My latest knitting project

I've been working on a knitted top (pictured) that I will (hopefully) wear over items much like a short sleeved sweater. Just like any other pattern I have found my issues and problems with the way the it was written. Its understandable that writing patterns can be very difficult but sometimes I think some companies really just don't put forth the effort to edit their patterns. Whenever I get theses nightmare patterns I start questioning my own abilities as a knitter. There was a certain book that I felt was slapped together so poorly that I went to the extra effort to point out that people will be frustrated and put off by their writing style. Oh well... just be aware that knitting is, in a lot of ways frustrating and that most of the time is isn't you.
If your interested this wonderful pattern is a Plymouth yarn pattern # s301

My Mother

A quick note on my way out the door. My mother just won a contest where an image of her artwork will be placed on an outdoor banner. Im very excited for her. This is the image they chose.

Trunk Shows

I just participated in my third trunk show of the year and so far its been rather slow. We haven't really sold anything successfully in a long time but I still feel hopeful because of how encouraging people have been towards our work and us in general. Each show has benefited me in one way or another, be it kind words, inspiring work of others, or just exercise its hard to haul stuff around :-).
Being an artist is extremely hard, but I'm just not ready to give up just yet!

4th fun

I just wanted to wish everyone a wonderful holiday weekend. I have to go to sleep so I can get ready for my showing at Urban Arts and Crafts tomorrow. May many things inspire you, and good night!

Funny... I do that too!

Working at my local craft store Urban Arts and Crafts I get many opportunities to talk to other crafers. Most people agree that there is nothing more aggravating than running out of yarn before you've finished your project. The funny part of this story is how people tend to deal with the situation when they first get the hint that they may be running out.
When this situation happens to me I notice that I start knitting faster and faster... like somehow if I can just go quick enough I will beat the yarn in this race to the finish. The sensation is similar to when you were a kid and you started running down a hill that's just a bit too steep. Your somehow falling and running and being amazed that something terrible hasn't happened yet. People always seem to laugh when I tell this story but its always followed up with a yeah its hilarious but I guess I do that too now that you mention it!
ha ha ha.

Where I find inspiration

I love materials and lately the most inspirational thing to me are items that are not usually thought of as craft or art items. I've been using silk straight pins in my pieces for 2 + years now and my latest obsessions are washers and rubber seals. Whenever I find something that I can get hundreds of I'm imediatly inspired. I always figure if I have enough of something I'll be able to figure out some kind of use for it.

Being an Art Grad

I get asked often what was it like going to the Kansas City Art Institute, or why get a an art degree. Sometimes I find it hard to answer these questions. An Art Degree isnt somthing as easily defined as other degrees. I can use it to get some jobs but it dosent hold a much weight a say a business degree. I do believe that the most benificial things that I gained from my experince was self examination (how to look at my pieces and see how I could make them better), and just different tools for dealing with difficult people while keeping my inspiration. If you can make it through art school and not break thats really saying something!

The Bead Class

I've been up in the air about what it is that I want to be doing so I have been experimenting with several different processes. Making glass bead was fun but I think that my further exploration of the I finally did it and signed up for a glass bead making class. It was fun, interesting and scary. Latelymedium will be selfish in manor. I'm keeping this one to myself and not going to pursue it as a way to make money.

Show June 6th!

What Im doing today

Im still working on a new show possibly. My goal is to have enough sculptures made by Aug or Sept. I have about 7 made and I think Im making some good headway. I will need quite a few pieces to throw my own show in the gallery that I am hoping for. Im also making some new jewelry that can be viewed on my Etsy account ExcessoriesKC. Check me out!! More info later.

Knowlege

Should anyone need help with a project I thought I would include a list of my skills and the techniques that I have studied.

MX dyes
Acid dyes
Natural dyes
Disperse dyes
Discharge dyes
Shibori
Felting (knit, woven, or roving)
Dyeing of roving
Spinning yarn
Hat making
Costume Design
Silk Screen
Thermafax
ATC :-)
Jewelry making
Fiber Sculpture
Card making
Knitting
Crochet
Beading
Cloque
Embroidery
Applique
Painting
Ceramics
Sewing
............................I'm probably forgetting something

Examples can be viewed at www.ExcessoriesKC.com

Coming soon
glass bead making

What I'm working on

Currently I am working on new sculptures for a show in the summer (as long as everything works out) So far I have finished 4 large pieces as well as the components for a mobile art piece. My other passion jewelry (primarily necklaces) has not only landed me a minor job teaching but I have started a new line of jump ring pieces. I'm really proud of myself for keeping up my art while I've been working part time at a craft and art store. Its strange but I almost feel like the constraints on my time to work on my own pieces has made me more focused and determined. My least favorite task of the day is going to be readjusting my prices on my own art stock. I have decided to remove my works from places that charge huge consignment costs so that I can offer a better value to my customers, (I never did feel right about having to double my prices to fill someone else's pockets.) I just completed the scarf that's highlighted in the picture, I was really impressed with how vibrant it turned out.
More later
Katie

education = career ?

My first official blog... yay!
I decided today the I would talk about the joys of being the graduate of an art institute. It seems funny to me that as you grow up adults are always telling you to reach for you dreams, go to college, find what your passionate and make it a career. These phrases make for super advice... unless your dreams are creative. When you grew up and said I want to be a dancer... or actor... (or forbid) artist the faith in your choice making is lost. Seeds of doubt are planted very soon on with the comments like "are you sure" "well what can you do?" "you'll never make money at that" and my personal favorite "so when are you going to get a REAL job?"

I would just like to say for the record that even with all of this thrown at me as well as the loss of my art boutique and my current part time (but still creative) employment that I have been as stubborn as ever not to let people take me down. Every creative person need to say this mantra (and mean it) when they are feeling down. I AM NOT AFRAID TO CREATE! If you can't quite get over the hump I recommend you read a book or two. Art and Fear by David Bayles and Ted Orland and How to Survive and Prosper As An Artist by Caroll Michels have helped me through some of my more doubtful moments.
I must be going now but feel free to visit my works at

www.ExcessoriesKC.com

Beautiful Accesories In Excess!

or on Etsy at

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5717869

Thanks
Katie