It's official according to the pollen count, the maple tree's are on the attack. Well, at least that's what my immune system thinks. Yay allergies. Does anyone know where I can find some stylish face mask for filtering pollen and dust? I'm supposed to wear them when I go outside, but I hate scaring the small kids. So instead I don't do it and pay dearly for it.
I have the desire to fill a space, the ceiling, with pods.
Friday, March 16, 2012
Friday, March 9, 2012
The Sun is shining!
Well lets see, I've been busy and got sick. That's nothing new though is it? hrm.
JUST re-opened with an etsy shop. I'm trying to get everything set up. Here's the address coppermothstudio.etsy.com
I will be trying to get stuff listed in the next couple of days. Those items so far are, stitch markers and pendants. I will be making some individual Pod's and doing some electroforming in the near future to offer in my shop.
~
The only knitting I have been working on is my Wool Peddlers shawl. I don't mind that. It satisfies me and that's all that matters. I also did some sewing. I've not done a whole terrible lot cause I had been sick and was still working my retail job AND I was picking up other people's hours that called off.
JUST re-opened with an etsy shop. I'm trying to get everything set up. Here's the address coppermothstudio.etsy.com
I will be trying to get stuff listed in the next couple of days. Those items so far are, stitch markers and pendants. I will be making some individual Pod's and doing some electroforming in the near future to offer in my shop.
~
The only knitting I have been working on is my Wool Peddlers shawl. I don't mind that. It satisfies me and that's all that matters. I also did some sewing. I've not done a whole terrible lot cause I had been sick and was still working my retail job AND I was picking up other people's hours that called off.
Saturday, February 4, 2012
Hello snow
It's was 53 F out yesterday, wake up this morning and there is snow. Huh, welcome to Indiana.
I have today off from work and am taking epic advantage of it to knit.
I woke up at 4:30 this morn, I went to bed super early as I haven't been feeling well lately. First thing I did was to finish up that clover hat I had been working on. The hat is now drying on my kitchen table and later I will take some photo's to update the project page over in Ravelry. Whew, that's effectively off my plate.
Now I can work on other knitting things! Like the samples for work I need to get done ASAP!
I have cast on the simple scarf. You can see its basic stats on my project page, labeled: Class Sample, Warm and simple scarf. I'm hoping to attract some teenagers for this class by using colors that seemed to fit the upcoming color trends for 2012. Hope I picked right. It's going amazingly fast... well was. I stopped knitting to make a blog post. The yarn is omg, Red Heart Super Saver. yes, I said red heart. Seriously though, this yarn is fine. I also feel it is PERFECT for a beginning teenage knitter. Very cost effective and machine washable if one so dares. The scarf is turning out pretty squishy too.
Next I believe I need to make a slipper sock for another class sample. That's going to be done is some um, let me think..., Lion brand tweed stripes? I think. I'll find out when I get to it here in a couple days probably.
Other non-work related knitting I want to do: knit an ear-flap hat for my husband and a new scarf for him. I also want to do a longer term knitting project such as a shawl. I just can't decided what one. I was going to do a lace weight with beads till I found out that the local bead store closed. :( so instead I'm looking to do a fingering weight shawl.
The reason for all these fresh projects? well I didn't know about the work samples till just recently, but I want all this stuff to qualify for Nerd Wars!!! Go Team 1up! I just have to figure out how they fit the monthly categories. Ug.
My sewing/fiber room is pretty well moved into and set up. Now to just get in there and sew. I even bought some more fabric. So projects are lining up! (for a new shop and personal, whew)
I have also started casually playing WoW again, but on a fresh character and new server. Though my crafts are getting preferential treatment over gaming. Hah! I know what I like and I'm keeping it balanced. This doesn't mean I don't enjoy the game, I just know that if I'm attached to the stupid pc for that long I become a VERY cranky girl and my world goes wonky.
I heard from an old friend yesterday, it wasn't much, but it surprised me. They managed to forget to show up to my Commencement and the party that followed, since I was constantly feeling like an after thought in their life, that was the straw that broke the camels back. I put the friendship into hibernation. It's an interesting thing for me to reflect on and muse about over my coffee and knitting. I know I am no longer upset over it, but I have no desire to go out on a limb.
