CREATE ART OR TROUBLE SHOOT WEBSITE

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

I've spent the last 2 days tinkering around with my blog and my website trying to figure some things out.  My only goal 3 days ago was to make a connection between my blog and another platform to showcase my blog so I contacted support at "blogger" and they were very helpful assisting me in what needed to be done.  My only issue was trying to understand some of the real "technical jargon" they threw at me which made my head spin. 

I would rather spend 2 days laying out fiber to create wearable/non wearable art than understand what makes my website/blog tick in the background.  After the 2 days I think we made some progress as I know have the connection between my blogger and the Bloglovin  platform (goal #1).

What I did not bargain for was the disappearance/failure of my own website.   After working with my host I managed to change back what I had broken, and hopefully my website is up and running again.  Yes I'd rather spend 6 hours a day creating art.

Tomorrow I promise to get back to creating fun stuff and maybe I'll have something wonderful and new to show you.

NORTHEAST FELTMAKERS GUILD - FIBER OF OUR BEING

It's been a long time since I have written on my blog.  The truth is I use Facebook and Instagram more in terms of sharing my work and what I've been up to.  Some of my friends and acquaintances  don't use either so I like to blog when I have something to talk about or share.  Most of you know that I belong to the Northeast Feltmakers Guild.  I have been a part of this guild for 2 years now, and have learned so much in taking part in annual meetings/workshops.  I find this group highly skilled and enjoy sharing their knowledge.   This year's exhibit "Fiber Of Our Being" opened earlier this week, and will be on display through Nov. 11th this year.    If you're in the area or passing through it would be worth your time to stop and view the works of many of the members.

I have also attached 2 articles featuring the exhibit.  I was surprised to see my black and white wearable art piece shown in both.

You can also see work by the Northeast Feltmakers Guild on their Facebook page Northeast Feltmakers Guild as well as photos from the Gallery opening.   thanks

http://worcestercenterforcraftsenews.blogspot.com/2017/09/press-release-fantastic-felted-works.html


http://www.golocalworcester.com/lifestyle/worcester-center-for-crafts-to-open-fiber-of-our-being-exhibit

Another wonderful workshop with Katia Mokeyeva!

About 2 weeks ago I participated in another 3 day workshop with Katia Mokeyeva (www.feuer-und-wasser.com).   I did a blog post about a year ago when I took my first workshop with this master felt artist/designer.  http://josiescolourfuljourney.blogspot.com/2016/05/felting-with-katia.html
I can't say enough about Katia other than she's very inspirational, sharing and super talented.

This last workshop was part of the Northeast Feltmakers Guild (northeastfeltmakersguild.org) annual members only workshop which takes place once a year.   I have been a part of this guild for 2 years now and this was actually my first time attending the members workshop.  Some of the women I had met before, yet others I met for the first time.  The atmosphere of the workshop was casual and everyone was so friendly and willing to share their fiber and sander.   This was also my debut as the new workshop co-ordinator for the guild.  I love spending time with others who have similar interest.

We started our 1st day with a short slide presentation where Katia shared her work from a current DHG exhibit in Italy (http://www.dyeinghousegallery.com/en/yekaterina-mokeyeva-fiber-artist).  We then spent the next 2-1/2 days learning techniques and working on our own project and/or samples.  It was interesting to see everyone's work during the first 2 days and the final at the end of the workshop.  I left the workshop full of inspiration and excited about all the new possibilities for my own work.

One of the best things about the location of the workshop was that I also got to spend some time with my family in CT.

Please see some photos from the workshop and my final project below.

Wearing my wrap/art piece along with my cousin Linda's copper etched earring and folded cuff (https://www.instagram.com/inda_jewelry_designs/)

Katia sharing garments from her own collection with the guild members!

My colors

The full length of my art piece/wrap and my trusted pet Ginger in the background

2016 REFLECTIONS - MOVING AHEAD IN 2017

2016 Reflections

As the year draws to a close I sit here reflecting on all the people, events and projects that made it all so special.    You know who you are so thank you again for all your support, and inspiration.   Special thanks to my dear husband who continues to support me even when he might be at odds with my idea.

