Artist's Survival Kit

Keri Smith offers a humorous survival kit for artists to help us cope with those days when we find ourselves wondering, "Why the hell did I ever think I wanted to be an artist?"

The kit is made available as a series of 5 downloadable and printable PDF files (she suggests using cardstock) that we can then pull out and consult when having "one of those days" or need to share with an artist friend in need of a "pick me up". For example, the "I QUIT" card gives the following instructions: 1) Go get a newspaper; 2) Read the classified section; 3) Look for jobs that would fulfill you; 4) Circle them; 5) Count the circles.

http://www.kerismith.com/ask.html

UPDATE - Print Your Own Fabric Companies

Only a month ago, I did a post about companies that offer the service of printing yardage of your fabric design. I've just learned about another company for you to consider, as well as have come across a blog posting that provides not only information about things you need to consider, but also provides a lot of comparison nformation about the different services each company offers.

Original Post

Eyecandey - the newest company to enter the field (along with Fabric on Demand, Karma Kraft, and Spoonflower)
http://www.candeystore.com/

My Big Digital Fabric Printing Experiment - Kim Kight- She had a single design printed by each of the four services. Discusses the results in detail.

http://www.trueup.net/?p=5364

Digital Fabric Printing Guide - Kim Kight's side-by-side comparisons of the 4 companies on 21 different indices (ranging from price to color matching information)
http://www.trueup.net/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/trueup-dtpguide1.pdf

20 Ideas for Digital Fabric Printing - Kim Kight provides a lot of great ideas for taking advantage of digital fabric printing services
http://www.trueup.net/?p=5309

Textile Artists' Dream Come True?

What if there was available to you a non-toxic invisible "liquid glass" spray that protected fabric surfaces from dirt, heat, acids, and UV radiation while remaining breathable yet remains invisible to the naked eye?

Spray-on Miracle Could Revolutionise Manufacturing - This has got to be too good to be true, but just in case it isn't, I want some - I want it NOW!
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/sprayon-miracle-could-revolutionise-manufacturing-1885158.html

The only question that remains is when it will become available commercially...

Master Quilter Hystercine Rankin Dies

Hystercine Rankin, recipient of a National Endowment for the Arts Heritage Fellowship in 1997, has died at the age of 80. She is best known for the extremely powerful stories told through her quilts about her family's history and about growing up in the segregated rural south - one in particular about the murder of her father. She is one of the quilters featured in Roland Freeman's book, A Communion of the Spirits. Her work has also been featured in many other books, documentaries and magazines.

Mrs. Rankin was a wonderful artist who will be missed not only by her family, but by the art community at-large.

To read the online article about her in today's Clarion-Ledger Newspaper:
http://www.clarionledger.com/article/20100216/NEWS/2160331/1001/newsfrnt/Nationally-known-Lorman-quilt-artist-honored-by-NEA-in-1997-dies-at-age-80
 
National Endowment for the Arts – 1997 National Heritage Fellowship
http://www.arts.gov/honors/heritage/fellows/fellow.php?id=1997_10

Mississippi Quilting: Hystercine Rankin – includes video of her talking about how she began quilting
http://www.arts.state.ms.us/crossroads/quilting/quilting1.html

Craft in America – includes a video of Patty Crosby, the director of Mississippi Cultural Crossroads talking about Mrs. Rankin
http://www.craftinamerica.org/artists_fiber/story_168.php? 

The Alliance for American Quilts Presents: Hystercine Rankin – includes links to an interview, photo gallery, timeline, biography & bibliography
http://www.allianceforamericanquilts.org/treasures/main.php?id=11

All You Need to Know to Screen Print Fabric

Michelle Saintonge breaks down the mechanics of screen printing into a series of easy to understand tutorials that advanced screen printers as well as those new to the process will find extremely useful.

Preparing Your Fabric for Printing or Dyeing *Big Tip Alert*
http://www.printcutsew.com/1461/preparing-your-fabric-for-printing-or-dyeing-big-tip-alert/

The Beginner’s Guide to Sounding Like a Screen Pro – Silkscreen printing terms
http://www.printcutsew.com/259/the-beginners-guide-to-sounding-like-a-screen-print-pro/

Can You Explain That Again? – More terms
http://www.printcutsew.com/376/can-you-explain-that-again/

Screen Print Table to Go - build a print table that is specifically made to print fabric
http://www.printcutsew.com/392/screen-print-table-to-go/

Printed Lace? It’s Easy and Quick. Here’s How
http://www.printcutsew.com/203/printed-lace-its-easy-and-quick-heres-how/

Squeegee Pressure. What’s Important to Know!
http://www.printcutsew.com/824/squeegee-pressure-whats-important-to-know/

CMYK for Photorealistic Screen Printing - This guide will help you produce a four colour CMYK halftone separation of your image to capture the look of a photorealistic image.
http://www.printcutsew.com/454/cmyk-for-photorealistic-screen-printing/

A Full Size Guide to Printing Halftones - This is a guide to silkscreen printing of halftones and the correct mesh count for your dot size.
http://www.printcutsew.com/274/a-full-size-guide-to-printing-halftones/

The How-to of Screen Coating - This how-to shows you step-by-step the proper way to coat your silkscreen frame.
http://www.printcutsew.com/288/the-how-to-of-screen-coating/