Back to knitting.
I have today off from work and am taking epic advantage of it to knit.
I woke up at 4:30 this morn, I went to bed super early as I haven't been feeling well lately. First thing I did was to finish up that clover hat I had been working on. The hat is now drying on my kitchen table and later I will take some photo's to update the project page over in Ravelry. Whew, that's effectively off my plate.
Now I can work on other knitting things! Like the samples for work I need to get done ASAP!
I have cast on the simple scarf. You can see its basic stats on my project page, labeled: Class Sample, Warm and simple scarf. I'm hoping to attract some teenagers for this class by using colors that seemed to fit the upcoming color trends for 2012. Hope I picked right. It's going amazingly fast... well was. I stopped knitting to make a blog post. The yarn is omg, Red Heart Super Saver. yes, I said red heart. Seriously though, this yarn is fine. I also feel it is PERFECT for a beginning teenage knitter. Very cost effective and machine washable if one so dares. The scarf is turning out pretty squishy too.
Next I believe I need to make a slipper sock for another class sample. That's going to be done is some um, let me think..., Lion brand tweed stripes? I think. I'll find out when I get to it here in a couple days probably.
Other non-work related knitting I want to do: knit an ear-flap hat for my husband and a new scarf for him. I also want to do a longer term knitting project such as a shawl. I just can't decided what one. I was going to do a lace weight with beads till I found out that the local bead store closed. :( so instead I'm looking to do a fingering weight shawl.
The reason for all these fresh projects? well I didn't know about the work samples till just recently, but I want all this stuff to qualify for Nerd Wars!!! Go Team 1up! I just have to figure out how they fit the monthly categories. Ug.
My sewing/fiber room is pretty well moved into and set up. Now to just get in there and sew. I even bought some more fabric. So projects are lining up! (for a new shop and personal, whew)
I have also started casually playing WoW again, but on a fresh character and new server. Though my crafts are getting preferential treatment over gaming. Hah! I know what I like and I'm keeping it balanced. This doesn't mean I don't enjoy the game, I just know that if I'm attached to the stupid pc for that long I become a VERY cranky girl and my world goes wonky.
I heard from an old friend yesterday, it wasn't much, but it surprised me. They managed to forget to show up to my Commencement and the party that followed, since I was constantly feeling like an after thought in their life, that was the straw that broke the camels back. I put the friendship into hibernation. It's an interesting thing for me to reflect on and muse about over my coffee and knitting. I know I am no longer upset over it, but I have no desire to go out on a limb.
Back to knitting.
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Had a Long Hiatus.
Coming back to my blog after almost a year, not easy. So I'm going to make a quick summery of last year.
Summer was hard, I spent every weekday morning checking job sites and applying to jobs. Sometimes I checked in the evenings too. I had to drop a summer metals casting workshop cause I couldn't afford the materials. Tried a couple festivals to sell items, pretty well flopped. I sold NOTHING at one of them. Started my business, tried Artfire. Art Fire went to a subscription that my shop didn't have the income to cover so I closed the shop in Oct. In Aug I finally landed a Job, It was my first interview. Full time employment, I suddenly never saw my studio and became sick all time. In Oct I became suddenly so ill after they installed new carpet in the building that I had to have a CT scan and multiple Dr. visits. Took well over a month to become healthy again. In the mean time I worked from home. Unfortunately due to circumstances, beyond my control, I was forced to resign from that position in Dec. Nuff said about that epic learning experience.
Now I recently found new employment. It's right in my field of expertise. Yes, the hours are less and so is the pay but I love this job, the co-workers, the customers and I have time to get my own stuff going in my studio! Plus, I'm not sick all the time anymore. I feel the depression finally going away and feeling my worth again. My husband is also finally on first shift! the past couple weeks have been spent moving my fiber studio and other fine arts things out of the upstairs as the bedroom is now all one room, upstairs. The room previously housing the bed is becoming a cozy little fiber/craft studio. I have a couple new book cases to help in all this re-organization of studio and living spaces too. Some things went all the way to the basement studio, others to the fiber studio. I still have some things to sort out and put away, but I'm very excited over it all. I'm finding things I've not seen in months!!! Cause they where stowed away in a bin or what not. Woot.
