tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7531489304597379392024-03-12T23:50:58.183-04:00a la mainErika Nikolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16680787347373961287noreply@blogger.comBlogger20125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753148930459737939.post-7123612128911066342014-08-09T01:24:00.002-04:002014-08-09T01:24:28.692-04:00I have moved! Please visit www.erikabarrattdesign.com journal or follow along on instagram!<br />
instagram: erika_barratt<br />
xo<br />
ErikaErika Nikolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16680787347373961287noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753148930459737939.post-82849405989317320312013-01-29T08:00:00.000-05:002013-01-29T08:00:06.392-05:00A Few of My Favorite Pins...I have really been into Pinterest lately. I used it when it first came out but then took a long hiatus from it, I'm not really sure why. Recently I started new boards and I have really been enjoying having a place to store all of the things that have been inspiring me.<br />
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Here are a few of my favorite finds:<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><a href="http://brookandlyn.com/artobjects/"><span style="color: #666666;">http://brookandlyn.com/artobjects/</span></a></i></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/michellemoode"><span style="color: #666666;">http://www.etsy.com/shop/michellemoode</span></a></i></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><a href="http://all-roads.tumblr.com/"><span style="color: #666666;">http://all-roads.tumblr.com</span></a></i></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><a href="http://www.susannabauer.com/page5.htm"><span style="color: #666666;">http://www.susannabauer.com/page5.htm</span></a></i></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><a href="http://craftcouncil.org/magazine/article/lenore-tawney-spiritual-revolutionary"><span style="color: #666666;">http://craftcouncil.org/magazine/article/lenore-tawney-spiritual-revolutionary</span></a></i></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><a href="http://knithacker.com/2011/03/14/patricia-bowns-sea-urchins/"><span style="color: #666666;">http://knithacker.com/2011/03/14/patricia-bowns-sea-urchins/</span></a></i></td></tr>
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Add me on Pinterest, Facebook and/or Instagram-would love to see what inspires you!<br />
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Erika Nikolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16680787347373961287noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753148930459737939.post-78520801620792519602013-01-27T21:20:00.002-05:002013-01-27T21:20:29.625-05:00Kelsey Viola WiskirchenHope you all had a great weekend! I have been busy this week with some freelance work and trying to survive this chilly NYC weather. I saw this video on <span style="color: #666666;"><a href="http://www.joettamaue.com/" target="_blank">Joetta Maue's</a> <a href="http://littleyellowbirds.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">blog</a></span> and found <span style="color: #666666;"><a href="http://www.kelseyviola.com/" target="_blank">Kelsey Viola Wiskirchen</a>'s </span>work so amazing and inspiring:<br />
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I have dreamed of working with a women's weaving collective in another culture and hearing about Kelsey's experience with weaving and natural dying in South Africa and Bolivia has inspired me to think about that venture again. I did a lot of weaving in college and loved it but haven't done much since, even though it is something that I haven't stopped thinking about and have vowed to myself to get back into. It has particularly been on my mind even more so lately and the other day when I saw this video it really seemed to be a sign. Funny how that works. I am sure once I begin it will be like reuniting with a long lost friend - never have missed a beat. I will keep you posted on that.<br />
I think Kelsey's work is absolutely beautiful and her use of text and photographic imagery to tell the stories of women is something remarkable that really resonates with me.<br />
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For more information on Kelsey and her work:<br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><a href="http://www.kelseyviola.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #666666;">http://www.kelseyviola.com</span></a></span><br />
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Enjoy!<br />
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<br />Erika Nikolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16680787347373961287noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753148930459737939.post-14355703319113353542013-01-17T11:31:00.001-05:002013-01-17T11:31:57.173-05:00Elisa D'ArrigoLast night I went to the January meeting for the <span style="color: #666666;"><a href="http://www.tsgny.org/" target="_blank">Textile Study Group of New York</a></span>. Every month they host a guest speaker and tonight was artist <span style="color: #666666;"><a href="http://www.elisadarrigo.com/" target="_blank">Elisa D'Arrigo</a></span>. Her work was so organic and beautiful and hearing her speak about her creative process regarding the work she has been creating for the past 25 years was incredibly inspiring. I loved her intuitive and playful approach to her work. Born and still residing in New York City, D'Arrigo has primarily worked with cloth, thread, handmade paper, wax, wire, paint and ceramics. My favorite pieces were these sewn works.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi46TytSAars_vyoTffP3dvfeON5q7nSoSJfkBCZPeY23njy51Kqz8JkEnceT1rlK8GDKLwQTarSK_vyhaoZLCPf2-Tzqbh4NmZ7b-PAqGiQBRkOwL95SBpv0SvRtH8QN6RBoJp1pic_EY/s1600/Elisa-D-Arrigo_75.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi46TytSAars_vyoTffP3dvfeON5q7nSoSJfkBCZPeY23njy51Kqz8JkEnceT1rlK8GDKLwQTarSK_vyhaoZLCPf2-Tzqbh4NmZ7b-PAqGiQBRkOwL95SBpv0SvRtH8QN6RBoJp1pic_EY/s400/Elisa-D-Arrigo_75.jpg" width="311" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cross Section (4)<br />
2004<br />
socks, thread, acrylic paint,marble dust<br />
40 x 25 x 3 inches</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAdEoiv8Zfb1PmQxyYVslzsX0lMWwsrYvxP0XlpOpCJlGESV1tzdQC9tsgFHw_KAxOTMgJJ7EQNQrpQDKGpsYbF6SJJEHC6kr08YXlGgmNq3u-aXENbq9uGhK8KuxvR5UDP1qSG7cbSAU/s1600/Elisa-D-Arrigo_45.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAdEoiv8Zfb1PmQxyYVslzsX0lMWwsrYvxP0XlpOpCJlGESV1tzdQC9tsgFHw_KAxOTMgJJ7EQNQrpQDKGpsYbF6SJJEHC6kr08YXlGgmNq3u-aXENbq9uGhK8KuxvR5UDP1qSG7cbSAU/s400/Elisa-D-Arrigo_45.jpg" width="377" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White Shadows (2)<br />
2009<br />
paper, cloth, thread, acrylic paint<br />
9 x 7 x 1 inches</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit2BjIFvSc6mD7M9X7RzSuxdu7CHNhbL7MYwyoR43ZGq5BIuPCk_SWL9fXAfQK_6x3e-u7IHoscKVWpCYRypecvs90v8_AvZwiCtKzn07k1bceCDyrix6G6z0RBtg2iQjHdG1a2m_pgvo/s1600/Elisa-D-Arrigo_77.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit2BjIFvSc6mD7M9X7RzSuxdu7CHNhbL7MYwyoR43ZGq5BIuPCk_SWL9fXAfQK_6x3e-u7IHoscKVWpCYRypecvs90v8_AvZwiCtKzn07k1bceCDyrix6G6z0RBtg2iQjHdG1a2m_pgvo/s400/Elisa-D-Arrigo_77.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Budding (6)<br />
2001<br />
cloth, thread, acrylic paint<br />
33 x 47 x 49 inches</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgKRDqANoXmz2N4aH_m-Kapg0IX2gtMoO7qnPgeHFCgoP2hewaGx7gt2NTPFr-KmPoJsZIE3UA1zfwp2lf4LhoS1o2FdbutFlgvFrbgcDIoD8ejMPGXJLRbzvhKz4HAkmaws7G7CY-zAo/s1600/Elisa-D-Arrigo_78.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgKRDqANoXmz2N4aH_m-Kapg0IX2gtMoO7qnPgeHFCgoP2hewaGx7gt2NTPFr-KmPoJsZIE3UA1zfwp2lf4LhoS1o2FdbutFlgvFrbgcDIoD8ejMPGXJLRbzvhKz4HAkmaws7G7CY-zAo/s400/Elisa-D-Arrigo_78.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Budding (6) DETAIL<br />
2001<br />
cloth, thread, acrylic paint<br />
33 x 47 x 49 inches</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGdvSI2K7FDinEbY7Ya2ZdaMUNz1EfMV6j6NY_8w7z28RL0UmEE3NFY8uXrfdZ25hF06qxiv_iWZQ2Q7FtEu2y9gBIV1KmNcXDolTeIwUOxyl0BuyFvl3C7wMspaEeFx8RQ4hCQ2oNwww/s1600/Elisa-D-Arrigo_93.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGdvSI2K7FDinEbY7Ya2ZdaMUNz1EfMV6j6NY_8w7z28RL0UmEE3NFY8uXrfdZ25hF06qxiv_iWZQ2Q7FtEu2y9gBIV1KmNcXDolTeIwUOxyl0BuyFvl3C7wMspaEeFx8RQ4hCQ2oNwww/s400/Elisa-D-Arrigo_93.jpg" width="267" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inside Out (12)<br />
2000-2002<br />
cloth, thread, acrylic paint<br />
109 x 53 x 72 inches<br />
Collection Mead Art Museum,<br />
Amherst, MA</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWnJJxAzEXj_TnuRxPshbDUzOajoatwi51X37BV0P-zHNqrf3oMyaQ2YtR_plwoZjNl3Co_bRmI799B3ChGSr5HkoPIYrS2fKfhn4T24srGhIFVqchATQnc4Em2uZl9zv4r0HUOe08fDE/s1600/Elisa-D-Arrigo_92.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWnJJxAzEXj_TnuRxPshbDUzOajoatwi51X37BV0P-zHNqrf3oMyaQ2YtR_plwoZjNl3Co_bRmI799B3ChGSr5HkoPIYrS2fKfhn4T24srGhIFVqchATQnc4Em2uZl9zv4r0HUOe08fDE/s320/Elisa-D-Arrigo_92.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inside Out (12) DETAIL<br />
2000-2002<br />
cloth, thread, acrylic paint<br />
Collection Mead Art Museum<br />
Amherst, MA</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inside Out (11)<br />
2000-2002<br />
cloth, thread, acrylic paint<br />
88 x 69 x 30 inches</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inside Out (11) DETAIL<br />
2000-2002<br />
Cloth, Acrylic Medium, Thread<br />
88 x 69 x 30 inches</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Recollection...terracotta (1)<br />2008<br />cloth, acrylic paint, thread<br />20 x 19 x 4 inches</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reconstructed (5)<br />
