Foundations in Felt

CRAFT - update + Other Events

noreply@blogger.com (Laura) — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 23:18:00 +0000

Well, as you will have noticed, the CRAFT sale on Sunday at the Lipstick was cancelled due to the ominous weather forecast. It will happen this coming Sunday, June 8 instead -
BUT
I won't be in town for that weekend. I am, however, signed up for the next one, on July 6! (Hopefully it will be a wee bit cooler than it's predicted to be this weekend - whew!!)

Look for me as a "Featured Artist" for July on the CRAFT website!

Felt workshop followup

noreply@blogger.com (Laura) — Fri, 30 May 2008 15:27:00 +0000

Hi all!

We had a small but enthusiastic felt scarf class at the Middle TN Wool and Fiber Fest in Dickson last weekend. Thanks to my wonderful students for bringing shredded silk sari threads - they look absolutely wonderful in the wool felt! I know they will look forward to the first opportunity to show off their scarves - even if it isn't a cold day!

The fiber fest was a wonderful treat, full of interesting workshops, wonderful fibers and tools, and lots of adorable fiber (and some non-fiber) animals. Check out the website for information on this and future fiber festivals in our area!!

Next appearance of Foundations in Felt

noreply@blogger.com (Laura) — Wed, 28 May 2008 22:13:00 +0000

For those of you that might have missed the May TACA Craft Fair, there will be another chance (assuming it doesn't rain) to come and see me! I will be making an appearance at the CRAFT: a creative community 1st Sunday Craft sale in East Nashville in the parking lot of the Lipstick Lounge. There will be a whole herd of cool, hip, and new handcrafted items for sale there - I think you'll love the whole vibe. The sale day runs from 11-5, so I hope to see you there!!

Laura

GET YOUR CRAFT ON!!

See you at Centennial Park this weekend!

noreply@blogger.com (Laura) — Thu, 01 May 2008 00:31:00 +0000

TACA is here! (Well, almost...) I am so excited because I am going to have a whole bunch of new things in my booth this year. New gift items, summer-weight silk scarves, and my new Planet Purse! (There aren't many of these yet, they are such a new design!) And that's not all!

Come out and see what's new!! I'll be near where I was last May, in the row closest to West End Avenue.

See you there! - Laura

(For more about the Tennessee Craft Fair weekend, go to www.tennesseecrafts.org)

March 15 Hafla in Lebanon

noreply@blogger.com (Laura) — Sun, 09 Mar 2008 05:49:00 +0000

Tennessee, that is. Yes, thanks to the hip tribal bellydance scene at Krooners in Lebanon, I will be making an appearance with some cool felted, beaded jewelry (bracelets, hairsticks, etc.) for sale at the bellydance party!!! It's all new, so come check it out at 7 p.m.! (And you've never seen bellydancing like this, really!)

Check out Stella Luna Tribal Bellydance on YouTube, if you don't believe me.

Oh, and I'll also be leading a middle-eastern drumming circle, if you dig drumming, and you can also get some good down-home Cajun food and some beer, too. See ya there!
Laura
(Krooners is at 220 E. High St., Lebanon TN 37087)

Cross posting for March 8 from Nashville email fiber list!

noreply@blogger.com (Laura) — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 03:29:00 +0000

(This was snowed out - check back to see if it is rescheduled!!)
Nashville-Area Fiber-Lovers, YOU'RE INVITED -----------

SATURDAY, MARCH 8 10 AM - 1 PM

Edmondson Pike Library Meeting Room, Nashville

Please drop by when you can & bring a fiber-friend!

------------- -----------------------------

Harriet has borrowed 85 12"X12" swatch samples from the

Surface Design Association to share with our community.

These samples, made by the membership -- including

many luminaries in the field -- represent a wide range

of techniques and materials:

shibori, printed (mono, screen, digital), dyed, batik,

discharged, metal oxidation, handwoven, felted, stitched, etc.

They are well-labelled, and you'll be able to see the backs

of the pieces.

Arts Advocacy Day on the Hill - March 4

noreply@blogger.com (Laura) — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 15:04:00 +0000

Join us in Nashville on Tuesday, March 4, 2008 at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center's Andrew Johnson Theatre for Arts Advocacy Day on the Hill. This day is an important opportunity for artists, art educators, arts organizations, friends and supporters to make contact with their legislators. Arts Advocacy Day is the one day of the year in which arts supporters statewide can unite in championing the arts.

