I've Got the Blues

I'm feeling the blues...oh and the turquoises too.  After months and months of blacks and grays, I'm in to blues which is the hot or should I say cool color for spring. 

This shawl started off with a piece of white gauze and white roving.  On top of the white roving, I added cut up pieces of green and turquoise silks and inclusions with white silks on top.  I also added some stacks of roving covered with some white silk.  

After it was felted, I soaked it in vinegar and used acid dyes and the microwave method to first dye it a turquoise color.  After that, I rolled it in a stick and wrapped the bundle in string.  Back into the microwave in a baggy of deep blue dye.  I'm pleased with the results which look rich and textured.

 As usual these shawls can be worn inside out, upside down.  Make it your own look to enhance what you're wearing.

Rustic Elegance

Rustic elegance. This eco printed felted outfit is absolutely so fun and comfortable to wear.  The felted dress and vest are layered over leggings and a long sleeve tie dyed sheer tank.  A lattice scarf and hand warmers complete the felted the look.

All of the felted pieces started off with white merino roving

Wrapped in eucalyptus and other goodies

Three days in the pot

More Felted Vests

Felted Vest Workshop - Oct '14 from Beth Marx on Vimeo.

It had been quite awhile since I had the opportunity to experience a fall foliage but I did during Fabulous Fibre Month- October 2014 hosted by Robbin Firth/Heartfelt Silks and held at the beautiful Season's on St. Croix Gallery in Hudson, Wisconsin.  Fabulous Fibre Month consisted of various classes and workshops throughout the month of October and the one I taught was a three day seamless vest workshop.  The students had some felting experience but most had never made a felted garments.  They learned how to use my calculation sheet to enlarge a pattern and how to felt using a resist.  They made some gorgeous vests; each and every one was so unique and such a work of art.

Never got to go in this bistro in Stillwater, MN but I wonder if we're related!

A Day at the Fair

 The Artistic License Fair at Estancia Park in Costa Mesa, CA is an annual two day fair that has been in existence for over twenty years.  It features fine hand made wearable art, jewelry and accessories. 

 

I had been a frequent shopper for years but this was my first year showing and I was so happy to be a part of it. Although the weather was unseasonable hot for late October, the event was a big success in so many ways.  I experienced so much love and joy being in my element - having the support of so many friends, meetings new artists and customers,  styling the clothing, displaying my wares and hanging out with my dear friend Amalia, who agreed to be my assistant, for two full days. 

The eco coat looks fab on Sue.

Jennifer rocks her new shawl.

I shopped my booth and decided I needed to keep this dress for myself.

This eco shawl beautifully accessorizes Susan's outfit.   

I love the ocean shawl over white.

This collar/shawl is so much fun.

Artistic License Fair in Costa Mesa - Oct 24 & 25

 I am excited to be part of this years Artistic License Fair at Estancia Park in Costa Mesa on Friday and Saturday, October 24 & 25.  I have been a shopper at this event for years but this is my first time showing/selling.

This fair which recently celebrated its 20th year in the same location is an outstanding shopping experience of fine hand made contemporary crafts.  I will be in booth 7 (hope that's lucky 7!) with my felted wearables & accessories.  For directions and more information about the artists, click here.  Hope to see you there. 

Home, Home on the Range

Sulphur Creek Ranch, Idaho - Labor Day 2014 from Beth Marx on Vimeo.

Click above to watch my five minute video which captures our adventures at Surphur Creek Ranch.  Enjoy and thanks for watching.

What an incredible long Labor Day weekend we had. In a recent article in Pilot's Get-Away Magazine, Joe discovered the amazing fly-in to Sulphur Creek Ranch, which is in the middle of the Frank Church Wilderness Range in Idaho. We decided to fly the five hour trip (with a stop for a picnic lunch in Elko, Nevada) with our three dogs.  It was their longest trip ever and they were all great passenger; Tucker actually gets a kick out of standing on the seat to peer out the window.  We bought a cush memory foam dog bed at Costco and put it in the back seat for Juma, the Ridgeback.  I sat behind Joe with little Oliver on my lap.

 Tucker of course flew co-pilot up front with Joe. 

The lodge was the hangout for indoor recreation and relaxation and where we gathered with the other guests and our hosts and cooks, Valdeen & Kiere and Rick & Sylvia, to enjoy their delicious home cooked meals.

  

Our rustic log cabin, called the Dog House, was appropriately selected for us.  And although we were off the grid for four days, the Ranch generated its own electricity so we slept comfortably and were glad for the electric blankets and electric space heater especially when we woke up to a chilly 31 degrees.


Of course I took some projects with me and in addition to making some felted soaps, I beaded the vessel I had recently made while teaching at Namaste Farms.

First time fly fishing.

Gorgeous scenery everywhere, you couldn't take a bad picture if you tried.

Joe, our pilot is the best.  

Juma, Tucker and Oliver had the time of their lives.

Turn it sideways and it looks like a Rorschach test.

Not quite rolling in the hay! 

Over the river and through the woods....

Always thankful to have projects to work on.  I cannot have idle hands.