Fiber Focus

For textile and fiber art addicts who are curious about the world.

Find common ground and cultural connections through the art of fiber.

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You can use this site to promote your work or business, announce fiber events, start discussions through the forum, network with each other and just share whatever you think will be interesting to the group.

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Thanks so much, Janet. I have to stop and make a couple of Spring postcards for a swap. I will start another small mosaic block of 12 1/2" square to make and the theme is chocolate. I hope that it comes out the way that I expect. I will download pho…
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Rayela Art

Photo Tips 19 Replies

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The Facebook Connection 5 Replies

Started by Rayela Art. Last reply by Rayela Art Sep. 29, 2009.

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Facebook: The Virus You Want to Catch for Your Business!



A screenshot of my personal page on Facebook

Facebook?  I have lots of friends who are on it and we all enjoy the spontaneous access it gives us all to our humor, insights, links, photos and whatever else we want to share with each other.  From the ones that aren't there, I get groans, moans, disgust or misinformation.  "I don't want the whole world to know what's going on in my life!"   Facebook has definitely transformed how we communicate with each other, replacing email for many of us.  It's a household name that has millions of avid fans and as many avid enemies...


I was one of the converts who joined kicking, screaming, rolling my eyes, and foaming at the mouth.  Now I have been on there for several months and I have been completely, irrevocably brainwashed into a convert, one who stands at the airports with my flowers and invites the public to join.  Facebook is a tool that you can control and tweak to match your needs.  I think it is the best network out there and it has so permeated our social fabric that as a business or artist, it's as essential as having a phone.

The problem with Facebook is that the way it is set up assumes that the users know how to use it.  Most don't.  Most figure out how to add new friends, respond to updates, add photos and links, and that's about it.  Those are all nice tools, but they just explore the tip of the iceberg.  Learning how to use it well can really help artists and businesses get the kind of exposure they long for.  This post is for those of you who use Facebook minimally or not at all.  In the end, I hope that you will also want to join in and become part of this Facebook revolution.



Yep.  Being on facebook does mean having a public persona.  Social networking is a pretty recent phenomena, but it has become such a part of life on cyber space that it's hard to remember the days before we had all these venues where we could, for better or for worse, put ourselves out there.  Social networking falls under one of the many tools we now have under the umbrella of "Social Media".  Do you look at videos on YouTube?  Have a blog?  Tweet?  These are just a few of the more popular venues that people use to connect with each other, but there are many, many more.  Wikipedia has a good history and list.  Basically, social media has replaced the face-to-face interaction we had with our neighborhood shops and hang-outs.  As these tools developed, the mainstream marketplace was forced to adapt and include customer feedback, reviews and other interactive tools.  Unbelievably, Facebook was created by a Harvard student in his dorm room in 2003.  (see Wikipedia again)  It was one of those creations that came along at the right time and place.  The market and the people were ready.  When something catches on like this, it is said to have viral qualities and that is what artists and businesses hope for when they join facebook.  How exactly does this work then?

I've taken a bunch of screen shots to walk you through the different features Facebook offers which I think are important.  Click on the images to see a larger image, or you can go to my public page, Rayela Art, to follow along, or to your own page, if you have one.

First of all: How do you get friends?  You can have Facebook check your email address book and it will tell you who is already on there.  You can then choose who you want to invite to become your friend.  Then, once you have friends, you can check their friends and see if there is anybody you know.  The search bar also brings up names and if there are too many, you can narrow the search by location, school or job.  Somehow people start finding each other and last year was marked as a wonderful reconnecting for me with friends from that past that I had lost contact with.  Mine are grouped into family, Brazilian friends, missionary kids, high school and college, peer artists, Chicago people, and so on.  A creep from the past wants to be your friend?  Just say no!  Most of my re-connections have been treasures, but there are a couple that have raised my eyebrows.  "You were such a nice boy!  What happened to make you so bitter?" Believing in diversity, I try to find the common ground we share rather than keeping my friends limited to the same code of ethics, but I've noticed that some have "unfriended" me, which is just fine.  Not everyone wants to have a bleeding heart liberal flower child type in their midst...


Comment, Like and Share: the virus effect on Facebook.

Everybody who joins Facebook has a profile page where you can link to another website, upload a photo or video, or make a comment.  If this person has any "friends", those friends can comment, like or share, giving a reaction to what was posted.  Comment is straightforward.  You type some kind of a response.  If you like what you read, you click on that and you will be able to follow what other activity happens on this post.  You can set your settings to receive emails whenever any action like this happens on your page.  Now, the third option, Share, is the most important as far as achieving that viral effect. When a friend clicks on that, that post goes to their Home page and all their friends see it.  The hope is that those friends will also like it, click share, and on and on.  This is the viral effect of Facebook.  In theory, one post could have thousands of viewers.  However, this only happens on links or images that have public settings.  All personal comments get deleted in the sharing and the friend can say whatever he or she wants to about that link.  If you say something silly and you have private settings, the comment cannot leave your page.  Make sense?  Hopefully, this concept will become clear as we move along.

Friends, Fans and Members
There are three kinds of pages on Facebook and each has a different relationship.
  • You have your personal profile where friends are accepted or rejected.  
  • Personal pages can have sub-pages that are created for the public.  These are usually small businesses, special interest, artist, or music pages.  I have three: Rayela Art (for my business), Afghan Tribal Arts (for a friend's business that I manage) and Falamos Portugues (a just-for-fun page for Portuguese speakers).  Pages are public and anyone interested in the content can join as a fan.  An icon of that page pops up on that person's profile page and they will receive updates in their home page.
  • The third type of page is for groups.  Larger organizations, families, teams, museums and non-profits would normally select this option.  This is also a public page and whoever joins becomes a member and receives updates in their home page as well.  Groups joined are listed in the personal info page.

 

Now let's look at some of the features in each of these structures.



Personal Pages
Whenever I start using a new site or software, I click around on the tabs and links and look at what happens.  Usually, I can figure out what they mean and if I don't get it, I will ask friends or use the search or help functions.  I numbered the most important parts of a profile page:


Key spots on a Facebook profile page.