Screen Printing 101

Part 1 – Getting Started - This tutorial is the first in a series of three turtorials that teach you everything you need to know about silkscreen printing whether it is on fabric, t-shirts or onto paper.
http://www.printcutsew.com/549/screen-printing-101-part-1-getting-started/

Part 2 – Creating the Stencil - This tutorial shows how you will expose and wash your newly made stencil on your silk screen frame.
http://www.printcutsew.com/649/creating-your-screen-print-stencil/

Part 3 – The Good Stuff - This tutorial focuses on printing onto fabric and paper with a screen print frame.
http://www.printcutsew.com/660/screen-printing-101-part-3-the-good-stuff/

Feeling Exposed? - Here’s a quick guide to exposure times for silkscreens whether you use a pro lamp, task lamp or the sun!
http://www.printcutsew.com/613/feeling-exposed/

Building a Silkscreen Frame from Scratch - Make your Own Screen Print Frame for $10.00.
http://www.printcutsew.com/579/building-a-silkscreen-frame-from-scratch/

What is Screen Printing Registration?

Part 1 - Learning how to register your prints is a very important skill and helps you jump from craft hobbiest to serious printer.
http://www.printcutsew.com/663/what-is-screen-printing-registration-part-1/

Part 2 – How to make sure that each colour in your design exposes on the same location for each of your screens.
http://www.printcutsew.com/1314/screen-printing-registration-part-2/

Part 3 – How to set up your fabric on your print table so you can print repeating patterns over and over again.
http://www.printcutsew.com/1338/screen-printing-registration-part-3-fabric-registration/

Wash and Learn! “Big Tip Alert” – Print colours not lining up? Troubleshooting bad registration.
http://www.printcutsew.com/1469/wash-and-learn-big-tip-alert/

Using Strippers and Banishing Ghosts
http://www.printcutsew.com/1438/using-strippers-and-banishing-ghosts/

Quick and Easy! Build a Screen Print Frame From an Old Picture Frame
http://www.printcutsew.com/81/quick-and-easy-build-your-own-silkscreen-frame/

The Darker Side of Screen Printing – This tutorial will show you how to set up your dark room, or dark corner if that’s all you have
http://www.printcutsew.com/284/the-darker-side-of-screen-printing/

TLC for Your Silk Screen Frames
http://www.printcutsew.com/279/tlc-for-our-silk-screen-frames/

Rip Your Screen? Here’s How to Fix it Fast
http://www.printcutsew.com/276/rip-your-screen-heres-how-to-fix-it-fast/

A Mesh Count for Everything! Well, almost.
http://www.printcutsew.com/272/a-mesh-count-for-everything-well-almost/

Are You Listening? - Haiti Relief Song

The horrific loss of  life and tremendous physical destruction of Port-au-Prince are mind boggling. The video below attests to it with emotion and passion. No one with a soul can listen to or view it without being tremendously moved.

"Are You Listening: A Love Song for Haiti" - Kirk Fanklin & Friends

But there is also another unimaginable price that not only Haitians but the entire world of art will now have to pay...

A Cultural Agony in a Nation Where Art is Life
http://articles.latimes.com/2010/jan/24/world/la-fg-haiti-artists24-2010jan24

Vibrant Haitian Art Vanishes in the Dust
http://www.miamiherald.com/416/story/1443999.html

Quakes Toll on Haitian Art, Heritage and Income
http://www.cnn.com/2010/LIVING/01/29/haitian.art.lost/index.html

Unesco Urges Ban on Trade of Haitian Art
http://www.artinfo.com/news/story/33793/unesco-urges-ban-on-trade-of-haitian-art/

EXAMPLES of HAITIAN TEXTILE ART (sequined vodou flags are the best known examples):

Drapo Vodou: Haitian Vodou Flags (scroll down for many examples - click on pictures for close-up views)
http://www.indigoarts.com/news_drapovodou2008.html

Haitian Art - Voodoo Flags - click on pictures for close-up views
http://www.nigerbend.com/catalog.php?cat=42

The Power of Haitian Art - click on pictures for close-up views
http://rosalindcummingsyeates.blogspot.com/2010/01/power-of-haitian-art.html

Branding for Artists

"...branding is important because it allows your art, your lifestyle, and your passions to be displayed as a uniform strategy. It is a "holistic" approach to your art that allows a symbiosis between your personality and your artistic expression."  from How to Create an Artist's Brand 

How to Create an Artist's Brand - Kelley Stevens
http://www.nowpublic.com/style/how-create-artists-brand

Branding 101 for Artists: How to Create a Strong Brand for Yourself and Your Art - Gregory Peters
http://emptyeasel.com/2009/03/02/branding-101-for-artists-how-to-create-a-strong-brand-for-yourself-and-your-art/

Branding: The Importance of Name Recognition - Jennifer Walling
http://artcafe.net/?p=174

Is Branding Important for Artists? - Olga Slavkina
http://www.schmoozyfox.com/2009/10/is-branding-important-for-artists/

What Do We Have to Say? - Barrett Yeretsian
http://artistempowerment.com/what-do-we-have-to-say/

Diving Deeper in the Ocean of Your Brand - Barrett Yeretsian
http://artistempowerment.com/diving-deeper-into-the-ocean-of-your-brand/

The Artist and the Brand - Jonathan E. Schroeder (This is an abstract of a paper in the European Journal of Marketing - click the "One-Click Download" link at the top of the page to download the full article to your Adobe pdf reader).
http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=690270

Social Media Branding for Artists - George Aiello

Part 1
http://www.artistpresentations.com/blogs/george/616/social-media-branding-artists-part-1

Part 2
http://www.artistpresentations.com/blogs/george/788/social-media-branding-artists-part-2

Brand Yourself as an Artist on Twitter - Lori McNee
http://www.finearttips.com/?p=1809

Print Your Own Fabric Resources

Textile artists have long bemoaned not being able to find just "the right fabric design" or "the right color" to suit what's in their "mind's eye" for their art. An increasing number of companies are using newly available technology to address these needs.

