Wake Up!

Hmmm, our first post since December. I have to admit, we are all pretty pooped by the end of our winter holiday shows. In addition to rest and attention to neglected duties, we are making new stuff and allowing new ideas for our work and gallery to break dormancy.

Now, it's spring! (sort of) The equinox was a strange day, I thought. Springy looking from the window, but cold and windy outside. Light very late with our new earlier time change. And that brilliant full moon! Nonetheless, green things are poking up and we are getting ready to roll.

Lynn and I celebrated last weekend by going to the Gem show in Hartford. This would be a tonic on any winter day. Look at the sparkle!

Lynn can't decide which to eat first.



Lynn is 1/2 of "Stringing Them Along", our extraordinary beaders. I use all sorts of beads to mix with my hand made clay ones for flower stakes, hooks, wind chimes, and necklaces. (more on these in a later post)

We spent several hours at the gem show and saw wondrous things, but the best were the African beads sold by J-IMPORTS of the Bronx. Owner Abubakar Npakary Juwara haggled with Lynn over some trade beads; pricey, but amazing things.



These are authentic antique trade beads. It was from the mid 1800s through the early 1900s that most of these beads were produced and traded in Africa.





Expect some museum quality bracelets and necklaces using these and other fine beads.





Of course, there were plenty of less pricey contemporary beads of clay, glass, and metal that we took full advantage of. You'll find them in wonderful bracelets for everyday wear, and our very popular kids' bracelets.

Our spring sale will be Friday, May 2 from 5 - 8 PM and Saturday, May 3 from 10 AM to 5 PM. Hope we see you there!

Later, Lisa

Gallery Open Saturday, December 15!

Due to the forecast for Sunday, the Silkworm Gallery will be open instead on Saturday, December 15, from 12 noon to 5 for your shopping pleasure. Stop by, enjoy the warm fire, refreshments, and good cheer while you shop for last minute gifts. Good selections of jewelry, pottery, photography, and knit wear from your Silkworm artists remain, as well as the soft and lovely leather bags and journals, fused glass items and decorative gourds from our guest artists. See you there!

Holiday Sale in Full Swing!

Our first weekend sale was lots of fun. So many of you came in to visit and it was great to see you. Our little shop looks so inviting and we have some wonderful creations. We'll be open again this weekend, and don't forget to stop in tonight (Friday, November 30) from 5 to 7 for a little refreshment. We'll also be open Saturday from 10 to 5 and Sunday from noon to 5PM. On Sunday we'll again enjoy a couple of hours of piano music by Lynn's nephew Charles. And, of course, the cider will be simmering on the stove. For any late onset panic, we'll also open our doors one last time this year on Sunday afternoon, December 16, 2007.

What You'll Find from Amazon Creek Studio

The needles have been busy in Eugene, Oregon, and at the Silkworm Gallery, you'll find scarves and shawls to meet all your needs, whether for a snowy day or an evening out! Above, on the right, is an angora scarf that will give you or someone else both softness and warmth. On the left, is a detail of a shawl that incorporates one of the loveliest alpaca yarns that I've ever found. You'll find more shawls this year, including those that work as either a shawl or a scarf.

Holiday Weekends at the Silkworm Gallery!

Here's a copy of our Flyer for this Fall. Click on the thumbnail for a full size copy to read or print. Then..... come visit us when we're open!
Scroll down below for information on artists and works available this season.

Lake Parlin Artists-Handmade Journals and Stringing Them Along Bookmarks

These are the handmade journals from Lake Parlin Artistsans who are two sisters from Jackman, Maine. Lynn discovered them while she was at a craft fair in Greenville, Maine. Their leather goods are all handmade, and dyed by them. Their designs are original and quite unique. They have journals, pocket books, and many other wonderful items of all different sizes. We were amazed by how incredibly affordable they are. Again, another unique Christmas gift. We are so pleased to have them as new guest artists for our Holiday Sales.

Notice the handstitching that was done on the binding. It shows you the attention to detail.

The bookmarks are made by Karen and Lynn, and you can see how they paid attention to detail, by matching them up with this journal.

My cards with decorative papers.

Here are some examples of cards that I make with decorative papers. I make cards in different sizes from a 4 x 6 photo down to a mini photo that is a 2 x 3 image. These make lovely Christmas gifts with or without decorative papers.

Both of these shots were taken in Nortwest Gardens in Eugene, Oregon, I was truly lost in flow when I was shooting. The garden was at its early summer peak.

The top photo card is, believe it or not, a Clematis. It is a sweet little bud. The Cone Flower is called Fiesta. It does look quite festive.

An old slide becomes quite a photo.

I found a box of slides a few months ago and lo and behold within lay this slide. It was a photo I took on a summer morning when the light was at its perfection. I have named this photo "We Don't Shine Alone~Clematis and its Supporting Stars". The clematis jumps out at us, but look at all the surrounding buds, and a budding Astilbe. From beneath it is surrounded by Lady's Mantle. Isn't that what our lives are like? When we move forward we have people and/or things that supports us. They surround us and shelter us.

This photo is a custom giclee print. The print size is an 18 x 30 photo, drymounted, double matter and framed to 24 x 36. All materials are archival.

DON'T FORGET TO DOUBLE-CLICK ON THE IMAGE TO SEE MORE DETAIL.

Keep checking back, because I will be posting images all week.

The Glass I

One of our new guests this season is Ellen Marshall who brings beautiful fused glass serving pieces.Come see what surprises unfold when she unpacks her boxes at the gallery.

Back by popular demand! Good Gourds.

We love having Chris Gooding and her fantastic gourds join us and we know you do too.

Paints, yarns, foils, and feathers, seeds, shells, beads, and leather: You name it, Chris weaves wonderful things together to make her enchanting creations.

Theses bird gourds are favorites.

And Chris always has some all new creations to share.

News from Feats of Clay

My mantra in pottery and gardening, which I think I lost for a bit there: "Above all else, have fun!!"
And I have been. I've been playing with textures and glazes on little plate and dipping bowl sets like these:


This got me in the sushi mood, so I began trying my hand at a few soy pots. Talk about fun! I've got a million ideas in my head for these.





I've also been making some
funky canisters.


As requested, I've been playing around with the "fish plate". I've made four. Each is quite different from the other, and 3 are not yet out of the fire so I can't make any promises.
But, don't worry. It hasn't been all experimental. I will have a collection of new porcelain mugs, along with a stack-o-bowls.


See you in a couple of weeks! Lisa

This is a photo of Eileen at Newberry Crater in Oregon this past June. I was "encouraged" to go camping with our illustrious hand knitter Mary Alice. I am not a camper, but I have to tell you that it was a spectacular spot and the beauty of everything around our camp site was worth the hard ground sleeping accommodations.

More photos to come.

Eileen