Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Featured Artist: Rachel Hunnicutt

I am very excited to share with you all today's features artist, Rachel Hunnicutt. She makes some very unique fiber art sculptures and wall pieces as well as amazing scarves, hats, and more!


How did you get stated with crochet, knitting, embroidery and fiber arts? Did you have formal training or are you self-taught?

I learned most of my skills from how-to books and online tutorials and just jumped right in.  The great thing about knitting, crochet, and embroidery is that you can start out with really simple projects and then challenge yourself with more complicated stitches or patterns as you gain confidence.  I made a ton of mistakes and messed up a lot of patterns, but by working through each challenge I really began to understand and master each technique.


Do you work in any other mediums? 

Fiber art is the medium I work in 95% of the time, but I also love to draw and make art zines!  I just started making zines last year and now I'm always trying to come up with ideas for them.  It's nice to have a low-maintenance artistic outlet that doesn't require many materials and doesn't have to be so perfect - sometimes when I get stressed out I just say to myself, "I'm going to work on a zine tonight and NOTHING else!" and then I feel better.  I also love the fact that zines are so "in the moment" for me... each zine tends to reflect a thought or feeling that I'm having that day, so they're really personal.


I've noticed that much of your work is based on forms and colors in nature. Your work also looks very detailed, well thought out and time consuming. What inspires and motivates you?

I am a person that becomes totally absorbed in whatever I'm thinking about and everything else is zoned out (one reason that I am a terrible driver), so I get really drawn in by art work that involves constructing a bunch of little parts and then assembling them into something larger.  When I construct a fiber work with a bunch of small pieces I get totally lost in the process - and the process of "making" is what I love most.  When I started crocheting my "pod" forms I started seeing similar shapes everywhere in nature and that made me really excited about finding ways to use them in different compositions.  It has become a huge obsession!


Do you feel--either personally or on a large scale--that fiber artists are often neglected or miscategorized in the fine arts world?

This is such a great question!  My background is in Art History, so this dilemma is one that I've been thinking about for a long time and it's the main reason that the tagline to my shop is "art + craft."  Traditional craft techniques have experienced a revival lately and the contemporary art scene is open to fiber artists because there is some really cool work being done.  As artists do more and more exciting work in fiber mediums I expect that interest in fiber art will continue to grow. 

All photographs courtesy of Rachel Hunnicutt

You can find out more about Rachel on the Cornflower Blue Studio Etsy and Blog.

Special thanks to Rachel for interview!

Saturday, January 28, 2012

Shop Discount


This Week's Finds

Here are some lovely things I found while browsing the internet this week. 

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one - I would love to have this mini stationary set from Ciaffi! I adore writing little notes and these are just so simple and classy. 

two Doesn't this plush rabbit from Zygopsyche look kind of real? 

threeThat little lamb is so cute and I also love the girl's outfit. 

four - I really like collages using old maps and scraps of paper. This collage by Mary Emma Hawthorne is one I would like to have hanging on my wall!

five - I've always wanted to use a vintage suitcase to display things at a craft fair. This suitcase, featured on Design Sponge looks perfect.

sixAren't these alpacas beautiful? I really wanna pet one. 

Friday, January 27, 2012

Shop Update

Today, I've added a couple new items to the shop. I'm really excited about these necklaces because of the pretty pastel bead work and the little metal bits! I also recently came across some muted gold chains that I've had my eye out for.



Wednesday, January 25, 2012

A Work in Progress

Here is a preview of the display setup I've been working on to show some of my jewelry at a new space in town. So far I've made bunting to hang as well as this fabric covered board to hold necklaces. I also made a little mobile/chandelier (for lack of a better word) out of braided fabric, seed beads, and an embroidery hoop. I'm going to be covering the bottom of the space with pages from an old book. I love the way books look when their pages start to yellow. Now all I have to do is finish making a few more necklaces and set up shop!







I'll be sure and post pictures of the finished space!

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Little Bits

A sneak peak of some of the things I've been working on. Lately I've been obsessed with pastel colored beads and stones!



Necklaces featuring these beads will be coming soon :)

Monday, January 23, 2012

New Stuff!

Here are a few items I've recently added to the shop! I'm really loving the light green turquoise stone beads. I'm trying to keep the direction of the necklaces very natural and earthy but with a unique twist such as the colored stones or the antique aspects. Expect more to come soon...





Saturday, January 21, 2012

Giveaway!


In order to officially announce the opening of my new Etsy shop and blog, I've decided to do a little giveaway! The items I will be giving away include an original 5" x 7" drawing and a miniature living terrarium. A winner will be chosen using a random generator and contacted via email. 

P.S. There is another, separate giveaway going on over at The Dainty Squid Blog until January 29th. Check it out and perhaps if you don't win these items you will win something over there! 


In Order To Enter:
 Simply "Like" the Woodii Shop on Facebook 
♥ Become a follower of this blog on Google Friend Connect (found on the right sidebar of my blog - click the button that says "Join This Site")
Then, just leave a comment with your name and blog (or email address) 

Bonus Entry: 
♥ Follow me on Twitter and tweet about this contest. Just leave an additional comment if you decide to do the bonus entry. You can copy and paste this message to your twitter if you would like:  @Loup_Loup Grand opening terrarium giveaway on the Woodii Blog http://woodiiblog.blogspot.com 

The contest will run from January 21st until February 5th at midnight. Thank you to everyone who enters and good luck!