From swatch size to yardage up to 20 yards or more, having your own designs printed onto your choice of fabric is now a reality without the size, color, equipment expense and other limitations (or hassles) often associated trying to do this using home-based printers.

The choices for the type (as well as weight) of fabric on which your design can be printed are many, including cotton, linen, silk, polyester, rayon, suede, ramie, hemp and wool. Organic cottons, bamboo & cotton knits also are available.

Certainly its not inexpensive ($16.25 - $33.00/yard), but these costs are no higher than the hand-dyed and other specialty fabrics we often purchase. With exception of some of the specialty fabics (e.g., 100%bamboo and 100% organic cottons), there are no mininum yardage purchase requirements.

Following are the three companies of which I am aware that currently offer these services:

Fabric on Demand
http://fabricondemand.com/

Karmakraft
http://karmakraft.com/

Spoonflower - This is the first company to get into the field (in October 2008)
http://www.spoonflower.com/welcome

Textile Related Tutorials - Part 5

Despite my hiatus from blogging for the past few months, textile artists have continued to freely share their ideas, inspirations and techniques. So my return to the blogosphere begins with some great additional tutorial resources.

    Previously posted tutorials made available through the generosity of textile artists               Textile Related Tutorials - Part 4  
               Textile Related Tutorials - Part 3
               Textile Related Tutorials - Part 2
               Textile Related Tutorials - Part 1
 
Texture Magic Demo Book - Superior Threads has produced a 14 page tutorial on how to use the Texture Magic product (Texture Magic is sewn to the fabric of your choice. When steam is applied, the Texture Magic shrinks about 30% in all directions, causing your fabric to change into a textured material.
http://www.buffalums.com/Texture-Magic-Demo.pdf

Texture Magic Videos - in a 3-part series of demos (approximately 9 minutes each), Patsy Thompson shows how to use Texture Magic to create dimension in fabrics.
http://www.quilt-video.com/2009/10/16/texture-magic/

Water Soluble Fabric & Machine Embroidery - 24:14 minute video with Anne Griffiths - shows both general and in-depth information about her process with many examples of her techniques.
http://www.countrychannel.tv/player.php/?player=TheNewCountryChannel&ct=1&ids=299054

Landscapes Using Foils & Velvets - 24:53 minute video with Angie Hughes about creating landscapes using velvets and foils - shows both general and in-depth information about her process with many examples of her techniques.
http://www.countrychannel.tv/player.php/?player=TheNewCountryChannel&ct=1&ids=299153

Free Machine Embroidery - 24:40 minute video with Linda Miller - shows both general and in-depth information about her process with many examples of her techniques.
http://www.countrychannel.tv/player.php?channel=countrychannel&program=298305

Cold Water Dyeing - 24:51 minute video with Myfanwy Hart - shows both general and in-depth information about her process with many examples of her techniques.
http://www.countrychannel.tv/player.php/?player=TheNewCountryChannel&ct=1&ids=298898

Creating Surface Through Slashing - 23:36 minute video with Fay Maxwell - shows both general and in-depth information about her process with many examples of her techniques.
http://www.countrychannel.tv/player.php/?player=TheNewCountryChannel&ct=1&ids=297884

Melting/Fusing/Burning to Create New Surfaces - 24:31 minute video with Kim Thittachai - shows both general and in-depth information about her process with many examples of her techniques.
http://www.countrychannel.tv/player.php/?player=TheNewCountryChannel&ct=1&ids=297735

Creating Landscapes - 23:46 minute video with Gilda Baron - shows both general and in-depth information about her process with many examples of her techniques.
http://www.countrychannel.tv/player.php/?player=TheNewCountryChannel&ct=1&ids=296822

Silk Painting - 25:07 minute video with Jill Kennedy - shows both general and in-depth information about her process with many examples of her techniques.
http://www.countrychannel.tv/player.php/?player=TheNewCountryChannel&ct=1&ids=296704

Furoshiki Gift Wrapping - 2:44 minute video about how to wrap your presents in cloth which can be used again and again to avoid using wrapping paper which rarely can be recycled. Using it to wrap books, bottles, and a box of chocolates are demonstrated. Also demonstrated is how to create a no-sew carry-all bag.
http://vimeo.com/2321507

Textured Leaves - Carolyn Saxby - This is a step-by-step tutorial (with many close-up pictures) for creating very unique and interesting textured/dimensional leaves from mixed media including felt, fabric scraps, chiffon, organza, silk, plastic, carrier bags, metallic fabrics, etc. using machine and hand embroidery techniques.
http://carolynsaxby.blogspot.com/2009/07/mixed-media-textiles-tutorial-leaves.html

