Life Force Diviner

An energy diviner for Tricia

One day, at the fresh fish section of the market, I noticed a tiny woman hunched over the packages of tuna and swordfish and sole. She had long, curly tresses, and she wore a cape wrapped around her as if it were a cave in which to hide; she looked a bit like a benevolent witch. I couldn't keep myself from looking, trying to figure out what she was doing. She had a chain dangling from one hand and she was holding it just above the fish, looking at them intently, as if she were reading their fortunes. As soon as she noticed me she scurried off, as if I had caught her in the act of something secret and leaving me feeling just a bit guilty for having invaded her privacy.

I had forgotten about this almost encounter until the day my friend Tricia came to the house for the purpose of performing Reiki and told me she would start by reading the energy fields associated with each of my chakras.  In order to do this, she took out a chain with a key attached to it for weight, and held it above specific areas of my body. The key and chain moved in accordance with the energy emitting from the chakra being assessed. Most of my chakras were pretty ordinary, one or two were somewhat blocked, but the one at the top of my head was apparently spewing forth energy like a geyser, sending the key spinning like mad.

It's a necklace, too

My chakras were out of balance but that's not really the point of this post. This post is about the choker necklace I made for Tricia, inspired by the chakra reading. My intent was to give her a chain she could use for divining energy fields; I wanted it to be beautiful as well as useful. Then I got the idea to make it so it could also be worn as a necklace, always at the ready to serve its wearer ... like when she wants to determine how much life force is still in the fish at her local market. Yes, I'm talkin' 'bout you, Benevolent Witch Person.

I gave the necklace to Tricia at a party in celebration of her latest book, Father Flashes. Many of the women there liked it and they encouraged me to make more and sell them in my Etsy shop. I asked to take the necklace home with me for the purpose of photographing it, assuring Tricia I would return it. That was over a year ago.  I wasn't lying. I did return it ... last week. What does this tell us? Well, for one thing, Tricia is a perfect friend because this kind of thing does not ruffle her feathers in the least bit. She is very laid back and very understanding of my foibles. The other thing we can discern from this tale is that somebody has a procrastination problem and her initials are MCM. How interesting then that one of my favorite sentences of all time is in Tricia's book and it addresses, perfectly and succinctly, the reason why procrastination is so deadly:

"My brother is inquisitive but procrastinates until possibility fades to loss." 

My internal translation:  Morna is creative but procrastinates until possibility turns to loss. What good is creative thought if you do not do something with it? And how easy it is to slay the energy of a perfect creative urge if you merely allow it to float around in your psyche instead of actually allowing it to jump out of your head and into your hands! But ... No More! From now on, I will do better and better.  Yes, I'm laughing a bit as I write those last two sentences ... how many times have I said those words or words similar to those? How many times have you? They might as well be titled The Procrastinator's Promise. 

Still, maybe this time really will be different. Maybe I really will make some more of these necklaces and put them in my Etsy shop. Maybe I should make several and then have a giveaway for one of them. I could do it in honor of my 63rd birthday, getting ready to slam me on July 24th.

Labradorite wrapped in antiqued brass wire, with multiple tiny crystals, on brass chain Just for today, do not anger Do not worry and be filled with gratitude Devote yourself to your work. Be kind to people. Every morning and evening, join your hands in prayer. Pray these words to your heart and chant these words with your mouth. (The Reiki Ideals, Usui Mikao)

A Valentine Kiss From Cupid - or Klimt - or Dougie

Today I was greeted by a fairly large package on the kitchen table, wrapped in pages from yesterday's New York Times, and sporting a bright red envelope with my name on it. Hmmm ... it's Valentine's Day! I picked it up - rather, I tried to pick it up - but since I am walking with a cane these days (more about that some other time), it was way too heavy for me to carry. Dougie to the rescue. We headed to the family room where I would open this mystery package.

