reyart

Dutch Profiles: Claudy Jongstra

2011-03-01T13:21:00.001+01:00

Two words: Major inspiration. Love her work and philosophy.

butterfly vest

2011-02-22T11:50:00.003+01:00

Photos of the latest felted goodie. The butterfly vest handfelted using merino and silk. Gosh, was it ever so hard getting the little one to sit still for this photoshoot! lol.

layers

2010-10-19T12:13:00.003+02:00

Some additional photos of the red & turquoise continuous necklace.

Here it's shown with all three necklaces draped over each other for a thick and lush look!

buttons

2010-10-18T11:45:00.001+02:00

Just added some snazzy new buttons to the blog ; twitter, facebook and flickr! Yum..eye candy.

hello autumn

2010-09-29T20:27:00.005+02:00

The summer has come and gone, and autumn is upon us. My favorite time of year. Felting came in ebbs and flows. I participated in the Sint Rosa Art Fair in August for the very first time, so the days leading up to that event were a whirlwind of wool and water. Things quieted down after that with the arrival of my mum. I had hoped to get a chunk of my mental felting projects completed when she was here, but sadly, no such thing happened.
I'm dying to get back in the studio though. It's takes a bit of planning and preparation nowadays with little L keeping me busy, but when she naps, it's astouding how much I can get done. Warm weather gear is on my mind. Merino cowls, scarves, pillows, throws, rugs, anything warm and inviting. I've also got a few clothing pieces on the brain and in my sketchbook which I'd love to try. Friday, friday, friday. Come sooner please.

View of the procession from my stall. (Sint Rosa Art Fair, Sittard)

Let's see; we've got necklaces, rainbow mobile, egg cosies, table runners, brooches, large pebbles, hearts, acorns...

blooming red

2010-06-18T21:02:00.003+02:00

Just a few individual shots...

blooming yellow

2010-06-18T21:00:00.002+02:00

blooming purple

2010-06-18T20:58:00.002+02:00

blooming blue

2010-06-18T20:56:00.002+02:00

blooming vases

2010-06-18T20:28:00.004+02:00

I'm so very excited about these pieces. Combining felt and ceramic was something that has been on my mind ever since I took my first potterythrowing class last year. A lot of work and effort went into creating these 4 bud vases which were patiently sitting in my workroom until a few days ago. I was undecided on the style of flower to use, as well as the finishing look of the ceramic. Wildflower or not? To glaze or not to glaze? In this case, the vases are left unglazed. I loved the look of the matte ceramic, the lines and imperfections of porous clay visible. There are 4 vases to open up the series, and I promise, there will be more! My pottery wheel is beckoning and with the warm weather just around the bend, throwing vases in the garage sounds so inviting. Now, on to the photos!

new things

2010-06-10T19:38:00.003+02:00

Not much to say, just a few pictures to share from my most recent felted goodies.

rust

2010-05-27T16:27:00.003+02:00

I don't need to tell you how productive naptime can be for a new momma. While L was sleeping yesterday I got a chance to work (and finish!) this scarf. Naptime today also meant I could needlefelt the brooch, take photos and upload to Etsy. So productive, right? I'm really loving this new scarf. It's so texturelicious and the brooch makes it so versatile. I especially love the look of it as a neck cuff.

And it's just so darn photogenic...picking out 5 product photos for Etsy was hard work.

heart mobile

2010-05-26T14:55:00.005+02:00

Here's a little sketch of my next felting project. A sweet mobile inspired by the birth announcement card I painted for Lila. The good thing about this is that I'll be needlefelting the hearts. That and the assembly can easily (and hopefully) be done in any spare time when Lila's awake. I usually keep any wetfelting work for when she naps. The hearts will be strung on a driftwood branch I picked up on our last trip in Toronto, which will also be painted white.
What do you think?