2009<br />
handmade paper, thread, acrylic paint,<br />
marble dust<br />
18 x 8 x 8 inches</td></tr>
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Most of the large pieces take almost a year or more to complete. Using fabric and acrylic medium she sculpts the wet fabric over an object and removes the object once the fabric is dry. All of the fabric forms are then sewn together by hand and stitched using the thread as a mark making tool to create three dimensional cross hatching and lines. From her statement:</div>
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<i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">"In many recent sewn works, a specific memory underlies each piece, and partially determines its particular character and color. These are memories of things that I have observed and then held in my mind's eye, sometimes for decades: they are the subtext of the work. Attempting to conjure a mental image into a physical object is an elusive process due to the fugitive, constantly shifting nature of memory. </span></span></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;" /></span></span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">Memories are only points of departure. It is the physical process of making the work that takes over, and has a life of its own. A work in progress could evolve for months, (even years); expanding, contracting, even recombining with cast off parts of itself. My objective is to stay in the moment, mindful of accident and chance,responding to what unfolds. The actual working with materials, and how that results in particulars of form and configuration, is what ultimately determines each piece."</span></span></span></i></div>
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I also really loved her drawings. In particular, the Chiaroscuro series I found breathtaking. Each large drawing is composed of tiny drawing on separate pieces of thin paper that are then pieced together.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Chiaroscuro (9)<br /> 1997<br /> ink on collaged japanese paper<br /> 46 x 40 inches</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvGnKmCPqI9RbwKi3tVC06d-8iRcRL9M2hHjQsIdrFkWOA5xG2DmDyt114Bp4A_GZ3SlU_lt8SnhyphenhyphenplDcrAtn4hdiHyzcio5sSstGy3x2tWxvLU0WirIv0XFtMlDqaJ2PWG-02GxCys_M/s1600/Elisa-D-Arrigo_55.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvGnKmCPqI9RbwKi3tVC06d-8iRcRL9M2hHjQsIdrFkWOA5xG2DmDyt114Bp4A_GZ3SlU_lt8SnhyphenhyphenplDcrAtn4hdiHyzcio5sSstGy3x2tWxvLU0WirIv0XFtMlDqaJ2PWG-02GxCys_M/s400/Elisa-D-Arrigo_55.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chiaroscuro (13)<br />
1997<br />
ink on collaged japanese paper<br />
45 x 56 inches</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-a4PW7fx_1Rl_9q2dy_QcavYbwbIZC5EK_u4sjomQ8dx3EOJPCAz36JsRDZyMlxMa6-CvdslX6DdZfZEg9hdPx30YdXmS_-EaB9Gqsp2-mlyZN-66Uj2tp-inXBRw7Sx-uM-CD19S69A/s1600/Elisa-D-Arrigo_57.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-a4PW7fx_1Rl_9q2dy_QcavYbwbIZC5EK_u4sjomQ8dx3EOJPCAz36JsRDZyMlxMa6-CvdslX6DdZfZEg9hdPx30YdXmS_-EaB9Gqsp2-mlyZN-66Uj2tp-inXBRw7Sx-uM-CD19S69A/s400/Elisa-D-Arrigo_57.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chiaroscuro (26)<br />
1998<br />
ink on collaged japanese paper</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijJURDZXPMkI8-gSMMP9jY4c12UBjrOmph2JiDcSvUYQKjLeO06d0GvdP6tVP1fW0V2Z9lBPzNX2b0Mv7vR5pD49f0IHXbCw8Phq0t3GVNGolKxkkhFapWHZDSgkiZCrWPZJ_HFhqLQHQ/s1600/Elisa-D-Arrigo_59.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijJURDZXPMkI8-gSMMP9jY4c12UBjrOmph2JiDcSvUYQKjLeO06d0GvdP6tVP1fW0V2Z9lBPzNX2b0Mv7vR5pD49f0IHXbCw8Phq0t3GVNGolKxkkhFapWHZDSgkiZCrWPZJ_HFhqLQHQ/s400/Elisa-D-Arrigo_59.jpg" width="261" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chiaroscuro (10)<br />
1997<br />
ink on collaged japanese paper<br />
34 x 18 inches</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRLeDY_FJqpKcFcNLu_SnCSwrx0Xd1q8yLDyVWgQ8L2CpDzT1vYoTkSv1KQ76JFwtACngGEpeRU2R-XCJSfopBj4ChuwNzLNbl3vQOGh2iHaKkZ_JgkiQ-2o_hMgS2DMCzb6c2QApwPq8/s1600/Elisa-D-Arrigo_60.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRLeDY_FJqpKcFcNLu_SnCSwrx0Xd1q8yLDyVWgQ8L2CpDzT1vYoTkSv1KQ76JFwtACngGEpeRU2R-XCJSfopBj4ChuwNzLNbl3vQOGh2iHaKkZ_JgkiQ-2o_hMgS2DMCzb6c2QApwPq8/s400/Elisa-D-Arrigo_60.jpg" width="333" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chiaroscuro (21)<br />
1997<br />
ink on collaged japanese paper<br />
25 x 22 inches</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chiaroscuro (5)<br />
1996<br />
ink on collaged japanese paper<br />
54 x 44 inches</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Her 18th show at the Elizabeth Harris Gallery in New York City this November exhibited her return to ceramics after a 30 year hiatus. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>"<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">With this work, the vase is my muse. </span></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">These vases bring to fruition a project I've had in mind since childhood: to freely create a variety of vases conjured up at the moment rather than premeditated, with their configurations dictating what may be placed inside them--function both following and trying to catch up with form.</span></i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">I have always been energized by the conflation and dissolving of categories: sculpture, drawing, painting. And in this case, adding to the mix: functionality. I seek the </span><b style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">and</b><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">, not the </span><b style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">or</b><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">. "</span></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">"2 + one"<br /> 2012<br /> glazed ceramic<br /> 9 x 14 x 9 inches</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">right: "Quixote", left:<br />
"Lip to Line"<br />
both works 2011<br />
glazed ceramic<br />
Quixote: 5 1/2 x 7 x 7 inches, Lip to<br />
Line: 6 1/2 x 8 x 6 inches</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">"Molten"<br />2011<br />glazed ceramic<br />5 1/2 x 12 x 8 inches</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"> (</span>All photographs: <span style="color: #666666;"><a href="http://www.elisadarrigo.com/">www.elisadarrigo.com)</a></span></i></span><br />
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I love how all of her work, while utilizing different mediums and techniques, all have an underlying feel of textile quality to them. Even the drawings that are pieced together are reminiscent of the act of sewing/quilting.<br />
I look forward to following her work and having the opportunity to see her pieces in person.</div>
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For more information and images visit <span style="color: #666666;"><a href="http://www.elisadarrigo.com/">www.elisadarrigo.com</a></span></div>
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Erika Nikolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16680787347373961287noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753148930459737939.post-72621712992991423322013-01-07T14:46:00.002-05:002013-01-07T14:47:29.721-05:00Almond Raspberry Layer Cake<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Happy Monday everyone! I hope you all had a fabulous weekend. We enjoyed a lovely two days of hanging out with friends and breaking New Years resolutions (oops!) I was asked to make a cake for a friends birthday party on Saturday evening.I knew there was a surprise proposal happening that night (she said yes!) so I wanted to add a touch of extra special-ness, with a wedding inspired feel to it. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">The recipe I used is from my favorite blog for cooking and baking, <span style="color: #444444;"><a href="http://smittenkitchen.com/" target="_blank">Smitten Kitchen</a>.</span> The cake was an almond raspberry cake with an almond swiss meringue buttercream. I ended up making the almond paste myself instead of using the prepared paste, which was actually really easy to make and tasted great. The recipe I used for the paste didn't call for adding extract so I will need to experiment next time to see which I like better. I thought the cake had a good almond flavor, not too overwhelming. For the buttercream I used an organic almond extract to flavor it and made an assortment of fondant flowers dusted with luster dust to adorn the cake. I torted each of the three cake layers and filled with buttercream and then every other layer a combination of buttercream and raspberry jam. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="color: #222222;">From </span><a href="http://smittenkitchen.com/blog/2009/05/almond-raspberry-layer-cake/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #444444;">Smitten Kitchen</span></a><span style="color: #222222;">:</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="color: #222222;"><u>Almond Raspberry Layer Cake</u></span><br /><span style="color: #222222;">Adapted from </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Sky-High-Irresistible-Triple-Layer-Cakes/dp/0811854485" target="_blank"><span style="color: #444444;"><i>Sky High. </i></span></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Makes a 9-inch triple layer cake that serves 16 to 20 people</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">4 1/2 cups cake flour<br />4 1/2 teaspoons baking powder<br />3/4 teaspoon salt<br />2/3 cup prepared almond paste (7 ounces) <b>*see below on how I made the paste</b><br />2 2/3 cups sugar<br />2 1/2 sticks (10 ounces) unsalted butter, at room temperature<br />1 tablespoon almond extract<br />10 egg whites<br />1 1/2 cups whole milk</span></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">For assembly:</span></u></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="letter-spacing: 1px; line-height: 14px;">1 cup simple syrup (to keep cake moist)(optional) </span></span><span style="color: #222222; letter-spacing: 1px; line-height: 14px;"><b>*I did this, I would recommend</b></span><br /><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="letter-spacing: 1px; line-height: 14px;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="letter-spacing: 1px; line-height: 14px;">1 cup seedless raspberry preserves </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent;"><b><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="letter-spacing: 1px; line-height: 14px;"><i>*</i>I couldn't find a </span></span><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="letter-spacing: 1px; line-height: 14px;">seedless jam</span></span><span style="letter-spacing: 1px; line-height: 14px;"><span style="color: #222222;"> at my neighborhood market so I used</span><a href="http://www.stonewallkitchen.com/" target="_blank"> <span style="color: #444444;">Stonewall Kitchen's</span></a><span style="color: #444444;"> </span><span style="color: #222222;">Raspberry Jam and heated it on the stove and then strained it through a </span></span></b></span><span style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: #222222;"><b><span style="letter-spacing: 1px; line-height: 14px;">sieve to remove the seeds and let it cool before filling cake </span></b></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter the bottoms and sides of three 8-inch (but 9-inch will work just fine) round cake pans. Line the bottom of each pan with a round of parchment or waxed paper and butter the paper.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">2. In a medium bowl, sift together the cake flour, baking powder and salt. Set the dry ingredients aside.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">3. Place the almond paste and sugar in the bowl of a heavy-duty mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, or in another large bowl if using a handheld mixer. Begin to cream the mixture on low speed to break up the almond paste, then increase the speed to medium for about 2 minutes, or until the paste is broken into fine particles.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">4. Add the butter and almond extract and beat it well, then the egg whites, two or three at a time, beating just long enough to incorperate after each addition. Scrape down the sides of the bowl several times to make sure it is evenly mixed.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">5. Dust about a third of the dry ingredients over the batter and fold in with a large rubber spatula until just combined. Fold in about half the milk. Fold in half the remaining flour mixture, followed by the remaining milk. Finally, fold in the last of the dry ingredients just until no streaks of white remain. Use a light hand and do not over mix. Divide the batter among the three prepared cake pans.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">6. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until a cake tester or wooden toothpick stuck into the center comes out clean. Let the cakes cool in their pans on wire racks for about 10 minutes. Turn the cakes out on to wire racks, carefully peel off the paper liners and let them cool completely, about one hour.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><b><i>*</i>Almond Paste<i>:</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">8 oz blanched almonds</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">8 oz confectioner sugar</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">1 egg white</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Of course you can buy almonds already blanched but I had a big bag of raw almonds at home so I simply put them in a bowl and poured boiling water over them to blanch them. Let them sit for no longer than one minute and then drain and rinse with cold water. Pat dry and you will be able to remove the skins. It is strangely satisfying.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Once you have the skins removed then put the almonds into a food processor and grind. Add the sugar and grind again. Once it is a powder I put it into the kitchen aid and then gradually added the egg white. I used a dough hook but found that since it was a small amount it was better to knead it until firm and smooth.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">This worked well in the cake but since it was my first time making the paste if anyone out there has a recipe or method they use, feel free to share!</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Swiss Meringue Buttercream</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><a href="http://www.epicurious.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #444444;">Epicurious</span></a> | August 2004</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Toba Garrett</span></div>
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<em style="color: #333333; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;"><a href="http://www.ecookbooks.com/p-6114-well-decorated-cake.aspx?affiliateID=10053" style="color: #333333; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;" target="_new"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">The Well-Decorated Cake</span></a></em></div>
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<li class="ingredient" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">12 oz (336 g) egg whites (10 large egg whites or about 1 1/2 cups)</span></li>
<li class="ingredient" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">3 cups (680 g) granulated sugar</span></li>
<li class="ingredient" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">3 lbs (1.36 kg) unsalted butter, room temperature</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><b>1.</b> Lightly whisk egg whites and sugar together over simmering water until egg-white mixture is hot to touch or a candy thermometer reads 140°F (60°C).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><b>2.</b> Pour hot whites into a room-temperature bowl and whip with a wire whip until double in volume on MEDIUM-HIGH speed. When the mixer stops, the meringue should not move around in the bowl. Meanwhile cut up butter into 2-inch pieces. (The butter should be slightly moist on the outside but cold inside.)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><b>3.</b> On your mixer, remove the whip and attach the paddle. Add half the butter (1 1/2 lbs or 680 g) into the bowl immediately and pulsate the mixer several times until the meringue has covered the butter completely. To pulsate the mixer, turn it on and off in a jerky motion. This forces the butter on the top to the bottom of the bowl. Add the balance of the butter (1 1/2 lbs or 680 g) and pulsate mixer several times. Slowly increase the mixer's speed, starting with the lowest speed and increase the speed every 10 seconds until you reach a MEDIUM-HIGH speed.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><b>4.</b> Continue beating until the mixture begins to look light and fluffy. Stop the mixer and scrape the bowl. Reduce speed to LOW. Add flavoring and continue to beat on LOW speed for 45 seconds. Then beat on MEDIUM-HIGH speed for an additional 45 to 60 seconds.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><b>5.</b> Leftover buttercream can be placed in plastic containers with lids and kept in the freezer for up to 3 months. Defrost completely (several hours) and rewhip before using.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Happy Birthday Amy and congratulations Amy and Erica!!!</span></div>
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Erika Nikolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16680787347373961287noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753148930459737939.post-81523942411254074802012-12-24T11:04:00.000-05:002012-12-24T11:04:43.087-05:00Happy Holidays!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I hope all of you have a happy holiday and a happy new year!<br />
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<br />Erika Nikolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16680787347373961287noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753148930459737939.post-35915410139466887952012-12-21T08:00:00.000-05:002012-12-21T09:08:18.236-05:00Homemade GiftsHappy Winter Solstice!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://aprilvollmer.com/site/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #444444;">April Vollmer</span></a>, <i>Winter Solstice </i></td></tr>
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With Christmas 4 days away and maybe some of you staring at a skein of yarn you intended to knit or an empty canvas you intended to paint, here are a few last minute handmade gift ideas you can whip up pretty quickly:<br />
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1) <a href="http://wearetheolivers.com/2012/12/01/diy-wedding-ornaments/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #444444;">DIY Wedding Ornaments</span></a><br />