Friday, January 20, 2012

DIY Fabric Bunting

I'm very excited because the sun was out for a little bit today so I was able to take some pictures...yay! I also have some big plans in the works for new jewelry coming soon to the Woodii shop. I was feeling a little crafty today and I had so many scraps of fabric lying around... I wanted to make something to decorate my space at the Fremont Vintage Mall so I decided to create a fabric bunting. I would love to hear any comments or questions about this project. Also, if anyone would like to share one they have made, please do! Here is a quick and simple way to make yourself a cute bunting!


What you will need:
-several small pieces of fabric (about 4" x 4")
-fusible web paper
-scissors
-small piece of cardboard
-fabric marker
-piece of 1/4" cord (you pick the length)
-sewing machine (optional)
-thread and pins
-iron and ironing board


Step 1: Choose several pieces of fabric you would like for your bunting and cut out 4" x 4" squares. I chose to make about 16 pieces so I cut out 16 squares for the front of each piece and 16 for the backs (total of 32). Pair up your pieces and choose a front and a back for each one.

Step 2: Cut out 16 slightly smaller squares of fusing paper (about 3.5" x 3.5")

Step 3: Place the webbed side down on the wrong side of one of the squares and follow the instructions to fuse it to the fabric (I used medium heat and pressed for 10 seconds). After it cools, peel off the backing. Take the other square (its paired piece) and place the wrong side of it on top of the piece you just fused. Press again. Now you should have a double sided square. Repeat this until you have 16 double sided square pieces.

Step 4: Next you will need to make a template. You can free hand one or make it exact in any shape you prefer. I decided to use a rounded shingle shape. I drew my shape on a piece of cardboard and cut it out. Use your fabric marker and trace the template onto each fused square.

Step 5: Cut out your shape from all the squares. Then, take your cord and cut it to your desired length (I made mine about 27"). Place all your shapes in a pleasing arrangement and leave a little bit of space in between each one.

Step 6: Pin the back side of each shape along the cord so they will stay in place and maintain the order you chose.

Step 7: Using a sewing machine (or by hand) sew along the cord to attach each shape. I used black thread to match my cord.

Step 8: That's it! I cut mine in half so I can use it in more than one place...there are so many uses for these cute banners! I like to string them along doorways or over fireplaces. I hope you enjoyed and thanks for reading!

Thursday, January 19, 2012

A little Update


Last night I finished a handmade ball bead necklace inspired by this telescopic picture of the Magellanic Cloud. Perhaps I will start a series of necklaces based on constellations and other stellar formations in our galaxy. 




I also created a new terrarium necklace with a vintage vial. Each vial has a number sticker on it which was used by watchmakers to identify the parts. More of these coming soon with different chains as well as some gemstone jewelry in the future.

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

This Week's Inspirations

Just a few things I've come across throughout the week....

Adorable Beret made by Dadaya - This hat is so detailed and pretty. When ever I see such detailed work, I always think about how much time it must have taken.
Letter Press Notebooks by Pistachio Press - I'm a sucker for anything letterpress and these have the perfect combination of colors and cross stitch pattern

This picture looks like the perfect snowy night sky to lie under and look at the stars.
Jill Start Dress - I love the metallic gold and the coral together...also, the scalloping at the top. 
Ink + Wit's Berries and Weeds stamp set - These look so fun and pretty; I can think of so many things I would stamp with these. 
This deer photograph by Teawagon is just so cute!

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Painting Beads Part 2

I'm finishing up the ball necklace series that I will be selling at my new spot in the Fremont Vintage Mall next week! The exhibit will include the necklaces pictured below as well as several terrarium necklaces for sale. I'm also working on a galaxy piece called Magellanic Cloud. I'll post pictures as soon as I get everything set up. 

I formed the beads out of clay, baked and then sanded them. I've mixed my own colors and painted several layers. They are then sealed with a clear acrylic medium. I've always been a big fan of the inexpensive acrylic paints for solid colors. It takes a few coats but the colors always come out just as vibrant as the expensive brands.


Coral Reef (shades of coral) and At The Circus (yellow, blue, red)

Ripening Plum

Monday, January 16, 2012

Evening Snow

Just a quick update of the view from my window at night when it snows...


Bead Necklaces

Here's a little preview of what I've been working on today...

A picture of my "studio" 


I just moved into a tiny apartment and I can't wait to get an actual studio space with a desk! Here are a couple of the necklaces I'm making for my space at the Fremont Vintage Mall:

"Glacial Pass" and "By the Sea" handmade and painted bead necklaces


More on this stuff tomorrow!

Sunday, January 15, 2012

It's Snowing

So yesterday was my first day seeing snow fall ever! I've lived in Florida my whole life so I've never experienced it! It started snowing again this morning and I decided to go out for a bit. I had to head home after a while because it started snowing heavily...I've heard Seattle isn't equipped for snow so the whole city kind of shuts down when the streets becomes underivable. It's really exciting! I'm going to make some soup, do crafts, and bundle up!