Atelier Kiki - Fibre Art

Studio time

2010-01-19T20:32:00.000-08:00

For the first time in 18 months I was able to spend a block of time in the studio. 8 whole days! As the light was not sufficient for painting, I experimented with a few different felting techniques.

For a new grey bag, I started out laying out wool for wetfelting a new seamless bag:

Once the bag was felted and dried, I needlefelted locks on top to create a little sculptural touch:

And a locally made ceramic button:

This particular bag never made it to the local gallery. A visiting friend bought it before it even left the studio!

Spirit Lake Trail Art Project

2009-10-14T19:50:00.001-07:00

Spirit Lake Trail in Skidegate has been turned into a public art space, with colourful banners and artworks suspended from trees, on top of bridges and posted in between roots, bark, moss and ferns.

More than 30 works were installed last Sunday and will continue to hang in the forest till after the weekend. The project is one of the events organised for the Sustainable Living Fair at the Haida Heritage Centre.
Enjoy your walk!

new creations

2009-06-26T20:28:00.001-07:00

seamless bag with needlefelted sculptural details

wet felted shoulder bag

more seamless felted bags

sewn baskets

sock zebra

Slatechuck Hike

2009-06-06T22:51:00.000-07:00

Since our move back to the island, we have been blessed with beautiful and stunning weather to welcome us back. We are enjoying many picnics in the garden and on the beach, walks through the forest, paddling back and forth in the canoe, and just being in our home. We have found many interesting blooming plants on the rocks of the beaches, but also in our garden. L. has been a great little helper. (see also: www.flickr.com/photos/atelierkiki)

Today T. had finally a day off and we headed up Slatechuck mountain, an hour and half steep uphill. L. was a trooper, he mostly hiked up on his own with a bit of encouragement here and there. Only on a few small sections T. had to put him up on his shoulders. There was one tricky section with a very steep ladder, but even that he did by himself.

I carried little S. in a comfortable seat up the mountain, he enjoyed every bit of it, squealing, kicking his legs, or just quietly taking in the view of the trees. At the top, the view was breathtaking, we could see our house shining in the sun. And L. and S. enjoyed some fruity snacks... The way down was a bit different. L. had spent all his energy for the way up, so T. had to carry him on his shoulders. L. did try now and again to walk, but his legs just didn't want to cooperate, he would lay down on the ground... But we are very impressed with his climb!

Change Islands

2009-04-21T13:38:00.000-07:00

So this weekend it`s going to happen, we`re moving back to `our` island! L. has been asking about it for a long time. Everytime we visit the island house, he wants to spend the night, he doesn`t want to leave and definitely doesn`t want to go to the `Blue House`. I`m sure he`ll love it when we`re back on the island, though I have a feeling then he will request going to the `Blue House`. We`ll see. I`m sure we will all miss this Blue House, it has a lot of character (from 1929) and we have so many good memories!
Now our main mode of transportation will be the canoe again (see other post: visit to the island). I`ll be hauling the canoe and our groceries up and down the beach, carrying a 6 month old baby. Thankfully L walks by himself! Due to large tidal changes we sometimes have to walk quite a ways up or down the beach, through the mud, other times the tide is right up at the grass. When the tide is really low, we can walk to the `main island`. This is for sure the way to get back into shape quickly!

Run-Away Model

2009-03-31T20:18:00.001-07:00

A gorgeous sunny morning, we went to the beach at the Haida Heritage Centre (Kaay Llnagaay), which is a stunning location and a beautiful centre.

I had brought some beanies that I wanted to document for the etsy shop and L. was a willing model. Though it meant I had to run after him to try and take a picture....

We ran along the totempoles both out- and inside.

Just briefly stopping to check things out, and me frantically trying to get a good picture...

Mostly unsuccesful, though a few good ones came out. They can be found at kikiknits.

Coffee Cozies

2009-03-15T21:50:00.001-07:00

Are you thinking Easter yet? These new coffee cozies make a wonderful addition to a Spring and Easter breakfast table. Made of 100% wool felt and Japanese cotton linen, they do a great job keeping coffee or tea warm and bringing a smile to your face. They are now available in my shop

Re-opening Store

2009-03-08T17:22:00.000-07:00

Slowly but surely I'll be uploading new items in my etsy store. So far there's a few new bags and neck warmers. I'll be uploading more beanies as well. kikiknits.etsy.com is where you'll find it.