  1.  Your latest comment or post shows up here.
  2. The space where a new comment can be posted.  The small icons under it mean that you can attach a photo, video or link.  Videos have to be ones that you made.  If you post a youtube video, use the regular link option with the video's url as the address.
  3. The all-important Share button.
  4. Recent activity.  This shows up differently to different viewers depending on your privacy settings.
  5. At that bottom, left-hand corner, some little icons lead to applications and other functions.
  6. Chat function.
The top bar shows that this is the profile page.  If you click on "Home", you see all the activity that has been posted by your friends or the pages and groups you have joined.  Click on "Friends" to find one of your friends and on "Inbox" to send a private message to one or more friends.


The "Home" page on Facebook where you see all the activity of your connections.

The home page is the one you will check and your profile is what others will look at when they want to see more info about you.  I normally check my home page in the morning and at night.  I do a quick scroll down and screech to a quick stop if something interesting catches my eye and then I'll banter with a friend, watch a video, or give feedback on something that was posted.  One could spend hours and hours doing this, but I try to limit how much time I spend here, even though I do enjoy it.  Most of my friends are actual people I know, family,peer artists, and the organizations or pages that I follow are ones that I am truly interested in, so the content does interest me.



Friends who are diligent about loading photos make their page more interesting.  It's a great way to see new artwork, view the kids who are growing up, see rehab projects and just get a better mental picture of what is happening in their lives.


Those who have videos have a special page for them, too.  I'm just learning how to do this, but have a couple.  Business pages and groups also have these features.

Facebook has hit on the most interesting and vibrant way of sharing news and information.  I am terrible at making phone calls, often do this non-business stuff late at night, so I can browse and comment when the rest of the world is asleep.



Business Pages

Business pages have many of the same functions as a profile page plus a few others.  You can include photos, videos, discussions, and events.


Screenshot of Rayela Art


One of the things that I like about Facebook is the clean template and consistency among pages.  I had only seen My Space before and hated the chaotic jumble of images and glitter.  But, you can still personalize your page with photos, logo and how much information you add on.





You can set up your pages to allow fan photos, one more way to encourage networking among peer businesses and customers.  If someone posts something you think is inappropriate, you can delete it.



Screen shots of Afghan Tribal Arts.



A great tool for artists who do a lot of shows is the events page.  Your customers and fan base can keep track of you and try to attend a live performance, sale or opening.  I use it to post an occasional event that is happening locally in Paducah or a festival that I wish I could go to.



List your events on your business page on Facebook!

Many of your friends on your personal page will probably be interested in your business.  You can invite them to receive your updates.  Click on "Suggest to Friends" and a window pops up with icons of your friends.  If the image looks cloudy, they have already become a fan.  This is so much better than spamming people who don't want to receive your emails!  These people choose to follow your business, become a fan and get your news because they are interested.  Your job, then, is to come up with information that is interesting enough to make them want to share it with their friends.



Messages can also be sent through Facebook's Inbox (your messaging system on Facebook).  This should be used sparingly.  It can be really annoying to get multiple messages from one of the pages you became a fan of, especially if those messages aren't even in a language you understand.  Again, you can always leave a business page that gets on your nerve an "un-fan" yourself.

A nice feature when you become a fan of someone's page is that you can add them on as a favorite on your page.  I've added like-minded pages to Rayela Art because I think my fans will also find them interesting.  Of course, the hope is that these businesses will reciprocate and give you some floor space on their page, too.  If you click on the "See All" in the box, you can scroll down and see larger icons and names of the pages.


 

The one big complaint that I have of the business pages so far is that you cannot become a fan using your business.  So, when I fan people that have similar businesses, I show up as Rachel Biel instead of Rayela Art.  I would much rather drive people that I do not know to my Rayela Art page than to my personal one.  In the same way, I would like to know if my fans have businesses that I can interact with professionally, but if I click on their icon, it will go to their personal page.  It would be nice if Facebook would give you options of how you become a fan or how you join a group.


Groups
Groups are organized in a similar but slightly different manner from the other pages on Facebook.  I won't go much more into them, except to say that one can find any topic or theme under the sun on facebook.  When you do a search for groups, the results will show you which groups your friends have joined and what the latest activity is on the groups you belong to.  Once again, that viral potential in action. 




Group search on Facebook will come up with endless possibilities.


Applications

Applications are little independent programs that interface on facebook.  Some have to do with business, family or school connections, many with general silliness brought to life by people with too much time on their hands.  It's important to understand how to find and use applications as they can be useful tools.  The first icon at the bottom left-hand corner is where you will find them.  Click on it and a box pops up:

If one of the applications you are looking for is there, click on it.  Otherwise use "Browse More Applications" and a new page will open up.  This is where you go to create your pages that we discussed above. "Networked Blogs" is an important application for any of you who have blogs.  You join the application, are given a profile page with public snippets of your blogs and recent posts.  Every time you create a new post on your blog, it shows up in your news feed where all your friends can see it.  I have it set up so that the posts will also go to my pages.  Most applications will give you an option to create a box or tab on your profile page, too.  Interested friends can then click on that tab and see your blog posts and sign up for them.




  
Networked Blogs on Facebook, an important application.




Applications can also bring on a nightmare of games and stupid stuff.  If you do open that applications page, you will see that there are business tools, education, lifestyle, sports, and the dreaded games and just for fun.  The two top games that my friends enjoy are Farmville and Mafia Wars.  They are addictive and they go on and on and every time they do something new on it, it shows up on our personal page news feeds.  I just have no interest in knowing that so and so just bought a new pig for their farm or however it goes.  I've got a couple hundred friends right now and just imagine if 30 or more of them are playing these games!  As my group of friends got bigger, the number of games increased and my annoyance level grew.  I was about ready to quit the whole thing and get off Facebook, when one of my friends told me that if I hovered my cursor next to the application, a box pops up that gives you the option to hide that person or that application.  Ha!  Well, I still wanted the other stuff from that person, just not the games.  Once you hide the application from one person, it is hidden forever!  Good-bye farmville!  Relief!  Facebook became fun again for me.


 Farmville and Mafia Wars, application nightmares on Facebook...


