Your Custom Text Here
It’s about that time! February offers the perfect holiday to get crafty with the color pink. Here are a few photos from my first Block Printed VDay Cards class. Each person learned to carve a linoleum block, and printed, in a range of pinks and reds, their very own unique Valentine’s Day Card.
Check ‘em out!
Momma I made it! But no, really, being a part of Richmond’s only museum-quality Craft show was an honor. This was my first time setting up a booth at a show of this caliber and I learned so much. And the number of people who walked past my booth and got to see my work- such a great experience. Hoping I’ll get to return to Craft and Design next year, and anxious to see how much of my booth design shifts or stays the same.
Where to start! Yesterday was the last day of my residency at the Children’s Museum of Richmond, and it has been so filling to make and share my work and process in that space. The kids! As “energized” as they were, it was great to witness how interested they were in felting and giving me a hand with the process.
Visiting each of the four locations over a month, I met so many different kids and their families and had the chance to talk about my work with them and the plans for the permanent installation.
Twas the night before the final reveal, and Cameron and I hung these babies ourselves! Such a relief to know that the work was finally finished.
And then they were up! This is has been such an amazing experience, and I’m so thankful to Cameron and all the Children’s Museum staff who worked to make this possible. Hoping every child who sees this work is “Tickled Pink”.
I was invited as a Visiting Artist at Collegiate Lower School in Richmond, VA for two weeks. Working with every class, JK - 4th grade, through the wet and dry felting processes, we produced a super collaborative installation. And the kids loved every moment of it!
I setup shop in the hallway so that each day that I worked, the students could stroll by and witness the process and progress of the installation. For the classes that met with me first, they were eager to see the pieces they had worked on being added in.
It was such a pleasure working with them, and watching just how enthusiastic they were about trying a new process, learning a new art and being a part of an art installation. One second grade class even wrote these handmade cards, sharing just how much they enjoyed wet felting.
On the last day of my visit, we installed the two felted heads, “Drea and Sydney”, in the Lower level library.
This was such an amazing experience and I love knowing that these two ladies will forever be there in my absence.
As some of you may know, I spent nine months in Doha, Qatar during the 2015-2016 school year after graduating from Virginia Commonwealth University. That residency was such a highlight of my life and a starting point for my career as an artist. Luckily, this March I was able to return for a week!
VCU’s sister campus in Doha puts together an Art and Design Biennial called Tasmeem, and I was selected to be a part of the conference as Workshop Leader.
I put together a 2-day workshop that invited participants to create a handmade storybook using wool as the material. And it was a blast! Day 1 consisted of wet felting our “pages” so that the Day 2 folks could needle felt details on top. Check out some of the images from this insanely collaborative process.
Someone needle-felted Frida!
I am so happy that I was able to return to Doha and share not only this experience of an amazing conference with everyone, but my process and work, yet again, with all who attended.
So much to share! I just recently had the best birthday trip ever, traveling to Johannesburg, South Africa! Among the adventures, food tasting and tours, I had the opportunity to teach two needle-felting workshops.
Just a few hours prior to the first workshop, I gave an interview with Talk Radio 702 - which was super exciting for sure! Both workshops took place at Piece, a beautiful gallery and shop located in New Doornfontein. It was the perfect weekend, being able to speak about my work on the radio, teach a new group of people, and be surrounded by all kinds of hand crafted South African pieces. Definitely a major highlight of trip.
Check out all the really cool photos below!
I can't wait to someday return to Johannesburg and reconnect with the ladies of Piece, Eugenie, Beauty and Kristine.
Can I just be the Queen of Needle Felting ?
This past weekend I coordinated my first Pop-Up in Brooklyn along side Candice Hurst of EyeSoule. Our Rooftop Pop-Up was such a success, from the venue, to the participating vendors and all the lovely folks that stopped by and shopped. Excited to host the next event in the city !
This space was absolutely perfect ! Check out the Brooklyn Brigade for your next event.
Back at my favorite place ! And this time, I was in great company with Chick Lit Candles. So glad we got to show together, especially at Quirk Gallery. What a fun time !