Fresh Start

2009-03-05T21:26:00.000-08:00

Meditation. Time change this weekend. Welcoming the light!

Visit to the Island

2009-02-24T20:33:00.000-08:00

We are missing our island home and it's environment, so we decided it was time for a paddle over and have a walk through the forest to the studio and then onto the beach and rocks all around the island.

Lief walked most of the ways and climbed the rock, discovered deer bones and walked on the dock at the other side of the island.

It was wonderful and made us appreciate the island surroundings even more. It stilled our longing, just for a little while...

Knitting in the sun

2009-02-14T18:40:00.000-08:00

Oh this has been so wonderful! Today there were beautiful blue skies and we basked in the sun. The little sage was soaking it up, just like me! During the afternoon naps of my sons, I was able to get some knitting in and finish a little neckwrap, yeah... Here's my little stash of neckwraps and beanies so far:

Beach walk treasures

2009-02-13T13:51:00.000-08:00

We seem to be finding some odd treasures along the beach these days. On our last beach walk we found this moss covered chair tucked away in the bushes and of course we had to inspect it closer: I'm enjoying the light on these walks, it's like it's autumn, low sun, warm colours, but also beautiful greys. Wish I could go to the studio to explore these with paint. Oh well, for now photography has to do the trick...

Party time

2009-01-25T20:25:00.001-08:00

This morning was A`s birthday party, which was so much fun. A`s mom and dad had planned many fun games involving music and balloonsWhen it was time for the cake, L. thought nobody was looking and he could get first dips... Someone managed to stop him so that A. could blow out the candles on an untouched cake, while a very attentive audience was anticipating their first bite....

Happy third birthday, girl!

Sun and Ice

2009-01-22T13:30:00.000-08:00

We've had some amazing weather these past days and enjoyed going for walks on the beach. When the tide withdrew, it left behind a layer of ice on the seaweed, rocks and mudflats, which is much fun to explore.

Little S. slept through it all: L. likes to grab a handful of ice:

And then explore it further in his mouth...:

Horse for St. George the knight

2009-01-16T13:24:00.000-08:00

For Christmas I gave my son L. a knight, created by my friend Anna. We called him St. George, after the knight in the book 'The Reluctant Dragon'. Of course a knight needs to have a horse to fight dragons, so I pulled myself together and started working. As I still get up twice a night, sometimes even three times, to feed little S. it's hard to keep my eyes open at night, but with little bits here and there I managed to get the horse ready: It turned out a bit crooked, but it has character, and L. loves it and that's the main thing.

Snowy start of 2009

2009-01-06T19:03:00.001-08:00

To our surprise we have had a very white holiday season. These are part of Canada, but because of their location in the ocean we usually don't have a very white winter, more a grey and wet winter. It was a treat to look out of the window and find this magical white wonderland had all of a sudden surrounded our house: L. explored the ice and snow, he jumped on little pools of ice when it first formed, he slid on the frozen lake, he tried out a tobaggan with a friend, made a snow angel but refused to make a snow man.

Wishing everyone a very happy, healthy and inspiring new year!

Creations for Christmas

2008-12-27T19:17:00.001-08:00

As I haven't been able to create much myself this year, apart from creating a little human being, I have been enjoying the crafts, gifts and creations of others. Here are some examples of beautiful creations that entered our house for Christmas.

This is Saint George the knight, who protects our household from dragons, made by Anna: Oh and I couldn't resist these cute ceramic owls, made by Bottle & Jug pottery studio in Tlell, on the islands here:

And these are some wonderful gifts and presents made by talented friends Ella and Jane. The wooden house is made by John Broadhead, who lives and works in Queen Charlotte:

A beautiful crown for our prince and a Christmas sweater by his Oma:

My mother has been quite creative and productive while she's been visiting and looking after our little ones. This white felt angel is one of her many angel creations, to bring peace:

We're very blessed by all these and more creations, thank you!