Settings
One of the greatest fears many people have about Facebook is whether their privacy will be protected.  This is a legitimate concern according to the Wikipedia article I mentioned at the beginning of this post.  Hopefully, they will continue to improve this, but meanwhile, just make sure that you will not post things that might shame you later and check your settings so that they reflect the level of privacy you want to have.  I keep my updates so that only my friends can see them, but allow my photos to be seen by friends of friends.  If you have friends on your photos, you can tag them and that photo will show up in their photo page as well, so I figure that it's nice for their friends to be able to see them as well.  You might want to make an art album public to anyone.  The settings options can be accessed on the top bar, next to the search box.



Linked accounts and privacy are the two important settings to check whenever you have doubts about who is seeing what.  Many of my friends kids are on Facebook and they revel in silliness.  I think about how it will be for them, if they still have the same accounts in 10 years, where they will have mountains of records of how they behaved as teens...  Will they want to delete it or look back on these times with a smile?  Who knows where the world will be then, but never before has our private life become so public.

Pages also have settings that should be monitored.  You can decide how much fan input you want to have: whether they can submit comments, post photos, participate in discussions and so on.



Interfacing
As if all of the above is not enough to convince you that Facebook can be a powerful promotional tool for your business, there is one more feature that I really like.  Increasingly, Facebook is linking with other social media so that updates and information can be shared back and forth.  As an Etsy seller, I was thrilled when they became linked to each other.  There is an Etsy application that pulls items from your shop on an Etsy page that has its own tab in your profile page.  Click on an item and it takes you to the Etsy shop.

 



I have my Etsy shop application on both my personal profile page and on Rayela Art and Falamos Portugues.  I created one for Afghan Tribal Arts which is on the Afghan Tribal Arts page on Facebook.



When you post something on Etsy, there is a Facebook icon which you can click and send that item to your Home Page's stream.  Again, I wish this went to my business page instead of my personal one, but in time, maybe it will.

Twitter is also linked in.  I don't have the patience to post on Twitter, but know that I have to be there, too, so I was relieved to find that I could set up my Rayela Art Facebook posts to go there, too.  And, they go to my Linked In page.  All of it helps, all of it has viral potential, the sneeze we all want for our businesses!

There is much more, I am sure, but hopefully, this tutorial has helped you understand how to make use of Facebook your tool to fit your needs.  As a final tip, I would like to point to the Search box.  This is such a great tool in itself!  Once you become friends with someone or join a page or group, start typing the name and it pops up.  This is how I travel between my pages.  You can also search using any key word and all related pages and entries will pop up, giving preference to the ones your friends have created or posted.  Here is an example using the keyword "textile":






Topics show up, grouped into pages, groups, or posts and you can enter anyone of them to see more results.  You will certainly find more information than you ever imagined!  Facebook can be addictive and I even had one friend who was kicked off the site because she was accused of spamming.  She is an incredibly talented artist who was just enjoying the site and networking with other artists.  All of her information was lost and she had to start over from scratch.  There are definitely improvements that need to be made, but you can be that when things like that happen, the people start screaming and Facebook listens.

It's free and interesting.  I advertised there over the Holidays and got a couple thousand hits on my Etsy store.  It's not cheap and I don't know if it generated any extra sales, but my Google Analytics tells me that both my Etsy store and my blog are getting more and more traffic from my presence on Facebook.  As my fan base grows, it can only help my other endeavors.



Of all the social media efforts I engage in, I find Facebook to be the most valuable use of my time.  Get on there and expand your base.  You never know who will want to be your friend!

.

Setting New Year's Resolutions for Your Art Business




The end of a year always brings a time of reflection for me.  What happened during these past twelve months?  Did I accomplish anything?  What worked?  What didn't?  Where do I need to improve?  I think about these things, as many of us do, both in terms of my personal life and in thinking about my business.  And, that leads to those resolutions that may or may not become concrete in the upcoming year.

My business has been evolving.  This past year was the worst one, in terms of sales, that I have ever had.  The recession hit the whole world and I was not surprised to see activity dwindle.  Fortunately, I had a good commission with Sidney's Ties and was able to work with other peers on technical work they needed done on their online profiles.  Doors open and close, new opportunities appear and over time, these become defined into new directions.  Rayela Art now has three arms: my own sewing creations, the product I sell on Etsy, and increasingly, as a technical assistance provider.  I've worked hard at learning how to promote my business online and that has translated into developing skills that many artists and small importers balk at.  So, I can help them look at how they can improve their business and then set up the structures they need and train them on how to keep them up.  The challenge then becomes how to juggle these three interests as they all demand time and continued attention in order to grow.

Resolutions?  Yes, I have some.  For the purpose of this post, I will list ten:

  1. Time management.  I have to make better use of my time, especially for my own art work.
  2. Learn photoshop.  Right now I use photoshop elements.  I have the software for Photoshop, but just haven't taken the time to learn it.
  3. Make little documentaries.  I started learning how to edit videos this past fall, but haven't followed through on it.  The goal: one short a month.
  4. Increase my web building abilities.  I can build simple ones, but need to fill in some gaps to have more design control.
  5. Get back on eBay.  I closed my eBay shop and have to get back on there.  I moved a bunch of things around between stores and never got back to redoing my eBay store.
  6. Write more posts here.  I have been slacking off and just need to get into the groove again.  The goal: three meaningful posts a week.
  7. Re-do my logo.  I love my snake, but not how I drew it.  I need to re-work it so that it looks like I want it to.
  8. Network locally with small businesses.  There are meetings I can attend.  I have been too much of a recluse and need to get out there and interact with the business community where I live.
  9. Increase my products on 1000 Markets.  There I can only sell things that I make, so I have to just do it!  It means sitting down and doing several runs of bags, hats, pillows and other things that I make.  I have lots of new ideas and just have to focus on getting them made.
  10. Stay healthy.  Too much sitting has been taking its toll on me.  This may seem like a personal resolution, but not feeling well affects how well I can focus on the business.
If I can look back at the end of 2010 and see that these ten goals were tackled with consistency, I will pat myself on the back.  You may notice that I did not have a financial goal.  I have found that it is terribly hard to predict how my business will grow or suffer from year to year, but believe that I am doing all I can to bring in customers and if I can keep focusing on the bones of the business, the money will follow.

Interested in learning more about what I do?  I just re-did my website to reflect more of my role as a technical assistance provider.  Hop over there to learn more and to see my sewing projects as well.