Making Beads with Tyvek, Cellophane, Angelina Fibres and Metallic Threads - Carolyn Saxby - step-by-step tutorial with close-up pictures
http://carolynsaxby.blogspot.com/2009/06/making-beads-with-tyvek-cellophane.html

Making Beads from Tyvek - Carolyn Saxby - step-by-step tutorials with close-up pictures
   
        Part I - http://carolynsaxby.blogspot.com/2009/04/tutorial-making-beads-from-tyvek.html
        Part II - This is the same method but shows how to add lustre & sheen
                      by incorporating metallic threads
                    http://carolynsaxby.blogspot.com/2009/04/this-post-follows-on-from-previous-post.html

Making Beads from Cello Sweet Wrappers, Angelina Fibres and Metallic Threads - Carolyn Saxby - step-by-step tutorial with close-up pictures
http://carolynsaxby.blogspot.com/2009/06/making-beads-from-cello-sweet-wrappers.html

Making Beads with Angelina Fibres - Carolyn Saxby
http://carolynsaxby.blogspot.com/2009/06/making-beads-with-angelina-fibres.html

Making Beads from Plastic Carrier Bags and Cellophane Sweet Wrappers - Carolyn Saxby - step-by-step tutorial with close-up pictures
http://carolynsaxby.blogspot.com/2009/06/making-beads-from-plastic-carrier-bags.html

Curved Binding - Sharon Schamber - video step-by-step instructions in 5-parts about how to apply difficult curved bindings.

Part I - 9 minutes
http://www.quiltstream.com/play/Sharon_Schamber_Videos/Curved_Binding_Part_1


Part II - 9:36 minutes
http://www.quiltstream.com/play/Sharon_Schamber_Videos/Curved_Binding_Part_2


Part III - 9:29 minutes
http://www.quiltstream.com/play/Sharon_Schamber_Videos/Curved_Binding_Part_3


Part IV - 9:49 minutes
http://www.quiltstream.com/play/Sharon_Schamber_Videos/Curved_Binding_Part_4


Part V - 4:36 minutes
http://www.quiltstream.com/play/Sharon_Schamber_Videos/Curved_Binding_Part_5

Beading by Machine - Terry White - This 9:12 minute video demonstrates her methods of machine beading
http://www.bonniemccaffery.com/wordpress1/?p=66

Lettering with Lisa Engelbrecht - This 10:06 minute video shows how Lisa adds beautiful lettering to fabrics
http://www.bonniemccaffery.com/wordpress1/?p=60

Photos on Fabric with Maggie Grey - In this 10:07 minute video, Maggie demonstrates one of her techniques for transferring photos to fabric
http://www.bonniemccaffery.com/wordpress1/?p=61

Demo! Flour Paste Batik - Bridget Benton
http://eyesaflame.blogspot.com/2008/06/demo-flour-paste-batik.html

Mounting & Framing Tutorials - Lyric Kinard
http://www.lyrickinard.com/tutorials.html

Katazome & Nassen - Akemi Nakano Cohn (a pre-eminent Japanese textile printing/dyeing technique expert) has started a blog in which she answers questions and shares information about these techniques.
http://www.akeminakanocohn.blogspot.com/

Wholecloth Facing Quilt Finish - Brenda Gael Smith
http://serendipitypatchwork.com.au/blog/2008/02/02/wholecloth-facing-quilt-finish/

Continuous Binding Without Bulges - Brenda Gael Smith
http://serendipitypatchwork.com.au/blog/2008/04/01/continuous-binding-without-bulges/

Mitred Facing Tutorial - Brenda Gael Smith
http://serendipitypatchwork.com.au/blog/2008/05/27/mitred-facing-tutorial/

My Favorite Quilt Facing Finish - Brenda Gael Smith
http://serendipitypatchwork.com.au/blog/2009/01/13/my-favourite-quilt-facing-finish/

Facings for Quilts - Jeri Riggs
http://jeririggs.blogspot.com/2008/02/facings-for-quilts.html

Art Quilt Binding - Robin Ferrier
http://quiltantics.blogspot.com/2007/06/art-quilt-binding.html

Zigzagged Edge Finish instead of a Binding - Terry Grant
http://andsewitgoes.blogspot.com/2007_11_01_archive.html

Escape Hatch Finish - Melody Johnson
http://fibermania.blogspot.com/2009/02/escape-hatch-finish-i-had-request-from.html

Machine Quilting FAQ - Melody Johnson
http://fibermania.blogspot.com/2005/12/machine-quilting.html

FAQ on Fusing - Melody Johnson
http://fibermania.blogspot.com/2005/12/qa.html

Steps to fusing a Pattern - Melody Johnson
http://fibermania.blogspot.com/2005/08/fuchsias.html

Fusing a Design - Melody Johnson
http://fibermania.blogspot.com/2006/01/psst-two-new-workshops-are-now.html

Using Teflon Pressing Sheets for Fusible Applique - Valerie Hearder
http://www.valeriehearder.com/teflonprint.htm

Fusing with LiquidThread (formerly Liquifuse) - Terry Grant
http://andsewitgoes.blogspot.com/2006/04/my-fusing-method.html

Portable Design Wall - Melody Johnson
http://fibermania.blogspot.com/2005/03/portable-design-wall.html