Moving on
With the new fiber studio I was able to quickly set up a small photo shoot and finally updated my WIP's in Ravelry. I also added a couple things to my stash. Did that just a couple hours ago.. I'm on a roll! I've also fairly well decided what I'm going to do for a dissertation project in Nerd Wars T4. I should still be in Team 1up. I didn't choose another for this upcoming round. I'm thinking of doing the Aeolian Shawl by Elizabeth Freeman. I'm leaning towards using a skein of Vally Yarns alpaca silk I have that I need to over dye first.
Last Tuesday Hilary (Hippie Penguin) and I made a recent podcast recording in my new fiber space,
Link to the Hippiepenguin site, the next recording should be next week if I'm not scheduled to work. Cross your fingers! I'll see about cross posting the podcast here in the future when we cast.
~Coppermoth
Summer was hard, I spent every weekday morning checking job sites and applying to jobs. Sometimes I checked in the evenings too. I had to drop a summer metals casting workshop cause I couldn't afford the materials. Tried a couple festivals to sell items, pretty well flopped. I sold NOTHING at one of them. Started my business, tried Artfire. Art Fire went to a subscription that my shop didn't have the income to cover so I closed the shop in Oct. In Aug I finally landed a Job, It was my first interview. Full time employment, I suddenly never saw my studio and became sick all time. In Oct I became suddenly so ill after they installed new carpet in the building that I had to have a CT scan and multiple Dr. visits. Took well over a month to become healthy again. In the mean time I worked from home. Unfortunately due to circumstances, beyond my control, I was forced to resign from that position in Dec. Nuff said about that epic learning experience.
Now I recently found new employment. It's right in my field of expertise. Yes, the hours are less and so is the pay but I love this job, the co-workers, the customers and I have time to get my own stuff going in my studio! Plus, I'm not sick all the time anymore. I feel the depression finally going away and feeling my worth again. My husband is also finally on first shift! the past couple weeks have been spent moving my fiber studio and other fine arts things out of the upstairs as the bedroom is now all one room, upstairs. The room previously housing the bed is becoming a cozy little fiber/craft studio. I have a couple new book cases to help in all this re-organization of studio and living spaces too. Some things went all the way to the basement studio, others to the fiber studio. I still have some things to sort out and put away, but I'm very excited over it all. I'm finding things I've not seen in months!!! Cause they where stowed away in a bin or what not. Woot.
Moving on
With the new fiber studio I was able to quickly set up a small photo shoot and finally updated my WIP's in Ravelry. I also added a couple things to my stash. Did that just a couple hours ago.. I'm on a roll! I've also fairly well decided what I'm going to do for a dissertation project in Nerd Wars T4. I should still be in Team 1up. I didn't choose another for this upcoming round. I'm thinking of doing the Aeolian Shawl by Elizabeth Freeman. I'm leaning towards using a skein of Vally Yarns alpaca silk I have that I need to over dye first.
Last Tuesday Hilary (Hippie Penguin) and I made a recent podcast recording in my new fiber space,
Link to the Hippiepenguin site, the next recording should be next week if I'm not scheduled to work. Cross your fingers! I'll see about cross posting the podcast here in the future when we cast.
~Coppermoth
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Getting there, slowly but surely.
I have an unusually long-ish and odd to do list today, I'm sure you won't mind if I start with that so that I may clear my fluffy brain.
In no specific order: (edited to mark off what I was able to finish)
Poop scoop backyard
Cut open window
Install window screen in newly operable window.
De-contaminate tools used in pewter workshop.
Fold Laundry
Make Pork-chops and potatoes
Sort Findings
Wash the car
Give Milly a bath
Debate my sanity
Plan out creations to make
Make some said creations
I would like to be able to get all of that done today. The last two on the list are perpetual though and could become list's of there own.