How about you?  Any resolutions for 2010?  Self-employed artists have a tough time managing their talent and their purse.  Would love to hear about how you balance all of this out!

Happy 2010!
May the Muse be with us all!!!

We'll finish this off with an irreverant Jib-Jab look at 2009:



20% Off on Textile Stamps!


Vintage Textile Stamp or Block from Afghanistan

Textile stamps or blocks have been used for centuries in many forms around the world.  The simplest form, which many of us may have played with as kids, is a carved potato that can then be stamped on paper or fabric with acrylic paint.  The ones I sell on Etsy are from Afghanistan, rejects from workshops there that no longer have a use for them.  Most have nicks or imperfections that make them unusable there.  Artists here extend that life, liking the distressed look that these imperfections lend to the design.  Clay artists, especially, can always clean up the design with their tools when the clay is still in its leather working stage.

Afghani textile stamps are made from hand carved pear wood.

The stamps are my best selling item on Etsy.  I buy them from a friend who imports from Afghanistan, sight unseen, and normally offer them here and on my website at 10% off before I start listing them.  This time, several factors led me to increase the offer to 20% off:

  • The stamps in this batch are more worn than usual.
  • Many of them have wax and dye residue that will demand extra cleaning.
  • I have a new camera and the photos I took are crappy.
  • Most artists prefer the smaller stamps and this batch was mostly large sizes.
So, in hopes that I won't have to re-photograph all of them and that they might move faster with the added discount, I'll lower my profit margin.


Example of a textile stamp with wax and indigo dye build up.  The stamp can be cleaned out by using soapy water and a stiff brush.  Little nicks can be repaired with wood filler.

I went over all the stamps with a stiff wire brush, but just don't have time to do a detailed clean-up.  I can give a 25% discount on purchases over $200.  I'd rather move these and use the money to buy another bag, hopefully in better shape!

My belief is that all of these crafts will become harder and harder to find in the future.  As countries industrialize, these hand made processes quickly disappear.  Afghanistan will take many years to move in that direction as its infrastructure has been almost completely destroyed by years of war and drought.  But, social instability also disrupts traditional craft production.  When purchasing these beautiful tools, we all become connected to centuries of craft traditions, handed down from mother to daughter, father to son.  When I look at these nicks and cracks, I see a life well lived and it brings me comfort.


Afghan textile stamps normally depict Persian or Islamic designs, like this one, or floral motifs.  Animals and people are very rare as they are not allowed in Islamic art.

Interested?  Here is how it works:  Go to my website where you will find all the images posted.  Each stamp is numbered and priced.  Email me with the ones you are interested in and I will get back to you with the total.  It can get a little crazy as there is no shopping cart there.  It try to keep images updated but sometimes I have to wait while a customer makes up their mind.  First come, first serve.

Stamp away!

 

Photos

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Welcome to the Fiber Focus Group!

Welcome to Fiber Focus on Ning! I started the Fiber Focus blog in March, 2008, which has evolved into a wonderful place where fiber artists and fiber-related businesses talk about their work or projects. I give my two cents there, too. I see that one as the serious place with an educational focus.

I hope that this network on Ning will be more informal where we can vent, chuckle, share inspiring thoughts, ask about techniques and so on. The goal in both is to promote cultural awareness through our common interest in fiber art. But, we are all passionate people with many interests, so going on a tangent is fine. So is promoting your business, if you have one. Be respectful, inspire discussions, and have fun!

PHOTO OF THE WEEK! Most Popular Photo Viewed by Fiber Focus Members

This week's most popular photo is "Trees Seen, Forest Remember" by Wen Redmond. Congratulations! Visit her page for more samples of her work.

Notes

Notes Home

Random Featured Members

Every Sunday I post the most popular photo on the front page.  This is generated by the site as photos can be sorted by latest added, highest rated (which seems to be stuck- it hasn't changed in months!) and most popular.
Now I will also feature three members every week by clicking on the random choice of sorting the members.  This
Continue

Created by Rayela Art Jul 12, 2008 at 1:36am. Last updated by Rayela Art Jul. 24, 2009.

Loading Photos on this Site

Some members have had a hard time figuring out how to load photos.  Hopefully, this will help. 

If you want to post a photo inside a comment, like in one of the groups, there is a little blue box at the top that looks like a tiny landscape (green and blue).  Hover over the little box and it says "Insert Image".   You click on that and a new box opens up where you can either find a photo from on your hard drive or copy and paste an address from a… Continue

Created by Rayela Art Mar 1, 2009 at 9:11pm. Last updated by Rayela Art Mar. 2, 2009.

Voting on Photos

Every Sunday the top rated photo will be selected and be a focus on the front page for a week.  Here is how to vote on a photo:
 
1. At the top menu bar, click on photos.
 
2. If you see a photo you like, click on it.
Continue

Created by Rayela Art Nov 29, 2008 at 10:19am. Last updated by Rayela Art Nov. 29, 2008.

Getting started

My vision for our Fiber Focus network is to have a place where we can come together around fiber related issues, but also have fun with it, express ourselves and stimulate each other with new ideas and inspiration.  We all come from different backgrounds, have many levels of skill and experience, but share some common ground through our love of textiles and other fiber techniques.  This is a companion to the Fiber Focus blog, which has more of an education… Continue

Created by Rayela Art Jul 13, 2008 at 2:46pm. Last updated by Rayela Art Aug. 26, 2008.

Blog Posts

Rayela Art

Introducing TAFA: The Textile And Fiber Art List



The Textile And Fiber Art List is my newest project, just hot off the press! It's an idea that I've had for many years where textile and fiber related people and businesses can have a profile, listing their presence on the web, so that we can all find each other. I tried to start something like this those many years ago, but the technology just wasn't ther… Continue

Posted by Rayela Art on February 2, 2010 at 11:16am — 2 Comments

DreamWoven

An Honorable Mention



Continue

Posted by DreamWoven on January 22, 2010 at 6:42pm — 1 Comment

Shalana, thefunkyfelter

Weekend ONLY Special ONLY at my ARTFIRE shop!


Well, just because I can, I am having a weekend only special at my new ArtFire shop. It is fully stocked with needle felting kits, fibers, stamps, tags, notecards, heart rings & pendants (great for Valentine's Day!), and much, much, much (did I mention MUCH?) more!