Journey into the world

2008-12-23T19:56:00.000-08:00

We had quite a different birthing experience this time around. Instead of a smooth natural home birth, we were introduced to the emergency procedures of trying to give birth on Haida Gwaii. As the baby indicated that he wasn't happy during the contractions, I had to be flown in a huge Sikorsky helicopter to Prince Rupert Hospital:
An emergency c-section brought little S. into the world:After two short days of recovery we flew back home in a seaplane:

Where L. waited to meet his new brother:

Agate Beach

2008-07-08T11:51:00.001-07:00

We went on our first camping trip this year, on Agate Beach near Masset. Beautiful spot, the campspots are right on the beach, you hear the waves coming and going continuously. Lief just loved exploring the beach, and especially going in and out of the water. It wasn't very warm, but he didn't seem to mind, as usual. I'm always surprised how well kids can deal with cold water.
Camping with little ones is hard work, especially at night time. Because of the light and the sounds, he didn't want to go to sleep until 10.30pm and he was up at the crack of dawn, 6am...

Sea Asparagus

2008-06-11T15:36:00.000-07:00

We are so lucky to live on an island with abundant Sea Asparagus growth. June is harvest month and Lief and I go outside to cut a bowl full of these delicious asparagus once or twice a week and use it fresh in a pasta dish or I also like to make a savoury pie with it. mmmm!

Little update

2008-05-12T20:32:00.000-07:00

Here I thought I had renewed energy, but instead was thrown back on the couch for more sleeping and dozing off and conserving energy for the little one growing slowly. And growing it is. Last week we had an early ultrasound where we got a very clear peak of this 6cm long baby. It's amazing that everything seems quite proportionally developed at such an early stage.

This picture may be hard to read, but if you look closely you can decipher in the upper part of the photo the baby lying on it's back, horizontally, with a leg and knee sticking up on the left, it's head is on the right.
The wonders of technology. All of a sudden there's a real baby in the small belly bump that's slowly starting show.

I'll be off line for a bit (again) as tomorrow Lief and I are taking off for a trip to Vancouver, visiting family and friends. On Saturday my Mom will join us on a trip to Coupeville WA, where a friend and I will take a workshop jewellery feltmaking with Lisa Klakulak! I hope my energy will be sufficient to enjoy and learn lot's! Will try and document as much as I can and post a few pics when I return.

New energy

2008-04-23T20:59:00.000-07:00

So the word is out... I'm 11 weeks pregnant. That's my excuse for not being online regularly and feeling rather pathetic. Most days are spent with hours on the couch, and early bedtimes. But some days are better than others and Lief and I explore the forest or the beach. The past days have been wonderful, filled with sun and light, so it's hard to stay inside.
Today I had renewed energy and we went to the studio, on the trail through the woods, where Lief stumbled upon roots, has some close inspections of the forest floor, and loved touching and even kissing the moss!

Here we inspect an old rusty motor that's part of a partly decomposed wood shipwreck on our beach. Lief wants to enter the studio

And really, all you need on the beach is a bucket and you can play for hours!

What helped immensely the past weekend was a visit by grandma! She had fun looking after Lief and was such a help in the kitchen. Thank you grandma, we miss you!

New goodies for the shop

2008-04-14T19:57:00.001-07:00

I'm trying to upload these goodies at my etsy store, but etsy seems too busy tonight. They'll end up in the store soon....

Slow and Shop

2008-04-12T18:50:00.001-07:00

It's been a while since my last post. Have been feeling a bit out of it lately. Haven't created as much as I'd like, but it'll come.

Lief was happy with his play-dough session, very concentrated for a while. How long can you keep play-dough? This batch was given to him for his birthday (Oct!) and is still workable... but it's probably time I'd make him a new batch.

Today we brought new items to Sitka Studio in Tlell; beanies, knit bracelets and sewn tea cozies and bags.
I've also uploaded a few items, like this indigo knit bag, in my etsy shop. More to come this week as soon as I've taken photographs.

Knits and wool stash

2008-03-31T19:45:00.000-07:00

This week has been slow for projects. I did finish a pair of small pants though with handsandnotions yarn. I'm pretty happy how they turned out, though I wonder a bit about the thickness of the wool and comfort for a little one. I may need to take it out again to knit them on larger needles. It seems just a little stiff, but I'll see.

My stash of wool doesn't seem to shrink, though I try hard, as it means I'm allowed to re-stock right?!!

