Thom Browne's Kissed by a Rose NYFW

Check out these pictures from New York Fashion Week's Thom Browne show, "Kissed by a Rose". From style bubble in london.

http://www.stylebubble.co.uk/style_bubble/2013/02/kissed-by-a-rose.html

Brilliant, provocative, gorgeous, historical, sexy....red.

Needle Felting Basics - Workshop

Needle felting

I'm really excited to announce that I'm giving my first workshop in Needle Felting on March 10 at a cool space in East Ballard called Space to Create. The workshop is $45 and includes all materials: wool roving, foam mat, and two felting needles. We'll be experimenting with fiber and will focus on making pins, rings and cuffs. You'll be with other folks who love to make things with their hands and if you love stabbing things...this really is for you!

To sign up visit the workshop page and email or phone in your registration.
spacetocreate@spacetocreate.net

phone 206.784.0401

1414 NW 70th St.
Seattle, WA 98117

See you there.

Hearts From My Hands

Sterling Silver heart

I've been in a heart making frenzy, working in metal mostly to get Valentine's Day items ready for my etsy shop. I made a heart die using a product called Faux Bone and I've been using it to form 3-D heart shapes. First I anneal and texture the metal so they all have interesting surface treatment. Then I usually add a patina, liver of sulpher or dormant spray to make the surface more interesting. I've put a few of them on sterling silver chains, some just on a simple black rubber necklace. Here is what I've done so far....

XOX Pendant Copper and Brass

Sterling Silver Heart with Hammered Texture

Brass Heart

Sterling Silver heart with patina and net texture

Back side of pendant

More needle felting

Needle felted doll with turquoise skirt

I hadn't made any needle felted dolls in a long time so yesterday, sick with the flu, I got out my roving and started stabbing fiber. This is the result...

Pedal to the Metal

I've been taking classes in metalsmithing for the last few months and I love this medium. My favorite part is texturing metal and then adding patinas. I have etched, hammered and fold formed brass, copper and silver and have made some earrings, bracelets and pendants which show all these techniques. You can see them in my etsy store and I'll post some pictures here.
artnest on etsy

Hammered brass dangle earrings

Fold formed Brass cuff

Pierced and textured sterling silver pendant with brass underneath.

Etched copper earrings with patina

Fold formed dangle earrings with patina

More needle felting and knitting up on Etsy

Here are two new listings for my Etsy shop, Artnest. One is a needle felted pin in the shape of a house with embroidery and seed beads. The other is a hand knit scarf with fabulous colors which are good for chasing away the winter blues.
http://www.etsy.com/shop/artnestbydiane

Needle felted pin with hand dyed silk and beads

Hand knit ribbed scarf

Looking for a new direction

I'm wrestling with the winter doldrums...it's a combination of cold and gray with a large dose of frustration at being unable to find a job. It is hard to see the bright side of the inevitable swing of the pendulum...surely the sun will come out again, I'll be able to pay the mortgage and all will be well with the world. ... right?

Some antidotes: draw and paint in my journal everyday.
Dance at least once a week.
Plan a trip for something to look forward to.

Any other suggestions?