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Two of my good friends whom I have known for a very long time have a great blog, <a href="http://wearetheolivers.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #444444;">wearetheolivers.com</span></a> and I thought that this was a great gift idea!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjTS-i_5ocf-UW5j_39FvEM_G1Xt68pWYRAWum3G9G01vtOD6ehj2XynrBMFRFQofBG8blRXAvxuBv-IP3dxregcHI3WHVsHo8ccqe67oYVZmhumk4N-gYbyGzfUi53w17v03ey9j1YTY/s1600/ornament-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjTS-i_5ocf-UW5j_39FvEM_G1Xt68pWYRAWum3G9G01vtOD6ehj2XynrBMFRFQofBG8blRXAvxuBv-IP3dxregcHI3WHVsHo8ccqe67oYVZmhumk4N-gYbyGzfUi53w17v03ey9j1YTY/s400/ornament-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">photo:<a href="http://wearetheolivers.com/"><span style="color: #444444;">wearetheolivers.com</span></a></td></tr>
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2) <a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/276346/how-to-make-a-snow-globe/@center/307034/christmas-workshop" target="_blank"><span style="color: #444444;">Snow Globes</span></a><br />
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Every year I intend to make a snow globe..this year I have all of the components - jars, glycerin, cute vintage japanese deer ...all on my kitchen table..staring at me, just waiting to be be transformed into a stocking stuffer...<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghN4xaMD8nkvGDPMEv-qJfmMEgZwxzqPpH03VMK_v6_Lzzsje_w_naqYtZ7kWmGxfuoHiA8jdqlAE6HCEeKFgGEEukID4W8xUIAeayjXaNuXz5f_UK2cZSHIZ1jwks1ch3nSze9-uZSgo/s1600/gt065_snowglobes1_vert.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghN4xaMD8nkvGDPMEv-qJfmMEgZwxzqPpH03VMK_v6_Lzzsje_w_naqYtZ7kWmGxfuoHiA8jdqlAE6HCEeKFgGEEukID4W8xUIAeayjXaNuXz5f_UK2cZSHIZ1jwks1ch3nSze9-uZSgo/s400/gt065_snowglobes1_vert.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">photo: <a href="http://marthastewart.com/"><span style="color: #444444;">marthastewart.com</span></a><br />
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3) <a href="http://www.abeautifulmess.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #444444;">DIY Coffee Syrup</span></a></div>
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I think making something like this is such a great present...it is so easy to cook up a big batch of syrup for coffee or alcoholic drinks (even ice cream! mmm) and bottle the syrup up in cute jars or bottles.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsfvRdWf7_h_zYsB4dAVx3dGkyhMiyRWp8HArtnfsd0LkA6nVkps6gWo0j-3MU3m9MrcQ436gYOk_MGkWGaigp-VsNtoG6mC8Z4zRET-priTWGX1YQxFLrV4A8lHCnXPZEchNv1na42uI/s1600/6a00d8358081ff69e2017d3edd5ede970c-800wi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsfvRdWf7_h_zYsB4dAVx3dGkyhMiyRWp8HArtnfsd0LkA6nVkps6gWo0j-3MU3m9MrcQ436gYOk_MGkWGaigp-VsNtoG6mC8Z4zRET-priTWGX1YQxFLrV4A8lHCnXPZEchNv1na42uI/s400/6a00d8358081ff69e2017d3edd5ede970c-800wi.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">photo: <span style="background-color: white;"><a href="http://abeautifulmess.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #444444;">abeautifulmess.com</span></a></span></td></tr>
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<b>A few recipes for syrups around the web:</b></div>
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<a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/339761/ginger-simple-syrup" target="_blank"><span style="color: #444444;">Ginger Simple Syrup</span></a> (I made this for the <a href="http://www.a-la-main.blogspot.com/2012/12/studio-39.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #444444;">studio</span></a> warming party, we added a dash of it to prosecco)</div>
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<a href="http://myfarefoodie.blogspot.com/2011/04/lavender-simple-syrup.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #444444;">Lavender </span></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.annies-eats.com/2011/08/15/diy-flavored-syrups/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #444444;">Vanilla, Raspberry, Coconut, Caramel</span></a></div>
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The possibilities are endless....<a href="http://postprohibition.com/diy/simple-syrup/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #444444;">Postprohibition</span> </a>is a good reference.</div>
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(I also thought these <span style="color: #444444;"><a href="http://www.abeautifulmess.com/2012/06/pretty-lace-flower-pots.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #444444;">little lace flower pots on their list were so cute</span></a>! </span>Would also be so perfect for a wedding or just everyday... )<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbT5a3vPlK7WdMoF9YQLjH_4OgxTNAKOlEQ4kNVo5WOuxqS5OJmWhkGfDpeQ0YI2RT8jNKiURiIcSC2fKC0mAhVF0SSED1GbyXMJz2Mf1ojyYfgmrhXmTTdM68I1Gsl0Y4pSOf1pG3LXk/s1600/6a00d8358081ff69e2017d3edd6687970c-800wi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbT5a3vPlK7WdMoF9YQLjH_4OgxTNAKOlEQ4kNVo5WOuxqS5OJmWhkGfDpeQ0YI2RT8jNKiURiIcSC2fKC0mAhVF0SSED1GbyXMJz2Mf1ojyYfgmrhXmTTdM68I1Gsl0Y4pSOf1pG3LXk/s400/6a00d8358081ff69e2017d3edd6687970c-800wi.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">photo:<span style="color: #666666;"><a href="http://abeautifulmess.com/" target="_blank">abeautifulmess.com</a></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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4) <a href="http://ohhappyday.com/2012/12/free-printable-treat-bags/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #444444;">Printable Treat Bags</span></a></div>
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These are cute and simple and of course you can design your own or just click on the free download</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgev5tRkQPzbHz5cCKXiBfg1Rw9zKh3HRakcj2hxfVWmpjuHdm3L7aqOvwFngSV2-QNIWW3zelQofIkATSJuPH44QR-Khf9h3doiKpBQRNOTgyiDL91fi6Shis_ylbhuDSv6EUUNotOnIs/s1600/alliscalm-allisbright.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgev5tRkQPzbHz5cCKXiBfg1Rw9zKh3HRakcj2hxfVWmpjuHdm3L7aqOvwFngSV2-QNIWW3zelQofIkATSJuPH44QR-Khf9h3doiKpBQRNOTgyiDL91fi6Shis_ylbhuDSv6EUUNotOnIs/s640/alliscalm-allisbright.jpg" width="302" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">photo: <a href="http://ohhappyday.com/"><span style="color: #444444;">ohhappyday.com</span></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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5) <a href="http://www.theidearoom.net/2011/12/how-to-make-play-doughpeppermint.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #444444;">Homemade Peppermint Play Dough</span></a></div>
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For the little (or the big!) ones in your life - whip up a batch of homemade peppermint play dough! </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8y3a-dCehVHniP9kjKUVi1HPc8dmuvaVAamfwA1la5GzA_aX5JPWZAb2p3MDapBmyX_w0qh0fhFhk4Q2eA8DrN9XGB7npn8ttNbjpbcfJhD6CZ_3Oa-MUtQXhz-95DqO2A92FzFNtw0o/s1600/peppermint-play-dough-1wm_thumb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8y3a-dCehVHniP9kjKUVi1HPc8dmuvaVAamfwA1la5GzA_aX5JPWZAb2p3MDapBmyX_w0qh0fhFhk4Q2eA8DrN9XGB7npn8ttNbjpbcfJhD6CZ_3Oa-MUtQXhz-95DqO2A92FzFNtw0o/s400/peppermint-play-dough-1wm_thumb.jpg" width="335" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">photo:<a href="http://theidearoom.net/"><span style="color: #444444;">theidearoom.net</span></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Happy Crafting!<br />
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Erika Nikolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16680787347373961287noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753148930459737939.post-89355303896916261702012-12-20T13:03:00.000-05:002012-12-20T16:57:54.585-05:00Barbara Keal: Remnants of a Dream<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Yesterday I went to the <a href="http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/index.jsp" target="_blank"><span style="color: #444444;">Anthropologie</span></a> in <a href="http://www.rockefellercenter.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #444444;">Rockefeller Center</span></a> to see the <a href="http://www.barbarakeal.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #444444;">Barbara Keal</span></a> exhibit "<i>Remnants of a Dream"</i> in the gallery that is housed in the retail store. I must admit I always forget that this Anthropologie location has a gallery and after seeing the exhibit yesterday I decided to keep better tabs on what is being shown there. I had read about Barbara Keal just recently for the first time in <a href="http://www.selvedge.org/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #444444;">Selvedge</span></a> magazine-one of my all time favorites for inspiration. The write up mentioned she had an installation up until the end of the year in the gallery, so I made a point to go see it before I head off for the holidays. When I got to the store I was delighted by the installation in front of me that transformed the small gallery space into a fantastical and magical wooden workshop, transporting me a million miles out of the hustle and bustle of Rockefeller Center holiday shopping.<br />
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Honestly, I wanted to crawl into one of her pieces and live in this little cabin forever. The felted pieces, constructed of sustainably sourced sheep and alpaca fleece from local farms, were haunting, elegant and rustic all at the same time. Individually the pieces would have been completely breathtaking on their own had they been displayed in a more traditional gallery sense - but her work displayed in collaboration with her husband, <a href="http://www.kealwork.co.uk/Richard/index.php" target="_blank"><span style="color: #666666;">Richard Keal</span></a>, was pure magic. Richard Keal is a woodworker who is inspired by "spontaneous twists and bulbous knots of untouched wood" all collected in East Sussex, UK where the couple and their children reside.<br />
