I will be putting in our art show in March.

I signed up today for this year's art class at Arrowmont. I have my reservations made at BFF's house, so room and transportation are covered. I have been a very lucky girl and as long as Husband loves me enough to carry the work and house load without me for the week I hope to keep on being a lucky girl. In this class I will be learning how to use "simple mechanical motion"- gears, cams, pistons and pulleys-along with some carving and joinery.  I am excited!!!

It's time to walk the dog and call my mother.

Peace,

Hilari

Poor Formulation of Process

I love the fact that I can walk into my craft room and usually find what I need to make me happy.  I have a tenancy to get into a project with a full head of steam and then out of the blue, or poor formulation of process, I need something...a certain size of paper, the right color thread, a hammer, ect.  Because I have been blessed with craft store gift cards over the years, my wonderful family have greatly assisted me in setting up an art stash tailored to my tastes.  I am a very lucky girl.  This came into play last weekend.  Our book making club has been invited to have a show in March with nature as part of the theme.  With this moving around in the back of my mind I plucked a couple of magnolia leaves to play around with.

The pages are from a book from which I had already re-purposed the cover and ripped to follow the leaf shape. I used the coptic stitch to hold the signatures together and a simple stitch to attach the leaves.  As I worked through the process, the pages felt like they needed a little something, so I scurried to my stash and pulled out my box of soft chalks.  I used these to add a bit of pop to the text paper and edges.  It finished it up nicely and I like the way it lays open with out any effort.

Now for the poor formulation of process...Our show is not for weeks and weeks, so how am I going to keep the leaves looking fresh.  I have already noticed some degeneration so I feel it will be a lost cause. The pages are shaped to fit the leaves so I am in kind of a pickle.  I feel the way to handle it will be to take bi-weekly pictures to show the degeneration process and just pretend that was the plan all along.

As January rolls around and New Year's resolutions beg to be made, it is time to take stock of what is important.  My resolutions this year are simple...take time to taste chocolate not just gobble it down, look at the stars while taking the dog out for his evening constitutional, and really stop to look at the beauty in things be it a flower or a busted vase.  So far, so good. We all have enough worldly pressures so placing more on ourselves, especially in the sun deprived, dreary cold, seems very counter productive to me. So it is off to enjoy a chocolate chip cookie and a partly cloudy night sky.

Find what makes you happy and enjoy!
Hilari

Anvil Envy

 Brinnngggg, brinnnggg...Hello?...We have had a cancellation in our formforming class starting tomorrow and have a space available if you are able to attend...Um, let me call you right back.  I had tried everything to get into this class and had to settle being on the waiting list, with no actual hope of getting in. I had actually forgotten that it was coming up. They called on Wednesday morning for a Thursday evening start, which if I were close this would not be a problem but the school is an hour away and somebody has to tell husband that I will not be working on Friday. Also, I would have to call my BFF, ask to sleep on her couch, and to be transported to and from the art school for the weekend.  So I spilled all this to Husband quickly and hoped for the best...which I got. He said that I had the money put back, a free place to stay, and would not have this chance with this instructor again so I had better get to planning.  Yep, he is a keeper.  

This Masters class was taught by Charles Lewton-Brain, the founder of the formforming technique (using hammers, force, and heat to make beautiful organic forms with metal sheet).  What that means is that all the other ladies (and one gentleman) KNEW what an opportunity this was.   I, on the other hand, just thought that it would be a great thing to learn (piddle with) to incorporate into my sculptures.  Little did I know what a great opportunity I was given.  The amount of information he shared with us was incredible and he can forge metal at the speed of light.  By Sunday afternoon my head was stuffed full and was reeling.  I needed a nap.

I also have a list of other things I need...a vise and a couple of special hammers (to start), some soldering supplies for annealing, fire blocks because apparently me using a cinder block is bad because it might blow up and an anvil.  Now I don't really NEED an anvil but I always have anvil envy when I take a metal class there.

Now to the picture above.  While I really like the finished piece, (so did the instructor, yea) the actual formed metal part looked nothing like it was supposed to.  It did not start out to look like a boat.  The plan was to have it curve around on itself, which mine did not, and have a beautiful flowing leaf form on the other end, mine was stunted.  I was still happy that I was able to get the metal to move somewhat, if just not in the intended way.  As for the color, during the patina discussion, I offered my piece up for the demo and the lovely blue color gave way to the mermaid idea.  

It was a lovely weekend with great weather, spending time with BFF, and being immersed in a new art form.  I could not ask for anything better.

Peace,

Hilari

#arrowmont #craftexperience

One slight push and Weeeeee!

 One Slight Push

I have become obsessed with creating these little metal based rockers.  I have actually only made 3 but I really enjoy making and playing with them. Using hand sheers I cut a 2.5 to 3 inch circle out of a metal sheet from Lowes, sand the edges, and bend it in half with a sturdy edge and wooden mallet.  I learned the hard way not to smash it shut.  Fitting the edges together as best as possible is important for ease of motion and to center the bend.  After the figures are made I use a drill press to make the holes for the wire to attach to.  Balance is key for the function of these pieces so I have had to add a little weight or slightly bend the figures to get a smooth rocking motion. I believe my next one will be a mermaid.

