Spikey Crochet Vessel with Lid

I'm busy with my crochet exploration - I've mastered a few basic stitches but have LOADS to learn. I LOVE CROCHET! I've done a few scarves for my kiddies as its getting cold now here in NZ. Doubt they will wear them though.

This is one of my recent vessels - crocheted wool with wet felted details, including pink 'spikes'. It also incorporates sari yarn which is made in Nepal using recycled fibers from the sari manufacturing process in India.

I like making pots as they are fun to keep things in and I can just freeform crochet! I'm not great at following a pattern (or actually following any type of direction) - I can never remember what I have just done or where I am!

I am also now totally addicted to buying yarns - there are some amazing handspun yarns out there (I love drooling over the website Material Whirled - www.materialwhirled.com) they have a fantastic selection of handspun yarns by very talented spinners.

I so want to learn to spin my own yarn......maybe have my own cute little dreadlocked alpaca in the garden....

Varisite Parasite Brooch & Pendant

This one turned out with very jolly colours! It reminds me of a parasitic plant form - and will live on its 'host' as a brooch &/or pendant.

The focal gemstone is a gorgeous piece of variscite from Heartofstonestudio.com, in various shades of soft seafoam green. This stone is unusual as the variscite is running like a river through interesting shades of matrix.

This piece also features merino wool roving (in shades of yellow, green and blue), copper (etched, prismacolor, heat patina), clear plexiglass, silk threads in shades of pink, sterling silver, brass micro-screws, fine silver heishi (purchased Fair Trade from the Thai Karen Hills Tribe), spotty wood bicone, recycled glass disc and a vintage soda cap (on the reverse) 'Sun Drop Citrus Soda'.

Diamond Bud Ring with Air Plant

......so I did decide to take this one further - I added an Air Plant!

Now its finished.

Diamond Bud Ring

I'm not sure if this is finished or not - probably not and I will take it further....

But at the moment, here it is my 'Diamond Bud Ring'.

Made using Faux bone, sterling silver tube, UV resin, natural rough diamonds and merino wool roving (wet felted then needle felted).

Mouldy Log Necklace

I just finished this piece - it reminds me of a mouldy log! Probably not a great sales pitch - but it is what it is.

I think it would look quite cool worn over a black polo neck top though?

2 Finger Salute

This ring isn't finished yet, in fact its just the beginning of the process - I thought it would be fun to show some work-in-progress?

I've got the basic Faux bone ring base done and got the wool roving wet felted on and then I've needle felted it to give it some shape and harden it up.

I was trying to get the same shape as my Anemone ring - but the wool had WAY different ideas! I looks like its giving me the Two Finger Salute.
I think it will end up quite a fun one? Fingers crossed.

Evolution Ate My Tee

I am so over-the-moon! My ring series 'Evolution Ate My Tee' is going to be included in a curated exhibition of contemporary work within the wider event of the New Zealand Jewellery Show - the exhibition is curated by Peter Deckers and is called 'Handstand - Unfamiliar & Innovative Contemporary Jewellery'. Finally I have something to put on my art cv!

This happens 16 to 19th July 2009 at the Sky City Convention Center in Auckland, New Zealand.

This ring is a Triffid - and is made from merino wool roving, sterling silver wire, natural freshwater pearls, ruby, rough natural diamond, Thai Karen Hill Tribes fine silver & vermeil beads (Fair Trade), reclaimed watch parts, stainless steel screws, plexiglass, acrylic, UV resin, oil paint, Faux bone, lemon quartz faceted briolettes, yellow plastic golf tee and air plant.

The other rings in this series are my Anemone ring and Crinoid ring (see previous blogs). I forgot to take a photo of the other ring in the series before I posted them off.....
Porridge brain.