Quilt Blocking: A Short Tutorial - Nadine
http://www.dreamweavers-quilts.com/quilt-epiphany/2008/11/16/quilt-blocking-a-short-tutorial/

Batik for Complete Beginners - Lois Parker
http://www.thetextiledirectory.com/newsarticle/Batik-for-complete-beginners/image/6/

Fun with Shaving Cream & Tsukineko Ink - 8 1/2 minute Youtube video - Trish Stuart
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJaFykdSL8A

How to Marble Fabric on Shaving Cream - 5 minute YouTube video - Mr. Marble shows how to use Tsukineko Inks on Shaving Cream to marble fabric and create original designs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vhBJiQjn3zA

Machine Trapunto Part 1 (Preparing the Quilt Top for Trapunto) - 7 1/2 minute YouTube video - Pat Sern
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_wgE74Mro4

Machine Trapunto Part 2 (Machine Quilting & Embroidery) - 8 minute YouTube video - Pat Sern
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uZracYi4ooI

How Not to Pack a Sewing Machine - Bob Bannen - This is a factual account (with pictures) of how an antique sewing machine he ordered had been packed.
http://www.sew2go.com/hownottopack.htm

Packing Sewing Machines to Arrive Safely - Bob Bannen - Instructions on how to pack antique and collectible sewing machines for shipment
http://www.sew2go.com/packingseries.htm

Safely Pack and Ship a Sewing Machine
http://www.instructables.com/id/Safely-pack-and-ship-a-sewing-machine./

Working with Difficult Threads - Linda Schmidt - Gives excellent information - Click on the "Filament Fantasy" link
http://home.comcast.net/~shortattn/filament_fantasy.htm

Textile Related Tutorials - Part 4

More tutorials made available through the generosity of textile artists

Textile Related Tutorials - Part 3

Textile Related Tutorials - Part 2

Textile Related Tutorials - Part 1

Needlepoint Lace Tutorial - This tutorial will show you how to create a small piece of needlepoint lace just using a needle and thread (mostly out of buttonhole stitches).
http://textiledreamer.wordpress.com/needlepoint-lace-tutorial/

Introduction to Extreme Needle Felting
http://www.quilterskeeplearning.com/Beths%20stuff/Introduction%20to%20Extreme%20Needle%20Felting-1.pdf

Faux Stone Effect on Fabric
http://www.quilterskeeplearning.com/Beths%20stuff/Stone%20Effect%20on%20Fabric.pdf

Photo Transfer with Hand and Brush Cleaner - Beth Wheeler http://www.quilterskeeplearning.com/Beths%20stuff/Image%20Transfer%20Tutorial-1.pdf

Foiling Fabric with Bonding Powder
http://fibreinform.com/documents/bondingpowder.pdf

Foiling Fabric with Fusible webbing
http://fibreinform.com/documents/fusiblefoil.pdf

Foil with Fusible Vilene
http://fibreinform.com/documents/basicfoiltutorialcarol.pdf

Guide to the Basics of Beading and Embellishment - Betty Blais
http://www.embellishmentvillage.com/UserFiles/File/free%20guide%20to%20beading.pdf

Using Adirondack Alcohol Inks on Fabric
http://www.joggles.com/alcoholinksonfabric.htm

A Primer on Gels, Mediums & Pastes - Jessica Rich & Barbara Strembicki
http://www.joggles.com/gelsmediums.htm

Working with Lazertran - Barbara Strembicki
http://www.joggles.com/lazertran.htm

Experiments with Lutradur - Barbara Strembicki
http://www.joggles.com/lutradurtutorial.htm

Image Transfer [rust dyeing] - Lois Jarvis
http://rust-tex.com/html/image_transfer.html

Mounted on Plexiglass – Lyric Kinard
http://www.lyrickinard.com/mounted_on_plexiglass.html

Mounted on Mat Board – Lyric Kinard
http://www.lyrickinard.com/mounted_on_matboard.html

Mounted on Gallery Wrapped Canvas – Lyric Kinard
http://www.lyrickinard.com/gallery_wrapped_canvas.html

Matted and Framed - Lyric Kinard
http://www.lyrickinard.com/matted_and_framed.html

Mounted on Stretcher Bars – Lyric Kinard
http://www.lyrickinard.com/stretcher_bars.html

Transfering Patterns to Fusible Fabric
http://textiletraveler.blogspot.com/2009/05/tutorial-transferring-patterns-to.html

Sashiko Tutorial – The Purl Bee
http://www.purlbee.com/sashiko-tutorial/

Bobbin Work Tutorial – 1: Cathy Breedyk Law
http://catharinablog.blogspot.com/2008/04/techniques-bobbin-work.html

Bobbin Work Tutorial – 2: Cathy Breedyk Law
http://catharinablog.blogspot.com/2008/04/new-piece-city-cat.html

Bobbin Work Tutorial – 3: Ribbon - Cathy Breedyk Law
http://catharinablog.blogspot.com/2008/05/bobbin-work.html

Free Motion Tutorial – 1: Cathy Breedyk Law
http://catharinablog.blogspot.com/2008/06/free-motion-practice.html

Free Motion Tutorial – 2: Cathy Breedyk Law
http://catharinablog.blogspot.com/2008/06/if-you-want-to-get-really-good-at-free.html

