Back to work

Now that Estrella is done, and I've mostly recovered from the event, it is time to get myself back into gear in the studio. So for the past few days, I've been cranking out socks on my antique sock knitting machine.

I've got three pairs of women's socks off the machine, and ready for the hand sewing part. I can sew up the toes tomorrow night, when I have company over for game night. That way I can be part of the frivolity, and still have hand work to do.

I also had a 'duh' moment this evening. When I'm making the Viking wire woven necklaces, like these:

I will often end up with several inch scraps of wire left over after making the clasps. It pains me to just throw them away, but what to do with them? Tonight it hit me. I know how to make ear cuffs, stupid! So I whipped out the pliers, and a little experimentation later I remembered the trick and made this cuff.

I currently have it on, and it is very comfortable. I foresee lots of decorative twists of wire in my future. Maybe I'll eventually have a selection of them for sale as impulse buys in my booth at art shows.

Speaking of art shows, a friend of mine is having one in her home this weekend, and invited me to join her selection of hand picked artists. If you are in the Phoenix, AZ area, I'd love to have you stop by and say 'hi'! You can get more information at the FaceBook page for the event, at http://www.facebook.com/events/355899951087466/ . The list of crafters is:
Susan Holt - Fine Art and Jewelry (http://www.etsy.com/people/saholtartist1)
Jennifer Richardson - Tatting
Jana Stobaugh - Fine Leather Crafting
Erika Swanson - Skylanth Sky Dragons (http://www.etsy.com/shop/skydragons)
Kat Bretcher – Brazen Button, Scarves for Lily (http://www.brazenbutton.com/)
Pati Cook - Quilts
and me, Melissa Wold-McCollum - Fiber Arts (http://www.etsy.com/shop/tangibledaydreams)

Should be a fun weekend. Kat asked me if I would bring out my antique sock knitting machine, so I'll be giving a bit of a demo on that as well. I'm looking forward to this!