hello again

2010-05-25T22:05:00.003+02:00

How the time does pass! Creative projects have been slow in the past few months, but I'm sure you've noticed that by now. My beautiful little daughter, Lila, is here, and has been for almost two months now.
But I guess I couldn't stay away from my studio for too long, because I'm back in it again. I've been in the mood for neckwear lately, and I just finished a new piece I've aptly named 'wall pocket.' Just so you know, something totally different from neckwear ;) Not quite sure about the snazz-appeal of the name so maybe I'll have to think up a new one. My mind is also drifting towards mobiles. I've got one in mind which was inspired by Lila's birth announcement card. I'll have to take a photo of that for tomorrow's post.
Well, it's good to be back in this space again. In the meantime, here's some of that new neckwear I mentioned. Can be found in my Etsy and (new!) Dawanda shops.

little interview

2010-05-24T10:14:00.001+02:00

The lovely Nicole of DutchHandmade contacted me for a interview. Thanks so much!

future combination

2010-02-03T10:09:00.003+01:00

Felt + Ceramic = My new project.

I'm so in love with combining different materials. On my worktable I've got some cork coasters staring me in the face waiting to be combined with cut felt. That's one. Next to those guys are 4 very precious unglazed bud vases which were wheel-thrown during my ceramic classes last year. I want to get started on those next. I'm so excited about my design for them. I wish the day had more hours. Hopefully I can set aside some time this Friday to at least start on one.

p.s; the picture shown here is one of the newly glazed pieces I picked up from class this week. Blue-green glazes are my weakness. Also shown are felted hearts, a custom order for friend and Etsy buyer.

berry hearts

2010-01-28T10:29:00.005+01:00

These were made for LOLA, but seeing the response I got on Flickr, I think I might make a couple for Etsy.

where i've been

2010-01-25T10:36:00.002+01:00

It feels like ages since I've been in this space. Last year was a hectic one. It was slow on the creative front, but I didn't mind one bit. Around Christmas time things picked up swiftly, and now (while I can) I'm working through my backlog of to-make projects. For those who don't know, B and I are expecting our first baby in March. So in these 7 weeks before the due date, I'd like to get some Reyart work done, as well as finish up the nursery and other baby-related decorations.

I'll try to post as much as I can, but I've found even keeping up with Flickr to be hard. We'll see...

In the meanwhile, feast your eyes on this bowl I finished last Saturday. It's colorlicious.

quietly busy

2009-05-18T22:40:00.002+02:00

Not many new items going into Etsy these days. Working on a new order for 14feet. These three bowls will be heading over there soon along with some other felted goodies.

vessels

2009-05-04T09:22:00.001+02:00

Here's the other.

The third one didn't execute at well. Let's call that one practice, shall we? :)

vessels

2009-05-01T11:07:00.001+02:00

Last week Friday the vessel stick hit me. I spent the morning hours working on 3, count em, 3 felt bowls! Here's the first one. A brown and white bowl, kept very simple.

giveaway

2009-04-22T21:35:00.004+02:00

Don't forget to head on over to martawrites for the giveaway tomorrow! I had some of that beautiful blue mixed ink leftover so I decided to print a bag for the etsy shop.

wabi-sabi placemats

2009-04-21T12:03:00.002+02:00

Wabi-Sabi is the Japanese art of finding beauty in imperfection. In our everyday lives, isn't this really what it's all about? I think so. Keeping your eyes open for hidden surprises, seeing the beauty in a chipped plate, a scratched table, a faded book.
My inspiration for these placemats came from this way of thinking, and from Japanese sumi-e ink paintings. Simple strokes which evoke a feeling. My strokes here are in the form of wispy black merino, laid and felted to resemble branches. I have a few more mental sketches which I'd like to try using this placemat medium. It's like a canvas of sorts, and laying out the wool strands almost echoes painting.

** The lovely Marta of martawrites is having a giveaway this Thursday featuring my ekster apron. Leave a comment for a chance to win!

green

2009-04-10T13:52:00.002+02:00

Not much to say, just pictures to share.