I confess, I was a little scared to open it. Dougie tends to be the extravagant one, while I am the worrier who thinks about things like paying the bills. I had a feeling this was going to be one of those gifts that caused me to worry!  I opened it and found I was looking at a large cardboard suitcase of sorts, imprinted with an intriguing piece of art by Gustav Klimt. Inside this case was a book - rather, a BOOK - like none I have ever seen. I spent about two seconds debating whether I was going to worry about the expense before I decided to give Cupid his due.

Wow! Gustav Klimt: The Complete Paintings, by Tobias Natter; produced by Taschen. This is a stunning, magnificent book! In fact, it is more like a museum; a 676-page, twenty pound museum!

Of course I haven't started any serious reading yet, but I can tell you of some highlights:

- fascinating images of early work,

- images which chronicle his experimentation with what became his iconic use of squares and swirls and triangles and gold,

- an extensive section on the Stocklet Frieze, which is an incredible mosaic built inside a Viennese villa, complete with amazing four-page wide fold outs and separate full size posters,

- a photo catalog of the complete list of Klimt's paintings

- 231 letters, cards, and other documents - all known Klimt correspondence - is included (good luck reading his handwriting),

- and, the women! The beautiful, rich, avant-garde women ... shown here in paintings as well as photographs. I am enamored of these women.

I must say, this is the most spectacular book I have ever held in my hands.  I'm planning on having a lot of fun with these images, not the least of which will be incorporating some of their elements into my little quilts.  When you think of all the many circles and squares that I've obsessively sewn over the years, you can probably understand why I am so excited by Klimt's work. Always have been, but my knowledge was so limited!  Now I'm going to become a Klimt Connoisseur, instead of just a Gustav Groupie.

CUPID

It's To Dye For

Another book has arrived. This time it is India Flint's latest, Second Skin. So beautiful and soulful is this book. I will treasure it.

Doug also looked through the book and found it very moving. India's approach to life resonated with him the way poetry does. It was very nice to see.

I admire India for walking her true spirit, for so generously sharing her abundant knowledge, and for "showing up" every day and doing the actual work instead of only dreaming about it, as I so often do.

If you Google "India Flint" and then click on Images, here is the gorgeous screen you will see (just the first of page after page of beautiful  images).

How many years has it been that I've thought about dyeing with plants? Since I was a teenager, in the 1960s, as is evidenced by this little book which I have carried with me, from place to place, but never actually used.

One of my big "issues" is that I think about doing things and somewhere in my head is the notion that I have forever to do whatever the thing is .... so I never actually try doing it. I fear I may become one of those people who lie on their deathbed, filled with regrets over lost opportunities and roads not taken. I guess I'm not the only one - that's why Bucket Lists have become so popular, and all those books about the 100 places you must see, the 100 foods you must eat, the 100 books you must read before you die.

Many years ago I spotted this wonderful tile and scooped it up. It speaks directly to me and I try to remember to heed its advice. I keep it on the wall in my studio, where it reminds me that there's no time like the present. My little tile says: Time to take dreams off back burner, try it!

It reminds me, also, of these lovely words:  Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, today is a gift; that's why we call it the present. I'm afraid I cant properly credit the author; it has been attributed to so many different people, I have no idea which one is correct.

After browsing through India's new book, I decided it was time to get off the pot, so to speak (more about that in a bit), and try an experiment in natural dyes. I sailed right past my usual stumbling block, which is to worry that I don't have the right materials and supplies. My other stumbling block has always been mordants. As soon as I see the word, I feel like its going to be too difficult for me to figure out.

But how can it be too difficult? When I read India's words it seems to me that I am making too much of a mental fuss and I should just go with the flow (haha - this is actually a bit of a pun, which you'll realize in the next sentence). So, I decided to try the most readily available mordant I knew about, which was my very own urine. I crumpled up a lovely piece of cloth which came from Jude, put it in a jar and, quite literally getting off the pot, I peed into the jar instead. No kidding. Then I screwed on the jar lid and let it sit for a while. I kind of figured Jude is into nature and she wouldn't take offense at my very organic addition to that lovely cloth she used to wrap up the little quilt I purchased from her. Plus, I got the idea from India, so that's a definite blessing. 