Check-in begins outside of Andrew Johnson Theatre at 10:30am and printable registration forms are available at www.tn4arts.org in the Advocacy section under Arts Advocacy Calendar.

A full TFTA membership meeting and legislative briefing will begin at 11am with presentations by:

Bob Willie Chattanooga Ballet, President - TFTA
Rich Boyd Executive Director - Tennessee Arts Commission
Molly Pratt TFTA Consultant for Government & Community Relations

As registration forms are received, regional Arts Advocacy Day coordinators will contact you with further details on organizing groups from your area. Register today, bring your fellow arts supporters, and help the voice of the arts in Tennessee! There is strength in numbers!

New Nashville Fiber Exhibit

noreply@blogger.com (Laura) — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 14:57:00 +0000

There will be an exhibition of work by Diane Getty entitled Collage in Fabric and Thread at the Marnie Sheridan Gallery which is located at the Harpeth Hall School. The exhibit begins on Thursday, February 28 and continues through Wednesday, April 9. The public is invited to a reception with the artist on Sunday, March 2, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.

Calendar of upcoming events thru May 2008

noreply@blogger.com (Laura) — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 15:17:00 +0000

Here it is!
Saturday, March 8 - Handspinners meet 10a-2p - this month we meet at the church in Belmont. Contact me for details. (Snowed out - next one will be in Hendersonville in April.)

Saturday March 15 - Handweavers Guild of Nashville monthly meeting - I'll be assisting with the program this month - we'll be felting!! Visitors are always welcome.

Saturday and Sunday, April 12-13 - "Cover it with Felt" workshop at Sarratt Art Studios. Class size is limited to 10, and spaces are filling up! (The current date is up on the Sarratt site, and hopefully there will be a description up soon. See Post from 2/6/08 for more workshop details.)

May 2-4 - TACA Tennessee Craft Fair - Centennial Park (I'm in! Woo hoo!)

Friday-Saturday May 23-24 - Middle TN Fiber Festival in Dickson - I will be teaching a 1/2 day felting workshop (scarves) and a 1/2 day naalbinding class - check their website for more information!!

That's as far ahead as I can manage! - Happy felting!! - Laura

News and updates

noreply@blogger.com (Laura) — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 15:01:00 +0000

Hello again,
Well, it's been a crazy last couple of months! I look back and am amazed at how much has happened. I got my order in to the Discover Nashville store at the Nashville Airport. It is past security, but if you are flying in or out, head down the C concourse and you'll see my work in their new store!! (see picture at left)
The same day that all that went in, I taught felt ball making to my son's 2nd grade class for "parent art"! They did great, and I discovered that upside-down frisbees make great drip-catchers!!!
Then, a week later, I demonstrated at the airport for "Arts in the Airport" - that was lots of fun, and my 5th grade son handled my sale for me during my demonstrating stint! That same day, my application for spring TACA was also due. So while all of this making and teaching and demonstrating was going on, I was also working with a new photographer, John P. Ford, to have slides and images made of my new work. Whew! Did I mention I've been busy? I hope to have new images up in my online portfolio very soon!
I also hit the Bead Show, which was in Franklin a couple of weekends ago - lots and lots and lots of gorgeous beads - yum! And taught a second parent art class (weaving with straws) on my son's birthday - same class. I need to remember to get pictures of these things!!! They all made great handwoven bracelets and bookmarks.
Oh, and I attended Bruce Baker's workshop on Craft Marketing 101, he was absolutely fabulous, and I bought all of his CD's for future research and training.
I'll post a calendar of the events of interest in a separate post.
- Laura

Finally! Date for next felting workshop April 12-13

noreply@blogger.com (Laura) — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 02:43:00 +0000

THANK YOU all for your patience! I finally confirmed with Sarratt that we have the weekend of April 12-13, 2008 for the next felting weekend workshop. The topic will be "Cover It With Felt", and we will explore techniques for covering various objects (bottles, heads, hands, feet, whatever...) with seamless felt coverings. Following an introduction to wet felting for those who need it, we will start with a simple bottle cover to introduce three-dimensional felting, shaping, and fitting. Then we will progress to additional projects of your choice. The average student should be able to complete the bottle cover as well as something like a hat and a pair of mittens in the two days with the materials provided. Additional materials will be available (at cost) for those that want to do more! We will be working primarily with merino wool, but feel free to bring additional materials to explore (and sample!) with. Small quantities of additional fibers will be available to experiment with as well.