I took a 3 day intensive workshop over the weekend with Fred Fenster on Pewtersmithing. It was my second time in this workshop and so I was left to tinker somewhat on my own. I can't work with the stuff in my own studio as pewter contaminates other fine metals. It has such a low melting point that if a spec of it gets on the copper, brass, or silver it would melt a black hole them. So, until I can make a second dedicated space n tools I won't work in it at home. Anyways, I made a pewter tea strainer. I designed it to sit on top of a cup for when you pour the tea in containing loose leaves. The basket is woven. I was told that I should try to challenge my self and so I did. Setting in that thin woven basket was a pain, but I did it. The ring on the back is soldered onto the basket, the rest is then fused together. Fusing is welding, except in pewter it's done at a very low temp. Just under 500 degrees Fahrenheit. So I basically melted it together with more pewter.
I also recently made a pair of hand cut and hammered copper earrings.
I'm working on finishing two pairs of woven earrings at the moment. One pair is fine silver and the other pair is green coated copper. Both woven pairs are already claimed work.
At the beginning of the month I had made and donated a pair of fine silver earrings for an art fundraising auction. Unfortunately the auction didn't get the patrons it needed for such. Saturday the earrings were returned to me. They are titled "Kibou", meaning Hope in Japanese. The fundraiser had been specifically for tsunami relief and was put on by the local Japanese Saturday school here at the University.
I'm also trying to get ready for my first Art Festival, It's The Arts on Main in Kendalville and only one day. I have one month. Whew, will see. I'm mostly interested in seeing how I set up and things go for me. I can't think that I can manage to make a lot of things to actually sell in such short time. Most artist spend the winter months making stock for the summer festivals, with having been in school I didn't have that opportunity. This will mostly be a chance for me to just show my work. Maybe get a commission.
Fiber Basket
I've not really finished in of my fluffy stuff. I'm still working on a sockhead hat, an ishbel shawl, and the plain brown socks. The stripy scarf, lattice cable hat, and pi blanket are all hibernating. I'm starting to pick the knitting back up on Thursday evenings when I go to knit with my friend. I barely knit at all the last semester of school. I simply did not have the time! I can say though that this was TOTALLY worth taking up my knitting and social time! No if ands or buts about it.
I can now proudly say that I hold a B.F.A in metal smithing from Indiana University. Go me!
In no specific order: (edited to mark off what I was able to finish)
Sort Findings
Give Milly a bath
Plan out creations to make
Make some said creations
I would like to be able to get all of that done today. The last two on the list are perpetual though and could become list's of there own.
I took a 3 day intensive workshop over the weekend with Fred Fenster on Pewtersmithing. It was my second time in this workshop and so I was left to tinker somewhat on my own. I can't work with the stuff in my own studio as pewter contaminates other fine metals. It has such a low melting point that if a spec of it gets on the copper, brass, or silver it would melt a black hole them. So, until I can make a second dedicated space n tools I won't work in it at home. Anyways, I made a pewter tea strainer. I designed it to sit on top of a cup for when you pour the tea in containing loose leaves. The basket is woven. I was told that I should try to challenge my self and so I did. Setting in that thin woven basket was a pain, but I did it. The ring on the back is soldered onto the basket, the rest is then fused together. Fusing is welding, except in pewter it's done at a very low temp. Just under 500 degrees Fahrenheit. So I basically melted it together with more pewter.
At the beginning of the month I had made and donated a pair of fine silver earrings for an art fundraising auction. Unfortunately the auction didn't get the patrons it needed for such. Saturday the earrings were returned to me. They are titled "Kibou", meaning Hope in Japanese. The fundraiser had been specifically for tsunami relief and was put on by the local Japanese Saturday school here at the University.
Fiber Basket
I've not really finished in of my fluffy stuff. I'm still working on a sockhead hat, an ishbel shawl, and the plain brown socks. The stripy scarf, lattice cable hat, and pi blanket are all hibernating. I'm starting to pick the knitting back up on Thursday evenings when I go to knit with my friend. I barely knit at all the last semester of school. I simply did not have the time! I can say though that this was TOTALLY worth taking up my knitting and social time! No if ands or buts about it.
Thursday, May 12, 2011
Wow! It's May!
