The Studio: Before the reorganization.

Studio (1 of many): Finally, a little order to things in Ruby Slippers Studio land:

Catching up on Blog: Icelandic Fleece (Hide) Hat - Many of you saw the pictures of me wearing this hat at the Minnesota Shepherd's Harvest Festival in May 2013. This hat has been a side project for sometime and I am glad it was finished to wear. At Shepherd's Harvest, I was approached by at least a dozen people who asked to take my picture...this I did not expect. I have been asked at what price would I sell this hat or a hat like it? I would like to hear other's ideas on what a hat like this might sell for. This hat is made fom the same fleece I used to trim a pair of upcycled cowboy boots about 2 1/2 years ago. Altered Couture Magazine is looking for submissions of altered cowboy boots and I am thinking of throwing my hat in the ring with these boots.

Art vs. Blog...let's see, I need to update my blog and I must confess that I prefer to create over spending time on the computer. Anyway, back in March, I created my own dread locks. Once you've lost your hair to chemo - your attitude toward hair, style, color, wigs, scarfs, and hats change. I have been cancer free now for 2 years. Big Yea! My new crop of hair has finally reached a point where I am pleased with it most days. I will never have the thick hair of my youth again - thus I know natural dreads are beyond my scope. But I like my artificial dreads (by way of big yarn, little bump, stocked by Steven Be). Regardless of the color of my natural hair, my hair complements my dreads. Like real hair - they can get warm! I am thinking about entering the project in a design competition late summer.

 

Spinning Classes: I have had several inquires about beginning spinning classes. Here are some options for folks to consider: Weavers Guild of Minnesota, March 23 &24, 2013, contact the Guild to register; Fiber Garden, Black River Falls, WI, owner Deb Jones; classes offered on March 22-24, 2013 and June 7-9, 2013; contact the Fiber Garden to register; and BeginingSpinning classes to be held at the Minnesota Shepherds Harvest Event at the Washington County Fairgrounds (Lake Elmo) on Mother's Day Weekend, May 10-12, 2013, visit site on line to register. Shepherd's Harvest offers lots of classes that are very affordable. I have registered for 2 clases to be instructed by Lexi Boegger aka Pluckyfluff - an internationally known spinner, teacher, fiber revolutionist.

Doctor Who: I've never been a fan of sci-fi. I don't know why. However my husband who has been watching the BBC series of Dr. Who for the past 50 years introduced me to Dr. Who #10 and Dr. Who #11. I don't know if it is the bowtie or the tardis or the whole Time Lord thing but I am smittten (pun intended...#11 is actor, Matt Smith). I have decided this year to create a series of Doctor Who themed art yarn. Below is version 1, purchased by Linda Scallon, owner of Fall Creek (WI) Alpacas, at the CVM Fiber Event for her daughter, Mindy. She is looking for a knitting pattern for this skein. I am hoping she will send a pick of the creation when completed. I should have Version #2 available at the Banbury (Eau Claire, WI) Art Crawl this weekend. My booth welcomes Whovians.

Ruby Slippers Studio 2013 Schedule (1/31/2013)

Ruby Slippers Studio 2013 Schedule

2/2/2013:  11am-5pm, ChippewaValley Museum, Carson Park, Eau Claire, WI, 4^th annual Fiber Event

2/7/2013:  6:30pm, Chippewa Falls, WI Library, Presentation to CVAA

2/8/2013:  3-9 pm, Banbury Art Crawl, Bldg. 13, Eau Claire, WI,

2/9/2013:  9am-3pm, Banbury Art Crawl, Bldg. 13, Eau Claire, WI

5/11 & 5/12/2013 – Shepherd’s Harvest Sheep & Wool Festival, Washington County Fairgrounds, Lake Elmo, MN:  spinning at Steven Berg’s (StevenBe Yarn Garage/Workshop) booth.

6/2013 – Solstice on Grand Art Event, Chippewa Falls, WI:  TBD

9/6-9/8/2013 – Wisconsin Sheep & Wool Festival, Jefferson Fair Park, Jefferson, WI:  TBD

11/1-12/31/2013 – Textile Center of Minnesota, University Ave., Minneapolis, MN, Annual Holiday Event at store.

11/2013 – 39^th Annual Fiber Fair hosted by the Weavers Guild of Minnesota:  dates & location to be announced.

Ruby Slipper Studio hand-knit items can be purchased at Tangled Up In Hue, downtown Eau Claire, WI.  Hand-spun Art Yarn can be purchased at the gallery store of the Textile Center of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN and at StevenBe’s Yarn Garage Workshop, Chicago Ave. South, Minneapolis, MN.  Sometimes items are available on Etsy site.

For updates to schedule visit:  http://artistwithdogandredshoes.blogger.com

I have a fantasy of looking down a winter street and seeing all sorts of folks wearing my hats. Here are a few to start: My friend, Lynette's grandaughter, Ellie and Maddy, granddaughter of artist and gallery owner, Cheryl Witt.

Happy 2013 - This was my busiest holiday season to date. Even with February on the horizon, I am still spinning and knitting like crazy. I am surprised my wheel hasn't caught on fire! I will be an the annual fiber event at the Chippewa Valley Museum on Saturday, Feb 2nd. I have been invited to speak at the monthly meeting of the Chippewa Valley Artist Association on Thursday evening, Feb. 7th, 6:30 pm at the Chppewa Falls Library. I will have a space at the Banbury Art Crawl this year. I am very excited. The art crawl will be in building #13 on Friday, February 8th, from 3-9 pm, and Saturday, February 9th, 9am-3pm. Come by and visit!