A Brief Encounter

Pierre Tullier died last week. I've been thinking a lot about this. (Pierre is second from the left in the picture.) Why should this be important to me? I met Pierre about a year ago when my husband and I traveled to Washington, DC for his Page School Reunion. (I won't tell you how many years but let's just say it was during the 60's.) Jeff and Pierre were Pages together and spent many high school days working in the Senate and going to class at 6:30 in the morning! It was fun hearing about the "Glory Days" and all the things that went on behind the scenes with the various Senators, the remembrances of the Kennedy brothers, Martin Luther King , Lyndon Johnson and the social gatherings with Lucy Baines Johnson . It was interesting to hear the insights to all that was happening politically during the Vietnam years. Everyone agreed that they were present during a very unforgettable and unique time in American history.

Pierre and I had several conversations about life and business. He was very interested in what I did as a weaver and fiber artist. He took my card, the weekend ended and everyone went their separate ways. That was my first brief encounter with Pierre Tullier.

The second encounter was when I received a call last December and much to my surprise it was

Pierre. He had kept my card and wanted to buy scarves as presents for his family members. Thinking he was talking about 5 or 6 scarves, I was blown away when he said I'll take all the chenille scarves you have in stock!!! That was 29 scarves! Trying to maintain my cool (like this happens all the time!) I was happy to oblige! Little did Pierre know that after I hung up the phone there was a lot of dancing around the studio!!!!!! So Pierre had entered my life again in a another brief encounter.

I don't think Pierre knew that his purchase "made my year" and helped my struggling business survive and make a profit. I don't think Pierre knew that it helped me to make the last 2 quarters of my Social Security requirements. I don't think Pierre knew that it enabled me to think differently about my work and aim for better, more expensive shows. I owe a big thank you to him.

But then again, maybe he had an inkling of how important that sale was. He knew that my business was trying to get back off the ground after moving to MA. He knew that I had hopes and dreams to expand. He knew that an artist's life is unpredictable. But I also think he knew and understood the passion that comes with the work of an artist. He was a wonderful photographer himself.

My connection to Pierre was too short. We encounter people briefly all the time and then they are gone out of our lives. Sometimes it is more significant then other times but life makes no promises. It's important to live each encounter to the fullest no matter how brief. I liked Pierre. I wish we had more opportunities for extended encounters. I grieve for his family and wish them God's abundant peace and love in the days to come.

So where did all those 29 scarves go? I don't know but I hope the recipients are wearing them with both Pierre's and my blessings.

After the Show

Ever wonder what happens after a show? Do artists wander off in the sunset, happy to have been sitting at a show all weekend selling lots of work and chatting with customers? Well sometimes, yes. But more likely the show work continues on after the show is over. For me breaking down after a show takes about 2 -2 1/2 hours. Then it's the trip home which varies depending on where the show is located. At the other end there is unpacking and putting the tent, display items and all my work away. Whew, are you tired yet?

Sometimes the work goes on to the next day as it did this past Monday. The show in Cohasset ended with 2 storm systems coming through on Sunday afternoon. One was a thunder and lightening storm with 2 really close lightning strikes! I have to admit it was a little scary being in a tent with metal poles! We had to break down in the rain so everything was thrown in the Windstar wet. On Monday morning the tent had to be set up in the back yard, hosed down to get the acid rain off of it, and dried out to be ready for the next show. The floor mats also had to be hosed down as they were muddy from the rain. All the garments had to be pressed. Creases form when they are damp and put in the garment bags for transit. I still have to unload a few boxes from the car. Are you tired yet?

This is the unglamorous side of being a craft show artist. So why do we continue to do this? Are we all crazy?! Well, yes, a little! But I like to think it's really about passion. Artist's are passionate about what they do! Artist's need affirmation. When you buy our work it is the greatest affirmation we can receive. It tells us that you are paying attention and relate to what we are doing. We like to tell you about our work and we like to see your eyes light up when the work speaks to you. We are sharing ourselves with you.