11 lessons further

2009-04-08T15:04:00.005+02:00

Monday past was my second last ceramics lesson. I had glazed three of my vessels the week before, and was quite excited to see how they had turned out. My favorite of the entire batch is a simple cylindrical vase, which might I add I threw entirely on my own. After it had dried to the leather-hard stage, lead letterpress type was used to imprint a small excerpt of text, namely two sentences from the song, 'Ahead by a Century' from The Tragically Hip. It's one of my favorites, and the one which introduced me to their music. The one that made me stop dead in my tracks, at the age of 15, in my old Canadian home, in a time when I listened to anything but that genre. The one which I still find so hauntingly beautiful, I still get goosebumps when I hear that guitar.

happy things

2009-03-27T10:00:00.003+01:00

I've got some awesome news! I was approached by the Donna Hay team to see if I was interested in making some of my felted goodies for her new general store. She'll be carrying my pebbles, big and small, come the end of this month when the store's doors open in Sydney. I know they were planning the opening at the beginning of this month - shipping in time was a bit stressed for me - but it turns out they've got some delays and are aiming for the first of April.
Read more here!

Also, I finally got my supplies in for finishing the snowdrop project I started weeks ago. You can find it in my etsy shop.

chirp chirp

2009-03-18T10:19:00.002+01:00

Hello! What a great feeling it is when a new project works out. I made these lovebirds last night, and was so inspired by them, I would've been happy just working into the wee hours of the morning. Of course, my 9 to 5 the next day would've been a headache so I painfully tore myself away from the sewing table. I started with a simple pattern and then started sketching out adjustments to create the look I had in my mind. A shorter tail, a rounder belly, a little nip here, a little tuck there.
And of course, there will be felt in these little feathered friends. There's still a bit of work to do before they're exactly how I want them, but I think I'm on the right track. I think they'd be a nice addition to some new spring themed items coming in the shop soon.

For now, here are the prototypes......

that spring thing

2009-03-16T09:00:00.000+01:00

I wouldn't say that spring is my favorite season. It doesn't compare to the warm summer evenings, or the fiery autumn foliage, or even the frosty winter mornings in December. There is something about it though. That burst of life after months of cold and gray.
I've got a couple items green-themed to herald in the spring season. A scarf, handfelted and machine stitched, which will be photographed and added to shop soon. Maybe a little forest of tree folk, and something extra special to honor those little white flowers which are the first blooms to come up in the new year - snowdrops.

Here's a quick peek of the scarf...

little hearts

2009-03-15T17:09:00.000+01:00

Been doing a bit of sewing lately. The pouches for these heart pairs for one, and a new green scarf which will be added to the shop this week.
Not much to say right now, just some pictures to share.

ceramics

2009-03-09T16:54:00.000+01:00

I am in love with this medium. I knew all that bottled up energy from the days (years actually!) of dreaming about taking a pottery class would all come rushing out, but I had no idea! It did take a while to get the basic technique down, and I'm still learning, but it is great fun. So far, I've made a few bowls and vases, with much help from my teacher. I'm at the point where I want to experiment; carving with linocutters, printing with lead lettertype, cutting out holes to thread with felted cords.

Tonight I think I'll give the letterpress idea a try.

shine

2009-02-07T15:27:00.000+01:00

What's new....
A cream handfelted bowl in the store ~ check etsy.

I've been wrapping up some loose ends here lately. Two major shipments were sent out to stores last week, which involved some serious time commitment on my side, hence my very minimal posting on etsy lately. The past few days I've been slowly picking up the felting needles to work on that new project I mentioned in the last post. Some of the supplies I ordered apparently weren't in stock anymore, so I'll have to wait a couple weeks before I can start assembling. But looking on the bright side, at least I'll have enough time to get the flowers finished. I don't want to give away too much, but inspiration for the new piece stems from the tree folk I made for LOLA.
Below, the very first flower which will be going into the new spring item. I made a wee mistake in its design. Maybe I'll turn this flower into a brooch, and start anew on the other one.

a new tree

2009-01-20T21:23:00.000+01:00

But they will still be fondly referred to as 'tree folk.' I've got a new forest that will be making their way to LOLA soon enough. I've also got a wild new idea involving their shape and a specific type of flower which has just popped out of the ground in my backyard this week. I'm hoping I can execute them using felt. Having an idea is one thing, actually trying to shape it into something artistic and inspiring is another.