Free Motion Tutorial – 3 : Cathy Breedyk Law
http://catharinablog.blogspot.com/2008/06/free-motion-practice-3.html

Free Motion Tutorial – 4: Cathy Breedyk Law
http://catharinablog.blogspot.com/2008/06/free-motion-4.html

Free Motion Tutorial – 5: Trapping Sequins Under a Sheer Fabric - Cathy Breedyk Law
http://catharinablog.blogspot.com/2008/06/free-motion-tutorial-5.html

How to do Free Motion Quilting on a Standard Sewing Machine – Kimbuktu
http://kimbuktu.net/howtosfreestylequilt.html

Fannie's Fabric Paper Tutorial – Fannie Narte
http://fanniecarte.blogspot.com/2008/06/fannies-fabric-paper-tutorial.html

Tyvek and Lumiere Paint Melted Altered Art Technique - Allison Ray - Lots of pictures
http://www.sewfunpatterns.com/tyvek.html

Fiber Fusion Technique - Allison Ray
http://www.sewfunpatterns.com/tyvek.html

Tyvek Samples - Micki - Using Tyvek with stamps
http://sewcre8ive.blogspot.com/2007/03/tyvek-samples.html

Quilting by Tacking - Dena Crain
http://http//www.denacrain.com/blog/?page_id=674

Quilting Backwards - Dena Crain
http://www.denacrain.com/blog/?page_id=661

Fusible Patterns for Art Quilts - Dena Crain
http://denacrain.com/blog/?page_id=234

Richard Box: From Drawing to Free Machine Embroidery – 9 minute YouTube video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8JWRtsyoLhQ&feature=related

Designing by Thread – Threads & Settings Part 1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mvx8Ni_bFNk

Designing by Thread – Threads & Settings Part 2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xaw19eoD5eY

Embellishmentality – Part 1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nAD1-p9hdts

Embellishmentality – Part 2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uT2VMIbPI4M

Curved Checkerboard Tutorial - Linda Matthews
http://inspire.creative-textile-and-quilting-arts.com/curved-checkerboard-tutorial/

Making Beads from Tyvek - Carolyn Saxby
Part 1
http://carolynsaxby.blogspot.com/2009/04/tutorial-making-beads-from-tyvek.html

Part 2
http://carolynsaxby.blogspot.com/2009/04/this-post-follows-on-from-previous-post.html

Recap - In case you missed it (July 2008 - June 2009)

Following are some of the topics posted this past year (July 2008 – June 2009)
that you may have missed or want to revisit:

Recap – In case you missed it (June 2007 – June 2008) – posted July 3, 2008

http://creativityjourney.blogspot.com/2008/07/recap-in-case-you-missed-it.html

Artist Residencies – Part II – posted July 10, 2008

http://creativityjourney.blogspot.com/2008/07/artist-residencies-part-ii.html

Shifting Gears: Trust the Spiral – Edward Winkleman – posted July 17, 2008

http://creativityjourney.blogspot.com/2008/07/shifting-gears-trust-spiral-edward.html

Textile Related Tutorials – Part 2 – posted July 24, 2008

http://creativityjourney.blogspot.com/2008/07/textile-related-tutorials-part-2.html

Business Insurance for Studio Artists – posted July 31, 2008

http://creativityjourney.blogspot.com/2008/07/business-insurance-for-studio-artists.html

Pano: Art from the “Inside” Out – posted August 7, 2008

http://creativityjourney.blogspot.com/2008/08/pao-art-from-inside-out.html

Self-Portraiture - Part II - posted August 14, 2008

http://creativityjourney.blogspot.com/2008/08/self-portraiture-part-ii.html

Textile and Yarn Shopping: New York & Los Angeles - posted August 21, 2008

http://creativityjourney.blogspot.com/2008/08/textile-yarn-shopping-new-york-los.html

Just For Fun – Presidential Campaign – posted August 29, 2008
http://creativityjourney.blogspot.com/2008/08/just-for-fun.html

Updated: Arts Positions of Presidential Candidates – posted October 6, 2008
http://creativityjourney.blogspot.com/2008/10/update-arts-positions-of-presidential.html

Petition to Obama for a Secretary of the Arts – posted January 10, 2009
http://creativityjourney.blogspot.com/2009/01/petition-to-obama-for-secretary-of-arts.html

Newsweek Article re New Administration & the Arts – posted January 17, 2009
http://creativityjourney.blogspot.com/2009/01/newsweek-article-re-new-administration.html

Artist Residencies – Part III – posted February 7, 2009
http://creativityjourney.blogspot.com/2009/02/artist-residencies-part-iii.html

Textile Related Podcasts – posted February 14, 2009
http://creativityjourney.blogspot.com/2009/02/textile-related-podcasts-part-1.html

Visual Artist Mentor/Mentee Programs – posted February 21, 2009
http://creativityjourney.blogspot.com/2009/02/visual-artist-mentormentee-programs.html

Textile Sculpture – Part I – posted February 28, 2009
http://creativityjourney.blogspot.com/2009/02/textile-sculpture-part-1.html

Textile Sculpture – Part 2: El Aantsui, Takashi Horisaki, Loren Schwerd – posted March 4, 2009
http://creativityjourney.blogspot.com/2009/03/textile-sculpture-part-2-el-anatsui.html