After I had let the cloth soak for a while, I removed it from the jar. Let me tell you something: You do not want to be around to experience the aroma of urine which has been allowed to age in a tightly closed container. I think I'll be branching out to other kinds of mordants in the future. 

I thoroughly rinsed both the jar and the cloth and lay the cloth on my work surface. Then I scattered lots of different flower heads on it, bundled it up, tied string around it and put it back in the jar, this time with some hot tea, sugar, and freshly ground nutmeg, cinnamon and peppercorns. I know patience is required, but this being my first attempt, after about 24 hours I wanted to see if anything had happened.  So, I undid the bundle and this is what I found:

It's pretty in a subtle sort of way. I definitely want to do more. I can tell this has the potential to become an addiction -- and a way better one than my internet addiction!

Clearly, I have a lot to learn! Here are things I will do differently next time: 

• Grind the natural materials into the cloth a bit, with a pestle.
• Allow the cloth to sit in the dye for more than a day (maybe).
• Do some serious reading in India's books as well as in my little book from long ago and online.
• Buy a variety of mordants and some natural dye materials, too (although, ideally, I would do all my dyeing from windfall materials).
• Keep records. It is so easy to ignore that part, but so useful to have sample textiles with notations of process and materials. I will have to discipline myself to do this, but It will be worth it - think of how wonderful the resulting sample book will be.

That's it for now. I may even get in bed at a decent hour tonight. The last two nights I've stayed up until 5am and then gotten back up by 10am, so I'm about due for a good night's sleep.

 Yesterday is History,

'tis so far away --
yesterday is Poetry,
'tis Philosophy --

Yesterday is Mystery --
Where it is today --
While we shrewdly speculate
Flutter both away

- Emily Dickinson

500 Felt Objects

I've received my copy of 500 Felt Objects (Lark Press), by Nathalie Mornu. What a gorgeous book! It is amazing, with so many incredible examples of felt fiber art, it takes my breath away. I am really, truly honored to be included in this international group of fiber artists.

The juror for this book was Susan Brown, associate curator of textiles at the Cooper Hewitt, National Design Museum in New York City. Brown was curator of the 2009 exhibit, Fashioning Felt, which was a spectacular assemblage of felt art. Just knowing that she looked at my work and chose to include it makes me feel extremely good.

The diverse objects run the gamut from garments to sculptural forms to home decor, with many stops in additional categories along the way. With so many diverse objects pictured, the layout of the book must have been a wonderful challenge. Art Director Matt Shay's thoughtful choices make the book a lovely pleasure to behold. You'll have to pick up the book for yourself to see how beautifully put together it is. As an enticement, here is a small selection of felt objects from the book:

Elena Kihlman: Rugiada Panel;  Pudelskern: Fat Sheep;  Malin Sjostrand: Carpet

Angelika Werth: Ode to the Fishmonger;  Sarah Fox: Home Bracelet;  Yeseul Seo: The Reborn Rabbit

Morna Crites-Moore: Pieces of Dreams
 

In other news, you may have noticed that my blog has a whole new look.  It is still a work in progress, but I think I have the general look figured out. I did it mostly because I was growing tired of all the brown in my former design. I love brown and I used to love having it as my background color, but somewhere along the way it started to look dark and depressing. I just started hungering for white and light, so here it is. 

I also decided to make my banner non-specific to a particular art form. Traditionally, I've represented myself with pictures of my fiber art, but I know jewelry will become more and more a part of what I do and I also do so much more here than just show my own work. So, instead of representing some particular art form, I hope my banner simply says: Something beautiful is happening here. 

I'd love to know what you think.

Manhattan Meanderings with My Old Friend

Log Cabin * Artist Unidentified * Silk, including Satin * Possibly New York State * 1880 - 1900  * 75 3/4  in x 64 in 

Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Alan Weinstein

I spent yesterday in Manhattan with one of my oldest friends. It is a friendship which has waxed and waned and endured. I like that so much. I like that he has known me forever, knows most of my secrets, knows when I am full of baloney and calls me on it. For some reason that I don't fully understand, we enjoy needling and annoying each other; but when times are tough and a friend is needed, I feel certain he will always be there for me. And when times are not tough, he generously shares the fun with me.

