Handpainted Nuno "Watercolor"

Recently, I began to experiment with first making an item from un-dyed fibers and then hand painting the dye on after the felting stage was done. I made a small scarf and was very pleased with the result. So, I jumped right in and made a top next! Below is the result, layers of silk gauze, under and over the merino wool. Embellished with handspun silk yarn, banana fiber, China silk and more gauze.

I used a dye for protein fibers. The large un-dyed "sizzles" are banana fibers. Banana, being cellulose, did not pick up the dye. This effect was intentional.

The fringe is made from strips of silk and the "corkscrews" of  overspun yarn.

Rosettes embellish the side.

Back view. It is interesting how the individual elements picked up the dye differently. A happy surprise!

Closeup of "ruffles" and the "brocade" effect of hand spun silk. I definitely want to explore this new technique further!

Blue Mood, completed

Here it is! What shall I name it? "Blue Mood" or "Moody Blue" are too depressing. Maybe "Blue Note," after my favorite jazz composer, Miles Davis. Yes, the scarf does have to those deep blue "chords" (cords) just like the music. "Blue Note" is also the name of my favorite jazz club in NYC.

This is a detail of the spun silk yarn cords. Note the gray-blue freshwater pearls captured in the felt on the upper right. I will needlefelt around them a bit to show them off more.

Blue Mood, continued

Gathering the materials continues...

Balls of silk yarn from the spinning the day before. Two dark blue balls, one thick yarn, one thin. Same for the lighter blue.

 Can you believe those small silk yarn balls the resulted from all this blue roving? It looked like a lot!

Blue china silk that I hand dyed, the silk yarn and "crocus" merino wool, one of my favorite colors! Next, I'll show the completed scarf.

Getting Ready to Create (In a Blue Mood)

The process. A sapphire scarf with deep blue cords has been brewing in my mind for quite some time now. It is time to create.

Two shades of mulberry silk roving that I hand painted.

Spinning the roving into silk yarn. The decision to wear a blue top today wasn't a conscious one!

Spinning outdoors is lovely.

 Spinning - the flyer is whirling.

Two swaths of silk gauze dyed in sapphire hues. One is darker, but you can't tell in this photo.

Stay tuned. I will post more photos as it comes together.

Treasures Reclaimed

I met with a linen dealer this week to view her basket of handmade lace items that were damaged. I want to use handmade lace in my projects but cannot bear to cut up something in good condition. These pieces were too tattered for her to resell as no one would want to display them. They are perfect for me as I can cut away, mostly guilt free. I must admit, I had to hold back tears as I went through the basket and thought about how each piece was lovingly crafted, taking hundreds of hours. "A hem of a bridal dress? A baby's bib? A wedding gift? Was the marriage long and happy?" Each bit of lace will be showcased in a nuno felted piece and live on to bring years of joy to someone new.

Ice Storm

Soft, fine merino wool and silvery mulberry silk swirl and dance on silk gauze with iridescent "ice patches" of fused Crystalina. Ribbons of China silk blow like gusts of wind!  Approximately 10.5" X 90."  Baby, when it's cold outside, this one is long enough to wrap around your neck twice. $165.00

Nuts for Nuno!

My Nuno Felted Scarf, "Shower of Flowers" is featured in "Nuts for Nuno" Thank you, Rachel for honoring my work in your Etsy Treasury!