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Description of my craft:
Unique felted wool vessels and sculpture composed of mixed media including felted wool, wire, yarns, and beads.
Background Information:
I minored in the studio arts at the University of New Hampshire and work professionally as a pediatric occupational therapist. With experience in figure drawing, knitting, quilting, beading, basketry, and gourd craft, I taught myself basic felting techniques from a book in the year 2000. Advanced training was achieved with instructors from around the world at the American Felter's Flings in 2003 and 2005. I have been a juried member of the many crafts associations and galleries throughout New England .
Juried Craft Shows:
- Wolfe Neck Craft Show, Freeport, ME: June 2007
- Merroniceag
Waldorf Holiday Sale, Freeport, ME: October 2007
- New York
Sheep and Wool: 2005-2008
- Vermont Sheep and Wool Festival,
Killington, VT. September 2001.
- Vermont Hand Crafters Holiday
Show. Burlington, VT. November 2001, 2002, 2003.
- Champlain
Valley Folk Festival, Ferrisburgh, VT. August 2002.
- New York
Sheep and Wool Festival, Rhinebeck, NY. October 2002, 2003, 2004.
- ArtriderSpring
Crafts at Lyndhurst, Westchester, NY. May 2003.
- Crafts at
Rhinebeck, Rhinebeck, NY. June 2003.
- Solarfest, Poultney,
VT. July 2003.
- Artrider Fall Crafts at Lyndhurst, Weschester,
NY, September 2003.
- Artirder Fall Crafts at Park Avenue,
New York, NY. October 2003.
Publicity:
- How We Felt, Carol Cypher , Interweave Press 2007
- New England Crafts Connoisseur, Summer 2006
- Coming Soon: The Way We Felt, Carol Cypher
- Interweave Knits magazine, Summer 2003
- Frog Hollow - Burlington's Featured Artist October 2003
- Fiberarts Design Book 7, 2004. Lark Books, Ashville, NC.
- Knit One, Felt Too, 2003. Kathleen Taylor. Storey Publisghin, North
Adams, MA.
Process:
The baskets are fashioned by felting wool batting or roving around an inflatable form in hot soapy water. The forms are stretched and shaped to suit the design and function; some become pot-shaped, and others more shallow baskets. Felt fabric is especially tough and durable. The baskets are given more form and structure with a coiled-wire weaving technique on the rims. No-rust, aluminum wire is used. Wool yarns, fabric strips, beads, and other natural materials may be woven in and around the wire.
Special Interests:
I am a devoted new Mom interested in learning how to balance family life with my creative pursuits! While using our new fiber studio and gallery as a home-base, I continue to be interested in relationships with well-established galleries throughout the United States and participating in highly selective craft shows each year.
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