This weekend was the best! Had a chance to hold a workshop at New Women Space in Brooklyn, NY. This was my first time visiting NYC so it was a tad bit nerve-wrecking, but extremely rewarding! Check out some of the images below:
Love seeing everyone so focused and in to what they're making !
Additional treat: my high school best friend attended and we haven't seen each other in YEARS. So lovely seeing her again, and sharing my work with her.
This weekend I had the amazing opportunity of teaching a process I enjoy dearly - needle felting. Quirk Gallery, of Richmond, VA hosted a felting workshop by yours truly. With a sold out class, there was a room full of laughter, creativity, experimentation and great energy!
Each table was set up with a wide varierty of neatural toned rovings and little pops of color.
While a few of the ladies decided to felt faces, we had some brave souls amongst the bunch who tackled recreeating their pets. Impressive, right ?!
And then, we have the little faces! AH, so good. Check out that bow tie, and those little dangling earrings!
In awe of this Frida Kahlo inspired pin! Kristin Hott really did her thing on this one.
I finally participated in First Friday's a couple of weeks ago, and it was blast! I've truly missed the energy of Richmond, especially during the art walks. Rupa of Markets on Monroe has started something great in inviting makers to showcase their craft. I'm sure I'll participate again!
Check out the photos below:
Looking forward to the next event !
So excited about this collab with Liberatus Jewelry ! From the mantel, to your desk on now on your collar. Looking forward to sharing the rest. Check out the sample below!
Last weekend I had the wonderful opportunity of working with a special group of young ladies. While presenting at the Global History of Black Girlhood Conference this spring, I met Dr. Shireen Lewis, the director of an organization for girls and women of color in Washington D.C. She invited me to come and give a presentation on my work and to host a workshop with the girls.
Check out some of the photos from the event - the girls had a blast ! And their doll pens are pretty fabulous !
They turned out great right ! As you can see, the adults had a pretty good time as well. Such a great experience working with these young ladies!
These ladies got to enjoy the breeze and sunshine at the Seashore Arts Festival this past Saturday in Virginia Beach. So many people came out to support the local artists at the parks very first festival! From photography and beer to jewelry and tunes, my ladies were in great company! Check out some of the images below:
The latest addition to the doll family, pen toppers!
Setting up our table !
We won Best in Show !
This weekend I had the pleasure to spend the day at Quirk Gallery, in Richmond VA, with a table full of lovely ladies. Below are some of the images from the event!
Dianne and Al purchasing two girls for their dear friend - first sale of the day !
Thanks so much Quirk for having me and I can't wait to see you guys!
We're just about a month away from my Trunk Show at Quirk Gallery in Richmond, Virginia! Pretty excited to be a part of this lineup of makers.
I'll post the deets as we get closer to the date of the show, so be sure to check back later - better yet, subscribe below and receive updates right in your inbox!
Quiet often I'm asked, " Where do you get your wool?". And, while the answer to that question can be a number of places, my main and current source is Paradise Fibers. I discovered this company early this year while working in Doha, Qatar. What I like about this place is that it's located in the US, so I don't have to worry about international shipping, and they sell to individuals. Which may sound like a weird bonus, but quiet a few companies only sell whole sale and only to larger businesses and institutions.
I've purchased several different kinds of wool and I haven't had any problems yet! So if you're in need of some wool, or any other fiber materials, check em out!
As I'm walking into the last week of my residency, I had to make sure I officially share what's been going on in my studio ! There's a total fiber party happening in my little corner over here. Lots of little friends, and a big one in the works as well!
A mask I finally began working on! It's completely hollow, made from a chicken wire armature and merino wool. I've used the wet felting process to make larger sheets to then cover the armature.
It's hard resisting the urge to try this thing on!
These ladies are patiently waiting to get the rest of their body parts.
Excited to see what I manage to get done in the next week - be sure to check back in with us soon!
Well hey there ! If you're reading this, I'm going to assume you have some interest in these little ladies floating around this site - so for that I say, Thank you and Welcome to the D for Dolls Blog! I'll be sharing my process, studio habits, thoughts, inspirations, craft favorites and much more! So stay tuned and make sure to visit us again.
For updates sent right to your inbox, scroll down and sign up for the D for Dolls Newsletter!
If you skipped past it, no worries - check out the Summer Gals Page for some serious cuteness!