Contrast

2008-03-28T19:39:00.000-07:00

What a contrast, a couple of days ago it was warm and sunny, felt really like Spring. Now there's been snow for a couple of days!! Lief doesn't seem to mind too much as long as he can go outside. Bundled up in one of Jane's Elfin hats and a scarf knitted by his mom, he's ready for anything. On the go...

Late afternoon walk

2008-03-19T19:58:00.001-07:00

Such a gorgeous afternoon, after an early dinner Lief indicated he wanted to go for a walk to the beach. Amazing sunlight came through after several wet snowy rain storms today, this was just perfect to end the day.

We explored rocks and puddles, testing the water and taking samples. We found soaked feathers, slimy seaweed and little shells.

We continued our walk into the forest along the path where Lief called out to the Raven. He replied. They exchanged thoughts and I'm pretty sure they understood each other quite well.

Then we ended up back home where the Hellebores are flowering bravely in the shade.

Such a lovely way to end our day.

Sewing and Knitting

2008-03-16T19:16:00.000-07:00

Some new projects this week. Sewing bags, knitting neck warmers and new wrist warmers. Lot's of fun, and I'm loving the materials.

A new neck warmer with custom yarn by Moonrover (find her at moonrover.etsy.com). The button is bone and found it at Maiwa in Vancouver.

Fabric for this bag comes from Chintz in Vancouver, it's heavy duty upholstery.

And a blue ceramic button by local potter Nancy Hett.

Flowering Moss wrist warmer, detail. (look at my flickr website for more pics, the link you can find in the column on the right)

Moss and Ferns

2008-03-12T19:10:00.000-07:00

At this time of year, just before the trees start to show their buds, the forest is rich with greens from the moss and ferns. It is gorgeous, and inspiring friends as well as myself. Jane has been taking beautiful photographs of her finds in the forest.

I asked Liz to spin a yarn that would evoke the flaky white bark of Birch and Alder, with patches of moss. This resulted in this seamless round knitted scarf.

Last week I started felting again, inspired by the ferns this shoulder bag came out.

Back to work

2008-03-06T10:30:00.001-08:00

This week Tracy went back to work, after two luxurious months of having him around it's a bit of a wake-up call. Full on back into motherhood. No back up, no sweet sharing in spending time with our little one. These are long days, for all of us. The first couple of days Tracy left before Lief got up and didn't get back until he was asleep. Lief would walk around the house inquiring where 'papa' went. Standing at the door, calling outside. Checking the woodshed, as he was sure he'd be somewhere chopping wood...

Yesterday a friend inquired about the felt baby jackets and was wondering which ones I still have. I had to take some new pictures and Lief enjoyed modeling them for me.

Such a gorgeous day, we spent quite a bit of time playing on the beach and in the forest. Spring seems to be arriving, we heard many birds whistling and chattering!

My new Etsy store

2008-03-02T19:46:00.000-08:00

So today it finally came together, I opened an online Etsy store for my knits, felts and sewn items! It looks so easy, but those first uploads took me hours! Not even considering the time to get all the pictures done, or the time to create the pieces in the first place...

Tracy was wondering why I didn't just drive up to Tlell, to drop the items off with the local gallery where I sell my work... Ehm... Well, I told him there's several reasons to put my work at Etsy.com:

1. First, I just want to try out a different way of displaying my work
2. Be part of the online community of more than 100,000 crafty sellers who all make handmade items! And who knows how many buyers.
3. Be able to show friends and family my work, whether they're in the Netherlands, Vancouver, Blue River, Victoria, Whitehorse, etc...
4. Receive feedback on my work, I hope
5. Be inspired to create more work

There's probably a lot more reasons, but these come first to my tired computer mind. I have uploaded a 'widget' on this blog, so you can directly see what's in my store. Just one click away! Enjoy.

Toys and more gifts!

2008-02-28T19:38:00.000-08:00

Today was a good play day for Lief and I'd like to introduce some of his handmade toys. On the left is Oscar, one of the 'Fools Parade' animals, made by Christine and Fiona in Vancouver. I had seen the Fools Parade on display at the Circle Craft Gallery, and though I was tempted to buy one then, I never did. My Mom, Lief and I found Oscar at the Roundhouse Christmas Craft Fair in Vancouver. My Mom decided it would make a great Christmas gift for Lief, so that's how Oscar came to live with us!