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In addition to the felted pieces and woodwork, the show also included some of Barbara's vocal and ceramic work.<br />
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If you are in the New York area in the next week or so I would highly recommend going to check out for yourself.<br />
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For more information on Barbara and Richard Keal:<br />
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<a href="http://www.barbarakeal.com/"><span style="color: #444444;">http://www.barbarakeal.com</span></a><br />
<a href="http://www.kealwork.co.uk/"><span style="color: #444444;">http://www.kealwork.co.uk</span></a><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo: <a href="http://www.barbarakeal.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #444444;">www.barbarakeal.com</span></a></td></tr>
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<br />Erika Nikolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16680787347373961287noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753148930459737939.post-22469430558744206982012-12-14T13:04:00.001-05:002012-12-14T13:19:19.006-05:00Studio 39I mentioned in the last post that I had gotten a studio space in the late summer. Since then I have been busy painting the floor, building shelves and painting old furniture to set up the space for sewing, natural dyeing, weaving (winter goal!) and painting. The building I am in,<span style="color: #444444;"> </span><a href="http://www.screwballspaces.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #444444;">Screwball Spaces</span>,</a> has almost 100 resident artists and 80 studio spaces and a gallery. So far I have really enjoyed the community it has provided. Last week the building held a holiday sale and a group show in our gallery so I opened my studio and had a studio warming party.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgauYiIpLVeAOP3VwXI7gVnG_Yez_njeRVIYoMvdYe1nKZAsqIgPI1tQCTNjRpjU3Lu7QSn34XGxXeXcgCfhK6u45hsG-dE6hfwzD6l1tVh-RqHnazuCppjvdO7g6MH6MUIJi41QylPMrM/s1600/74294_10200264779525381_533304296_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgauYiIpLVeAOP3VwXI7gVnG_Yez_njeRVIYoMvdYe1nKZAsqIgPI1tQCTNjRpjU3Lu7QSn34XGxXeXcgCfhK6u45hsG-dE6hfwzD6l1tVh-RqHnazuCppjvdO7g6MH6MUIJi41QylPMrM/s320/74294_10200264779525381_533304296_n.jpg" width="239" /></a>The turnout was great and it was so nice to share what I had been up to all of these months. Along with working on the space, I have been experimenting with working on designing a pattern for a cloth doll. I have been really interested in heirloom toys and the idea of creating something special that can be passed down through generations. After months of tweaking and experimenting I finished my first prototype. She is made of natural linen, stuffed with Lancaster wool and hand embroidered with linen and silk thread. Her hair is made of wool and her clothes are a combination of new Japanese cotton, antique buttons, an old wool sweater and antique lace. Her arms and legs are button jointed using wooden buttons from this great website based out of Vermont, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><a href="http://compostablegoods.com/index.php" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">Compostable Goods </span></a>. </span> They sell some natural yarns and notions as well as eco-friendly household products, toys and even bio-compostable golf tees! :-) I stained the buttons with black walnut and attached them using a strong upholstery thread. I have already started my next one and am looking forward to really diving into it after the holidays.<br />
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Do any of you have a special toy that has been passed down through your family? <br />
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Erika Nikolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16680787347373961287noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753148930459737939.post-81490111040972968902012-12-11T19:25:00.003-05:002012-12-11T19:25:51.421-05:00Um...hello.Yes, I am alive and well.... but writing to you with my tail between my legs since it has been (as you can clearly see).... 6 months since my last post.<br />
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Time seems to be moving so quickly lately! Over the summer I moved into a studio space in Red Hook, Brooklyn -more on that later. I travelled to Portland, Oregon to visit my mom and to Seattle for a good friends wedding. Then came September, I was so absorbed and enjoying Fall that I didn't even notice the months flying by. It was a perfect well rounded Fall that involved <a href="http://www.sheepandwool.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #666666;">The Rhinebeck Sheep and Wool Festival</span>,</a> alpaca farms and exploring the most lovely Hudson Valley. I was working on the studio and some freelance projects and eating anything and everything pumpkin. Then, all of a sudden, it was somehow Thanksgiving and now here we are - 2 weeks before Christmas and heading into winter (for those of you in the Northern Hemisphere). Since winter is (I think), the best time for hunkering down with a cup of tea and a handmade project, I thought, you know what.... I am going to brush the dust off of this blog that is still so young and spend the winter with you all chatting about art, crafts and delicious libations and edibles.<br />
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I would love to see what all of you are making this December!<br />
<br />Erika Nikolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16680787347373961287noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753148930459737939.post-6629662408521302802012-06-20T16:50:00.000-04:002012-06-20T16:51:45.887-04:00Happy Summer Solstice!<i>"In the midst of winter I finally learned that there was in me an invincible summer."<br />~ Albert Camus</i><br />
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Merry Summer Solstice (to those of you in the Northern Hemisphere)! I hope everyone is having a magical day filled with creativity and midsummer celebrating. The summer solstice to me brings to mind bonfires, dancing, eating delicious food the summer has to offer and flower head wreaths. I think this pretty video by <b><a href="http://www.facebook.com/thehoneytrees" target="_blank">The Honey Trees</a></b> is a lovely solstice-y kind of day song. The beautiful headpiece towards the end was made by wedding accessory extraordinaire Myra Kim of <b><a href="http://www.twigsandhoney.com/" target="_blank">Twigs and Honey.</a></b><br />
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What are your plans on this summer eve?<br />
<br />Erika Nikolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16680787347373961287noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753148930459737939.post-89411219315105313922012-05-31T17:13:00.002-04:002012-06-01T07:59:37.707-04:00On the Road...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Apologies for the dry spell my dear and faithful readers. I have been traveling through the south and midwest collecting treasures and visiting loved ones. Stay tuned for regular posts next week!<br />
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Unfortunately I am not traveling in this much style, but here are some dreamy photographs to inspire you and get you ready for summer travels....<br />
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<br />Erika Nikolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16680787347373961287noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753148930459737939.post-14551066642042410122012-04-30T12:03:00.000-04:002012-04-30T12:03:31.165-04:00Bog Berry Dryer BallsSpring is here and along with garden planting, cute cotton dresses and being able to drink iced coffee comes spring cleaning. <b><i><a href="http://www.bogberrydryerballs.com/" target="_blank">Bog Berry Dryer Balls</a></i></b> can help you out with checking "live more green" off of your spring to-do list. These beautiful wool balls are handmade from freshly carded locally sourced wool from Lancaster, Pennsylvania.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>(wool that has been needle felted, before wet felting</i>)</td></tr>
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The colored sets come in your choice of bright or earthy shades and are
made with wool purchased from an eco-friendly company in Maine. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.bogberrydryerballs.com/fresh-wool-dryer-balls/" target="_blank"><i>set of ocean wool dryer balls</i></a></td></tr>
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Not only are dryer balls functional but they look beautiful in a jar or a bowl when they are not being used. When they <i>are</i> being used, these eco-friendly balls will cut your dryer time down and you will never need to buy dryer sheets again! Functional, beautiful and handmade. Doesn't get much better than that. The best part about dryer balls from Bog Berry that sets them apart from other dryer balls, is that they are <i>not</i> made from yarn like most balls out there in dryer ball land. BB Balls are lovingly needle felted with 100% wool and then wet felted. This process takes longer to make, but what you end up with is a beautiful quality handmade product that will last forever (unless your dog is like mine and steals and hides them - but they will turn up eventually). Luckily, you get a set of 6 per order.<br />