Life became very busy for me, I seriously cracked down and did nothing but studio work. Hence my absenteeism. I finished last semester and this past semester with solid 4.0's. Go me! Last night was Commencement! It took 3 hours alone for the ceremonies. Whew, I survived. So now maybe I can start knitting again? Hmm, will see.
I'm working on setting up my metals studio in the basement. It means a lot of sorting and moving things from upstairs all the way downstairs. If I hurry up and do this though, I will be able to immediately start working. I'm still waiting though for the phone call that my torch tips and hose kit are in. They had said that it would be in by now. I think that I shall give them a call about it today.
I'm working on setting up my metals studio in the basement. It means a lot of sorting and moving things from upstairs all the way downstairs. If I hurry up and do this though, I will be able to immediately start working. I'm still waiting though for the phone call that my torch tips and hose kit are in. They had said that it would be in by now. I think that I shall give them a call about it today.
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Ahhh! It's What? Already?!
Wow! I have been so busy with school that it slipped past me to post here! Bad me! Bad Me!
I have my final faculty critique on March 4, so I've pretty well lost my mind I think. I'm hoping to have all my work pretty well done by then. The opening for the exhibition is Mar 28, I want that time in between to make any final tweeks with out running to the last darn min. I'm fairly well on track time wise with my work, but it means I don't have much time for fun. Still need to take care of my household and I'm not content if I don't do that. I try to take at least one day a week off, so I can spend time with my husband.
This weekend I need to finish getting some things ready for electro-forming on Monday. By the end of the week I hope to have that done, a cushion sewn, and another large sculptural piece finished. I'm not insane, right?
So, all this means I've not been doing anything fun fibery related. No time, or my hands are to tired/sore to want to do any when I do have some time. My husband and I have been trading off meals and they've all been simple quick things mostly. But I was treated to homemade California rolls one night by a friend. That was an awesome treat.
Other things epically throwing a wrench in my time? My car being a butt and dying. Mind you, it's our only car. The battery was dying. We eventually where able to replace it. But not till after spending the week going,. ok why is the battery half dead? is it this bitter cold killing it? no.. it was just old. Duh!
Then the other day, my husband ends up going to the ER at 6 am from work. :( Epic bad bad bad panic attack. This left me at home with no car and our car at his work and him in the hospital... that was a fun dynamic. I did get a ride a squared it all away. He know has a Doc appointment and is doing ok. But it's still a big ball of stress when it happens.
In other news, my grandfather brought me an air compressor and nail gun. Why? Cause he bought him self a new one on a super sale! Not that there was anything wrong with the "old" ones. I think I'm just a good excuse for him to get new toys. lol. I guess it's good to be a sculpture/metalsmith. Did I ever mention I'm actually really good with wood? hahaha. This just allows me to do more fun stuff. I wonder when I'm going to inherit a table saw, drill press, and sander? that would be useful. I actually own a really nice table saw blade. Unfortunately I don't really have a place to easily put those things to use them. More than half my basement is finished and this would all just make a bad mess of it. But darn it, I love doing mixed media work. I love my metals though so much too... and fiber.. lol.
Nom Nom of the Moment
Well, I thought that even though I'm not doing epic awesome cooking as much right now I would still share A recipe. I have some friends who like me need to only cook for one or two. So I'm going to share a simple meal scaled for that.
Garlic Potatoes serves 2
2 potato's
2 tbs butter
1 garlic clove, crushed
salt
Quarter the potatoes length wise (peeling optional), and boil them for 10 mins. drain well. While the potatoes are on to boil, preheat the oven to 350F.
Melt the butter and place it into a baking pan, add the garlic and potato strips and toss/turn them to coat. Sprinkle with salt. Bake in the oven for about 45 mins, turning them at least one. They should be a golden color. :)
Oven Fried Chicken serves 2
1.5 lb Chicken Pieces
1/4 cup Bread Crumbs
1/4 cup Grated Parmesan Cheese (not from the can...)
1/4 tsp Paprika
1/4 tsp Salt
pepper
1/4 cup Buttermilk
butter for greasing a baking dish
Preheat the oven to 350F, butter a baking dish.
Rinse off the chicken and pat dry with paper towels. Combine the bread crumbs with the cheese and seasonings. Dip the chicken in the buttermilk and then roll/dredge it in the breadcrumb mix. Place in you baking dish. Bake for 1 hour.