In order to receive $5 off your purchase… Continue

Posted by Shalana, thefunkyfelter on January 22, 2010 at 6:02pm

DreamWoven

"Tin Hinan"



I have always been enamored of costume and culture and I am hoping… Continue

Posted by DreamWoven on January 21, 2010 at 5:00pm

Cindy Fallsen

cheap fabrics

Fabric has everything to do with room decor. Many have tried to Find Savings Online by going with imitation fabrics. Everything from Patio Furniture fabric to a Tonneau Cover fabric are g… Continue

Posted by Cindy Fallsen on January 20, 2010 at 8:28pm

Catherine Salter Bayar

Sink or Swim

Sometimes a random encounter, especially when we travel, can lead to a life change that immerses us in new sights, customs, cultures and a whole new way of being...and in my case, led to the discovery of lots of wonderful textiles!

http://www.expatharem.com/2010/01/15/sinkorswim/

Continue

Posted by Catherine Salter Bayar on January 19, 2010 at 1:00am

Jane Clark

ATC Swap

Hello everyone,
I have 5 Blue Moon ATC'S to swap this Jan. So if you would like one please visit my blogspot www.quilterscottagenorfolk.blogspot.com and leave a comment on what inspires you!
Best wishes,
Jane C

Posted by Jane Clark on January 18, 2010 at 1:11pm

Jules Rushing

People of Haiti need help

I'm donating to the Red Cross in effort to help the people of Haiti. Read my online blog to see how you can help me help them!
Studio Jules

Posted by Jules Rushing on January 17, 2010 at 11:34am

Jane Clark

Hello Everyone

I' created a new blog and I manage to update it everyday this week, please take a look and I'd love feed back on this and my website as I am new to the computer artist in me!
www.art2inspire.co.uk website and blog

www.quilterscottagenorfolk.blogspot.com my blog

Best wishes and Happy Creating,
Jane C

Posted by Jane Clark on January 8, 2010 at 1:26pm

Rayela Art

Season's Greetings!



Merry Christmas and a Happy 2010 to all of us!
(From me and my monsters...)
-Rachel, Mitchie, Juba, Laila and Sheba

Posted by Rayela Art on December 23, 2009 at 11:15pm

Most Recent Member Photo:

Trees Seen, Forest Remember copy

by Wen Redmond Digital Fiber Collage. Images of favorite trees printed with archival inks on various substrates. Mounted onto canvas and collage fused with painted, silk-screened cotton and stabilizer. Stitched part of SAQA's @20- Art and Excellence-travels. yes to travel 2010

Fiber on Flickr

Fiber Arts Calls for Entry

Creative Residencies at PlatteForum

Deadline: May 18, 2010 by 5:00 p.m. (RECEIVE)

Creative Residencies 2010-2011

PlatteForum
Denver, CO
September 7, 2010 – August 5, 2011


PlatteForum’s artist-in-residence program (Creative Residencies) supports the creation and presentation of new works of art by artists in all genres. Its urban location in the heart of downtown Denver offers unique opportunities for artists to use the facility and adjacent outdoor spaces in dynamic ways. Throughout the residency period, the artist(s) use the facility as a studio environment where they create their work with open studio hours for the public to watch the work-in-process. Each Creative Resident dedicates time weekly to work with small groups of underserved youth in intensive workshops (Learning Labs) that build upon the ideas and forms of the resident artist.

Residencies culminate in the completion of a body of work presented to the public in exhibitions and performances at an opening reception at PlatteForum. The PlatteForum approach, pairing youth Learning Labs with the Creative Residency program, makes a valuable contribution to the city’s cultural discourse, impacts the lives of the youth participating, while fostering personal growth of the artist.

Who Can Apply
The Creative Residency program is open to artists in all genres such as visual, performing, design arts, new media, installation, filmmakers, writers, composers, book arts and crafts/folk arts. We welcome applications from established professional artists and emerging artists, as well as graduate students. Artists can apply as individuals or in collaborative teams.

A non-refundable processing fee of $25 is required with each application.

Download Prospectus: www.platteforum.org/Application-10-11 [pdf]

Creative Residencies at PlatteForum
1610 Little Raven Street, Suite 135
Denver, CO 80202
303.893.0791
www.platteforum.org
judy@platteforum.org

Edward and Sally Van Lier/Stein Family Scholarship Fund for Advanced Studies in Book Arts

Deadline: May 1, 2010 (POSTMARK)

Edward and Sally Van Lier/Stein Family Scholarship Fund
for Advanced Studies in Book Arts

The Center for Book Arts
New York, NY

The Center for Book Arts is pleased to announce the Edward and Sally Van Lier/Stein Family Scholarship Fund for Advanced Studies in Book Arts. In 2010, the Center will award three scholarships to individuals who have demonstrated a commitment to the artistic endeavors in the book arts. The purpose of this program is to provide opportunities to emerging artists committed to developing careers in the book arts field, and to further the growth of this artistic profession.

The award includes a $3,000 cash stipend plus a materials budget of $1,000 and 24 hour access to the Center’s printing and binding facilities for a full year. Artists also receive a tuition waiver for courses throughout the year, planned in conjunction with the staff. Experienced printers and bookbinders will be available to advise the artists on issues of materials and techniques as they arise. Scholars will be required to complete an artist project by the end of the scholarship period, with the possibility of an exhibition in our gallery space. They will have the opportunity to teach certain core courses at the Center, depending on their background. They will also have the opportunity to collaborate in special publications and artist projects. No travel or lodging reimbursements are available.

Requirements
Applications will not be accepted from students enrolled in undergraduate or graduate degree programs during the program year, which runs from September 2010 through August 2011. Applicants are encouraged to visit the Center for Book Arts prior to applying to this program.

To Apply (truncated):
1. Current resume including artistic endeavors such as previous bookmaking courses taken, inclusion in exhibitions, or experience in the field.
2. A 500-word essay expressing your artistic intent, reasons for wanting to continue your work at the Center for Book Arts in bookbinding, letterpress printing, or related fields, and financial need.
3. Ten digital images of your work.
4. A descriptive image list that corresponds with your images and gives the title, date, dimensions and medium of the pieces shown.
5. Two (2) reference letters by professionals in the book arts field, such as an instructor, professor, or employer.
6. Demonstration of financial hardship such as a recent tax return or a letter from an official governing agency.

