Class pictures

In case you haven’t noticed, I love it when tatters learn new tricks! Here are pictures of the pattern we looked at last weekend:

Inset tatted by Natalie Rogers

Inset tatted by Joyce Martin

 Just 3 more days left in the auction. I do hope people are bidding. I’m sure some of the artists are confident their pieces will sell for a tidy sum. Me, I just hope someone enjoys my piece for many, many years to come.

What makes your tatting art?

The question arose again as I told a friend about my donation piece. I have no authority like a degree or financial success to argue that my lace is “art” or even that it is not a “craft” to be relegated to various pigeon holes. In my quest for trying to talk about what I do, I’m usually reading something about music or art. I’m currently trying to read a Google Books version of Eye of the Painter by Andrew Loomis. The author makes a distinction between “pretty art” and beautiful art. He talks of the difference between commercial art and fine art. Of course, this method is focused on painting only. He even says something can be pleasing as in a piece of embroidery or a design on wallpaper, but not really art. My reaction: Sigh!

My tatting strives to get people to think. About music, about how things can look, about remembrances of what they have heard. I hope it is pleasing to the eye. I hope it can be displayed in a home or office. I hope it stretches what people recognize as lace just a bit. Is it “art” or just…..?

I’ve decided I will create. For me. For the odd person who likes my ideas. I’ll leave the designation of “art” to others who seem more inclined to argue and parse than to enjoy.

Bottom line: Support the arts. Put in a ticket for my piece in the Fundraiser (link when it opens) and enjoy music represented in lace.

Turn in time

It’s time to turn it in: my donation piece to raise money for Carmel Bach Festival. As always, no pictures of the piece you can bid on, but here’s a small portion: 

Pictures of the full piece will be taken by a professional and posted when the show opens. I’ll be sharing links soon.

Mark your Calendars

Announcing a virtual workshop:  May 25-29, 2020 Tatting with Melanie.

Register through the Lace Museum in Sunnyvale, CA For a copy of the flyer click: Here

This will not replace the in person workshop that was to be held in April. I will offer an in-depth look at Sonata (BWV 1034) along with tips and tricks. If you are a beginner, do not fear! There will be plenty of time to help you learn to tat.

Announcing a virtual Art Auction starting July 18, 2020 and extending through August.

This Art of Music Raffle online will replace the show in the Marjorie Evans Gallery. I will miss the Festival concerts this year. I know the staff continues to work to bring music through the other programs the Festival sponsors and staffs. I hope my small piece of tatting will help to raise funds during this difficult time. More information as the time approaches.

My final event is one you, and only you, can decide what it will be. I encourage each of us to continue to create each day. Sit down with your instrument and play music. Sit down with your pencil or computer and compose. Sit down with your thread, needle, or shuttle and create lace. Share what you create. We can make this crazy world a better place!

Blackwork imaginings

My idea:

Work a background using the fill-in techniques for my next tatted piece on a musical composition.

Think it will work?

Samples are ready

Remember when I mentioned I will be leading a project inBlackwork? 

Here are two samples I stitched up:

The bookmark is worked in cotton and silk threads. 

The color study is all cotton threads.

I learned a lot working on these. I hope to learn more next Monday.

Now to prepare the handouts……

Where I am.....

Disaster almost struck! The Marjorie Evans gallery at Sunset Center where the Art Auction items are displayed is a wide hallway. Actually a T shape. There are 2 cases in the long section either side of the door to the parking lot. You can just make out one in the photo on the website (link above). The display surface is quite nice for size and height. Each case can comfortably hold 6 or so pieces of small art. The very, very heavy glass on top is a huge upside down box. I’d show you a picture, but I have been told other artists don’t like pictures of their art out there. So, I try to honor the spirit of community. (I don’t get it to be honest. Once I donate a piece, it’s not mine. And I frequently am surprised in good ways!) As the pulling of the tickets gets closer, I’ll sneak a picture. Promise!

The disaster was this: someone lost their footing close to the case and fell into the pedestal jostling everything. I was assured they were not seriously injured. My piece wasn’t affected, but a small picture on a stand toppled. It landed right side up thank heavens! And the very, very heavy glass sculpture stayed in place. Disaster almost struck!

I’m continuing to receive positive comments about the piece. I’ve got plans to tat the design again. I’m thinking larger thread so that it could be a door wreath. Must experiment…….

After the Festival ends though. I’ve already attended 4 concerts.  I have tickets to another half dozen or so. 

Time for a walk by the bay to clear my head. I’ve an ear worm of the opening of a Bach piece from Sunday. It is so similar to the piece I played for Postlude that morning. Both are Fanfares and very Festive!

Tatting: An (lost) art

The Art Show is open. Tickets are $10 each or 7 for $40. My box is on the very bottom, right next to the floor. I’ll be curious to see how many tickets make their way into that wee slot. Apparently, a good friend from out of town called the Carmel Bach Festival Office, asked for 7 tickets to be put into the box. I wonder if you can get tickets over the phone. I shouldn’t think so, but maybe…..