This past weekend our book making club, KBAG, had a gallery showing at Striped Light, a hands on printing press downtown.  Friday night around 60 people enjoyed our set up and many asked questions about construction and materials. Saturday was sale day and even though the rain (and UT vs Georgia, which we won, breaking our 5, yes 5, game losing streak) kept many at bay, we had a good time creating posters on one of the presses.  A big thanks to Brian for opening his studio to us and introducing us to his sweet daughter Samantha and Lilly, their four legged partner in crime.  Woof!

It is about that time of year for me to start thinking about what I am going to make for Christmas presents.  Actually, I started much earlier with what I thought would be the perfect gift... crochet pokey dot stockings. Oh, in the picture they were adorable.  Nope, not adorable at all.  I'm not sure if it was me or the pattern but was a bust.  And I was so proud of myself for getting a jump on things.

Monday is just about over so the weekend is just around the corner!

Peace,
Hilari

Five O'clock Shadow

Spotted by the neighbor cat while walking, I, of course, had to stop and give a friendly head rub.  Sitting with us, unconcerned, was this moth (or butterfly...wings up - butterfly ?...I never can remember), his shadow effortlessly casting at 5:00.  We were all content to share our space or at least the cat and I were.  The moth (or butterfly) could have been shaking in his boots but being strong willed, he never let it show.

Yesterday was front break job on our work van day.  Husband has a tweeky back, so I was his helper girl.  It was a beautiful day and after I gave all the assistance needed, I was free to play with the rotor destined for the trash or recycle, or whatever men do with these things.  I gathered my wire, tools, roofing tin, which I stashed after finishing the workshop, and set off.  I cut flower petals and, wishing I had a pop rivet tool, used a crop a dial to make holes and connected then together with 30 gauge floral wire.  With only one little gouge in my knuckle, I continued on with fencing wire for the stem and center of the flower.  I finished the underside of the petals with 19 and 24 gauge wire to help to soften the joins.  Now that the bugs are worked out I will make a few more stems and see where it goes from there.

My favorite quote from the internet this week comes from a conversation concerning the health issues of sodium nitrites. "Why has Jesus been dragged into the conversation about bacon".  People are funny.

Looks like another lovely day.  I hope the clouds stay clear for the evening viewing of the super moon.  Should be spectacular!

Peace,
Hilari

Nose Stuck In a Book

She Always Has Her Nose Stuck In A Book

I noticed that during the time Mother-in-Law was staying with us I spent my free time with my nose in a book.  Now, my nose is not as big at the reader here, but this nose needed to be a respectable size to get the point across.  I would have liked it to hold the weight and keep her face suspended but this just was not going to happen with this particular piece.  I will have to connect the nose to the book in a different fashion on the next attempt, though how I am not sure.  For now, I am pleased.

 * Upon further consideration, I might be able to hide the stabilizer much closer to the spine of the book to get the wanted effect...an awake at 3 am thought. Hum....will have to overcome weight and stabilization...

We have these lovely, tall, bright yellow flowers that grow free at the corner of our road.  We live in the county, just, and the county land is not as well tended as the city land.  Because of this, our little boulevard is full of trees, mimosas, and these beauties which helps to block the view of the other houses across the way.  Ours is not a thru street so it is a wonderful place to walk, do large scale chalk drawings and pet the neighbor cat.  Peaceful.

Happy First Monday Night Football of the season to all!
Hilari

Many Shades of Green

 I was raised at the doorstep of the Smokey Mountains and very thankful to parents who fostered a love for them. One of my father's heroes was Sir Edmund Hillary, so when I was 8 years old we trekked to the top of Mt. Leconte  and stayed in one of their small, musty, cold, very rustic cabins for the night.  That was Dad's Mount Everest and I am glad that he shared that with me, but I believe that my parents were just as glad to get off that mountain as I was.

I love stringing and breaking beans.  I love the smell of them cooking. (Thanks, Granny) But I hate the way they taste! In the early years Son would eat the school lunch green beans but NOT the ones from a can.  I could not figure it out because I was sure that the school did not break beans for all the little ones.  At a Boy Scout function I was introduced to a mother who worked in his school cafeteria.  I am not sure I even said "Hello" before I questioned her on her green beans.  What was her secret?!?  Ham stock, who knew...well, I'm sure many know but from someone who cannot stand to eat them, I had no idea.  This stuff was not as easy to find as you would think, or at least not where I was looking, but low and behold I tracked it down and he has been eating my beans ever since.  I just throw salt, pepper and ham stock in the pot and hope for the best.  I am not going to taste test it.

My art work has been more on the utilitarian side as of late.  Mother-in -Law has been out of her gallery/pottery shop since early June so I have been making items to help fill the shelves until she is able to work the clay.  I have been making bead earrings, crochet hats, and coptic stitch books.  Thanks to Ms. Cheryl for teaching me the coptic stitch, and for you tube for filling in the blanks where I was confused and not sure how to proceed. She is back with us after another 3 weeks in the hospital and we hope that she will be back in her house sometime next week and her shop doors open soon after.

As a side note:  One of my father's other passions was reading Sherlock Holmes stories.  My first and second names are Hilari Holmes.  I am just thankful that Bond or 007 was not in there somewhere.

Off to glue some book covers.
Peace,
Hilari