And on another note: Obama! Woot woot! Can I say how proud and honored I am to just bear witness to this day, this moment in history. Congratulations America!

happy 2009

2009-01-07T14:32:00.000+01:00

A new year. A new start.

This year I want to:
Be as creative as I can.
Take more pictures.
Slow down.
Eat well.
Enjoy.

Next week Monday I'll be starting my very first of 12 ceramic and pottery classes. Very excited, and hopefully I'll have some pictures to show.

merry christmas to all

2008-12-27T21:58:00.000+01:00

Just dropping in briefly to say Happy Holidays! Hope everyone had/is having a great season.

it was the best of times, it was the busiest of times

2008-12-10T14:34:00.000+01:00

That's the best way I can put it. My December to-do&make list stretches off far into the horizon, but dang, it sure does feel good, even if I have been hitting my pillow after midnight the past few days.

These thoughts have been keeping me happy lately: new shipment for Lola, compliments from One, (see links) and getting our Christmas tree this weekend. Have you realized that the big day is almost only 2 weeks away? I haven't! There is no sign of Christmas in my home yet, as opposed to last year, when I started counting down the days in July.

Well, as least there is some Christmas cheer in my studio. I made this ornament for hanging on doorknobs, but I'm sure you can use it in a multitude of ways.

Keep well, friends.

tree ornaments

2008-12-05T16:52:00.000+01:00

As promised....

In the shop now!

i've been blogged...again

2008-12-05T11:00:00.000+01:00

w00t w00t! The lovely Patricia of Crafty Synergy contacted me for an interview. Check out her blog! It bee-utiful!

Also...photos of finished felted ornaments coming soon! I'm waiting for the sun to come out before I start snapping. I have a feeling I'll be waiting until next year.

holiday thinking

2008-11-28T10:06:00.000+01:00

*knock knock*
me: who's there?
"It's December. Open up!"

Where oh where did November go? I know there was my birthday somewhere in the beginning, and a heavy snowfall somewhere in the end, but other that, it felt like a blur. Come next week, the streets and storefronts will be lit with twinkling lights, carols and Christmas hits will be played from the outdoor speakers, and Sinterklaas will give way to good ol' Saint Nick. It's the most wonderful time of the year, and I fully agree. There's something about Christmas that I love so, that I really don't mind standing in those long lines at the casher, or even the bombardment of toy commercials on t.v.
But getting to the point. This year I'll be offering a trio of matching felted Christmas ornaments. I don't want to give away too much, but I will say this; red, lines, and nostalgia. I've set December 5th as my deadline, so check the store or this blog then!

gathered

2008-11-26T09:33:00.000+01:00

A little fall bling....

........in the shop

lola

2008-11-13T09:53:00.000+01:00

Some wonderful news friends. I've been approached by a beautiful store (name title above) who wants to carry a couple of my felted items. Eeep! I just finished my order for her, and my little tree folk family with some baby acorns will be on their way to Berkeley California tomorrow.

Someone pinch me!

Lola
2950 College Avenue
Berkeley CA 94705
www.lolahome.com

embrace white

2008-11-02T15:33:00.001+01:00

I've been feeling like I've lost my online mojo lately. Haven't been posting to Flickr, haven't been updating this blog, and although I've been felting, it feels like ages since I posted something new to Etsy.

