A Chorus of Angels

9" tall angel with leaves.

Small, 6" T angel.

Small, 6" tall angels.

Tall 9" T angel.

Having to work on holiday pieces for shows before it's even Halloween is difficult for me, so I decided to do small dolls.  Long ago I created what I called "Standing Angels" and I went back to those for these shows.  I've had a lot of fun mixing and putting together all kinds of  fun fabrics with big 3-D stars, hearts, and other 3-D pillow forms (leaves, baubles).

My friend, Lin Dahl, out in California asked me to make the little 6" tall angels for her so she could put them on her Christmas tree.  What a great idea it was so I've continued to do a variety of heights, just like all the various sizes of people in the world.

I usually do mostly gold with angels but I often remember that there are those who love silver.  Long ago I did commissioned Santa dolls for a woman in Salem, Massachusetts, who collected Santas.  These she wanted in royal blue and silver.  I was amazed at how lovely the combination is (those two Santas were wonderful! but unfortunately I took no photos of them...).

When I finally took pictures, I lined them all up on a bookcase, and they really look like a huge chorus singing.  So, when you get to December, enjoy the holidays!

The early angels.

Crimp Weave workshop with Dianne Totten

I took a 2-day crimp weave workshop with Dianne Totten sponsored by the Woodland Weavers and Spinners Guild in Grand Rapids, Michigan.  Above and below are images of a jacket Dianne wore one day and one of her samples.  Once I get my pieces woven, threads pulled, steamed, and photographed, I'll put those on the blog, too--- as well as an explanation of the process.

Mystery Workshop with Susie Krage

I took a mystery workshop from Susie Krage in Detroit on Sept. 10, the last SDA workshop that she's going to offer, although she'll continue teaching workshops at her studio.  It was a one-day screen printing class using textile paints screened on to fabric with paper resists (mine were in leaf shapes); fugitive media such as pastels, water soluble crayons, and watercolor pencils drawn on afterwards; then a base extender painted on to make the fugitives permanent and waterproof.  (ProChem ProFab textile paints and base extender were used.) A fun class!  Susie is a good teacher with a lot of experience using screen printing techniques.  Also, her studio in Indian Village section of downtown Detroit is large and has everything needed by students.