RSSArchives: Goli Mohammadi
San Francisco Bead and Design Show
A couple of days ago, I posted a flashback to Dev Khan's wire-wrap jewelry DIY from CRAFT Volume 03. Pictured above is a collaborative piece by Dev and Sara K. Woll; Dev wraps the rocks and Sara crafts the necklaces. I just found out that Dev and Sara will be showing their work at the San Francisco Bead and Design Show, which is going on this weekend, November 20th through the 22nd. The show will feature 150 artists, artisans, and suppliers. Their mission is "to reflect the artistic imagination that is intrinsic to traditions of pattern and design in handmade arts such as art couture, bead making, antiquities, fiber art, lapidary, metalwork, ceramics, glass art, handwoven fabrics, art jewelry, fashion design, enameling, fused glass, clay art, designer components, wearable art, textile art, collectibles, and decorative arts." Sounds ornate!
Posted by Goli Mohammadi |
Nov 19, 2009 05:00 PM
Events |
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Typewriter Key Jewelry
Being a self-proclaimed word nerd, of course I would love the awesome jewelry made by the folks at The Weekend Store. They offer rings, earrings, necklaces, bracelets, and cuff links made using the the thin flat serif keys of Smith Corona typewriters rescued from the junkyard. Now that's character!
Posted by Goli Mohammadi |
Nov 18, 2009 05:00 PM
Jewelry, Recycle |
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Flashback: Wire Wrap Jewelry
I was first introduced to the wildly talented "wire wrapstress" Dev Khan through my dear friend (and talented artist who shot all the images in this DIY) Sara K. Woll. Sara had commissioned Dev to come over and do a wire wrapping workshop for a crew of us crafty ladies. Dev embodies the true artisan, completely at one with her medium. She cuts and polishes her own stones (as evidenced by her beautifully worked hands) and does some of the most amazing wire wrap jewelry I've ever seen. Further, she is all about sharing her love and technique with anyone who is interested. I was thrilled when she wrote this piece for us, which first appeared on the pages of CRAFT Volume 03. Here is the full DIY for you to enjoy.
Wrap Rock
Setting stones in unique jewelry takes just a few twists of wire.
By Dev Khan
Wire wrapping is an imaginative, spontaneous, and versatile method of setting free-form stones using wire and simple hand tools. It allows the shape of the stone to control the placement of wire. The piece becomes its own tool, the moveable wraps acting as clamps and measuring points. By varying the number of wraps and wires, you can accommodate almost any stone.
Craft a centerpiece for a beading project, create a pendant out of that odd-shaped stone, or turn a beach rock into a magic amulet. Amaze your friends!
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Posted by Goli Mohammadi |
Nov 17, 2009 05:30 PM
Jewelry |
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Sleepy Salvator Sock Monkey
The world needs more sock monkeys. There. I said it. There's much to be said about taking something as old and inanimate as a sock and breathing life into it in the crafting process. Slovenia-based Cardboard Castle definitely has a knack for just that. Pictured above is Salvator, one of the crew of "models of sustainability" made from recycled materials. Don't you just want to hug him? Pictured below are Zora, Handsome Stan, and Anabel.
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Posted by Goli Mohammadi |
Nov 16, 2009 05:00 PM
Recycle |
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Book Review: Spirit Animals by Stephanie Iris Weiss
Handmade gifts are always meaningful, but infusing your gifts with symbolic meaning takes them to the next level. Enter a wonderful animal-filled resource in the form of Spirit Animals: Unlocking the Secrets of Our Animal Companions by Stephanie Iris Weiss (Chronicle Books). This delightful little 5×7 book is a veritable pocket companion of animal symbolism defined. There are 40 entries altogether, most of them animals with a few insects and reptiles thrown in for good measure. Each entry has a section on Personality, Spiritual Origins, and Guiding Powers. And each has its very own illustration, representing the text, drawn by one of nine talented contributing illustrators. This lends a lot of visual interest to the book since all of their styles are so unique and different from one another. Here's the picture that accompanies the deer, drawn by Lisa Congdon:
I first checked out the book after coming back from a solo backpacking trip during which I was repeatedly visited by a hummingbird. Each animal is given a quick-reference description at top, and the hummingbird is "The Relentless Pleasure-Seeker." Under Personality, Weiss writes, "The only bird that can hover and fly backward, forward, up, or down, the hummingbird is incredibly adaptable. .... This incredible stamina allows the hummingbird to tirelessly seek out nectar from every source. These spritelike creatures are a direct link to pure, unadulterated happiness." Under Spiritual Origins, Weiss shares Mayan views of hummingbirds and also adds, "In Mexican folklore, the hummingbird symbolizes luck in love." And finally, under Guiding Powers, Weiss suggests,
If you're in need of some serious joy, consult with the hummingbird. This creature shows us how to find hidden happiness and to see the best in people. It's the ideal spirit animal for those moments when you're overwhelmed by darkness and focused on the negatives. The hummingbird will show you how to find your sweet spot again. It takes perseverance and ingenuity to find your bliss once you've lost it. The hummingbird has endless stores of both, so if someone you love is feeling blue, call upon the hummingbird to bring back his or her laughter.
Whatever level of importance you choose to give to these words, for me, it was intriguing and entertaining to read them. And incidentally, I do have a friend who is feeling quite blue. I will certainly try and weave a hummingbird or two into the next present I make for her. If you need some inspiration for your crafts, this book is great to get the wheels turning.