The Opening reception was fun. Lots of people in a small space. The artists are mostly sometime professionals and hobbyists. Quite a few have been participating for many years. That means there wasn’t anyone dressed to make a shocking statement which I appreciated. For this show, it’s not about the ART, it’s about MUSIC and specifically raising money for the Carmel Bach Festival. ‘nuff said…just fun!

My title for this post comes from the frequently heard comment, “Isn’t that a lost art?” We’ve all heard that when tatting in public. I’ve also heard something along the lines of, “My Aunt tried to teach me that.” Even a wistful, “I wish I could tat.” Well, last night I heard, “I’m glad tatting is not a lost art. I think your piece is ART!" That made me feel like I’m on the right track. I am not (no raised voice, just humbleness) highly trained, not crafty, not a bored housewife. I am an artist who represents music in thread. I am aware there are some who have a hard time calling anything that isn’t a painting art. Their loss! I choose to enjoy music, thread, and tatting!

Come by the show in the gallery off the raised patio. It’s open most days. Tickets can be bought just before, during, or after Bach Fest events at Sunset Center. Stuff that box! Win some art! Support the Festival!

What's coming up in 2019

I’ve been trying to focus my energies for 2019. Unsuccessfully. I’ve got just too, too many ideas!

Here’s a few:

Teach more people about the organ with a workshop/class on the physics used in organ building.

Play the organ more in different locations.

Teach more people to tat.

Create documentation of original patterns.

Create pieces for display/sale in galleries.

Oh, and keep up the snail’s pace of remodeling/restoring the house and property.

That’ll keep me busy! What are you thinking of tackling in 2019?

Destructions

I had a heart to heart with myself again. It’s tempting just to express opinions while writing a blog. But, like all very personal communications, those posts don’t always represent what I intend. So, here’s my pledge: I promise to keep my posts helpful and positive as much as possible. Of course, that means I need to keep up posting, even when life is giving me lemons.

So, the topic for today: destructions

I laughed out loud when I read this post. That’s what we called the instructions/manuals that came with anything requiring assembly or a learning curve to use. My Dad was a gifted technician in all things electronic. He was a tech whisperer before the term was even thought up. He just re-engineered what didn’t work the way he thought it should. That left the rest of the household trying to figure out how to change the volume on the record player; unlocking the front door in a specific order of pulls, key rotations, pushes and key removal; and my personal favorite, Dad not using my brand new electronic typewriter because he wouldn’t read the instructions I unpacked. It also meant that we had a stack of computer programming cards to play with and construct our card houses out of; more money in the bank because Dad could fix or patch up anything; and conversations with people all over the world before chat rooms existed. In his view of the world, instruction manuals were for dummies.

So what have I been doing lately? Writing destructions for pattern ideas. That’s including learning a graphic program so that I can create diagrams to go along with the text. I find I execute a pattern better if I have both. I’ve given up creating good photographs. The brain just doesn’t see focus and light well enough and I spend way too much time taking and editing photos. That’s best left to those who have those skills.

I’m not nearly ready to share any of those destructions. In order to have a prayer of turning this idea of music as thread art into a reality, my designs are quite complicated and specific. If I do come up with something that I think others would enjoy tatting to use as gifts or enjoy creating their own riff, I’ll let you know here where you can find those destructions.

A long winded way to say, nothing to see here, pick up you needle or shuttle and tat. Well, and maybe find something to ammuse you and reduce your stress.

And oh by the way, the lemons are ripe. Anybody want to come pick some and help with the limoncello? You must be willing to taste test……

Gift Giving

Thank you for the great suggestions as comments to the previous post. I’ve come up with a flat shuttle to wrap the completed tatting around as it grows. I’m about a quarter of the way finished, so I’ll be using it soon.

Probably the biggest challenge I’ve had making a hobby activity my business is getting friends and family to understand the time thing. History tells us Piecework is not a way to get rich quick. Especially after the Industrial Age. Clever engineers are always suggesting a machine could create it cheaper than paying someone to tat the lace. After hours of discussion, if they hang in there that long, the conclusion seems to be reached that tatting is complicated. I’ve even had an Engin-nerd suggest that perhaps tatting should die out. I just let that one hang in the air. Didn’t even dare to look up from the shuttles!

So, do I abandon my quest?  I know I have a good idea! My lace represents music. It isn’t just a pretty batch of knots. My pieces don’t make good gifts, they’re usually too complicated and take too long to create. I know there are people out there who appreciate it. Not just because the lady in the big house tatted it. But, because it is art. If painters can put paint on a canvas and make money, I should be able to find a way to fill the world with my art. Turning a hobby into a business can be done; you just have to learn to be successful. I’m ready to get started. But first, I’ll tat up a few presents! 

