Lot's of terrible things happening in the world. So what to do? Make a sarcastic video tutorial!
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It's great to have a hoop both to keep your work taut, and as an easy, economical way of displaying your finished project. Check out my new video on how to do it.
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My journey into showing gratitude for my friendships continues with these flags or pennants. They were created for friend and coven member Safi Mahaba. She and I have been friends for many years now and her presence in my life feeds my soul.
Her work is full of beauty and activism. The Peace Gardens that she cultivated with her partner DeWayne Barton, were one of the reasons we moved to the neighborhood we have been in for over 10 years.
I could write endlessly of how the work of these two people have been important to my family. Their love of this special community has brought it back from pain and destruction caused by the racist policies of urbanization. I am grateful for their work and friendship. That is why I made these artworks that pay homage to the land and growth.
Safi and DeWayne are working hard on the next chapter of community cultivation called Blue Note Junction. Please take time to see the project here.
It's just a week away! Here's a video of the kit participants receive as part of their registration.
The class will be on April 30th at 3 pm - 5pm at Asheville Raven and Crone. Registration is $35.
Here I am talking about where I work. The great thing about fiber art is that it is easy to do with little to no space as you will see from my video. I also wanted to show how I use packaging for storage to avoid throwing away too much plastic etc.
This weekend I played around with making some more videos. Here's one I did on paper piecing which is one of my favorite methods. I have used paper piecing for years to make quilts, usually sticking to hexagons as you will see in the video below.
However I recently made one using sari scraps with a basic square and rectangle design, which worked really well (pictured above). Using papers is helpful with lightweight fabrics, the paper gives them stability. I get often asked: "Do you take the papers out?" Yes! You do. When you are done sewing each shape you snipe the tacking thread, remove it and take out the papers. You can use the papers a couple of times.
I made this video to show how to begin an embroidery project. It's based on my zodiac kits. These kits will be available at Asheville Raven and Crone from the end of the month and they are the same kits that participants of my embroidery class on April 30th will receive.
Location: Asheville Raven and Crone 640 Merrimon Avenue, Asheville
Date and Time: April 30th 3pm - 5pm Yep, I'm doing it again. This class is new and improved. I have created a simplified project based on zodiac signs so that those who join can progress a little faster in the two hours that we will be together. The price of the class is $35 and I am asking people to register in advance to avoid disappointment. This also gives participants a chance to let me know which zodiac kit they want. After this class, the kits will be available to buy exclusively at Asheville Raven and Crone. Wearing a talisman is the most common use for these charms. You can pin them to your clothing or wear on a chain. The advantage of doing this is that they look awesome as well as reminding you of the intentions you may have set and imparted in the piece throughout the day. So much of our daily activities are conducted on auto-pilot. I am a firm believer in creating sacred moments throughout our day. One of these moments is when I choose the jewelry I will wear for the day. I hold each piece and pause in meditation (not too long!) before putting it on.
Try this with your talisman, imparting it with intention. Or you could make part of a more involved personal ritual if that is part of your practice and wear your talisman charged with lots of great magick! Learn to make your own talismans in my self-paced online workshop. I am always looking for ways to develop my witchcraft practices discreetly. It’s hard to carve out time and space to participate in lengthy rituals because I have a family. While my husband is very supportive (and I think a bit proud) of my path, it still feels weird to let him know that I am going into the spare room or garden to perform a ritual and if my daughter is around it’s even harder. This was part of the reason I developed my Tiny Magick series of talismans. These small fiber art pieces fit in the palm of my hand, are light and discreet. I can carry one with me and use it as a portable micro altar, creating the tiniest of sacred spaces. I use mine to meditate on intentions. My personal one has a bird claw that I love to look at and touch. Not all of us can create elaborate ceremonies or indeed want to. My witchcraft is grounded in folk traditions inspired by my British roots. I feel the sacred is within and without and as such can be accessed at any time. My talisman helps me transform the moment and open a portal to the liminal anywhere I am. Suggested steps for creating a sacred space:
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I'm Liz Watkin I explore witchcraft through embroidery and embroidery through witchcraft!
Join me for the four week course "Magical Fiber Arts" starting February 10th. Register here. |