Out & About

This one is in the works.  Ironwood center, with bright
 red & black stitching, so far......thinking about some
tan.  Hearing a whisper to go ahead and add some
walnut slices (not sure) and then find special accent
for final touch!  Do have a small, carved cowboy boot
that might be stitched to the rim!

A photographer friend, from the old days at the Suncatcher Studio & Fine Crafts, emailed me a few weeks ago and invited me to attend the Art Club meeting at Milton-Freewater, Oregon to talk about the pine needle coiled items I am currently making.  I thought upon it and decided to go, as the group once met at the shop since there was amble space for these ladies to meet at no charge.  It's my understanding the group originally formed in the early 1940's with a membership limited to 20 ladies, with an interest in the arts and the promotion thereof.  The group sponsors the annual Art Show held in conjunction with the festival held in August at Yantis Park.  Monies the ladies raise  are contributed to help benefit art projects, especially in the schools.  The name of the Festival has varied throughout the years, lastly being known as The Muddy Frogwater Festival.  Due to the increase of interest in the wine industry, and the emphasis placed upon the special "rocks" in the Milton-Freewater area, the name is changing once again this year.
Anyhooo......Fran took me to a nice lunch prior to the meeting and it was good to visit with her after over 5 years, which is when I decided to close the Suncatcher!  Once again, amazed at the passage of time!  It also, was good to see some of the familiar faces as the ladies arrived for their meeting.  Basically, during the short presentation, I spoke of the process of coiling and introduced some of the materials used.  One of the ladies brought examples of pine coiled baskets made by a friend of hers using raffia rather than the polyester cord I have come to prefer, so it made for broader presentation of style and technique.  
The above photograph is one of the current baskets in the works, which I took along to demonstrate upon if desired.  Trying to keep it of a decent, smaller size and anxious to add some fun accents. Inventory standing a little on the low side at the moment and feeling inspired to create some new pieces now that Hamley's accepted my endeavors for sale.