Next is Kenana Zebra, knitted by rural women in Njoro, Kenya. This group of women buys homespun wool produced locally. They believe in using environmentally friendly and ecologically sustainable materials and processes to support their farming communities in Africa. This was a wonderfully thoughtful gift from one of our friends.

Then there's Pull-Raven by Sleeping Forest, from Nova Scotia, which I bought at etsy as a gift for Lief. He drags is around the house (mostly on its side...) and somehow likes to rub the coarse cord on the back of his neck. The beautiful wooden frog is another great gift from my Mom. This one is made by Melissa and Doug and it actually hops along when you pull it, his legs push his back up in the air, quite cute. And these are some wonderful felted and sewn gifts by Ella and Arlo, thank you so much! We really enjoy them, so soft. The patterns are great, one day I may even create a mobile with the birdies... Thanks again Ella, very thoughtful!

I love Yarn!

2008-02-26T21:06:00.000-08:00

Some yummy yarns from Hands and Notions, I just couldn't resist. So far I've been enjoying their colour and texture, but waiting for a special knitting project asking for these yarns.

At the moment I'm into a 'moss' theme, working with a yarn by hobbledehoy. She created a wonderful skein that resonates the feeling of our mossy Alders and Berch. White with patches of blue grays and greens.

Jane sent me this wonderful skein of greens and browns, that will go very well with the theme, such a thoughtful and gorgeous gift.
You should check out her new Etsy store, her organic cotton wash cloths are divine, so soft.

Back home

2008-02-20T13:03:00.001-08:00

We're back from our travels through warm and sunny Mexico... It's been wonderful, Lief turned out to be quite the little traveler, very adaptable (as all children are of course) and very social. He loved the attention from people and rewarded everyone with a warm smile.

Unfortunately we lost our digital camera after two days in Mexico, so I don't have pictures to show... But we ordered one online and found it waiting for us when we got back home. So I got to take a few pictures of Lief outside again.

We brought my Mom back from Vancouver to spend a few days with us on the island, which was wonderful. We worked on some projects, while I was knitting a couple of neckwraps she worked in crochet on a pillowcase. I also finished a bag up that was still waiting from before.

It feels good to be able to create again, I was sure missing the process. I had brought enough yarn so I could knit some caps, which was fun. I even sold three caps to a cute little store called 'Rosemary' in Sayulita, Mexico. The rest I brought back home and will go to Sitka Studio, a local gallery, or maybe I'll even start an Etsy shop for my knits and felts...

Holidays!

2008-01-10T20:39:00.001-08:00

Yeah, Tracy has holidays and I have been able to spend some time in the studio painting!

It's been great, though I'm quite rusty. Takes a long time to loosen up, but it's just great to be in the space and have uninterrupted hours to work, to think, to just sit and read. Luxurious that is when you have a 14 month old.

This is a work I created last year (not the greatest pic, sorry), but I have started a new work in a similar vein: branches with moss and lichen. Seems I'm inspired by my surroundings, hey?

This is one of my latest neckwraps, also inspired by the lichen...

This will be my last post for quite a while. Tomorrow we're off to Mexico for sun, warmth and a different culture! We're very excited to go and explore sandy beaches, ancient cities, jungle and volcanoes. Will be back in February with some pictures!

Holiday creations

2007-12-30T19:58:00.000-08:00

Christmas day in the Queen Charlottes was cold, grey, rainy and eventually snowy and white. But we managed to get our family and three friends out in kayaks and paddle across the water to the Apple Orchard. An old abandoned site where big apple trees are heavy with the weight of moss and lichen. It will be sweet to go back on a sunny day in Spring and/orSummer and have a picknick on the mossy grass floor surrounded by these curvy trees. Maybe we can even pick an apple (we did see evidence that they still produce apples!).
The kayak trip (45 minutes to and 45 minutes back) was just a bit too long for little Lief, he needed some inventive songs to keep him sitting still. Back home he crashed immediately in his crib, while we all gathered around warm soup and toast cheese sandwiches. What a good feeling, after the cold paddle to enjoy the company of friends and good food!

Some creations I made during the holidays:
Organic wet felted wine cozy with ceramic button by Brian Eccles. Used some more of Loops' beautiful Mediterranean batts which has Bamboo, Alpaca, Silk and Corriedale and a bit of sparkle incorporated into it.

