Crochet Bowl project, Sedona Artist Market and more

 As I mentioned in my previous post, I have begun experimenting with making yarn bowls, using the same cord for a foundation that I use in my fabric wrapped bowls.  After trying the wrapping method, I decided to try a crochet design, and find that I can do these without too much pain in my shoulder.  This is the first one I made:

I love the shape, and it was a good first effort, encouraging me to make more.  But somehow, the next few efforts were not coming out right and I ended up ripping them out and finally changed the yarn to a blue and brown worsted variegated yarn, and made a small adjustment to the pattern I was following.  Here's the pot in progress:

I actually thought I was done when I got to this point and put it aside to work on something else.  But

I had a feeling I wanted to do something more to it.  This morning, I decided to break out some of my "Homespun" yarn, which has been in my stash for quite awhile.  But I love the copper color, and thought it would enhance the look of the pot if I wrapped it around the exposed rope for a few rows.  Here it is now:

I'm pretty sure I'm done now, but I'm going to give it another day or two to be sure I don't get

further inspiration!

Meanwhile, I'm ramping up now to put some of my inventory in Sedona Artist Market at the end of this month, and I'm really excited about the opportunity!  I'm busy dyeing rayon Ruana jackets 

                      

and gathering some of my coiled fabric bowls together.  I bought a new clothing rack:

This is just right to display my jackets, along with some of my rayon tunic tops and Easy breezy dresses!  And I have a small baker's rack  for displaying some of my coiled rope bowls:

Here is one I finished recently using fabric I dyed with the "Desert Sky" colors I used for the jacket above: 

These colors make me think of the bright blue sky with wisps of clouds and the glorious sunsets we get here in Arizona!  I also used these colors to dye some scarves for my friend Jana to add to her Red Front Door Store inventory, which is open now online:

You can find her e-commerce site here.  We're getting together later this week so I can give her the scarves, along with some others, to add to my collection that she is offering on her site.  Love friends who collaborate!

My next post, I should have photos of the displays at Sedona Artist Market, and I will share those along with (hopefully) pix of yet another variation I have come across for making hand sewn bowls... never a dull moment, and always more things to try!

Lastly, I am happy to announce that Bruce and I will be getting our first Covid-19 vaccines tomorrow, and I'm so glad!  Hopefully, this will give us the added security of knowing we are a little safer from this horrible pandemic, and maybe we can venture out a little more often, once we have both doses and wait the prescribed time after the second dose.  Something to look forward to this year!  Stay safe, all...

What a difference a month makes!

In one short month, everyone's world turned upside down!  Our daily routines, our plans, goals, intentions... disappeared as if a hidden magician waved his magic wand and we were left gasping in amazement, fear, uncertainty and grave concern.
In my last post, one of the things I shared about was the Artists' Coalition of Flagstaff's annual Recycled Art Exhibit which opened the March 6th.

I was unable to attend this year because of back issues, but it turned out to be a good opening, with several sales.  Sadly, we were forced to close the Exhibit and the Gallery a couple of weeks later due to concerns about the Covid-19 virus.  The artwork is still in the gallery, but the Flagstaff Mall also closed last week, and we have no idea when it will re-open.  Everything is on hold, businesses are closed, people are trying to figure out what to do while social distancing or self quarantining.

For me, that part hasn't been too hard - first off, I'm home a great deal of the time anyway, since I'm retired.  But I'm also usually busy creating inventory in my studio.  But I have an overabundance of inventory right now, so instead, decided to join the growing ranks of sewists who have begun to sew face masks to be distributed to medical centers, first responders, or even friends and family so we can wear them while out to protect ourselves and those we come in contact with!

I saw a youtube video today about wearing masks, from a citizen of the Czech Republic:

Click HERE to view it

I know there is some controversy about whether it is beneficial to wear masks while out to shop, go to doctor appointments, etc, but I'm one who likes to err on the side of caution, especially when it comes to something that could seriously impact my health or that of my husband or friends, so I tried wearing a mask to the store yesterday, along with some latex gloves that I have used and washed.  I am happy that I tried, and now have both items laundered and in a ziplock bag in my purse for future trips out.  If you sew, I hope you will try these... there are a number of patterns and variations available on-line if you google facemask pattern.  I made the ones above for a friend who is flying to another state to be with family as one of her sisters is seriously ill, so hopefully these will protect her and her husband during the trip.

To all my friends and those who read this, please stay safe, and keep your friends and family safe too!  We will get through this! 💗