It's a special treat when someone connects perfectly with a piece of your work so that you know it was meant for only them. That happened to me this weekend when a lovely young woman bought one of my shrugs titled "Tribute to the Women of Jane Austen". It was to be her birthday present. When she tried the shrug on it was like magic. It was perfect on her. When I told her the name of the piece which was created after watching the PBS series on Jane Austen (you can read about it if you go to the archives under April, 2008) she told me how much she loved Jane Austen and was a big fan of all her work. Perfect!!!! That shrug has been waiting for her!!! That moment was worth all the work it takes to do a show! I hope she has many years of wearing that shrug!

Show Week

I'm frantically getting ready for a show this weekend. It seems that all special occasions in my house fall on a show weekend or near one so that I am preoccupied with either the show itself or getting ready.

My husband and I celebrated our 35th wedding anniversary on Monday. (I can't possibly be that old!) I am so lucky to have found a wonderful man who will support this crazy craft show life I lead. He has been cooking meals, washing the dishes, baking bread, and washing the clothes ( the bread and clothes he does all the time)! How lucky can a girl get! When I look back at our 35 years I can't imagine it being any different than it has been. (Well, maybe the job loss in 2002 didn't have to happen! But then again I wouldn't be in Plymouth enjoying this historic seaside retreat if it hadn't happen.) I can't imagine a better life partner.

So as I work hard to get ready for this show, I know Jeff will be there for me. He will be my "roadie", helping me set up and take down. He will understand when I come home exhausted every night this weekend. And he will enthusiastically support my artistic abilities.

So if you are in the area come visit me at the show. Here is the information:

Judy Connor Jones
Weaving/Fiber Art
www.judyconnorjones.com
Come visit me at the South Shore Art Center Arts Festival on June 18 - 20.

See my new work:

Brand New Painted Warp Loop Scarves

Brand new Silk & Tencel Summer Tops

Silk & Wool “Collapse Weave” Scarves

Chenille “Butterfly” Jacket


I will also have my signature Chenille Crop and Tunic Tops along with Chenille Scarves, Knitted Purses, and Handwoven Quilted Hats.


55th Annual South Shore Art Center Arts Festival
June 18, 2-7pm
June 19, 10am-7pm
June 20, noon-5pm
Cohasset Town Common
Cohasset, MA
http://www.ssac.org/

Model: Jessica Hansen

Photographer: Mike Ritter

All work is copyrighted and may not be used without permission.

The Weaving Process

Some of my work is called "painted warp". I've talked about his before on my blog and if you go back in the archives you can find pictures of the actual dying process. Today I want to show you what happens after the painted warp is put on the loom and the weaving process begins. After the warp is beamed, threaded, and tied onto the front apron bar the weaving process begins. One of the challenges with painted warp is finding a color to weave that will blend with the variety of color that has been dyed into the yarn. Sometimes the choice is an easy analogous one and other times the yarn must act as a neutral to work with many colors as in my "Faith Element" Series Scarves. The pictures here are of a warp I am weaving for my new "Loop Scarves". This warp is in an analogous color scheme.

The blue, purple and green dyes were painted on the yarn and blended together to produce very subtle color variations. The pattern is a 6 shaft broken twill variation.

Come see the finished product at the South Shore Art Center Arts Festival June 18-20 on the Cohasset Common in Cohasset, MA. Check my website for details, http://www.judyconnorjones.com/.

Back from Vacation

We just got back from 2 weeks in lovely Sarasota, Florida. It was hot compared to New England but it was beautiful. We had a great time visiting with our family and friends not to mention walking the beach, dipping our toes in the Gulf, reading books, and lazing around the pool. What a life! Neither Jeff nor I realized how much we needed this vacation until we noticed that it took the first 3 days doing nothing to unwind and feel relaxed! I actually read 2 great books plus got caught up on all my craft and weaving journals! I never have time to do that!

So here are a few pictures from our 2 weeks in Paradise! Hope it refreshes you!

Friendly Egret who joined us for our Bar-B-Q picnic! He was waiting for a hand out!

One of the ponds at Gulf and Bay on Siesta Key. We are so fortunate to be able to stay here!

Drumming Circle on the Beach at Sunset:

Siesta Key Beach as sunset nears:

Goodbye to a perfect vacation! Can't wait for next year!