Then I finally finished this knitted bag. I had knitted the body a while ago, but never finished the handle. Then I lined it with Ikat fabric from Maiwa, and decorated it with hand embroidery (that continues on the back) and a nut button. The embroidery is done with a bit of handspun and handdyed yarn that I found at Granville island.

And this is another neckwrap, quite warm and fire-y colours. I think it's similar yarn as I used for the wrap Ella bought at the craft fair. Bone spiral buttons and more handspun yarn from Granville Island.

Wishing everyone an inspiring and creative New Year!

Felts and knits

2007-12-23T21:09:00.000-08:00

When I started to upload the images for this post, I realised this past week has been quite productive. It never feels that way, as time for creation is limited, but in the end, if you take the time to look back, it does add up! I'm quite pleased. First photo is of a brown 'helmet' hat in Merino wool. A bit funky, but very warm and cozy. It's tricky not to have the white dots move on me at the different stages of wetting, but they turned out ok.This is a picture of one of the first stages for felting the helmet. Laying out the layers of felt around a resist shape and adding the design.

Last Friday I mailed this felt necklace to Anna (hope I don't give away the surprise now). I hope it arrives just before Christmas! I made two wrist cuffs out of the same felt piece for Jane and Ella (who are showing the pieces on their blogs), but this part of the felt asked for something else. It took me a while to figure that one out, but in the end it came together. It has a natural curve on top and that made me think of a shield, a guardian for the throat and chest and for the little one growing...

This was a fun project, my first knit cuff, made with some funky yarn that incorporates crocheted doilies. As usual, the yarn is supplied by Hobbledehoy...

And last, but not least, I wanted to show you my Lopi cardigan that I finally finished... It has taken me one full year... Well, ok, I started on Christmas day, knitted quite consistently for a while, then dropped the project and only took it back up last week to finish. Such a relief...!

Kiki Knits

2007-12-17T19:59:00.000-08:00

Today I finished a neckwrap! I haven't been able to create as much as I used to, since little Lief has changes his naptimes to only once a day. It seems by the time he goes down for a nap, I'm very much ready for one myself. I miss the morning naps, where I could quietly drink my coffee, stare out of the window: and contemplate what to work on next.

But this project was short and sweet. I used some of Hobbledehoy's beautiful art yarn, which is called "That old song" and combines soft merino wool, camel down, fun pompoms, and crochet doilies. I also used a few rows of carrot orange handspun wool from the Fibre Art Studio on Granville Island in Vancouver.
The green buttons come from Button Button on Cordova in Vancouver.

Now I'm all inspired to knit again. I enjoy going from felting to knitting to sewing and back again in no particular order. Probably not the most efficient, but definitely the most enjoyable for me!

New felt project

2007-12-07T21:33:00.001-08:00

Today I have been working on a new coffee cozy for a Bodum coffee maker. I told my husband that if I wouldn't start creating something (apart from wrapping Christmas packages and writing cards, and don't forget 'creating' and mothering our son) I would go slightly nuts... During our trip in Vancouver I had looked forward to being back home and being able to felt again. Then it became slightly overwhelming to be home with all the errands that need to be run and Christmas prep. As well, Lief has started to get into more trouble recently, reaching higher, and he is sleeping less during the day, which means less time to create and being on your toes all the time to keep damage to a minimum...

Picture by Loop

Back to the felt project. So last night I started with combining some amazing, sparkly batts from Loop and soft and deep colored Merino roving from Kartehuset in Denmark. I have always just worked with the rovings from Kartehuset, and find they're very high quality, soft, gorgeous colors (in a very large selection). They felt up beautifully. But to combine it with the "Earth Goddess" batts that have sparkly bits of gold in them, makes the end result so very unique. It feels like a night out, dressed up.

Ceramic bead by Brian Eccles

I love Etsy!

2007-12-04T14:49:00.000-08:00

This is so much fun! When we came back from our trip to Vancouver, there were quite a few packages from Etsy stores waiting for me. Such a treat to open all of these envelopes to see what amazing creations crafters from all over the world sent.