Ever since I finished the last scarf, I've been wanting to try nunofelting on the cotton gauze fabric I purchased. This is the result of Friday's work. It's a neutral, light and translucent piece, and something I wouldn't mind hanging in my own closet. Find it here.

night sketching

2008-10-21T20:52:00.000+02:00

A new linocut in the making.

wildflowers

2008-10-20T22:16:00.000+02:00

Newest felt brooches. Added them to the shop just minutes ago.

acorns

2008-10-05T16:15:00.000+02:00

embrace gray

2008-09-28T16:55:00.000+02:00

The newest piece. Finished Friday, in the shop today. I had every intention of taking a few snaps during the felting process, but once my hands got wet, well you know how it goes. It's a very light but warm scarf, with irregular shaped holes which were created for depth. Creating larger pieces like these can be a bit daunting at times. Careful planning is always the first step, but inevitably, holding your breath and diving headfirst always seems to have a surprising way of working out as well.

apple picking and apple baking

2008-09-28T16:22:00.000+02:00

I love apples. A lot. If I go to a restaurant and there's an apple dessert, I'll order it. If I'm ever stranded on a desert isle and I'm allowed one thing, it'll be an apple. Okay, well maybe that's a bit far-fetched, but I'm trying to make a point. I love apples. So when we got the opportunity to go apple picking here in Holland, I jumped at it. It wasn't my first time though. Pick-your-own fruit farms and orchards in Ontario (Canada) is abundant, and I've attended my share of family fruit-picking outings. Apples, cherries, strawberries at least twice, and blueberries just off the top of my head. I guess maybe that's why I adore Autumn so.

Apple-lovers, this one's for you.

This recipe is for apple pie, but I've used the recipe to create an apple crostata and apple turnover.

Apple Pie adapted from Martha Stewart Everyday Food

Pate Brisee;

- 2 ½ cups flour

- 1 teaspoon salt

- 1 teaspoon sugar

- 225 grams cold butter, cut into cubes

- ½ cup ice water

Apple Filling;

- 5 apples, cored, peeled, quartered and sliced

- ¾ cup sugar (or more if your apples are on the tart side)
- 3 teaspoons ground cinnamon

- pinch of nutmeg

- Combine flour, salt and sugar, and add butter. Mix with fork until it resembles coarse meal. Add the water until the mixture just starts to hold together. When it stays together when squeezed, it's fine.

- Shape the dough into two discs, cover with clingwrap and refridgerate for at least one hour.

- Mix all the ingredients for the filling together.

- Roll out the dough between two sheets of clingwrap. I find that this method works the best for me, and it also makes transferring the dough to the pan a breeze. Remove the top sheet of the plasticwrap, lift the dough by sliding your hand on the underside, and flip over onto your baking dish. Then remove the other piece of clingwrap. Easy peasy!

- Spoon in the apple filling, and cover with the second piece of pie crust.

- Pinch the edges or use a fork, and cut slits in the top to let the steam escape. Another option is to slice the dough into strips and make a lattice cover.

- Brush with an egg wash, and sprinkle with sugar. (I unfortunately found that all my eggs were finished when I needed to do the eggwash. I speak from experience, don't forget this part. It makes the crust shiny, golden, and ooh-aah worthy.)

- Bake in a 175C preheated oven for approximately 1 hour, or until golden.

to do

2008-09-28T15:56:00.000+02:00

To do list Sept. 28th:

1. Update blog
2. Add scarf to Etsy
3. Sew pillow cushions
4. Drink copious amounts of tea and soup to chase away this oncoming flu

Well, hello again! I've got three little tidbits of posts here for you today. The first being a couple snaps of our France trip. It was incredibly beautiful and incredibly inspiring. New sights, new sounds, new tastes. What can I say? I'm officially in love. On to the pictures!

Quick snap while driving through Lyon.

Sharp shadows of a palm.

Little shell found on the beach.

Deliciously sweet chanterais melon bought at a roadside market.

back

2008-09-22T21:25:00.000+02:00

Hello Lovelies,

Can you believe Fall is here!? Our trip to France was sublime, and I'm fully accustomed to the little chill in the air we returned to. I won't rub it in, but we had soaring temperatures of 25-30C everyday.
What do you think about the new banner? Yesterday was spent apple picking, and apple pie baking (recipe soon to come) and I was just so inspired by all that Autumn has to offer, I thought I'd spruce up the place with a new header. Delicious, isn't it?

white

2008-09-02T09:20:00.000+02:00

An unconventional source of inspiration, to say the least. I've been finding myself drawn to white lately. The white of beautifully textured canvas paper. The white of rough unglazed ceramic beads. The white of a bare wall, waiting to be decorated with a new piece of art. On my desk are pieces of a white bag which are waiting to be sewn together.