For further information, email snicholls@centerforbookarts.org or call 212 481-0295.

Download details and application: centerforbookarts.org/steinscholarship [pdf]

Website: www.centerforbookarts.org


The Center for Book Arts
28 West 27th Street, 3rd Floor
New York, NY 10001
Tel: 212 481- 0295
Fax: 212 481 - 9853
Email: info@centerforbookarts.org

2010 National Small Art Quilt Works

Deadline: June 12, 2010 (RECEIVE)

2010 National Small Art Quilt Works

The Main Street Gallery
Groton, NY
July 23, 2010 – September 5, 2010

The Main Street Gallery is a contemporary fine arts venue in the quaint village of Groton, New York. The gallery is close to Ithaca, home to Cornell University and Ithaca College.

CONDITIONS OF ENTRY (truncated)
• Fiber artists residing in the USA and 18 years of age and over may submit CD images/slides of no more than three pieces for one entry fee. Work must not have been previously exhibited at The Main Street Gallery.
• Work may not be larger than 16” x 20” in dimension.
• Art quilts must be completed within the last four years.
• All entries must be original design and personal execution. Quilts from kits or preprogrammed computerized machine quilting will not be accepted.

Fee: $30 for a total of three artworks.

JURORS
Cathy Rosa Klimaszewski: Ames Associate Director for Programs/Curator of Education and Curator of Quilt Exhibitions, Herbert F. Johnson Museum of Art, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY

Roger Smith: Painter, Sculptor, Educator, Director, The Main Street Gallery, Groton, NY.

AWARDS
Prizes will be determined by the jurors after installation, but before the artist’s reception on July 24, 2010. Winners will be notified by e-mail.

Download the prospectus: 2010_national_small_art_quilt_works_prospectus [pdf]

Visit the website for additional details: www.mainstreetgal.com

The Main Street Gallery
105 Main Street
PO Box 161
Groton, NY 13073
Tel: 607 898-9010
www.mainstreetgal.com

Tactile Architecture™ 2010

Deadline: March 31, 2010 (ONLINE)

Tactile Architecture 2010

International Quilt Market and Festival
Houston, Texas
October 30–November 7, 20

International Quilt Festival will again showcase architectural quilts in a special exhibit, Tactile Architecture™ 2010. This exhibit will premiere at International Quilt Market and Festival, October 30–November 7, 2010. We would also like to retain quilts for possible exhibit at International Quilt Festival in Chicago April 2011; our spring Quilt Market in Salt Lake City, May 2011; and our summer International Quilt Festival in Long Beach, California, July 2011.

We would like to invite you to be considered for inclusion in the new exhibit. You may submit a total of three (3) architectural quilts for our consideration. Please do not submit a quilt that was included in a previous edition of Tactile Architecture™.

Each quilt must have it's own on-line entry completed with visuals to be considered for the exhibit. Please complete the on-line entry process by March 31, 2010. To submit on-line you will upload your artist information, quilt information and upload your photos.

Quilts must be no smaller than 25" x 25" (width x height). There is no maximum size.

How to register
To submit your entry on-line, click the On-Line Entry Form.

Print a copy of the confirmation page for your records.

Preview the form and have the information ready: Tactile_Architecture_2010_Preview [pdf]

If you have problems using our online entry system please contact Carmen Valls at (713) 781-6864 x.105, spexhibits2@quilts.com.

You will be notified no later than Tuesday, May 4, 2010, regarding the quilts to be included in this exhibit along with shipping instructions.

If you have any questions, please contact Carmen Valls, Special Exhibits Assistant at 713.781.6864 ext. 105, spexhibits2@quilts.com or Vicki Mangum, Manager of Special Exhibits, at ext. 106, spexhibits@quilts.com.

If you have technical questions about the on-line system, please contact Lisa Ellis at lisa@ellisquilts.com.

Website: www.callforentriesarchitecture.com

Quilts, Inc.,
7660 Woodway, Suite 550
Houston, Texas 77063 U.S.A.
Telephone (1) 713.781.6864
Fax (1) 713.781.8182

The Print 2010

Deadline: April 14, 2010 (POSTMARK)

The Print 2010

Ann Arbor Art Center
Ann Arbor, MI
May 14 to June 13, 2010


Exhibition Eligibility
Begun in 1982 The Print invites artists to showcase experimental print techniques encompassing those of contemporary standards as well as those of time honored tradition. This exhibition is open to any artist who is a current resident of Michigan.

Qualifying artists may submit a maximum of two entries in any original printmaking technique completed within the past two years. Works submitted must not have been previously shown in this competition.

Entry Procedure (truncated)
1. Artists may submit up to 2 pieces of work for consideration.
2. Entries will be juried by jpeg images. Only a cd with jpeg images will be accepted. Artists may include 1 additional detail shot for each work of art. This is not to exceed a total of 4 images.

Entry Fee
A non-refundable fee of $20 for Art Center members and $35 for non-members entitles each artist to enter.

Awards
Best of Show (Janet Gallup Award): $1000
Second Prize: $500
Third Prize: $250
Two Honorable Mentions

Juror
Endi Poskovic, Associate Professor at the University of Michigan School of Art & Design.

Sales
It is preferable that the works are for sale. A commission of 50% is taken from works sold during the exhibition.

Download the prospectus: The_Print_Info_sheet 2010 [pdf]

Visit website for more information: annarborartcenter.org

Ann Arbor Art Center
117 W. Liberty
Ann Arbor, MI 48104

2010 Denver Biennial of the Americas Residency

Deadline: March 26, 2010 by 3:00pm (RECEIVE) or (Hand Delivery)

2010 Denver Biennial of the Americas Residency

Biennial Residency: an artists & writers collective
PlatteForum + Lighthouse Writers Workshop
Denver, CO
July 1-July 30, 2010

Biennial Residency: an artists & writers collective
This residency is a collaboration between PlatteForum + Lighthouse Writers Workshop in partnership with the Denver Office of Cultural Affairs and the Biennial of the Americas.