What should.......

It’s that time of year again. Ever since my kids started school, the first few weeks of school are a time for me to dream up what I wanted to see happen, what I needed to see happen. Then, figure out what I could do to get there. Some people call it a fancy “Personal Vision Statement” or “Mission Statement” which seems to motivate them, but I’ve never been a “statement” person…..except in making lots of noise at the organ console. I just don’t see the point in sitting and watching soap operas and eating tubs of bon-bons. I’ve got too much to offer. So, as the kids get used to changes, I try to figure out what changes I should make.

In the past, that has led to job changes, new volunteer stints, saying goodbye to other volunteer jobs, taking on or passing on new projects. You get the idea. Sometimes that’s painful and hard and doesn’t make friends and influence people. Other times, it provides a calming influence on the chaos of too much to do, not enough time and money. Sometimes saying yes can be more problematic than saying no. Most of the time saying no gives others a chance to discover more about things.

This year is no exception. 2019 looks to be another year of changes for me. I’m glad. Now I just have to figure out what changes I’m going to make sure happen.

What will stay the same????

I’ll still live in this great area. I’ll still play the organ and tat. I’ll still encourage others to explore the organ and lace. I’ll still continue to cherish my family and care for the house. I’m excited. Don’t ask me if you can read my Statement. I haven’t slowed down enough to write it out!

Comments from the Judge

My items from the Fair, both exhibits and display, are back home. Boyhuey was it hot out there today. Fortunately, the wind is off the Bay so the house is staying cooler. I don’t envy those packing up the carnival rides.

As I stowed all the little tatted pieces, I took some time to look over the comments from the judge on the Needlecraft and Fiberwork pieces. I didn’t have a comment sheet for the Bux2Bach piece I entered in the Fine Arts 3-D show. I’m happy with 2^nd place. The piece that won 1^st place is very nice. Good execution, design and craftsmanship. I have already decided I need to enter the juried division next year. And perhaps a jewelry piece.

Anyway, back to the comments. Most of the observations were spot on. For instance, the piece that won best of show (insert jpegs) earned all 100 points possible.

 

“Beautiful stitches. Wonderful use of color and beads. Excellent.” I’m very happy with that. Now to add the other 7 rows. What color to use next? And beads or no beads????

I plan to help with the Entry divisions and classes list for next year. I really hope more people enter some tatting. And maybe even some crotatting!

Post Fest glow

            After a wonderful month of activities, the Carmel Bach Festival is finished. The art donated for the Raffle has been carefully distributed to the lucky winners. Those who win a piece of art are encouraged to write a thank you note to the artist. I happily wrote my note for the book I won. It’s an exquisite handmade paper book with two quotations. I love paper making, so this beauty is now displayed on the ledge in the windows by the harpsichord.

I wonder where my bookmark has landed? I count the whole Festival Raffle experience a resounding success!

            Before I go, I’ll share a bit of my success with the cro-tat technique: 

 This yarn is marketed for baby things, so it has a bit tighter twist. It’s also 4 ply which helps also. For this pattern the color way actually works too.

 Mmmmm beginner’s luck?

Fun!!

The Bach Festival is almost over. There’s been a lot of music. A lot of fun, fun, music; a lot of fun socialization. I’ll confess that most of my social time has been spent networking. I’m such a work-a-holic! Well, that’s what happens when you get to mix your passion with your career!

I’ve really enjoyed everything. Even the music I don’t typically enjoy. Mostly because I found myself busy with other activities when those pieces were being talked about or performed. But, when the level of musicianship is as highly trained and offered as what I’ve witnessed, it’s not hard to listen. These people know how to “music” as one of the kids said. He was corrected by the older lady walking with him, but we both knew what he meant. Truth be told, I liked his phrase. There’s more to creating art than technique, knowledge, skill, creativity, dedication, the list goes on and on.

            For those local and Festival visitors, the Raffle continues through next weekend. Then the tickets are drawn, the art taken down and distributed, and hopefully all get to enjoy more art in the future. I have confidence the music will continue. I look forward to experiencing more, creating more tatting, and inviting more people to join the fun!

Forger's Spell

I’m glad to have finished the bookmark yesterday. The day before I finished the book I have been reading for Book Club: The Forger’sSpell by Edward Dolnick. He examines the case of a dutch forger who painted “Vermeers” that Goehring bought during the war. As a journalist, Dolnick amassed quite a lot of detail regarding this man and forging art in general. If you like non-fiction, if you are a WWII buff, if you wonder how the art world functions, this is a good read.

I plan to make my way up to the De Young museum soon to take a peek at The Girl with the Pearl Earring. It will be there for a few more weeks. In the meantime, I’m starting on a request of a bug with buttons that a friend spied on Jane’s list of patterns. It will be a good romp through split rings!