Blog Carnival: Other Artistic Endeavors

February Topic: Non-Metal Creativity

Tell us about other kinds of art and craft you do. What other media do you work and play with? How often do you get to create? Does it relate to or inspire your metalworking?

I don't have a lot of time to do arts and craft outside of silver-smithing, but I do enjoy being creative. I like knitting, sewing, water colors, papier-mâché, and paper crafts. I have done some counted cross stitch with beads, quilting, and embroidery. These are what I would consider hobbies, and I wish I had more time for them. Occasionally, one of these activities will find its way into my jewelry making.

Here are some knitted gauntlets I made - I love them and wear them when it's chilly:

Knitting has made its way into jewelry. Several of my RADs were knit last year, and then there's this bracelet:

Here's an example of counted cross stitch done in seed beads:

close up:

Embroidery made its way into jewelry in this brooch and some others that have not been photographed:

Quilt Squares done in the style of Baltimore Quilting. This is a project that has been ongoing for a number of years. I have hopes of one day finishing and having a completed quilt, but for now its just for fun.

At the moment I have very little time to play with craft and hobbies. I am volunteering at my kids' school, facilitating an in class lesson once a month. The program is "Art Masters". There are a variety of techniques and materials used for the projects. In January, we worked in pastels on paper using the work of John James Audubon for inspiration. I love to see what the students come up with. Their talent and creativity are an inspiration for me.

Check out what other EtsyMetal members are blogging about their artistic endeavors outside metal:

kate jones
kathryn cole
2Roses

Twigs and Heather
Erin Austin
Thomasin Durgin
Nodeform
Beth Cyr
stacey hansen
elizabeth scott
Evelyn Markasky
Amanda Conley
Jenny Baughman

Catherine Chandler