During the month-long run of the Denver Biennial of the Americas, cultural institutions throughout metropolitan Denver will present a wide array of arts and culture programming inspired by the Americas. Programs will include both local and international artists, and range from film screenings to exhibitions of art from across the Hemisphere.

At PlatteForum, four artists will be selected to complete a month-long residency addressing the Biennial theme of Economy.

This unique residency will fuel a high-energy creative collaboration between some of the regions finest visual artists and writers as part of the 2010 Denver Biennial of the Americas. PlatteForum and Lighthouse Writers Workshop will provide support to the resident artists during their residency – providing them staff/artistic support and honoraria. Artists will have the opportunity for cross-discipline collaboration, enhancing his or her own artistic growth and development. The residencies will culminate with an exhibition of the work created during the residency. Each artist will receive a $1000 stipend.

Who Can Apply
The Biennial Residency program is open to regional visual and literary artists, with preference to artists who thrive working collaboratively. We welcome applications from established professional artists and emerging
artists, as well as graduate students. Artists can apply as individuals or in collaborative teams. A total of four artists will be selected (two visual and two literary artists). You can apply individually or as a collective team of two.

Selection Process
An interdisciplinary selection committee will consider applications for all residencies with careful consideration of artistic excellence. Care will be given to select artists representing a variety of genres and experiences.

Priority will be given to those proposals that interact with the community in a dynamic way.

Download Application: platteforum.org/Biennial-Residency-Application [pdf]

For more information visit these websites:

PlatteForum
Lighthouse Writers Workshop
Denver Biennial of the Americas

Biennial Residencies at PlatteForum
1610 Little Raven Street, Suite 135
Denver, CO 80202
303.893.0791
www.platteforum.org
judy@platteforum.org

New Fibers 2010

Deadline: March 25, 2010 (RECEIVE)

New Fibers 2010

Fiber Arts Network of Michigan
University Art Gallery
Eastern Michigan University
Ypsilanti, MI
October 28 - December 10, 2010


The Fiber Arts Network of Michigan (FAN) is a group of people interested in the fiber arts in its multitude of forms: baskets, beads, clothing, dolls, felting, hand-dyeing, knitting/crochet, paper, quilting, spinning, stitchery, surface design, weaving and 3D mixed media.

FAN sponsors a biennial juried exhibition of contemporary fiber art. The fourth biennial New Fibers 2010 is a juried exhibition at the Eastern Michigan University Gallery in Ypsilanti, Michigan, featuring contemporary fiber art in a broad range of forms. Works include textiles rooted in traditional processes and materials, sculpture, conceptual and installation art as well as non-traditional fiber art.

Participation is open to all artists 18 years and older, living in the United States. Current work (completed after December 2007) created in any fiber media and/or using fiber techniques is eligible for inclusion. Accepted work cannot have been previously exhibited at the Eastern Michigan University Gallery. Artists may submit up to three works.

Tracy Krumm of the Kansas City Art Institute will jury the exhibit and select the award winners.

Entry Fee
member: $30 non-member: $35

FAN will present first, second and third place awards. The top award will be $1000.

Click here for a prospectus: New_Fibers_Show [pdf]


Questions? Contact Brooks Harris Stevens at Brooks@brooksfiberart.com or visit website: fiberartsnetwork.org

South Carolina PALMETTO HANDS

Deadline: March 19, 2010 (RECEIVE)

South Carolina PALMETTO HANDS

Fine Craft Competition and Exhibition
North Charleston Performing Arts Center &
Charleston Area Convention Center Complex
April 30 - May 8, 2010


Fine craft artists from across the state are invited to participate in the eighth annual South Carolina Palmetto Hands Fine Craft Competition and Exhibition. As the state’s only fine craft competition and exhibition, objects juried into the exhibit may compete for cash prizes totaling up to $6500.

Organized and presented by the City of North Charleston Cultural Arts Department and assisted by the South Carolina Artisans Center, this unique exhibition offers fine craft artists from across South Carolina the opportunity to exhibit their inspiring objects in the media of clay, fiber, glass, metal, wood, and three-dimensional mixed media. Thousands have enjoyed the refined talents of South Carolina fine craft artists during the past annual exhibitions.

OPTIONAL OPPORTUNITY: Following the close of the exhibition, up to thirty works will be selected to tour the state through the South Carolina State Museum’s 2010/2011 Traveling Exhibitions Program. Sites across South Carolina will request the exhibit to tour in their facilities, thus providing additional exposure for the selected artists. Artists have the option of offering their work for consideration.


TERMS & REGULATIONS (truncated)
• Applicant must be a SC resident, age 18 and up.
• Entries must be original works completed in the last two years. An original work is the artist’s sole creation and is not, in whole or part, a copy, digital image, or print of any other person’s work or photograph.
• Applicants must submit for review by the Pre-Jury Panel by March 19, 2010. This process is free.
• Applicant may enter any combination of categories.
• Entries must be ready for exhibition.
• $15 per accepted entry is due Friday, April 16, 2010.
• A 10% commission will be charged on all sales resulting from the exhibit.
• Artists accepted for participation may also choose to have their work considered for the optional 2010 South Carolina State Museum Traveling Exhibition Program (June 2010-April 2011).

CATEGORIES
Clay, Fiber, Glass, Metal, Wood, 3-D Mixed Media

Download the prospectus: northcharleston.org/ph_app_10 [pdf]

For more information, visit the website: www.northcharleston.org

City of North Charleston
Cultural Arts Department
P.O. Box 190016
North Charleston, SC 29419-9016
Ph: (843) 740-5854 Fax: (843) 529-2291
Email: culturalarts@northcharleston.org

TEXAS – A Blending of Cultures Fiber Arts Exhibit

Deadline: March 15, 2010 (RECEIVE) or (EMAIL)

TEXAS – A Blending of Cultures Fiber Arts Exhibit

The Texas Museum of Fiber Art
Mexican American Cultural Center
Austin, Texas
May 1 to 31, 2010


The Texas Museum of Fiber Arts is pleased to announce a Call for Entries for the TEXAS – A Blending of Cultures Fiber Arts Exhibit during the month of May 2010. Fiber Arts, fine arts, refreshments, and educational speakers are arranged throughout the month’s exhibit.