After the Open House

It was a great day on Saturday! The weather was perfect and the conversation with people who came was fun and inspiring.

I enjoy connecting with the people who follow and appreciate my work. Having an Open House is a wonderful way to tell people about how I make my pieces and what is new. It also gives me a chance in a more relaxed setting to see how my pieces fit and work for people. I can have a conversation about what they like and what they would like to see me do. I always listen and evaluate those comments as they are helpful in my design process. An Open House also gives me a chance to connect with customers on a more personal basis.

I always offer a door prize as it is good advertising for me and it always makes people happy to know that they can try to win a piece of my work just by coming to the studio. The winner at the May Day Open House was Joy Burns from Plymouth. She won one of my new Eco-Green Ribbon Necklaces. I make these from left over scraps of my fabric and then raid my "stash of stuff" for embellishments. I also make Eco-Green Pins. They are all one of a kind and are created "as the design spirits move"! I do not take these necklaces and pins to shows as I am not juried in as a jewelry artist. If you want to see my Eco-Green Jewelry you have to schedule an appointment at my studio or come to an Open House.

Here's a picture of the door prize:

My next show will be June 18.19. & 20 on the Cohasset Town Common in Cohasset, MA. It is sponsored by The South Shore Art Center and you can get more information on their website at http://www.ssac.org/ .

If you didn't make it to the Open House, come visit me at the Cohasset show, say hello, and let me know that you follow my blog.

May Day Studio Open House

I'm having a "May Day" Studio Open House. If you live in and around Plymouth you are invited to come!

You are invited to a Studio Open House

Saturday, May 1, 2010

10am - 5 pm

Visit the studio and see my new work including fiber jewelry.

Welcome "May Day" in with punch and cookies and chat with the artist (that would be me!).

Items will be for sale.

Remember Mother's day is coming up!

Visit my website, http://www.judyconnorjones.com/ for e-mail address to get directions.

Soapberries

Have you ever heard of soapberries? I hadn't until a few months ago when I went to my local farmer's market at Plimoth Plantation. One of the vendors was selling soapberries. OK, I was curious! What are soapberries? Do you eat them? Do you plant them? No, you wash with them, hence the name soapberries! Well, I listened to how ecologically sound these berries were and how they come from a tree plentiful in India and China. Some can be found in Florida and California but they are not as plentiful in the USA. These berries have a sap called saponin which is a natural cleaning agent. Who knew! Well, apparently alot of people knew!!!! Just Goggle soapberries and you will be surprised how many people use them and all the information that is out there. So for a mere $2.50 I bought a sample bag and tried them. I loved them!

It takes about 4-5 whole berries to do a wash. Each berry lasts around 5 washes although I have found them to last longer. When they deteriorate and only the thin shell is left, you put them out in your garden for compost! We have been using the soapberries now for at least a month and a half. Our clothes are clean and we are helping Mother Earth. Our septic system especially the leaching field says "Thank You". I'm also using them to wash my handwoven fabrics that I sell so rest assure you will not be getting a product that has been washed in chemicals.

Here's a picture of the soapberries. You just put 4-5 of them in the muslin bag and throw it in the wash.

Check them out at http://www.soberryclean.com/ and if you live in Plymouth, MA go to the next Farmer's Market on May 19 at Plimoth Plantation and check them out for yourself.

Another cleaning product I use is called Eucalan. It is made for washing woolen items. It is a no rinse lanolin enriched natural wash product. It comes in Unscented, Eucalyptus, Lavender, or Grapefruit. I use this product to wash and finish my wool and silk collapse weave scarves. You simple pour it in, squeeze the item gently to loosen up the soil, and let it soak for 15 minutes. No need to rinse. Your wool items come out clean and smelling great. I always give customers who buy a collapse weave scarf a sample of this product. With only one application of water there is less chance of felting. You avoid agitation and water temperature differences which are the things that cause shrinking and felting of wool. Since this is a product not easily found in stores I carry 100 ml bottles of it, available for purchase, in my studio.

So, be kind to the earth. We are the caretakers of this world. Let's get better at it!!!

