Flappers and Looms

Flappers, Needles, Hooks, and Looms

Recently I have been totally focused on fiber...so my needles, hooks, and looms have been dusted off and put to work. I saw this little hat in Simply Crochet. The pattern is by Kirstie Mcleod and the yarn if from Homestead Wool and Gift Farm. I haven't crocheted in years and it felt so wonderful to sit quietly and twist and turn away. As I worked on this hat I started thinking about the women of the 1920s and decided that would be my new research project. I have bought several books on the subject and plan on doing my next projects in patterns of the 20s. I told my husband that we have to watch lots of gangster movies now...he loved that! My next project will be a little finger purse done on a tiny tiny hook...yikes better get that done before my eye sight gets any worse!

This shawl was made on a round loom. For this I used Lion Brand Jiff and Lion Brand Microspun.

Lots of birthdays the next couple of months so my personal projects will have to be put on hold until gifts are made. I love giving handmade gifts. It's how I tell those I care about that they are important to me.

When Is Art Really Art?

I have not blogged in sometime now. But I read something this morning that has my mind flailing around for the correct answering.
I just finished an easy read fiction novel and decided I needed to read something a little more informative this time. While at the library last week, I picked up a book on William Morris by N.M. Wells. I am a great fan of the Arts&Crafts movement and of that style. Morris set the way for that movement by his influence of setting a purpose for designers, steering them away from the mass production that was happening in the Industrial Revolution. I am in awe of all he achieved in his lifetime. I tend to agree with his thoughts on art and life for that matter. Morris believed that you should have nothing in your home that is not useful, that also includes art that brings you great joy, comfort, etc. This I truly believe this because I think clutter in the end makes you unhappy and blocks creativity. But here is the kicker for me. This morning as I rode along on BART headed for the city, I was reading the first chapter of this wonderful book, and Wells' statement about what Morris believed an artist was kind of stopped me in my tracks...he said that Morris believed that true artists were people who could express themselves completely through the material they worked with, benefiting from the full value of their labours. I stared out the window and thought about that for a while and asked myself, was I just making "stuff" or am I expressing at least a part of myself in each item I create? My answer seems to come out that I am just making "stuff" that very little of who I am goes into .. Perhaps it is time for me to decide what I want to say and then say it in my work. Then again perhaps just making "stuff" and making others happy sharing it with them is enough. Maybe making others happy with the things you make is an art too. These are the thoughts that will going thru my head the next few days. Maybe I should stick to fiction....:-)

Will try to post pictures of some "creations" on Sunday as well as some pictures from our first hike of the season.