For my birthday, I was treated to a lovely surprise: a mixed-media class with Zainab Dhoon and a few special friends. Mixed media has always been one of my favorite ways to create. There is a freedom in bringing different materials together and simply seeing where they lead. That day, we worked with acrylic paint […]
A Few Hours of Color and Friendship Read More »
Listening at My Craft Table Listening at My Craft Table There is something about listening to another person share their story while I’m busy making. Whether I am weaving, working with paper, or simply sitting quietly, these conversations feel like welcome company. I enjoy hearing from people who create, design, build businesses, change direction, and
Listening at My Craft Table Read More »
This was another one of those COVID-time projects when I had time to experiment and an idea that sounded perfectly reasonable until I actually tried it. I wanted to make a piece of handmade paper in the shape of the United States. Not cut a map out of a finished sheet, but actually pour the
Made with Heart. Painted with Hope. Read More »
During COVID, like everyone else, I suddenly had a lot more time at home. And apparently I decided I needed coasters. Not store-bought coasters, of course. That would have been much too easy. I started with simple 4 x 4 travertine tiles and began experimenting. I already had rubber stamps and ink pads, chalk paint,
A Little Stone, Paint and a Lot of Coasters Read More »
Sometimes I make paper because I have a particular project in mind. And sometimes I make paper simply because I wonder, what would happen if I tried this? This was one of those times. I had two vats of recycled pulp, one white and one a deep blue, and I started wondering if I could
Two-Tone Recycled Paper. Just Because I Can. Read More »
There is something about taking fibers that seem to have reached the end of their usefulness, breaking them down, mixing them with water and making something new from them. I have always loved the unpredictability of handmade paper. No two sheets are exactly alike. The uneven edges, the bits of fiber that refuse to disappear,
Threads, Paper, and a Little Bit of Quiet Read More »
Off the Loom: A Tapestry Weaving Journey I have worked with paper for years, and somewhere along the way I began weaving with it. Strips of handmade paper, over and under, creating texture and pattern. I suppose it was only a matter of time before I wondered what would happen if I tried the real
Off the Loom: A Tapestry Weaving Journey Read More »
There’s something very satisfying about taking what most people would throw away and turning it into paper you can actually use. This batch started as nothing more than scraps and shredded bits — the kind of thing that would normally end up in the bin without a second thought. Add water, a lot of pulping
From Shreds to Something Worth Keeping Read More »
This was my second attempt at paper weaving, and I wanted to explore beyond a simple over-and-under pattern. I experimented with different arrangements, colors, and styles, curious to see how much the pattern could change just by altering the placement of the strips. There is a surprising amount of precision involved in paper weaving. Each
From Paper Strips to Yarn Read More »
There comes a time in life when we begin thinking differently about our homes. Not just how they look, but how they feel. Norwegian life-cleaning is a simple and thoughtful practice that encourages us to create order and calm now, rather than leaving the task to someone else later. You do not need to wait
Norwegian Life-Cleaning: A Gentle Way to Lighten Your Home and Heart Read More »