Schedule - Saturday and Sunday April 12 and 13, 9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. both days
Cost - $125 including materials
Limit - 10

A $50 deposit will reserve your spot and guarantee there will be enough materials for the class.
Please send deposits to:
Laura Artates
1913 Dahlia Drive
Nashville TN 37210

Please contact me by email or at (615) 293-1605 if you have any questions.
Thanks!
Laura

Busy, busy, busy

noreply@blogger.com (Laura) — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 05:40:00 +0000

Wow! This fall has been crazy busy. I even turned down several opportunities to participate in shows and fairs. Whew! I haven't updated everyone for over 2 months!!

Currently, my stuff is almost all at the Sarratt Holiday Art Festival - at the Sarratt Student Center on Vanderbilt Campus. Check out www.vanderbilt.edu/sarrattart for how to find it, etc. The Festival runs 10-6 daily through Sunday, December 9.

However, I have one piece of work that is getting ready to go on the auction block to benefit Music4TNKids. It is a guitar "top", covered in felt on both sides. One side has a pair of blue felt boots (kindof a western take on blue suede shoes), and it is autographed by my favorite local musical mamas, the Mamasitas! (Lee's son played on my soccer team at the Y back when I was coaching my son's team, and we're both from Oregon!!) Check out www.madison-art-center.com for more on the auction. There's an online auction, and a live auction on December 13 (tickets are $10 in advance, and $15 at the door) - there's some really cool work with some really awesome autographs!!

I also have a few pieces at the Art Center in Madison and at the Scarritt-Bennett gift shop.

I taught a really fun scarf workshop at the beginning of November - 2 whole days of scarves and (gasp!) samples!! I also did the Fall TACA fair, spent a glorious week in Hilton Head over Thanksgiving, and am now frantically trying to prepare for the holidays. (Although the felt christmas stockings may have to wait until next Christmas!)

Hope you are all enjoying the holiday season, and that all your holiday gift projects are finished and wrapped!

Laura

Preview for MAC show

noreply@blogger.com (Laura) — Mon, 01 Oct 2007 03:03:00 +0000

Hi yet again. Thanks to my handy-dandy cell phone camera, (and my son's arms) I actually have a shot of my work that I did for the "Hands Across the Cumberland" show. I will let you come to your own conclusions about my interpretation of the theme, but it doesn't really need any explanation ;-)

Laura

Hands Across the Cumberland

noreply@blogger.com (Laura) — Mon, 01 Oct 2007 02:42:00 +0000

Welcome back! Well, while I was finishing up the wonderful and amazing TACA Fall Fair at Centennial Park, the rest of my compadres at the Madison Art Center were hanging the all-member show at the gallery. Hope to see all of you at the opening on October 13th!
http://www.madison-art-center.com/

Thanks - Laura

TACA update

noreply@blogger.com (Laura) — Sun, 30 Sep 2007 04:08:00 +0000

Hey Everyone!
One more day of TACA, and it's been tons of fun so far. Tomorrow promises to be more of the same! I've meet lots of nice artists, had "booth shots" taken of my booth (example here) and generally had a wonderful time. Most common comment: "I love the colors!" Most common question: "What is it made of?" Lots of people expressing interest in the workshop, so if you're planning to sign up, don't wait until it's full! (Scroll down a few more posts to find the one with the workshop info.)

Hope to see you tomorrow!
Laura

CVTACA display window at VUH

noreply@blogger.com (Laura) — Wed, 05 Sep 2007 01:38:00 +0000

Just wanted to share that there is a display window at Vanderbilt University Hospital that features artwork by members of the Cumberland Valley chapter of TACA. It is on the mezzanine level of the main entrance to the hospital, just to the left of the entrance to the gift shop, overlooking the surgery waiting area. Other artist featured include "Tye Dye" Mary, Martha Christian, Red Oak Pottery (Bill and Judy Heim), and others I either don't know or can't remember! Check it out if you happen to be in the hospital.

Sept. 15 Greenway Art Festival!

noreply@blogger.com (Laura) — Wed, 29 Aug 2007 03:01:00 +0000

September 15, 10-4, Greenway Art Festival in Murfreesboro. This Saturday event is in its third year, and promises to be a great time for all, with juried art booths, trailside musician performances, and food! It will be my first time at this one, and I'm looking forward to a smaller event than TACA!

