Art in the Wilds 2018


Connie Blair


Fiber (Felted hats, scarves, accessories)


After graduat-


ing from Edinboro University with a BS in Art Educa- tion and graduate studies at Indiana University con- centrating in fab- rics, I taught art in the Kiski Area School District for 33 years. I have al- ways had an inter- est in fabric tech-


niques. I enrolled in bead embroidery and felting classes after retiring in 2008. I discovered a passion for felting and have combined my love of flowers in my present work. Flowers have always been a source of inspiration in my work. My business TENDER BLOSSOMS, was started to dry


and frame wedding bouquets. As my enjoyment of the felting process grew, I began marketing my work at local art centers. This past year my work is sold at the Westmo- reland Museum of Art, the Pittsburgh Center of the Arts and Robin’s Nest Gallery. I have participated in various Ar- tisan Markets and Shows and in November I was accepted into the Pittsburgh Craftmen’s Guild. My hats, scarves and flowers are made by the resist


Stoneware and Porcelain Pottery


& Geno Boni


Roland


method. It starts with a two-dimensional plastic hat shape. Layers of wool are laid out and surround the shape. Warm water and soap wet the wool entirely. Then the wool is agitated by rubbing and rolling. The bottom of the shape is cut open and the wool hat is turned inside out. At this point fabric and fibers can be added to the surface. After more agitating the hat is ready to put over a hat mold. A tool is used to rub over the surface until the wool is the shape of the hat. All of my scarves begin with a piece of fabric, such as


silk or acrylic pashmina laid on plastic bubble wrap. Vari- ous colors of wool roving and silk fibers are laid down in the design on the fabric. Warm water and soap wet down


Tuesday, June 19, 2018 — 11


the surface. A pool noodle is used to roll the plastic and fabric. Rolling back and forth hundreds of times forces the fibers to mat and embed into the scarf fabric completely. This is called nuno felting. My flowers start by making petals of wool roving and


occasionally silk fibers. Laid on bubble wrap and wet with the soap and water, the wool is agitated until the petals take shape. More matting by hand is needed to finish the process. The petals are stitched together to create the flower and a pin added to the back.


At Mudslide


we work to pro- duce well-crafted stoneware and porcelain pottery. Although deeply rooted in tradi- tion, our work uniquely conveys our ideas about


the modern world. We draw inspiration from the environ- ments that surround us — from the forests we played in as children to the modern architecture of today’s cities. We


Welcome Home Alumni!


24-40 Field Street 837-8122 Monday - Saturday 5:30am-11pm; Sunday 6:30am-10pm Visit Our Website for Complete Menu BREAKFAST, LUNCH, DINNER


St t


TEXAS HOT LUNCH www.texashotlunch.com


Since 1914 Need we say more?


use glaze movement and color to give our work a sense of life. We strive to create work that is both beautiful and easy to use. All of our work is hand-


made one piece at a time on the potters’ wheel and finished without the use of molds or factory produc- tion techniques. Our pots are often altered after be- ing thrown by adding spouts and handles. Through the process our pots are fired twice, the first firing is done at a lower temperature to temper the clay which makes it easier to handle and glaze. The second fir- ing is done after the work is glazed and inspected. This firing takes 13 hours and reaches 2350 degrees. Mudslide Pottery is a fa-


ther and son partnership with both artists involved in all aspects.


October 5-7, 2018 Downtown Franklin, PA


Arts & Crafts Vendors  Live Entertainment Food Extravaganza Classic Car Cruise Apple Pancake Breakfast 5K Race for Any Pace Historic District Tours Theatre Shows Children’s Games And so much more!


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