Latch hook cuffs

I'm experimenting at the moment using a latchhook, wool and a rubbery non-slip material I found in my stocks of stuff ( its an alternative to traditional latchhook canvas and works surprisingly well). Hopefully when I've finished I'll have a fluffy cuff/bangle/bracelet, if successful I'll make more in various colours and potentially patterns... ( this first one really reminds me of the cookie monster)  

Other things to do with half-hitch knots

You may recognise the purple and grey knotted yarn as a friendship bracelet, thats because it's exactly the same technique - the half-hitch knot. Both these items are part finished experimental projects involving the same knot used in the rag rug technique I waffle on about on a regular basis.

The left one (afore mentioned bracelet type) is going to become either a bag strap or part of a textile art piece ( it depends on the length when I run out of yarn).

The right one (the funny shaped thing) is far more interesting - its a piece of leftover balsa wood (from one of those little modelling kits of balsa wood - you know the ones that you use to make strange models of mice, helicopters or skeletons...) which I'm wrapping in a kind of string (using half hitch) that will then have other textile items combined with it to create a experimental art piece. It all sounds very confusing/ scattered I'm sure but when you see the finished thing - currently a product of my imagination- it will all become clear...

Funky Foam trio

This is a little revival of my funky foam work ( refer to my website for images etc of the vases I made last year), a technique which involves covering a surface in sections of craft foam and stitching it together. Here you can see what will become a set of three (currently one finished, one half stitched and one not started). Its the first time I've used this funky foam technique on a flat surface, though I have some more vases and christmas baubles lined up to do, judging from the success so far I'm considering some other flat foam ideas ( maybe some frames of foam - combining this technique with another etc)

finished one

part finished

Portable Printing Boards

I now have my very own portable print board, (basically a slightly soft surface to use when printing) the portable factor is particularly handy for storage and space - the last thing I need is a massive print table crowding my already packed work space. Duncan kindly made these two print boards (one each obviously) from old drawing boards (donated - on request - from the school's technology department) which were then covered with neoprene (textiles department), a waterproof layer ( plastic tablecloth) and finally a plain white top surface (cotton sheet). The waterproof layer is to protect the neoprene from inks and similar, since its the neoprene that gives the board its soft surface it would be a bad idea to allow ink to dry on it - it wouldn't stay soft for long.

I'm now really looking forward to getting some printing done...
(incidentally to see duncan in action creating these/ anything I've left out check out duncan's post)

Fimo First

Last night I gave polymer clay a try (I used fimo), it's been on my to dabble list for quite some time and I finally got round to using it.  I plan to do quite a few experiments and try out different techniques, but at the moment I'm really fascinated with the mark making/texture possibilities.  For the ones that I've made so far I have various plans to improve them, including finishing off the embossed pieces with ink/paint and varnishing with fimo varnishing liquid.  In all probability these beads will end up assembled into a mixture of things, not just jewellery but other accessories too.

Pendant Experiment... continued

These are three of the pendant type beads I made from air dry clay on Thursday, I've painted this distressed finish using acrylics and once the others are painted in a similar fashion (though some will be painted in a different style and there will definitely be colour variation) I'll add some coats of varnish.

Because they're made of air dry clay they're not strong enough to be worn as jewellery ( if I wasn't sure of that before I am now) but I plan to put them to less strenuous use - incorporated into wallhangings or some crafty style creation, dangling harmlessly on a wall they should be pretty safe (especially after varnishing) ; plus pretty effective in appearance if any of the ideas floating through my head pan out - I'm feeling a textile collage moment approaching.

Pendant Experiment

I've been having a little play with air dry clay (rhyming that wasn't intentional, but its happened so its staying), making pendants and beads from it, they're now pretty much dry so next I intend to paint/varnish etc. though of course all my efforts might be in vain since air dry clay is not particularly strong (the batch I have is on the powdery/ crumbly side) and may not survive or just simply not respond well to the processes I have planned for it. Either way I'll post the results ...