A perfect gift for Mothers Day (<i>AND</i> Fathers Day!). While you are shopping you can also pick up a tin of <b><i><a href="http://www.bogberrydryerballs.com/category/herb-blends/" target="_blank">herbal tea</a></i></b>, a set of<a href="http://www.bogberrydryerballs.com/chamomile-seed-stars/" target="_blank"> <i><b>seed bombs</b></i></a>, a <i><b><a href="http://www.bogberrydryerballs.com/category/rune-necklaces/" target="_blank">hand-carved necklace</a></b></i> and even an<i><b> <a href="http://www.bogberrydryerballs.com/category/elf-cloaks/" target="_blank">elf cloak</a></b></i> for the wee ones in your life! Sounds like a one stop shop.<br />
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<i><a href="http://www.bogberrydryerballs.com/">http://www.bogberrydryerballs.com/</a></i><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>star seed bombs</i></td></tr>
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<br />Erika Nikolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16680787347373961287noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753148930459737939.post-87628066679935650852012-04-16T10:41:00.003-04:002012-04-16T10:46:12.825-04:00Hillary Fayle's Embroidered LeavesI received the Spring 2012 issue of <b><i><a href="http://fiberartnow.net/" target="_blank">Fiber Art Now</a></i></b> in the mail the other day. I was so excited to see the photo of <b><i><a href="http://hillaryfayle.wordpress.com/lovestitching/" target="_blank">Hillary Fayle's</a> </i></b>embroidered leaves gracing the cover and couldn't wait to find out more about these beautiful works of art. Fayle studied embroidery at the Manchester Metropolitan University in Manchester, England. Passionate for environmental conservation, she began working with leaves after being surrounded and inspired by the beauty of nature at a summer camp she was working at shortly after returning home from her studies in England. <br />
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<i>" I generally try to use renewable, sustainable and environmentally friendly materials for my art, so this was an obvious choice. I feel that the delicate yet elaborate stitching reflects the intricate patterns and incredible detail found in the natural world."</i><br />
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The leaves are coated in a non-toxic preservative so they are protected and are able to be stitched on without tearing, as well as retaining their color. Her stitches are inspired by traditional methods of joinery that she adapts and makes variations of, as well as using the actual traditional stitches.<br />
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She also makes these incredible leaf cuttings utilizing a more illustrative approach:<br />
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Aren't these amazing?<br />
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I would love a collection of these delicate and beautiful leaves behind glass. I am excited to see more of Hillary's work and where else it takes her.<br />
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For more information and photographs visit <a href="http://hillaryfayle.wordpress.com/lovestitching/" target="_blank">http://hillaryfayle.wordpress.com/lovestitching/</a><br />
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<i>*All photographs on this post are from <a href="http://hillaryfayle.wordpress.com/lovestitching/" target="_blank">http://hillaryfayle.wordpress.com/lovestitching/</a></i>Erika Nikolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16680787347373961287noreply@blogger.com2brooklyn, new york40.72609 -73.9497478.10915 -133.715372 73.34303 -14.184122000000002tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753148930459737939.post-14350759155085697742012-04-07T17:57:00.001-04:002012-04-07T17:59:43.687-04:00Dekalb MarketToday we took a nice long stroll to check out <b><i><a href="http://dekalbmarket.com/" target="_blank">Dekalb Market</a></i></b> in Downtown Brooklyn. The market is constructed of salvaged shipping containers turned into storefronts. The markets brings together artists, artisans, eateries, an incubator farm and a performance venue creating a community for creative entrepreneurs. Today was the opening weekend of the market for the season and there was a huge turnout. I love to see so many people supporting local and handmade goods and I think using shipping containers as storefronts is such a brilliant idea.<br />
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text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkmgH9hyphenhyphenVuNljEEw9JNxfh7ODE74CO4h4IkUfh7obhFsPNmtC4xTgHI83pjGWha_4L_2m_kjA6OMSYVKJQpLbNo05zHgh4-uWbwFpDI7FhHiLRSswRED0gs-Z_6GgBSIx0didph2YPJxA/s1600/DSC_0147.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="506" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkmgH9hyphenhyphenVuNljEEw9JNxfh7ODE74CO4h4IkUfh7obhFsPNmtC4xTgHI83pjGWha_4L_2m_kjA6OMSYVKJQpLbNo05zHgh4-uWbwFpDI7FhHiLRSswRED0gs-Z_6GgBSIx0didph2YPJxA/s640/DSC_0147.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe-g6d9ez7daPRqhy5vGAERfbjUKcCsemNetGLjMziCPtuuq_Swi7lJTgisiLZYWWCQBjAU7BorWQbAbsEt1Zn9Ln67MoKRtSw3XBbrzQp5O0ypjON0zE-DhseR_NDLi_ILVo6Rkt2m68/s1600/DSC_0163.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe-g6d9ez7daPRqhy5vGAERfbjUKcCsemNetGLjMziCPtuuq_Swi7lJTgisiLZYWWCQBjAU7BorWQbAbsEt1Zn9Ln67MoKRtSw3XBbrzQp5O0ypjON0zE-DhseR_NDLi_ILVo6Rkt2m68/s640/DSC_0163.JPG" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtnpRImr1relN_TrVB6NK3ThBF2KvyCM86axGwsbpqrUc44-IgpgtdAFNJqbKDrKkM2zHiYlFnDd6LXmhufZb749RUrStcpKEpwBD50IdAUhu7_awqHFVexqacLLqYQj2xF7yqsqsQ6jA/s1600/DSC_0175.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; 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Also, the market is dog friendly. Nigel approves!Erika Nikolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16680787347373961287noreply@blogger.com2brooklyn, new york40.6528762 -73.95949440.568389700000004 -74.063814000000008 40.7373627 -73.855174tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753148930459737939.post-25356590323225279512012-04-05T20:45:00.001-04:002012-04-05T23:18:35.958-04:00Cosy Up the WorldI am loving these bowls I just saw on<b><i> <a href="http://freshlyfound.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">freshly found</a></i></b> via <i><b><a href="http://pinterest.com/source/freshlyfound.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">pinterest</a></b></i>:<br />
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There is something about creating a cosy onto objects that makes them feel so special and loved. I love when I walk around my neighborhood and see a tree or pole wearing a sweater. Pretty much any inanimate with a sweater on it makes me happy. How can it not? There is a scientific term for this "cosying up" (another scientific term) of objects. It is <i><b><a href="http://www.macmillandictionary.com/buzzword/entries/yarn-bombing.html" target="_blank">Yarn Bombing</a></b></i> or Yarn Storming (I kind of like that one). There are a half a million pictures that come up when you Google yarn bombing, from a <i><b><a href="http://cultureshockart.wordpress.com/2012/01/10/951/" target="_blank">bus in Philadelphia</a></b></i> to a <i><b><a href="http://yarnbombing.com/fuzzy-parking-meter" target="_blank">parking meter in Vancouver</a></b></i>. There are some pretty amazing yarn bombed objects out there.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjUCreNZpDUtJiO5MXEHRR95uIc7-Px-Q2f5Sjk0vA11Z9GtBgnehjQRZtoDAz33F54rIVChlDdU0EXwR-8sxp1jRyOzFOGZK1NhAMe1Fe8OvGrB_tj_wgARoFqMxLG-JwelXSOapiHDU/s400/yarnbombgasstation.jpg" width="400" /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><b><a href="http://www.neatorama.com/2010/03/12/happy-national-crochet-month/" target="_blank">Even a gas station?!</a></b></i></div><br />
I am headed to Philadelphia next week to catch the tail end of <i><b><a href="http://www.fiberphiladelphia.org/fiberphiladelphia_exhibitions_2012" target="_blank">FiberPhiladelphia</a></b></i>. One of the exhibits I am going to check out is <i><b><a href="http://www.ishknits.com/yarnbombing-101-at-philadelphia-city-hall-installation/" target="_blank">Yarn Bombing 101</a></b></i>. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><b><a href="http://ifitshipitshere.blogspot.com/2011/06/yarn-bombing-guerilla-knitters-granny.html" target="_blank">Rocky Statue in Philadelphia</a></b></i></td></tr>
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One artist that crochets the world is <i><b><a href="http://www.agataolek.com/" target="_blank">Agata Olek</a></b></i>. Her work blows my mind. I missed her show in New York last year and would have loved to see this in person.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNXkzdXarTRqFgzNaksTtS-GZM2_cYUyUMNjDt4V6Qp-S0xGJKJgRw6pGaYOSqRc4V91EaJhE4YnfSqjAG2bKN0SLFBHvSiRu2ftEUVXHtWMUkGAJqJCOjr_BMkJpIueawhe8eMzrE61s/s1600/agataolek.com1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNXkzdXarTRqFgzNaksTtS-GZM2_cYUyUMNjDt4V6Qp-S0xGJKJgRw6pGaYOSqRc4V91EaJhE4YnfSqjAG2bKN0SLFBHvSiRu2ftEUVXHtWMUkGAJqJCOjr_BMkJpIueawhe8eMzrE61s/s640/agataolek.com1.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">photo: <i><b><a href="http://agataolek.com/home.html">agataolek.com</a></b></i></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo_fiaXkT9EKbkW46uMdz02w5myKJe0DRjsi50xZbsNAOTPhmswaovXFiOHyNZuUfiClHrwQ-D4FNFzwhg-sShHkaeUXfjUXR0Tt6ND4aRNMAV6woRGfJ7xW36WIJACZsqKWmwznYShcU/s1600/agataolek.com2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo_fiaXkT9EKbkW46uMdz02w5myKJe0DRjsi50xZbsNAOTPhmswaovXFiOHyNZuUfiClHrwQ-D4FNFzwhg-sShHkaeUXfjUXR0Tt6ND4aRNMAV6woRGfJ7xW36WIJACZsqKWmwznYShcU/s1600/agataolek.com2.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">photo: <i><b><a href="http://agataolek.com/home.html" target="_blank">agataolek.com</a></b></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga_1i8AkSRTmFoK6PbSXRzg405uvTNhsFueNV5p2oAAadi5R-AKFsYLk35tlBtLTYXo0tuTft6d-cEEDuN82IrrhJ_2eiOYnBmooDEzkzlSObhOuuaXk9yYHsCI16w_2D9GfZSbzUEWyA/s1600/car-globalgraphica.com.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga_1i8AkSRTmFoK6PbSXRzg405uvTNhsFueNV5p2oAAadi5R-AKFsYLk35tlBtLTYXo0tuTft6d-cEEDuN82IrrhJ_2eiOYnBmooDEzkzlSObhOuuaXk9yYHsCI16w_2D9GfZSbzUEWyA/s320/car-globalgraphica.com.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7VlGrytuHAPHMMgeWFjFj-2ab5sDFXbs_RYwC3r8e1PlhCXDigLmpxzz2VktDSO-a07SiYnAtWP2No3baq7LwaI3TFei93_nXoPZVBaqShDcM7tTDt7KiauVAHlaJ-LVNzTmT1dCa7tE/s1600/Z-YARN-P1-2-articleLarge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="336" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7VlGrytuHAPHMMgeWFjFj-2ab5sDFXbs_RYwC3r8e1PlhCXDigLmpxzz2VktDSO-a07SiYnAtWP2No3baq7LwaI3TFei93_nXoPZVBaqShDcM7tTDt7KiauVAHlaJ-LVNzTmT1dCa7tE/s640/Z-YARN-P1-2-articleLarge.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