For more information, please see the Friends of the Greenway website www.greenwayfriends.org

Fall TACA, here I come!

noreply@blogger.com (Laura) — Fri, 03 Aug 2007 04:08:00 +0000

I found out today that I made it into the Fall TACA fair, my first time entering! Yaay! I'm planning to have lots of scarves and hats, in addition to my bowls, wall hangings, and handbags, and there may be a few surprises thrown it with new things I've been playing with. I got lots of inspiration when I was out in Oregon visiting my family in July!

Fall TACA is September 28, 29, and 30 in Centennial Park in Nashville, TN! For more information, TACA's website is www.tennesseecrafts.org.

Hope to see you there!

Laura

Excuse to visit Jack Daniels Distillery!

noreply@blogger.com (Laura) — Sat, 07 Jul 2007 21:43:00 +0000

I am pleased to announce that a number of my works are at B. Fanning Co. in Lynchburg, TN. This is a new gift shop and gallery space just off the historic town square near the Jack Daniels Distillery. So you can head down there, take the free distillery tour, and the folks that arent interested in antiques and art can shop for whiskey souvenirs!

Upcoming activities & Felting Workshop!

noreply@blogger.com (Laura) — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 22:37:00 +0000

Looking ahead, I am working on applying for the fall TACA fair (keep your fingers crossed for me!) and putting together a workshop for the fall!
The Art of Felting: Scarves of Silk and Wool will be a 2-day weekend workshop at Sarratt Art Studios November 3-4, 10-4 both days. The total cost is $125, including supplies, and the class size is limited to 10. Please send me a $50 deposit (a check is fine) to reserve your spot. This deposit is non-refundable.
The two-day workshop will start with the basics of wet felting with wool, and then move into working with wool and silk fibers to create colorful and luxurious flat felt textiles. The second day we will explore additional techniques for scarves and wraps, including interlacement and "nuno" felting of wool onto sheer woven fabrics. Although working with wool can be challenging, exploration and experimentation are always encouraged! Participants are invited to bring fabrics, fibers, yarns, and small objects that they would like to try to incorporate into a scarf.
Please contact me with any questions you may have! You can also call me at (615) 293-1605.
Thanks!
Laura

Thanks for coming to my show!

noreply@blogger.com (Laura) — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 22:33:00 +0000

Thanks to everyone that came to the gallery to see my work - the Madison Art Center and I are very appreciative! I was very pleased with how everything went for my first gallery experience. Many MANY thanks to Kim and Paul for providing beautiful music during the reception, and to Rex and Marg for being such great partners in art. I learned so much from the whole experience, and look forward to my next opportunity. I just wish I had taken some pictures at the reception! (Duh!)

Spinners at Ashland City Summer Fest Sat. 6/17!

noreply@blogger.com (Laura) — Wed, 13 Jun 2007 04:05:00 +0000

The spinning group will be demonstrating in Ashland City on Saturday the 16th of June.
This Summer Fest is supposed to take place outside under trees.
Ashland City River Bluff Park is at 175 Old Cumberland Street
For more information please see the cheatham county website

One more pic

noreply@blogger.com (Laura) — Fri, 01 Jun 2007 19:01:00 +0000

This one shows my "dynamic" element of the show. It might be hard to see in the photo, but there are 6 of my bowls on a mobile in the nearest gallery. (There's a small column with a mirror on top of it just below the mobile.) It turns beautifully when the air comes on in the gallery!

More Pix

noreply@blogger.com (Laura) — Fri, 01 Jun 2007 18:59:00 +0000

The boy looking at the purses is my youngest son, Nicholas! (He's 7, and loves to "help" me with my projects.)

Pix of my show at the gallery!

noreply@blogger.com (Laura) — Fri, 01 Jun 2007 02:47:00 +0000

OK, I got to go by the gallery again today, to take some photos of the show. I like it a lot better than I did when I left on Sunday. I'm having trouble getting blogger to take more than one picture in a post, so I'll post the other pictures separately.

Come, come, come to the opening, or just come to the gallery. The show got listed in the News Herald this week, a free paper for Donelson/Hermitage/Old Hickory! Wahoo!

Laura