But it'll have to wait. We leave for France in two days, for a short but greatly anticipated holiday. 10 days at the beach with nothing to do but talk, sip wine, read, pick up seashells, and hopefully, if the water's still warm, take a dip or two.

Take care friends. See you when I get back.

winding down

2008-08-26T22:02:00.000+02:00

Summer may be coming to an end but my spirits are high. Next week we leave for France. Just a short holiday with me and my mister, back to one of the very first places we vacationed together; Sérignan Plage. I can't wait.

And I won't lie to you. I'm anxiously waiting for fall's return. It brings out the best in me. It's when I'm most productive. I love nothing more than to seal myself in my studio, working late, music in the background, and preferably a thick slice of home-baked apple pie close at hand.

Autumn, I can't wait for you either.

A new item just recently added in Etsy. I'm channelling apples with that red.

peacock

2008-08-24T15:32:00.000+02:00

I've just completed one of the two larger pieces I was telling you about yesterday. This is a table centerpiece which has been wetfelted and then needlefelted. It was a tricky one to do simply because I found the soapy water would cool down too rapidly before I even got a chance to start felting. And if you're not careful (and quick,) you'd easily be left with a soggy mess. I'm quite pleased with the result though. I guess all that hair-pulling did have a positive effect.

What do you think about it?

new ideas

2008-08-22T23:35:00.000+02:00

Even though I have lengthy lists of to-felt items in my notebook/computer/miscellaneous scraps of paper littered on my desk, it's not that often I take the plunge to make something daring. Is it the frugal part in me that dreads wasting precious art materials? Is the self-conscious part in me that fears the outcome? That the finished item may not turn out to be what I had envisioned? What does this say about me? That's I'm a nervous wreck, that I'm a perfectionist, that I'm normal? I've always kept other people's opinions and possible reactions in the back of my mind whenever I did something artistic, and it's only recently (a few years) that I've been consciously trying to break that habit. It's harder than it sounds, but I feel like I'm a good way ahead.
Today was one such day. I made two of my largest felted items to date, and I don't think I'll stop there.

My words to you; Shake it off, and take the plunge.

Signing off....

'smore

2008-08-18T22:40:00.001+02:00

New pebbles! I know, I know, I have a problem, but it's just so hard to stop! Now in the shoppe!

three's

2008-08-11T10:11:00.000+02:00

Now in the shop!

tree folk

2008-08-06T09:40:00.000+02:00

I've been quite liking this view of the tree folk. It almost makes me feel like I'm in a helicopter overlooking the pine forests somewhere in British Columbia. Silly, I know.

I've got three sets of tree folk going up in Etsy soon. They still to be properly photographed, which I'm hoping to do today. I used the new shipment of natural rovings from Germany for this project. Shades of brown, caramel, chocolate, tan, off-white, which sounds almost as delicious as they look. It'll be a toughie combining these. All the colors complement each other so well.

good friday

2008-08-01T19:43:00.000+02:00

I love Fridays like these. Warm Fridays. Productive Fridays. Ideas of felted sculptures have been sloshing around in my mind for weeks now. I made a few sketches here and there in my notebook, but nothing concrete had come of it. The rational side of me usually takes a moment or two to think about the project and any how-to's. There is nothing more discouraging than a new project that doesn't want to co-operate.

So today was a good day, a good Friday. Those felted sculptures from my moleskine actually took shape. Into little forms I've fondly started called tree folk. They're sweet and small, and already very dear to me. I hardly make any felted crafts for myself, but I do intend on making a little family of these for my living room sidetable. They were felted around a pebble which rests at the base of the sculpture, and I already foresee myself lifting and placing these beauties in different spots of my home whenever the moment seizes me. Their little tufts make them very mobile.