Posted by Goli Mohammadi |
Nov 13, 2009 05:00 PM
Books and Magazines |
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Felted Wool Dryer Balls
Recently I heard that felted wool balls are great alternative to dryer sheets. Apparently they reduce your drying time, soften your laundry, and eliminate static cling. There are places like Stoney Mountain Farm who sell handmade wool balls made from the wool grown on their farm. But for folks who want to try their hand at making their own, there are some good tutorials online. Diane Gilleland recently posted pictures of ones she made using a tutorial by Judy Coates Perez. Both ladies offer great advice and pretty pictures, like the one above by Judy. I suppose for the dryer, I would use natural, undyed wool. Can't wait to try this and see how well it works.
Posted by Goli Mohammadi |
Nov 12, 2009 05:00 PM
Fiber Art |
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Beginner's Guide to Gourd Crafting
It's decorative gourd season, peeps! I just can't wait to get my hands on some gourds and arrange them just so. They look so very seasonal. Reputable gourd shop Welburn Gourd Farm is offering a free download of "The Beginner's Guide to Gourd Crafting." It contains some great tips and how-tos to get your started with the wide world of gourds. Keep an eye out for the next issue of our sister publication, MAKE, Volume 21, which will feature a great DIY by Diane Gilleland on how to make a gourd lamp.
Posted by Goli Mohammadi |
Nov 11, 2009 05:00 PM
Crafting with Nature, Home Decor |
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Flashback: Candles from Scratch
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With the gift-giving holidays right around the corner, I thought it would be the perfect time to offer up this classic DIY from the pages of CRAFT Volume 04. Leah Peterson teaches you the fundamentals of candle-making, whether you want to reuse old candles to make new or make new ones from scratch. Who doesn't love candles?
Candles from Scratch
Gather old cans, containers, and half-used candles to make brilliant, new light.
By Leah Peterson
You don't need expensive equipment to make your own candles at home. You can use a variety of containers with smooth sides for molds, including thick plastic or metal measuring cups and muffin tins. An old pancake hot plate and cleaned food cans make a great double boiler. Just remember that whatever you use will most likely be covered in wax and not a good candidate for food use afterwards. Paraffin wax can be purchased at craft stores in large blocks, but you can also use old candle leftovers.
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Posted by Goli Mohammadi |
Nov 10, 2009 05:00 PM
Holiday projects, Home Decor |
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Gomistyle's Urban Window Garden
San Francisco resident Marque Cornblatt of Gomistyle recently started documenting his indoor urban gardening efforts and he presents some really neat ideas and suggestions. Despite the fact that he does have a little yard, he got tired of sharing his harvests with the neighborhood raccoons and decided to take his garden indoors. He replaced traditional pots with big black plastic storage bins from Office Depot because of efficiency and cost-effectiveness. Marque experimented with growing vines, including tomatoes, pole beans, cucumbers, and peppers, by creating hanging planters from plastic one-gallon jugs.
These soon got replaced by more black plastic bins with holes drilled in them (as seen in the top picture). This is such a great way to maximize his window space and conserve water too. Here's a closeup of his lovely thriving cukes:
My favorite part is that Marque is admittedly no master gardening. He just experimented to see what works best. He even begins his blog post by saying: "Let me begin with a simple admission. I don't know much about gardening. Until a few weeks ago, I had never planted a seed, or maintained houseplants. My thumbs weren't green, they were red and swollen from playing Xbox. " That put a smile on my face. He plans to post updates and details as his garden grows.
Posted by Goli Mohammadi |
Nov 6, 2009 05:00 PM
Gardening |
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The Intersection of Arts and Science: Between the Folds
For folks interested in the intersection of arts and science, the PBS series Independent Lens is presenting a fascinating in-depth look into origami titled Between the Folds. The film documents "a determined group of theoretical scientists and fine artists who have abandoned their careers and scoffed at their graduate degrees to forge new lives as modern-day paper folders."
Featured in the film are MIT's youngest-ever tenured professor Dr. Erik Demaine; mathematician, sculptor, puzzle maker, and self-taught computer scientist Marty Demaine; master free-style folder Vincent Floderer; pioneering Israeli educator Miri Golan; mathematics professor Dr. Tom Hull; trained artist and instructor Paul Jackson; one of the most technically accomplished folders in the world, Eric Joisel; one of only a few handmade origami papermakers in the world, Michael LaFosse; origami "hyper-realist" and physicist Dr. Robert J. Lang (who was profiled in CRAFT Volume 05); material artist with a masterful understanding of patterns and geometry, Chris K. Palmer; and the father of modern origami, Akira Yoshizawa.
Screenings are part of the Independent Television Service's (ITVS) Community Cinema series, which are free, followed by discussion panels and access to resources.
Between the Folds will be showing in the Bay Area in Oakland on Tuesday, November 17 at 6:00 p.m. at the Oakland Asian Cultural Center and in San Francisco on Wednesday, November 18 at 5:45 p.m. at the San Francisco Main Library. For a list of screenings taking place across the country, check out the film site.
Here are a couple of interesting excerpts from the documentary to get a flavor for it. The following clip features Paul Jackson, an origami artists and art teacher living in Tel Aviv, Israel, speaking of the "one fold":
And this clip shows Michael LaFosse, a master artisan who not only makes origami, but is one of the only handmade origami paper makers in the world, providing a window into his workshop and processes:
Posted by Goli Mohammadi |
Nov 5, 2009 05:00 PM
Announcements, Paper Crafts |
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