First stop: the American Folk Art Museum. It is The Year of the Quilt and there were three floors of glorious quilts to see. Heavenly.

Freedom * Jessie B. Telfair (1913–1986) Parrott, Georgia * Dated 1983 * Cotton with pencil * 74 in x 68 in * Gift of Judith Alexander in loving memory of her sister, Rebecca Alexander

Quilt Photos by Gavin Ashworth

Then to the East Village where we did a lot of walking. Spent a nice long time at the St. Mark's Bookshop. It's like going to a book store where a personal shopper has chosen hundreds of books that will interest me the most. Wonderful. The most gorgeous book I saw is called Beauty in Decay: The Art of Urban Exploration.   
 

From the book: "'Take nothing but photographs, leave nothing but footprints.'  This is the unspoken rule of urban explorers, who sometimes risk their safety, police records, and even their lives to explore abandoned buildings, sewers and storm drains, transit tunnels, utility tunnels, high-security areas of inhabited buildings, and even catacombs such as those in Paris, Rome, Odessa, and Naples."  The book is a lush collection of photographs from urban exploration — or Urbex — around the world. Overgrown industrial complexes, disused lunatic asylums, abandoned palaces and forgotten monasteries are showcased, and paired with clear-sighted, poetic text.

I think I must add this book to my Christmas wish list.

More walking. We ventured into some shops that sell vintage clothing and interesting antiques.  Mostly expensive.

It was a rainy afternoon - the kind of afternoon that lends itself to sitting in a cafe and enjoying the day from inside a comfy space. We chose Vandaag, a new restaurant with a Northern European style.  The ambiance is definitely European and the service was fabulous. Our waiter was friendly, helpful, and very good looking. I hope he is waiting tables while he works on becoming a movie star. Talent scouts take heed: he's got IT.

Vandaag has an interesting menu which claims to be Dutch but seems more Scandinavian to me.  We tried several dishes. The one I liked best was hete bliksem - "hot lightning" - crisp fingerlings, bacon, apple, and stroop syrup. We also had drinks which seems de rigueur to me if you're going to sit inside, with a friend, on a rainy afternoon. The waiter referred to it, approvingly, as "day drinking" which made me feel like maybe it is not so common as I assume. Anyone who thinks they shouldn't drink in the afternoon is missing out on one of life's pleasures.

The highlight of our Vandaag visit was when Frank Bruni walked in, camera crew in tow.  He was making a segment about the bartender's special egg nog and we should look for it next Thursday, on the New York Times website.  It was fun watching the segment, especially hearing the bartender explain her recipe, which is quite a bit different from the traditional brew and sounds quite tasty.  While we watched the taping, our waiter treated us to a Stroopwafel, a thin waffle with a gooey filling - messy and good.  With our check came a tiny jellied fruit treat. I don't remember anything about it except that it was marvelous - a wee burst of heaven on my tongue. (Vandaag photo by Gloria Chung.)

Back to walking. We visited Obscura Antiques, a place I have enjoyed viewing on the web and wanted to see in person. Not nearly as wonderful as I had been expecting.  But I'm glad I've seen it.
 
More walking. More rain. Back to Grand Central. I was sorry to leave but also looking forward to home sweet home.

I do have slightly neurotic tendencies, like feeling a wee bit of claustrophobia on the train, and trying not to think about the horrible things that could happen - terrorist act, derailment, collision, etc. (Need I say that I don't fly?) Imagine my pleasure when the train suddenly stopped, in the middle of nowhere, all around us black as can be, and the engineer's voice explained that we were stopped because there were flames coming out of the engine. OMG. But I actually handled it quite well; I was too tired to get worked up about anything. Specialists were called to the scene and we eventually hobbled to the next, mercifully nearby station, where we were loaded onto another train. At yet another station, we were loaded onto buses and taken to our various destinations.

I slept very well last night.

Update: I couldn't resist. I just ordered the book.  :-)