They'll be in the shop soon. First I'll need to iron....or should I say needlefelt, out the bumps.

Happy Weekend All!!

crimson drop

2008-07-27T22:57:00.000+02:00

A newly finished necklace now for sale.

pebbles

2008-07-23T14:29:00.000+02:00

To this day, the felted pebbles are still one of my very favorite things to make. There's something about the individuality of each piece that appeals to me. The way the white lines tend to shift while felting, merging itself with the colored felt, like they have a mind of their own. The way the layers of felt curve and hug the edges of the stone, making them smooth and inviting to hold. The way the felt covers, but doesn't conceal, the nature of the hard rock inside. They have been an inexhaustible source of inspiration for me.

So won't you join me on this new endeavour?...a new shop! Dedicated only to the felted pebbles. Focusing simply on color and form.

(I'll be adding more items as I make them...I just couldn't wait to get it up and running.)

shout out

2008-07-22T10:37:00.000+02:00

I just added two new links to my sidebar at right, highlighting the locations where you can see my artwork in the flesh! I'm kicking myself for not putting it up sooner.

The first being One restaurant, a fabulous new hotspot in Roermond, Limburg, Netherlands. Owned by Edwin Soumang and Bethany Delong, they serve up creative, innovative, and not to mention sublimely delicious food in a sophisticated, yet unpretentious atmosphere. And I'm not just saying that 'cause I like them. A few of my paintings adorn their walls, and my photographs adorn their website.

And if this wasn't the icing on the cake, well I don't know what is; the May 2008 edition of delicious magazine featured One restaurant as well as some of my photographs of their interior and food. Well slap me hard and call me Sally! You could imagine my ecstatic surprise when I was flipping through the mag and saw that!

One Restaurant
Raadhuisstraat 1
6042 jk Roermond
t +31 (0) 475 600 262

The second being 14 feet. An uberhip indie store specializing in (refurbished and reclaimed) design furniture and handmade artsy goods. Situated in Healdsburg California (now I have a reason to visit the west coast of the U.S. of A.) They have a stock of my felted goodies. You'll find my pebbles, necklaces and bowls there.

14 feet
325 Center Street
Healdsburg, CA 95448
ph: 707.433.3391

Get thee to their websites and chcheck it out!

felt +

2008-07-17T15:07:00.000+02:00

Metal. Chain. Wood. Glass. Ceramic.

Good things come in small packages. Today my mini-shipment of beads, clasps, chains, and string arrived. I've got some special felted beads ready and waiting to be strung, but most the designs are still floating around in my head. My favorite of the batch; the smooth palmwood beads (the pretty dark brown ones in the foreground.)

cloud cover

2008-07-16T14:34:00.000+02:00

What do you do when life throws you a curveball? The week so far has had more downs than ups. And these gray skies aren't helping one bit. I'm hoping this weekend will be able to salvage whatever good there was this week, or at least make up for it. On the itinerary: roadtrip and a casual dinner with a good friend. And maybe a cocktail or two.

Getting out in the garden always has a quiet way of brightening my spirits.

consider it embellished

2008-07-15T14:31:00.001+02:00

Remember those plain boring bowls that were waiting to be decorated? Well, here's the blue one. Needlefelted and stitched just like I promised. They almost remind me of amoeba.

Currently in the shop.

new wool

2008-07-15T09:19:00.000+02:00

There are a few things I find more inspiring than new art supplies. Plump tubes of oil paint, pristine paintbrushes, primed canvases freshly opened from their plastic wrappings. Today, it's wool. I've found that with new colors come new ideas. I got my hands on a gorgeous crimson color, which already has spun itself into a beaded necklace of graduating sizes. A pale green, dark marine blue, and chocolate brown merino all await their fate. To be turned into something organic inspired, no doubt. And don't get me started on the natural fleeces. Soft, understated colors ranging from off-white to anthracite. I'm itching to roll up my sleeves and get my hands wet.

summer fruit tart

2008-07-09T10:56:00.001+02:00

I don't think I've mentioned it before, but I'm a self-proclaimed Martha fan. Her recipes just work. So when I wanted a simple yet stunning summer dessert, checking her website first was a no-brainer. My version is adapted from her Fresh Cherry Tart dessert. Graham cookies are hard to come by here, so I used speculaas, and the wild peaches were calling my name at the market, so I just had to snatch up a couple. And since I was at it, I used apricot jam as the glaze. The peaches were so lovely and pale, I didn't want them stained with the red raspberry jam.