Photo Shoot

Every few years I need to invest in good photography of my work. Since I enter juried shows it is a must to have photography that best represents my work. When I first started out selling my work in 1990, I was lucky enough to get into a well known local show in Rochester, NY with just photos I had taken. As the competition for spots in shows increased, that no longer was enough so I made a trade for photo shots with a friend and amateur photographer and a local high school girl who was an aspiring model. She received the experience and modeling shots, my photographer friend received fashion photography experience, and I received photo shots of my work for juring into shows. That all worked for a while, but then I realized how many times people were attracted to the model who was beautiful, young, and always smiling into the camera. I don't know how many times I was asked if she was my daughter! While I would have loved to claim her as my daughter (I have 2 boys!) I wanted people to notice and remark about the clothes! I was beginning to learn that professional or semi professional shots are complicated!

To make this story short, it is time for new photography of my work. On Tuesday I went into the South End of Boston with assorted pieces of my work (many new items) and had a 4 hour photography session. The photographer I am working with is very good. I discovered him at a show I did in Boston last Nov. I've been working with him to develop his skill in the juried show photo area. These shots are different than just a straight product shot. They require a background which makes the object pop while not creating a stark glaring difference. The shots must help the jury focus on the work.

The model we hired was great. She too must be able to show the clothes to their best advantage even when they are a size too big! Both of these people must work well together and between all 3 of us we bring suggestions and expertise "to the table". I would definitely work with both of these people again. It was a fun long tiring day but I received some great images of my work and made some new friends.

Thanks, Mike and Jessica. It was fun working with you.

Here are a few images from the photo shoot.

Photography Credit: Mike Ritter, http://www.ritterbin.com/

Model: Jessica Hansen http://www.jessicahansen.com/

All work on this blog is copyrighted.

Alleluia!

During the six weeks of Lent First Baptist Church in Plymouth has been on a “Journey to Newness.” We have experienced the sign posts of temptation, challenge, reliance, grace, assurance, and boldness along the way. Each of us has traveled our own path and along the way we have encounter others headed for the same destination, the newness that the resurrection brings.

A significant part of our journey to newness has been to let go of the past and yet at the same time use the past to help shape the future. We symbolized that by taking the old purple panels that hung in the sanctuary previous years during Lent and making them into something new. I worked with a small group in the church to create the new art experience within the context of worship. The art piece we created symbolized our starting out on separate paths, which merged as we traveled along the way to the cross and newness.

Now it is Easter. The newness has emerged. The purple has been replaced by white. Our paths are now woven together as we experience the Resurrected Christ. Our many paths have become one. We are one and yet many as we each journey in newness out into the world.

Alleluia! Have a Joyous and Blessed Easter!

Ecclesiastical Installation

I've mentioned before in this blog about working with my church on what I call "Experiential Art Within the Context of Worship". Long title but it best describes one way I feel that art can be expressed in the worship setting. By that I mean all who enter are in some way participants with the art. They are not just observers but are caught up in the art by either making it or being encompassed by it.


The first Lent that my husband and I were at First Baptist Church in Plymouth, we worked with the congregation to experience God's wonderful gift of creativity. We all have it somewhere and in some form. We just need to find it and have it brought forth. My belief is that a God who creates in his/ her own image would surely give humans the ability to create. It can show up in many forms according to the gift of each individual.





The first Lent we dyed 14 silk panels purple and hung them throughout the sanctuary so that no matter where you sat you were a part of the hue of purple, the liturgical color during Lent . So after 4 Lenten seasons we decided that the panels were losing their effectiveness and that something new needed to happen. Since the theme for Lent this year was to be "Journey to Newness" we decided to rip up those panels and make them into something new. So a new journey began.

I worked with a small group to decide what we would do with all this purple fabric. We discussed the journey theme and decided that we were all travelers on different paths headed toward a common destination, the Cross and Resurrection. Symbolically we designed pathways from the torn panels which extend throughout the sanctuary and lead to the cross. This is all hung high in the sanctuary so all who enter are encompassed in the art and can experience it from where they sit. The weekly themes which are talked about in the sermon are added to the end of the paths each week. Those themes are Temptation, Challenges, Reliance, Grace, Assurance, and Boldness.