However, for the record I am <i>not</i> calling her artwork yarn bombing. Olek was quoted in the <i><b><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/19/fashion/creating-graffiti-with-yarn.html" target="_blank">New York Times</a></b></i> in 2011 saying:<br />
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<i>"I don't yarn bomb, I make art. If someone calls my bull a yarn bomb, I get really upset. Lots of people have aunts or grandmas who paint. Do you want to see that work in the galleries? No. The street is an extension of the gallery. Not everyone’s work deserves to be in public."<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olek#cite_note-2011-NYT-cozy-24"></a></i><br />
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Got it. However, since this is a post about covering inanimate objects with yarn, a mention of Agata Olek needs to be made. There are some pretty spectacular yarn bombs out there and I am sure the same arguments can be made about graffiti as art and yarn bombing as art but maybe we will save that debate for another day. <br />
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Either way, I like it. Yarn bombing, urban knitting, art. I love the softness it creates and how an everyday object covered in yarn can make an everyday moment feel whimsical. The feeling that someone has given so much attention to an object that we would otherwise not think too much about, except for the particular function it serves. It just makes everything seem... cared for.<br />
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Did anyone read the <i><b><a href="http://www.etsy.com/blog/news/2012/etsy-acquires-city-of-portland/" target="_blank">article</a></b></i> that Etsy put out on April Fools? (spoiler alert: it's not true). The article ends with:<i> </i><br />
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<i>"Subsequent phases of the plan call for outfitting Portland’s homes with knitted “sweaters” to reduce heating costs, designing a rotating seasonal wardrobe for the city’s signature 34-foot-tall Portlandia statue, and reverse-engineering brick-and-mortar restaurants into hemp-powered food trucks." </i><br />
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We won't talk about the fact that I actually believed this article to be true from start to finish and was so blown away by the idea of actually making sweaters for houses, that my heart completely sank when I read the editors note. It took me a good while to really think it was a cute and funny article because I was so sad and disappointed that it wasn't true. Why <i>can't</i> we have knitted house sweaters? Now I can't stop hoping I will wake up one day and my apartment building will be wearing a sweater.<br />
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Although, Agata Olek does live nearby...... so maybe one day.<br />
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<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-2011-NYT-cozy_24-0"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olek#cite_note-2011-NYT-cozy-24"></a></sup><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS-65r_QUYAepJTHtatz21GMtopNPuGsaGz3X-ysi2xCXz7h9xf2SxouyxkeIdKHLGSrq8GZKVLojI_X7V_LDACDpHUExMcxTlOC5Hhf_gNOUvMSH3TFIZZ7RCZssZay4ruNsNw1vjNR4/s1600/photosourcephantomgalleries.com.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS-65r_QUYAepJTHtatz21GMtopNPuGsaGz3X-ysi2xCXz7h9xf2SxouyxkeIdKHLGSrq8GZKVLojI_X7V_LDACDpHUExMcxTlOC5Hhf_gNOUvMSH3TFIZZ7RCZssZay4ruNsNw1vjNR4/s1600/photosourcephantomgalleries.com.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">photo: <i><b><a href="http://www.phantomgalleries.com/" target="_blank">phantomgalleries</a></b></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Erika Nikolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16680787347373961287noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753148930459737939.post-63701080183025105752012-03-29T08:00:00.002-04:002012-03-29T09:01:34.122-04:00Pin It<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
Sometimes when I am feeling stuck creatively I try to make something in less than 30 minutes without really thinking about the outcome as kind of a warm up to get things flowing. The instant gratification of a finished product will keep me satisfied so I can keep working on a longer more time consuming project. The other day I whipped up a pincushion from an old silk dress, some wool batting, and a tea cup and when it was done with it I was able to continue on with my embroidered drawing with a little more skip in my step (lilt in my wrist?). Anyways... curious to see what was happening in the handmade pincushion world, I got lost in Etsy land for a good bit and here are some of my favorites that I came across:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="254" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCdRipJ9vEErxdHr9h1QW5Pn4Vr46IShVf08_Eod9Sg9V89E1izU4CZGkPTTpDeGAHsF4jhbKr0tNO09C0HOQeRt_fa4vsLEorQil8Xu6HN1_twesOlqEaTbetUPIsjRICmlejhAltlO0/s320/pearpincushion.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">pear with handmade pins by <i><b><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/86657389/pincushion-pear-and-pins-handmade" target="_blank">digitsdesigns</a></b></i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq0nAS6fIcXjpv-zPQtTUy5_gY25jypIn-XGRqTJBvx7BZweiGWjQ6TMxJW1eQaqPqBo3ue1bGuKbbN1eLhlz6hj6FFk8-ivXYKDPFGm11lUcH7q11u5excB_w414UfUQKTDKsc84K9K8/s320/birdpincushion.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">felted wool bird on embroidered feed sack by <i><b><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/96234413/felted-wool-white-bird-pincushion-on" target="_blank">magpiejane</a></b></i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdfQ9Rsa-5dvLP5bJWmZPDeYGrpw2Mdj9LzjimJcKrKpwdnOnYXpJfhW-Fy6uh6vS51BDoRTHcNoJcludbJFjXxI_eHG2giV6u15abLO145DnKta0PBYvR2UgCbLXkvxCX5fEB_1nbmL4/s1600/toadstoolpincushion.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="254" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdfQ9Rsa-5dvLP5bJWmZPDeYGrpw2Mdj9LzjimJcKrKpwdnOnYXpJfhW-Fy6uh6vS51BDoRTHcNoJcludbJFjXxI_eHG2giV6u15abLO145DnKta0PBYvR2UgCbLXkvxCX5fEB_1nbmL4/s320/toadstoolpincushion.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">toadstool house by <i><b><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/86805859/toadstool-house-rose-cottage-felt" target="_blank">hippywitch</a></b></i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNyHhw1-qzzMqmVAMTB_trMSoVyqYhRnSpTbEL6K_5criCEgRnj-kC4ah3JmwVug_Y1SoCQK1pGhuCBfPtxCyeZ1Wrx16auaMkZTYk9VM6HjLF9gDUI1EdetO-_I8MJd8OezdzcMTSl3s/s1600/flyingpigpincushion.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="254" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNyHhw1-qzzMqmVAMTB_trMSoVyqYhRnSpTbEL6K_5criCEgRnj-kC4ah3JmwVug_Y1SoCQK1pGhuCBfPtxCyeZ1Wrx16auaMkZTYk9VM6HjLF9gDUI1EdetO-_I8MJd8OezdzcMTSl3s/s320/flyingpigpincushion.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">flying pig by <i><b><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/95884263/flying-pig-pincushion" target="_blank">lifepieces</a></b></i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtge_gf9e18jUMjJeiRYH0Jf0wAKb53BO62cIOyxYh6LDyFYuuG6nrluFjyVP2AZSOwQH9McjtMyni8djzX9MOR1PDI_vI7OB4gKf5G-YLAa1hyphenhyphent87xVSjFBU5TQhfIPrK1cZ9VDT7U9Q/s1600/whalepincushion.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtge_gf9e18jUMjJeiRYH0Jf0wAKb53BO62cIOyxYh6LDyFYuuG6nrluFjyVP2AZSOwQH9McjtMyni8djzX9MOR1PDI_vI7OB4gKf5G-YLAa1hyphenhyphent87xVSjFBU5TQhfIPrK1cZ9VDT7U9Q/s320/whalepincushion.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">whale friends by <i><b><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/91817521/pink-whale-pincushion" target="_blank">blueberry bandit</a></b></i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_571144653" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrvWeqfiJiWc52fux47huOc8n3Z1McWnYWnjsXXJ9OPwDpdBSUXVRIbEft-WmmDcA_LT4ePXHOsm5D41T8vLH2eZkAE-XLvbklnv2V91hjpr8MP97MRhryN5ZUp8mCsJIT7OSkRHoDL5M/s320/heirloomtomatopincushion.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">heirloom tomatoes by <i><b><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/93368006/red-and-white-ticking-stripe-tomato" target="_blank">rosebudoriginals</a></b></i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjANRTMMTdKSbT2-MOHyyct2UQ_lmMlhdUUONIaa2eRAT7Aa-PGRZuPIN2hkthfUo2J0Tu6SMcUCQipGiBOJGGb8oZhZDHpjOp8RlzUUu7u5veNYMwfFWnj_nOwwgDg0akOF2ey2C7pf-s/s1600/watercanpincushion.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="254" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjANRTMMTdKSbT2-MOHyyct2UQ_lmMlhdUUONIaa2eRAT7Aa-PGRZuPIN2hkthfUo2J0Tu6SMcUCQipGiBOJGGb8oZhZDHpjOp8RlzUUu7u5veNYMwfFWnj_nOwwgDg0akOF2ey2C7pf-s/s320/watercanpincushion.