Summer Fruit Tart adapted from Martha Stewart Everyday Food.

- 5 ounces speculaas cookies
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 6 tablespoons butter, melted
- 6 ounces bar cream cheese, room temperature
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3/4 cup heavy cream
- 1 pound fresh sweet cherries, pitted and halved
- 2 wild peaches, pitted and sliced into small wedges
- 1 tablespoon apricot jam

- Preheat oven to 350 F.
- In a food processor, pulse speculaas cookies and 2 tablespoons sugar until finely ground. If you're like me, and not in the possession of one, a heavy mortar and pestle works just as fine.
- Add butter and stir until mixture resembles wet sand.
- Transfer mixture to a 9 inch tart pan with a removable bottom. Using your fingers and the back of a spoon firmly press mixture into bottom and up sides of pan. Bake until browned, 10 to 12 minutes. Let cool completely on a wire rack.
- In a large bowl, beat cream cheese, vanilla, and 1/4 cup sugar until light and fluffy. Gradually add cream, and beat until soft peaks form. Spread mixture in cooled crust. Scatter cherries and peaches on top.
- In a small saucepan, combine jam and 1 teaspoon water. Heat over low until liquefied, about 2 minutes. Using a pastry brush, dab cherries and peaches with glaze. Refriegerate tart for at least 30 minutes.

*Feel free to substitute any soft summer fruit as the topping. I think strawberries, raspberries, blueberries or even apricots would work just as well here.

awaiting embellishment

2008-07-08T22:15:00.001+02:00

Definitely thinking about needlefelting and stitching.

hello july

2008-07-01T22:52:00.000+02:00

You bring such warm summer evenings. I hope I can steal myself away to actually do some felting this month.

Here are some newbies going up in the shop this week.

case of the blues

2008-06-25T14:08:00.001+02:00

Three pebbles in warm, wooly, blue sweaters. My desire for felting around items is becoming an addiction.

the emperor necklace

2008-06-24T10:42:00.000+02:00

Inspired by the plumage colorings of the emperor penguin. Currently in the shop.

pepper shrimp

2008-06-22T22:27:00.000+02:00

I know I originally intented this blog to focus more on my artistic endeavours, but I think cooking also constitutes as 'making things,' don't you think?
I made this dish today ~ pepper shrimp, following my mum's recipe. It's simple, spicy, and very delicious.

Pepper Shrimp
Shrimp - deveined and cleaned
Pinch of salt
Finely chopped hot chili pepper
Clove of garlic - crushed
Finely ground herbs - I used parsley, culantro and chives

Mix all the ingredients together and let marinate for 1/2 to 1 hour
Heat oil (I use sunflower) on high heat and saute the shrimp for 10 minutes, stirring regularly until all the moisture has evaporated
Serve warm or at room temperature

It's the ultimate finger food, and one that really gets your tastebuds going

beads & baubles

2008-06-20T13:08:00.000+02:00

Have been on my mind, and on my work table lately.

(Coming very soon in my store)

off to nz

2008-06-19T22:23:00.001+02:00

My most recently finished project for a customer in New Zealand. I still can't get enough of these gray pod bowls. I've got a couple more ideas up my sleeve involving these.

something new

2008-06-19T12:06:00.001+02:00

Um...hi there. Hope you don't mind me dipping my toes in the water.
I am by no means a master of the written word, but lately thoughts of a blog have been lingering in my mind. Nothing big, nothing spectacular. Just an spot to record my creating process and share whatever floats into my mind. My moleskine is ridden with sketches and notes and scribbles, and this seems like a nice place to sweep them all together.