The annual event provides a social, cultural experience of fine arts with scheduled featured speakers. As part of the May 2010 program, TMFA will present a slide show and lectures on Fiber Art. In conjunction with this, works of fiber artists will be on display. The exhibit is open to all, free of charge. For more information see: www.texasfiberarts.org.

ELIGIBILITY: All submissions must be original in content and executed in a fiber arts technique or process. Applicant must be currently living in Texas, born in Texas, or attending, attended, or graduated from a Texas educational institution. Once a Texan, always a Texan. (No age requirement.)

NEW THEME AWARD: Art may be a blending of any of the cultural influences in Texas; a blending of processes, a blending of fibers; a blending of materials; a blending of concepts contributing to Texas.

APPLICATION: Two photos or two digital photos are to accompany an official, completed application for each work. No limit on the number of submissions. An application must be attached to each submission.

REQUIREMENTS and CONDITIONS:
All submissions must be original work in concept, design, and process. Submissions must be completely ready for installation. Individual or collaborative entries are accepted.

AWARDS
New Theme Prize $500
First Prize $500
Second Prize $250
Third Prize $100
Gift Certificate

Download application: http://www.texasfiberarts.org/docs/Call%20for%20Entries%202010%20(2).pdf [pdf]

Texas Museum of Fiber Arts
3806 Bailey Lane
Austin, Texas 78756
http://www.texasfiberarts.org/

Summer Residency 2010 Columbia College Chicago Center for Book & Paper Arts

Deadline: March 6, 2010 (POSTMARK)

Summer Residency 2010

The Columbia College Chicago Center for Book & Paper Arts
Chicago, IL
June 14 - 25, 2010

The Columbia College Chicago Center for Book & Paper Arts is offering one two-week residency in the summer of 2010. The residency is intended to provide time, facilities and assistance for specific projects. We are seeking emerging and mid-career artists who are experienced book artists, printers, and/or papermakers. The selected artist will receive studio space; assistance; access to the Center’s top-quality letterpress, bookbinding, papermaking, and digital (Mac) studios; living accommodations; and a $1200 honorarium. One copy of the artist’s editioned project must be donated to the Center’s archive.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
• Entry form: Please type or print legibly on the attached entry form.
• Brief statement: Address how a residency will benefit your work.
• Project description: Provide a description of your entire project and emphasize what you plan to accomplish while at the Center. Please note which studio(s) you will be working in (print studio, paper studio, bindery, computer lab). In addition, please indicate what technical assistance you might require.
• Timeline: Outline a brief two-week timeline of your residency work.
• Images: You may submit up to 20 images in Powerpoint, Keynote, or Quicktime (CD or DVD). You may include details and multiple perspectives of the same work. Please make sure your images are clearly marked with the corresponding entry form number, your name, and the title of the work.
• Resume: Include a copy of your resume. DO NOT include any additional materials such as exhibition announcements, postcards, reviews, prints of additional work or promotional pieces.
• SASE: Please include a self-addressed, stamped envelope for return of your materials.

Download Prospectus: www.colum.edu/CBPASummerResidency2010.pdf

Center for Book & Paper Arts
1104 S Wabash Ave., 2nd floor
Chicago, IL 60605
tel: 312.369.6630
fax: 312.369.8082
email: book&paper@colum.edu
www.bookandpaper.org/

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Free Vintage Paper Doll Pattern



Karen's Whimsey has this free Paper Doll pattern on her website.  Clothing for the doll also available.  Images are in the public domain.


American Folk Art Doll Pattern



This doll pattern and other folk patterns can be purchased at Cloth Doll Supply.  Their description:

HISTORICAL FOLK DOLL #11
The New York Doll

This 16" doll has made herself quite famous by being chosen to be on the cover of a well-known book of American Folk Dolls, by Wendy Lavitt. She is such a good doll for a cover as she has just about all the best details of this type of doll. Separate fingers, a wonderful and exaggerated face and hair all carefully embroidered, including her remarkable feather-stitched eyebrows, and a costume of just-right simplicity and detail. She has with her the same small cat the doll in the photo has. Silkscreened for embroidery and new antiquing methods included.
Pattern (mini-kit) #PGW725 - $42.00

The Costumer Manifesto: Ethnic Dress Links

The Costumer Manifesto is the destination for anyone interested in ethnic costume. This page contains a gazillion links to sources from all over the world.

General Traditional Dress Links

Africa

Asia

Australia

Central America

Eastern Europe

Middle East

North America

Oceania (Cultures of the Pacific Islands)

Polar Regions

South America

Western Europe

Continue

Past Patterns


#503: Flapper Slip-On Evening Dress $16.00 (US dollars)

A typical dropped waist of the Roaring Twenties is created by a yoke over the hips. The tiers of circular flounces form a lovely vision while dancing. The scarf and the tie sash patterns are included. This pattern is quick and easy to make.

This pattern is multi-sized 8 through 20. All the sizes are in one package. Look at our National Standard size chart for your size. Sizes 8-12 require 5 3/8 Yds. of 45 inch wide fabric; sizes 14-20 require 5 5/8 Yds. of 45 inch wide fabric.


Saundra Ros Altman's: Past Patterns

The Historical Pattern Company
Dedicated to Accuracy Since 1979

Accurate Federal, Jacksonian, Civil War, Gilded Age, Edwardian and WWI up to WWII Clothing Patterns for Men, Women and Children

Moccasins and Leather Craft Patterns


HOW TO MAKE LENAPE STYLE MOCCASINS
Shared by Mèssochwen Tëme

The same pattern is used for both feet so you only have to make one pattern. Once you make the pattern you're all set, and you can save it for making more moccasins in the future.

Manataka.org








Bear Creek Leather

Leathercrafting Patterns
Leathercrafting Patterns Any leathercraft pattern you could ever want. From moccasin patterns to holster, quiver, and archery leather work patterns. If you don't find what you're looking for here try our bookshelf section, where we have books full of different patterns for you to try your leather working skills on.












4directions.org



Curriculum Areas: Moccasin Making

Recommended Levels: 7th -12th graders

Time Frame: 55 minutes 2 times a week

Tribal Affiliation: Navajo

Geographic Location: Rock Point Arizona

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by:
Bennie Begay
 

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