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">miniature watering can by <i><b><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/83700847/miniature-watering-can-pincushion-with" target="_blank">mmwolters</a></b></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg55cOYK73x9sIYQ1d81KBahvc3dEBaXk43iD6SmlSm4npPUGCj6KCEaFwzrcxj4Z9FolRAmJT-84IXEA1zwPm36yyPlRKfApwfh-roBWqbOcSeGwXyE89WNLByjRym79UDItdiqSdqskQ/s1600/cattails.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="158" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg55cOYK73x9sIYQ1d81KBahvc3dEBaXk43iD6SmlSm4npPUGCj6KCEaFwzrcxj4Z9FolRAmJT-84IXEA1zwPm36yyPlRKfApwfh-roBWqbOcSeGwXyE89WNLByjRym79UDItdiqSdqskQ/s200/cattails.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPpiH5Is9BLhmL3ObBlkGz5bIl96nndsqBECgvOHLuBnlsELXOw1sXzf3uxL4_TOGoOY1L7MEoI4a_9lTQtngWTVKx3aTP3WPjt2DKwVcQCC6vDZCkDN76ZmD_3X-tRQN_YPXRHwljEVs/s1600/mushrooms.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="158" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPpiH5Is9BLhmL3ObBlkGz5bIl96nndsqBECgvOHLuBnlsELXOw1sXzf3uxL4_TOGoOY1L7MEoI4a_9lTQtngWTVKx3aTP3WPjt2DKwVcQCC6vDZCkDN76ZmD_3X-tRQN_YPXRHwljEVs/s200/mushrooms.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU7QgX4LGzEd0e2QjUbK-baQPOZsYpad3JFG8lL98mv7CzRP3PXnxQd191J6lQjbBP6yJ-QWRvo5JD9EKWUsEZq01lsxF-Ec9hH19_IPUWhIsIf5dvQz3zH0j898lXHHhASEWJ87DeCvE/s1600/treepincushion.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="158" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU7QgX4LGzEd0e2QjUbK-baQPOZsYpad3JFG8lL98mv7CzRP3PXnxQd191J6lQjbBP6yJ-QWRvo5JD9EKWUsEZq01lsxF-Ec9hH19_IPUWhIsIf5dvQz3zH0j898lXHHhASEWJ87DeCvE/s200/treepincushion.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> tiny pond and cattails, </span><span style="font-size: x-small;">first snow frosty mushrooms and</span><span style="font-size: x-small;"> evergreen woodland fir tree </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> by <b><i><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/FoxtailCreekStudio?ref=seller_info" target="_blank">foxtail creek studio</a></i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
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These are all just such sweet little treasures! Would love to find one (or more?) of these in my basket come Easter...<br />
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<i>*A little history lesson regarding the origin of the classic tomato pincushion: Dating back to the 15th century, people believed that keeping a ripe tomato in the home on a mantel or entry way would bring prosperity and repel evil spirits. Since real tomatoes were not available throughout the year people would make them with fabric and fill them with straw or sawdust. The stuffed fabric tomato eventually began being used as a pincushion!</i>Erika Nikolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16680787347373961287noreply@blogger.com2brooklyn, new york40.6528762 -73.95949440.568389700000004 -74.063814000000008 40.7373627 -73.855174tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753148930459737939.post-44332086266850731922012-03-27T09:00:00.003-04:002012-03-27T09:16:01.505-04:00Charleston Garment ManufactoryIn continuing along the same lines of local economy and sustainable fashion, check out Charleston Garment Manufactory on <i><b><a href="http://www.indiegogo.com/charleston-manufactory" target="_blank">Indiegogo</a></b></i>. Heather Koonse, owner and creator of <i><b><a href="http://www.theroseknot.com/" target="_blank">The Rose Knot</a></b></i> (a clothing and alteration shop) is raising funds to turn The Rose Knot into a brand new resource center for existing and future designers. She plans to work with local designers and individuals to produce their clothing by offering design consultations, pattern drafting, sample garment construction and sewing classes, as well as strengthening and building the community through education. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuCrORkYZazB4CKt91V0eCuYnJ-84UCRAizgdxOwUcQim7oWEUPLA-MSv8PlyuS8647I6PDLiXq6L15RJ8khscPpeMGmrY9JDwIGUZxCFfnSJ2jB0McmhVqaKvoe0_e6BevptflhwuJvw/s1600/charlestongarmentmanufactory.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdTueFsVurqH1TEGntGTqafIB_VkhirhG4CXAjKhpyqSVS-z87y4Lxw5A5ZyUsxOmDChc_UC5ZQLZx3iw13VoLA8zbTCJwLf6NGwJXPK1k4-8APQc7-8VWK5qrVze7mhR8k0UfutZxL1Q/s1600/charlestongarment2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="165" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdTueFsVurqH1TEGntGTqafIB_VkhirhG4CXAjKhpyqSVS-z87y4Lxw5A5ZyUsxOmDChc_UC5ZQLZx3iw13VoLA8zbTCJwLf6NGwJXPK1k4-8APQc7-8VWK5qrVze7mhR8k0UfutZxL1Q/s400/charlestongarment2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Erika Nikolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16680787347373961287noreply@blogger.com1brooklyn, new york40.6528762 -73.95949440.568389700000004 -74.063814000000008 40.7373627 -73.855174tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753148930459737939.post-44940374421969259662012-03-26T13:16:00.003-04:002012-03-26T13:37:26.671-04:00Women's Work<i><b><a href="http://www.etsy.com/" target="_blank">Etsy</a></b></i> posted a wonderful video last week on their blog about <i><b><a href="http://alabamachanin.com/" target="_blank">Alabama Chanin</a></b></i>, a clothing line started by Natalie Chanin, that has employed women from her community in Florence, Alabama to create beautiful hand sewn pieces for the past decade.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/zvv98JdiVLA?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br />
I was so inspired that I continued reading and found this <i><b><a href="http://helloetsy.com/session/chanin/" target="_blank">video</a></b></i> of Natalie at <i><b><a href="http://helloetsy.com/" target="_blank">Hello Etsy</a></b></i> Berlin speaking about connecting your business to your community. I love everything about her story of arriving at this point of running a successful cottage industry run business that powers the local economy while staying true to her values - not to mention her down to earth southern charm and appreciation for the traditions of her heritage. I also love the idea of a woman run business using quilting and stitching techniques passed down from generations of women living in the rural south by women who otherwise would not be employed using a skill that is such a part of who they are.<br />
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I found the part in the video interesting when she was talking about how some people in the industry were referring to their company as being elitist because of the prices of the garments. The garments are made from organic cotton that is grown in the United States when possible and sewn completely by hand (not machine) and can take one person 4 to 6 weeks to complete (while also paying the artisan a living wage). She was approached to write a book and happily accepted the idea so that people would be able to create the garments themselves or could pay someone else in their community to make it. Once people realized what went into these heirloom garments and how time consuming it was to create one piece people could better understand and appreciate their worth.<br />
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You can order books <i><b><a href="http://alabamachanin.com/books" target="_blank">here</a></b></i>, as well as sign up for weekend retreats in their studio! I can't think of anything dreamier than a weekend in the south sipping cocktails, eating biscuits and stitching your own Alabama Chanin inspired garment...Sign me up.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWIPUvSAG941Y4JbLkmOHg8jpsA7jMx4YxMdGmc8ls-XyaQZrEpuDaifMaqtKq3BYPzY2gQ2igfz_40bH8nnL1pX30mWvcYcc6EZ8gURht5Lue30gxOGHH7v2kJc6Wd7gp0mYYPIwOtSA/s1600/alabamachanin" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWIPUvSAG941Y4JbLkmOHg8jpsA7jMx4YxMdGmc8ls-XyaQZrEpuDaifMaqtKq3BYPzY2gQ2igfz_40bH8nnL1pX30mWvcYcc6EZ8gURht5Lue30gxOGHH7v2kJc6Wd7gp0mYYPIwOtSA/s320/alabamachanin" width="224" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"> <i>www.alabamachanin.com</i></div><br />
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<a href="http://www.etsy.com/blog/en/2012/alabama-chanin-a-cottage-industry-success-story/"></a>Erika Nikolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16680787347373961287noreply@blogger.com1brooklyn, new york40.6528762 -73.95949440.568389700000004 -74.063814000000008 40.7373627 -73.855174tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753148930459737939.post-83002997300542408302012-02-29T12:21:00.000-05:002012-02-29T12:21:04.554-05:00<div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjABPwJ_dwma3MXWy6V88FhGqwE2zu99VolsNh_JXxlHBTbxiZCazRB0GQrAyUes3qUv58hVEgsd9BUQaiUqUnFFLGnq5Gl3HcpSdoZJ93eCO9w1EI6HwM_SfID168lh0kbwUn8C5Spxu4/s1600/blogintro1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjABPwJ_dwma3MXWy6V88FhGqwE2zu99VolsNh_JXxlHBTbxiZCazRB0GQrAyUes3qUv58hVEgsd9BUQaiUqUnFFLGnq5Gl3HcpSdoZJ93eCO9w1EI6HwM_SfID168lh0kbwUn8C5Spxu4/s400/blogintro1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div> Welcome to the a la main first official blog post! I will be posting about all things handmade-project ideas, recipes, beautiful and interesting objects that people are making, my own projects and work, features on artists, artisans and craftspeople as well as any other interesting tidbits on anything made by hand. Suggestions and comments will always be welcomed!<br />
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</div>Erika Nikolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16680787347373961287noreply@blogger.com2brooklyn, new york40.6528762 -73.95949440.568389700000004 -74.0711265 40.7373627 -73.847861500000008