On the left you see gorgeous handspun yarn by hobbledehoy (Liz), she's a super spinner who works and lives with her Angora rabbit in Pennsylvania. I just love her choice of yarn and colour combinations. Very funky and very soft. I can't wait to get started! In the centre of the couch there's two stunning scarves by Kelgwo, a small textile studio on Chiloe island in the south of Chile. These are a true work of art. Beautiful yarn combinations and raw wool. And on the right some funky fabrics by Lucky Kaeru in Southern California. I can't wait to see what these will end up as.... I guess I'd better get started.

The world becomes a small place on Etsy. It feels good to support fellow crafters and it feels even better to work with their materials. Knitting with Liz's yarn makes for a true craft collaboration.

Maternal Creations

2007-12-04T09:44:00.000-08:00

Picture by Jane Wheatley

Thanks to Jane Wheatley I have a few pictures of my table at the Maternal Creations craft fair, which took place at Pomegranate Midwives Clinic in Vancouver (Nov 23-25). So stupid, to not bring my camera, I could have taken so many pictures of all the great work and of the amazing, inspiring, creative Momma's. I'm not sure how everyone does it, combining motherhood and creating such an abundance of high quality work. I couldn't help myself, but had to buy some of each.... Check out Ella's dolls and crowns, she uses beautiful fabrics, Anna's soft and cuddly sewing work (and knitting!) and Jane's inspiring natural Elfin hats, tree stumps and kimono's.

Mieke and I had a fun connection, she's from Prince George and came all the way down to the fair as well. She told me her name is Dutch for Mary, but I couldn't help myself and before I knew it I told her that's not correct. Apparently I now have dismantled the last family secret.... Quite intriguing.

Thank you Lehe, for getting us all together and providing the cozy space of the clinic.

Moss stitch

2007-11-10T19:51:00.001-08:00

This is a scarf I'm working on at the moment, using handmade wooden knitting needles by Doug Peake from Evergreen Woodwork in Sandspit, BC. I chose to work this scarf in a moss stitch, inspired by the colours of the yarn. I love the moss stitch, it has a very unique feel and it looks like it's a woven piece. The yarn I'm using comes from hobbledehoy.etsy.com, and is a very soft merino blend, which I'm combining with green and blue mohair yarns as I go.

Felt toque

2007-10-31T10:55:00.000-07:00

This is my son Lief wearing one of my new felt toques. He didn't want to pose too long, impatient to get the hat off. "Mom, it's way too warm to wear these inside..."

New Bodum Coffee Cosy's

2007-10-25T10:06:00.001-07:00

These are my new felted coffee cosy's for a Bodum coffee maker. They have glass buttons so it can be closed inside the handles of the Bodum. 100% Merino wool and a bit of thread to ensure the top shape stays.

Maternal Creations 2007

2007-09-18T12:55:00.000-07:00

This year I'll participate at the Maternal Creations craft fair which will be held at Pomegranate Community Midwives clinic in Vancouver from November 23rd - 25th.

I'll be selling my handfelted baby jackets, coffee cosy's, knitted caps and maybe some scarves.

The only qualification for the show is to be a mother or a pregnant woman. The idea behind this is to recognize that making crafts is a way that women around the world sustain themselves and their families. Locally, women find that they are suddenly without work, either as they go on maternity leave or as they spend important time raising children. Pomegranate Community Midwives likes to offer Maternal Creations to these women as a venue to access the market and sell their hand-made crafts.

www.pomegranate-midwives.com
2647 East Hastings Street

Vancouver, BC

2007-08-09T15:05:00.000-07:00

Artist statement

I moved in 2001 from Amsterdam to Haida Gwaii (Queen Charlotte Islands) Canada, where I work as a visual and fibre artist. I design and make unique felt accessories and fabrics as well as paintings, prints and installations. For more information about my visual artwork, please visit www.arttea.com

In 2006 my first son was born and this has had an influence on the way I work. Due to the short time spans between looking after my son I started to work more with wool and felt, rather than large scale paintings. The wool is patient. Sometimes I use the wool as a canvas as I did with ‘Tree Sleeves’, other times as a surface to design garments like seamless baby jackets. Living in a rainforest, surrounded by majestic trees, my natural surroundings have a strong influence on my choice of colours as well as topics. ‘Tree Sleeves’ evolved from a study of fractals from tree bark and leaves.