Free Museum Admission – posted March 8, 2009
http://creativityjourney.blogspot.com/2009/03/free-museum-admission.html

Estate and Legacy Planning for Artists – posted March 12, 2009
http://creativityjourney.blogspot.com/2009/03/estate-and-legacy-planning-for-artists.html

Textile Sculpture – Part 3: Nick Cave, Aminah Brenda Lynn Robinson, Lisa Lichtenfels – posted March 21, 2009
http://creativityjourney.blogspot.com/2009/03/textile-sculpture-part-3-nick-cave.html

Writing with Thread Exhibit: Traditional Textiles of Southwest Chinese Minorities – posted March 30, 2009
http://creativityjourney.blogspot.com/2009/03/writing-with-thread-exhibit-traditional.html

Demystifying Devore DVE – Dionne Swift – posted April 3, 2009
http://creativityjourney.blogspot.com/2009/04/demystifying-devore-dvd-dionne-swift.html

Kimono as Art: The Landscapes of Itchiku Kubota – posted April 4, 2009
http://creativityjourney.blogspot.com/2009/04/kimono-as-art-landscapes-of-itchiku.html

Tyvek Disintegration??? – posted April 8, 2009
http://creativityjourney.blogspot.com/2009/04/tyvek-disintegration.html

Just for Fun – posted April 13, 2009
http://creativityjourney.blogspot.com/2009/04/just-for-fun.html

Robin Barcus – The Making of Willow Creek Dress – posted April 21, 2009
http://creativityjourney.blogspot.com/2009/04/robin-barcus-making-of-willow-creek.html

Textile Sculpture – Part 4: Carolyn Crump, Susan Else, Yoshimi Kihara – posted April 27, 2009
http://creativityjourney.blogspot.com/2009/04/textile-sculpture-part-4-carolyn-crump.html

Textile Related Tutorials – Part 3 – posted May 4, 2009
http://creativityjourney.blogspot.com/2009/05/textile-related-tutorials-part-3.html

Arts Action Alert – posted May 8, 2009
http://creativityjourney.blogspot.com/2009/05/arts-action-alert.html

Public Art Handbooks/Guides – posted May 11, 2009
http://creativityjourney.blogspot.com/2009/05/public-art-handbooksguides.html

Artist Residencies – Part IV – posted May 17, 2009
http://creativityjourney.blogspot.com/2009/05/artist-residencies-part-iv.html

Raoul Dufy: A Celebration of Beauty – posted May 24, 2009
http://creativityjourney.blogspot.com/2009/05/raoul-dufy-celebration-of-beauty.html

Quotable Quotes – posted May 31, 2009
http://creativityjourney.blogspot.com/2009/05/quotable-quotes.html

Textile Related Postage Stamps – posted June 15, 2009
http://creativityjourney.blogspot.com/2009/06/textile-related-postage-stamps.html

Textile Sculpture – Part 5: Ruth Asawa, Karen Searle, Sarah Hewitt, Olga de Amaral – posted June 22, 2009
http://creativityjourney.blogspot.com/2009/06/textile-sculpture-part-5-ruth-asawa.html

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Complete Textile Glossary - posted June 28, 2009

http://creativityjourney.blogspot.com/2009/06/complete-textile-glossary.html

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Americans for the Arts Arts Action Alert - posted June 29, 2009

http://creativityjourney.blogspot.com/2009/06/americans-for-arts-arts-action-alert.html

Americans for the Arts Arts Action Alert

Arts Action Alert - Take Action Now!

Great news!

On Friday, the U.S. House of Representatives approved a $15 million increase for both the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) for FY 2010. Currently funded at $155 million, this increase would bring both agencies' budgets to $170 million. Please take two minutes to write to your Senators and urge them to support this important funding increase!

Thanks to the arts leadership of House Interior Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman Norm Dicks (D-WA) and Congressional Arts Caucus co-chair Louise Slaughter (D-NY), this House-approved funding increase for the NEA exceeds President Obama's budget request by $8.7 million and is the highest proposed appropriation for the NEA since its $176 million peak in FY 1992. On June 25, corresponding legislation in the Senate Appropriations Committee set NEA and NEH funding at only $161.3 million each.

Next Steps:
We must now put pressure on the Senate to match the funding level set in the House of Representatives. Please take two minutes to visit Americans for the Arts E-Advocacy Center to send a letter to your Senators:
http://capwiz.com/artsusa/issues/alert/?alertid=13627991

Complete Textile Glossary

Complete Textile Glossary - This free 211 page online book is a pdf file that is downloadable and printable. Compiled by Celanese Acetate LLC, this is the fifth edition and is an incredibly detailed resource with over 2,000 entries and is an illustrated dictionary of fiber and textile technology that includes coverage of advanced materials-composites, aerospace textiles, geotextiles, and new fiberforming polymers.
http://www.celaneseacetate.com/textile_glossary_filament_acetate.pdf

Textile Sculpture - Part 5: Ruth Asawa, Karen Searle, Sarah Hewitt, Olga de Amaral

More stunning work by fiber artists exploring different disciplines

RUTH ASAWA

Ruth Asawa - Ruth Asawa is renowned for her
wire and fiber sculptures. Explore all pages of her
website to learn about her creative process.
http://www.ruthasawa.com/