We are now in the process of working on the next phase of this installation which is to rip up the white panels that had previously hung for Easter and make them into a woven pathway which will extend from the cross out into the sanctuary on Easter morning. The paths will be white, the liturgical color for Easter, and they will be woven together as symbolically we all join the same journey from the Cross out into the world and into newness.





If you are in or near Plymouth, come see and experience the wonderful gift of creativity and be a part of the journey. The church website is http://www.fbc-plymouth.org/.



Blessings for the Journey!

"One of a Kind"

From time to time I enjoy departing from weaving scarves and tops in order to do "one of a kind pieces". When I weave a garment many times there is left over warp so I continue to weave cloth that can be used for something else at another time. These pieces of handwoven cloth go into my extra fabric stash. When I am ready I pull them out and make something with them. Sometimes it's a handwoven embellished purse, sometimes it becomes the embellishment on something, and other times it becomes a shrug.

A shrug for those of you who do not know is a shawl type garment that has a very small sleeve seam so that when worn if it falls off your shoulder the sleeves will keep it from leaving the body completely.

I just finished working on one of these. They are time consuming as I am designing the embellishments as I go. I am hunting through my stash of interesting fabric, trims, beads, buttons, etc. in hopes of finding just the right items to use.

This time I looked into my stash of samples from a complex cloth class I took which was taught by Jane Dunnewold (the complex cloth guru!). These samples are only about 10" x 12"and are dyed, over dyed, discharged, screen printed, stamped, and painted. Multiple techniques are used to make the cloth design. Since I have documented all the processes used for each sample, I am free to use them , soooooooooooooooooooooooooooo, I decided to cut them on the bias and use them for trim and binding.

Here are a few pictures of the process. It goes like this:

These are my complimentary complex cloth samples. One has been dyed, over dyed, discharged, stenciled, stamped and printed. The other has only been dyed and over dyed.

Bias trim is cut from both cloths.

I organize the fabrics. Here are 3 complex cloth fabrics and 2 handwoven fabrics. All will be sewn together. I love this color combination!

The bias trim is applied to the handwoven fabric. The other complimentary fabric is used as piping.

Seams are covered for a couture finish.

Here is the completed piece with the third complex sample creating the binding along the upper edge.

Drawing Inspiration

Recently I visited the Peabody Essex Museum in Salem, MA. There is a wonderful exhibit right now called "Rare Bird of Fashion: The Irreverent Iris Apfel". Basically it is the fashions from one woman's closet! But, OH MY, what an interesting closet! And even more interesting is the way she puts pieces together.

Iris Apfel is a women of flamboyant and eclectic tastes. In her wardrobe are pieces from designers and pieces from flea markets around the world. She has a knack for pairing the most unusual with couture designs. She converts large Turkish belt buckles to brooches, Bakelite sample chips to necklaces, and unusual Tibetan carrying cases to purses.

I think my 2 favorite pieces in the whole show are an Antonio del Castillo (circa 1961) gold lame ribbon applique, beads, and rhinestone evening coat. It is spectacular! I have a friend who I know would covet it instantly!

The other piece is much simpler. It is a beautiful Krizia (1980) cornelian twin sweater set paired with a multicolored silk brocade, silk damask, and silk embroidered wrap skirt. The fabric is from the Chinese, Qing Dynasty! It is accessorized with a very long silk corded necklace of cornelian, jade, and metal. Once again from the Chinese, Qing Dynasty. (I'd love to shop at the flea markets where she shops!) I could see myself wearing this many times over!

The point that Iris makes over and over again (and she is alive and well in New York) is discover your style. Express yourself through clothes, have fun with them, and don't be afraid of what other's think. I have to add that it helps if you have a little bit of a sense of what looks interesting and fashionable together with out being costume-y or clownish! Sometimes there is a fine line!

This exhibit is only on until Feb 7 (Sunday). If you can't make the exhibit you can check out pictures on-line at http://www.pem.org/. There is also a wonderful article written for the Boston Globe about Iris and the exhibit. Go to http://www.boston.com/ and google Iris Apfel.

Hope this inspires you to be creative and express yourself through apparel and accessories. Live adventurously! Be a work of art!