For both recipes, make sure your baking dish is just large enough so that your things have room to cook. A single layer for the potatoes and enough so the chicken isn't touching each other, also, use SEPARATE baking dishes. :) We don't want any cross food contamination. If you have any questions, leave me comment and I will happily respond! Oh, this chicken would be awesome to take on a picnic too!
Happy Nomming!
I have my final faculty critique on March 4, so I've pretty well lost my mind I think. I'm hoping to have all my work pretty well done by then. The opening for the exhibition is Mar 28, I want that time in between to make any final tweeks with out running to the last darn min. I'm fairly well on track time wise with my work, but it means I don't have much time for fun. Still need to take care of my household and I'm not content if I don't do that. I try to take at least one day a week off, so I can spend time with my husband.
This weekend I need to finish getting some things ready for electro-forming on Monday. By the end of the week I hope to have that done, a cushion sewn, and another large sculptural piece finished. I'm not insane, right?
So, all this means I've not been doing anything fun fibery related. No time, or my hands are to tired/sore to want to do any when I do have some time. My husband and I have been trading off meals and they've all been simple quick things mostly. But I was treated to homemade California rolls one night by a friend. That was an awesome treat.
Other things epically throwing a wrench in my time? My car being a butt and dying. Mind you, it's our only car. The battery was dying. We eventually where able to replace it. But not till after spending the week going,. ok why is the battery half dead? is it this bitter cold killing it? no.. it was just old. Duh!
Then the other day, my husband ends up going to the ER at 6 am from work. :( Epic bad bad bad panic attack. This left me at home with no car and our car at his work and him in the hospital... that was a fun dynamic. I did get a ride a squared it all away. He know has a Doc appointment and is doing ok. But it's still a big ball of stress when it happens.
In other news, my grandfather brought me an air compressor and nail gun. Why? Cause he bought him self a new one on a super sale! Not that there was anything wrong with the "old" ones. I think I'm just a good excuse for him to get new toys. lol. I guess it's good to be a sculpture/metalsmith. Did I ever mention I'm actually really good with wood? hahaha. This just allows me to do more fun stuff. I wonder when I'm going to inherit a table saw, drill press, and sander? that would be useful. I actually own a really nice table saw blade. Unfortunately I don't really have a place to easily put those things to use them. More than half my basement is finished and this would all just make a bad mess of it. But darn it, I love doing mixed media work. I love my metals though so much too... and fiber.. lol.
Nom Nom of the Moment
Well, I thought that even though I'm not doing epic awesome cooking as much right now I would still share A recipe. I have some friends who like me need to only cook for one or two. So I'm going to share a simple meal scaled for that.
Garlic Potatoes serves 2
2 potato's
2 tbs butter
1 garlic clove, crushed
salt
Quarter the potatoes length wise (peeling optional), and boil them for 10 mins. drain well. While the potatoes are on to boil, preheat the oven to 350F.
Melt the butter and place it into a baking pan, add the garlic and potato strips and toss/turn them to coat. Sprinkle with salt. Bake in the oven for about 45 mins, turning them at least one. They should be a golden color. :)
Oven Fried Chicken serves 2
1.5 lb Chicken Pieces
1/4 cup Bread Crumbs
1/4 cup Grated Parmesan Cheese (not from the can...)
1/4 tsp Paprika
1/4 tsp Salt
pepper
1/4 cup Buttermilk
butter for greasing a baking dish
Preheat the oven to 350F, butter a baking dish.
Rinse off the chicken and pat dry with paper towels. Combine the bread crumbs with the cheese and seasonings. Dip the chicken in the buttermilk and then roll/dredge it in the breadcrumb mix. Place in you baking dish. Bake for 1 hour.
For both recipes, make sure your baking dish is just large enough so that your things have room to cook. A single layer for the potatoes and enough so the chicken isn't touching each other, also, use SEPARATE baking dishes. :) We don't want any cross food contamination. If you have any questions, leave me comment and I will happily respond! Oh, this chicken would be awesome to take on a picnic too!
Happy Nomming!