I have expanded more in my artistic endeavors, and continue to get the greatest joy out of working with the kids in the after-school programs.

I even had the opportunity to do a project with the “Daisy Troop” this past year (Girl Scouts).  Oh what fun we had making those colorful snakes.  After 2 hours of work, everyone went home with one of their own.

I also participated in my first felting exhibit at the Gaelen Gallery West in West Orange, NJ.   This was exciting and very well received.

I conducted a couple of felt workshops during the year for adults and plan to expand in 2017.   You can follow me on Facebook, Instagram or my website to keep up to date with new workshops.

I also did more Holiday events this year  including my 3rd year at the Autumn Festival at Lincoln Center.

Moving into 2017 I'm finishing up 2 quilts which will be on exhibit at the March Mancuso show in NJ; planning a series of felting workshops which will start in Feb/March; pop up event with another artist before Mother's Day and much more.

Please see my flipagram with reflections from 2016.

https://flipagram.com/f/11c4K08L0E5

NEEDLE FELTING WITH JOSIE

 Hello everyone,

Some of you already know that I will be teaching a needle felting workshop at the Baird Center in South Orange starting in January.  

In this fun, free-spirited class, students will learn the art of needle felting by creating a variety of small projects, and one small animal as a final project. You will work with sheep's wool along with a needle to sculpt your projects. You will be amazed at what you can create by using a needle, wool and a little imagination. Finger guards will be used. 

Beginners are welcome! For your own safety and comfort, no wool allergies please. 

This class runs for 8 weeks from 1/10/17 until early March.  See website info below for more details.

https://apm.activecommunities.com/southorange/Activity_Search?txtActivitySearch=basic%20needle%20felting&applyFiltersDefaultValue=true&cat=Activities

CATCHING UP! What's happening with Josie's Colourful Journey!

Hello everyone,

It's been months since I last posted.  Now that the annual Lincoln Center's Autumn Craft Festival http://www.craftsatlincoln.org/index.html is behind me I can get back to a regular schedule.   Really!  More on Lincoln Center!

This year's event was less foot traffic mainly due to a forecast of bad weather (Matthew looming above us), and Lincoln Center closing us down on the final day of the show (also due to inclement weather).   Naturally we were disappointed, but this is the risk you take when vending outside.

Nevertheless, all was not lost.  My team and I were happy to greet the customers including many return ones who shopped for themselves and others.   The colorful scented felted soaps continued to be a good seller as a great gift item, as well as the felted scarves.  Of course, losing that one day left me with a more inventory than anticipated but I already have plans to take part in 2 more events during the holidays.   I will host an event in Jersey City on Dec 10th, and take part in a local holiday event in my town on Dec 11th.  Stay tuned for more details.

You can also visit my online shops at  www.josiescolourfulart.etsy.com or  www.josiescolourfuljourney.com.

My 2nd collection of Josie's Cloth Collectible dolls was a big hit again for the 2nd year so if you're in the market to buy a gift for a "doll collector" or someone who appreciates cloth dolls check my work out.  The dolls were a big attraction  and got people into my booth even if they were not spending money.

Felting with Katia

Last weekend I took a 3 day workshop with Katia Mokeyeva (www.feuer-und-wasser.com), a textile felt artist and clothing designer.  Katia creates one-of-a-kind wearable art that are highly embellished and uses original detail techniques.   This was one of the most interesting felt workshops I have taken in a long time.  Katia is a very sharing artist, whose attention to detail is amazing.  My fellow students and I were amazed on how dyed fiber and fine hand dyed silk could create a wearable vest using various techniques.

The workshop was very demanding but I am pleased because I learned a lot of new techniques and have an almost completed vest.  There are some finishing details I need to do for shaping the armholes and neckline.  I am also thinking of modifying the hemline and adding either machine or hand stitching to further bring out the 3D elements incorporated in the vest.

Take a look and let me know what you think.  To see my new fiber art pieces, please visit www.josiescolourfuljourney.com and www.josiescolourfulart.etsy.com.

Thanks to New England Felt Supply (https://www.feltingsupply.com/) for hosting yet another great workshop.