Summer Invitational Exhibition at Edgecombe Arts Council

I am honored to have been invited to be one of two artists exhibiting in the Hobson Pittman Memorial Gallery at the Blount-Bridgers House in Tarboro, NC, this summer! Exhibition administered by the Edgecombe County Arts Council.

This invitational exhibit also features the work of Linda Dallas, artist/illustrator.

The exhibition runs July 5-August 24, 2012, the gallery is open Wed-Sat, 10-4.
Reception July 12, 5:30 - 7:30pm
I hope to see some of you there!
pamela

Kim Bradshaw's "Armadillo Tail" Weaving

Here's a great little basket woven by Kim Bradshaw of Kims Texas Creations! It is woven using flat reed, round reed, and twisted seagrass, and Kim thinks it "looks like an armadillo tail!" So fun. The jumping off place for this cornucopia shape was one of the cone shaped potteries from my MakeABasket etsy shop. You can see more of Kim's wonderfully fanciful weavings in her Kims Texas Creations etsy shop!

Tenerife Window by Terry Wowk

Here is a beautiful wall hanging by Terry Wowk.

Terry has used a wonderful array of techniques in this stunning hanging. It is hard to believe she styles herself a beginner. Way to go, Terry! I am quite impressed.

It uses one of the tenerife window pottery pieces from my MakeABasket.etsy.com shop as a start.

It blossoms like a flower, and reminds me a great deal of Native American Madela, but with a real pine needle twist :) Terry, thank you so much for sharing your beautiful piece with all of us. Tenerife window pottery centers are available at MakeABasket.etsy.com

Recently, I was contacted by a fellow artist, who said:

"Ijust wanted to say thank you for offering all the ceramic basket starts and thought I'd send you a picture of some of the bowls I made this winter.

This Fall I had surgery on my thumb to repair torn ligaments with a transplanted tendon harvested from my arm and had holes drilled in my thumb and a screw to secure things.

Needless to say I required physical therapy to regain mobility in my hand so I decided to make bowls.

I taught myself to coil using the instructions you sent and since I had access to driftwood I incorporated pieces into the bowls.

I think they turned out pretty good.
Thanks again.
Deb Grenert"

Wow! What a story. Thanks, Deb, for sharing your little bowls with me. I really think they turned out great! Of course she is talking about the little ceramic bases she purchased from my MakeABasket.etsy.com shop.

You may have guessed that Deb has some fiber experience, she is "primarily a watercolor artist," but likes to try her hand at different things, and has some gourd rims under her belt. This was her first experience using the whole philodendron sheath in coiling, as well. Fabulous!

Deb is on vacation now, but returning very soon, and you can see her other artwork in her etsy shop.

Ruth's Memory Basket

I love it when i get an email like this: "The package came today...The basket is everything I could have hoped for. It is so beautiful....Ruth"

Another memory. My favorite part about making horsehair baskets is not the coiling...nor the finished basket. It is not the amazement and excitement of people finding a tiny basket dangling from my phone...it is when someone receives their Memory Basket.

Ruth told me last year about her beautiful longtime friend, Lady. They had a wonderful relationship, the kind that comes from love and trust. When I heard that Lady had died, I was very sad. Ruth's blogpost about her loss had me sobbing, but smiling, too. What wonderful memories Ruth had of her companion!

I was hoping she would contact me to let me make a memory basket for her in remembrance of Lady, and she did. An artist, Ruth had definite ideas about what she wanted, a great sense of color and style, and I felt so privileged to be entrusted with Lady's tail hair.

Thank you so much, Ruth, for the honor of making a memorial piece with the exquisitely colored tail hair of your cherished friend, and for letting me share your story here. Ruth also blogged about receiving her basket, her tribute shared even more amazing memories.

The Cat Hidey-Hole or Small Animal Bed

Having just taught a class in random weave (bird's nest style) basketry at the North Carolina Basketmaker's Association convention, I told my students i would show them more pictures of the Cat Hidey-Hole or Small Animal Bed.

(This was one of the baskets they had a choice of weaving in the class.)


Woven of pullit vine rattan, which resembles bamboo.


The open spaces allow the cat to see through, and for you to hang toys or fibers, if you wish.

It is minimalist and airy, open and yet gives your furry little friend a nook to rest in.

Sometimes two little friends.

Great in the garden or living room.

Put a towel inside, or visit LittleKittysVille to order your own custom cushion!



To purchase a woven bed for an animal you love, please see my etsy shop, bazketmakr.

Loving Diet Coke!

Love, love, love Diet Coke! Recognized as the most popular diet soda, they are also very active, engaging their fans. Find them on twitter, and instagram...

Returning from my trip to convention, I found a little mysterious box, which contained....Diet Coke!

But not just ANY Diet Coke, this stuff was jacketed in the most amazing designs.



But wait, what's that little DF on the box? Oh my, it's Diane von Fürstenberg! No wonder.



Diet Coke has teamed up with this fabulous fashion designer to benefit Foundation for the National Institutes of Health (FNIH) in support of The Heart Truth program for women's heart health research. The set of bottles is available for a limited time only, and 100% of the proceeds got to this program. Way to go!



Oh my, there's more...there was card tucked inside....



If you can't read it, i will make it bigger...



It says:

"Pamela,

We're so honored to have been part of your work. Thanks for letting us share it with our fans.

Stay Extraordinary,
Diet Coke
Unofficial Sponsor of LizardSkins"


Wow. Diet Coke, Unofficial Sponsor of LizardSkins!

Here's what they are talking about:

I am using Diet Coke aluminum cans to make stars, garlands



and boxes for sale in my Etsy shop, LizardSkins.





I am very honored and so flattered they like what i have done with their cans, and that they sent me this wonderful collectible. Drink it? I don't think so. This is a definite keeper!



Here is one last look, at my fav patterns, they are #s 3 & 4...i am glad she did not stop at 2.


Thanks, Diet Coke, you rock!



(Want to make your own Diet Coke Stars? Check out my pdf pattern!)

Something Small...

It only takes a small thing to remind the one you love that they are not forgotten on Valentine's Day...


My latest "small thing"

made from recycled aluminum beverage cans.


beer or soda





patterned or plain



Big enough to hold some candies, a small gift, a note, some confetti!


Your choice of box design, ribbon, cardstock heart, confetti (even shredded recycled US currency!)


use coupon code THANKS at checkout for free shipping(first class,priority mail upgrade is available for an extra fee.) Available in my Etsy Shop LizardSkins