Oral History Interview – this is the transcript of
a 2002 interview that is archived at the Smithsonian
http://www.aaa.si.edu/collections/oralhistories/transcripts/asawa02.htm

Ruth Asawa: A Life in Art – an article by Pam RuBert
posted to the Ragged Cloth Café blog
http://raggedclothcafe.com/2008/01/30/ruth-asawa-a-life-in-art-by-pam-rubert/

YouTube Video – 8 ½ minute video – Daniell Cornell,
Curator at the San Jose Museum of Art talks about Ruth
Asawa’s exhibit, “Contours in the Air”. It includes an
interview by phone with her oldest daughter.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ir5vq7FogSg

_____________________

KAREN SEARLE

Karen Searle – knits and crochets into 3-dimensional
form any malleable medium, from linen to wire to hog
gut to telephone cable. Her predominant interest is in
exploration of the feminine form
http://www.karensearle.com/Fiber_Works/gallery.aspx
http://www.mnartists.org/work.do?pageIndex=1&rid=166329
– click image for large close-up

_____________________

SARAH HEWITT

Sarah Hewitt – “I choose to sculpt using fibers – using a variety of materials from jute twine from the hardware store to bark peeled fresh from a tree, and cloth purposed for commercial fishing. To build an object I use a variety of textile techniques – stitching, knitting, crochet, coiling, weaving – any form of joinery. My forms develop from the materials’ strengths and weakness. They border on the yonic and womb-like, referencing nests, bindings, and scarification.”
http://www.sarahhewitt.com/gallery.php?port=2

In her blog, Sarah goes into detail about her artistic and creative thought process as well as in-depth info about “The Love Armor” project
http://sarahhewitt.com/blog/
_____________________________

OLGA DE AMARAL

Olga de Amaral is a Columbian Textile Artist
whose works often “…take the form of large
tapestries covered with gold or silver leaf…” [and]
“…is one of the textile artists who, in the 1960s,
first turned textile arts from a primarily two-
dimensional representational art form into a
three-dimensional, abstract art form.”
http://www.omahapubliclibrary.org/events/gallery/ml-textile-sculpture-alt.html

The Sun Queen – this is an in-depth 3-page
article about Olga de Amaral in TREND
(art+design+architecture) magazine – wonderful
pictures
http://www.bellasartesgallery.com/artistsstudio1.html

Landscapes of Imagination – gives details
and images of an installation of her tapestries
http://www.bellasartesgallery.com/amaral.html

More Images – click on images for close-up views
http://www.artincontext.org/artist/artist_images.aspx?id=3368
http://www.artnet.fr/Galleries/Artists_detail.asp?G=&gid=138&which=&aid=1443&ViewArtistBy=online&rta=http://www.artnet.fr

Textile Related Postage Stamps

Embroidery for postage stamps brings national RSA [Royal Society of encouragement of the Arts] award
http://www.hud.ac.uk/news/05_07/textiles/crafts/rsa_michelle.htm

Textiles has been a popular theme for postage stamps throughout the world. Here are a few of them, arranged by country.
http://www.allfiberarts.com/library/aa00/aa100200.htm

Gallery of Stamps with a Textile Theme
http://www.paivatar.com/AFA/library/aa00/aa100200.htm

Russian Stamps: Turkmen Picking Cotton
http://www.stamprussia.com/681b.jpg

Sewing Equipment for Army
http://www.stamprussia.com/841b.jpg

Textile Mill
http://www.stamprussia.com/1366b.jpg

Lace Maker
http://www.stamprussia.com/1994b.jpg

Israel
http://www.flickr.com/photos/karenhorton/3265285796/

Lace
http://lace.lacefairy.com/Lace/LaceStamps/LaceStamps.htm
http://www.caratexstamps.com/04_GALLERY/06_NonLoom/lace1.html
http://www.annmcclean.co.uk/LaceStamps/stamps.html

Embroidery
http://www.caratexstamps.com/04_GALLERY/08_EmbdSew/embroidery.html

Sewing
http://www.caratexstamps.com/04_GALLERY/08_EmbdSew/sewing.html

Bayeux Tapestry
http://www.caratexstamps.com/04_GALLERY/08_EmbdSew/bayeux.html

Carpets
http://www.caratexstamps.com/04_GALLERY/05_Woven/carpet.html

Spinning Wheels
http://www.caratexstamps.com/04_GALLERY/03_Spinning/spgwheel.html

Hand Looms
http://www.caratexstamps.com/04_GALLERY/04_Weaving/handlooms.html

Gee's Bend Quilt Stamps
http://www.usps.com/communications/news/stamps/2006/sr06_042.htm

Amish Quilt Stamps
http://www.usps.com/news/2001/philatelic/sr01_050.htm

Art of the American Indian Stamps
http://www.usps.com/communications/news/stamps/2004/sr04_053.htm

Knitting on Stamps
http://papercrave.com/2007-holiday-postage-stamps/

A Postage Stamp Commemorates Isfahan as the 'City of Polish Children' - "The stamp commemorates two things: a huge tragedy in Poland's history, and how Iran helped rescue some of the victims. But to understand the whole story – which today is largely forgotten outside Poland – one must go back to the very start of World War II.
http://tea-and-carpets.blogspot.com/2008/09/postage-stamp-commemorates-isfahan-as.html