Shoulder ache!

It was all going swimmingly well............until my shoulder REALLY started to hurt. This is the culprit:

It's a huge armchair designed by Hans Wegner known as CH22 and as you work on it, you are constantly reaching over, pulling through or otherwise in an awkward position!! I'll go back to doing something a bit less stressful I think....., even close cane weaving is beginning to look more appealing.

An egg basket, (singular) - for Handmade Monday!

I know I said last Monday that I wanted to finish at least two baskets by now.... well I didn't, I only managed one - what a disappointment! Why does everything always take longer than you expect? Anyway, I am pleased with it - it's an egg basket.....in the US they're sometimes called "buttocks baskets", (for reasons that will become obvious, see below!) I do enjoy myself when I'm making baskets.

The handle has a design woven into it, a chevron running in opposite directions to the centre. To make the pattern stand out, I dyed the weaving splint blue.

One other target from last week was achieved, the new seat rail for the stool is made and glued in place. That's the easy bit done, just a couple of weeks worth of weaving to go onto the seat now.

We also started a big Danish chair seat and finished four other rush seats last week, so we weren't slacking, honest!

For the second consecutive week I'm taking part in Wendy's Handmade Monday, pop over and have a browse, the page is here. Some lovely things to look at.

Word & Wisdom of the Week

Word of the week:

Poppycock

Foolish talk or ideas; nonsense. From the Dutch pop (doll) and kak (dung).

That'd be dolls poo then!

Wisdom of the week:

Forgive me my nonsense, as I also forgive the nonsense of those that think they talk sense. - Robert Frost

Amen.

Wendy's Handmade Mondays

Sometimes you come across people with such rare talent you can only look on in awe........

VW clock by Wendy at 1st Unique Gifts

Wendy is one of these people. Not only is she inventive and highly talented, but she also gives up her time and blog space to promote other craftspeople every week with "Handmade Monday" . The formula is straighforward, if you have a hand made project to share with the world, then blog about it with a link to Wendy's site, then you enter your blog link on Wendy's Handmade Monday post. Simple!

I took part for the first time yesterday and as a result had a lovely time looking around at all sorts of beautiful work by fellow crafters in the blogosphere. There is so much to see, if you're interested in the world of creativity then have a look for yourself, I can highly recommend it!!

This weeks projects.

Spring has sprung so it's time to, well....just get on with things I suppose! First target for this week - to make at least two egg baskets, it'll be Easter soon after all. I've started - this is the "God's eye" weave that holds the handle and rim together.

I fancy using some bright colours for the body of the basket, so the next step is to dye a load of round and flat reed. Any suggestions anyone?

Second target is to make a new rail and at least start the weaving on this pretty stool. I say "start" the weaving because it's so close and fine I have a feeling that it will take a couple of weeks at least to finish.

This was a great piece to take apart, a true insight into how the experts carried out their craft a hundred or so years ago. They cheated so well you couldn't see the joins, brilliant!!!

Freeform weaving

Well it has no traditional practical use, so I couldn't really call it a basket! The inspiration for this sculpture was "bridge" and "river". It's not huge only measuring about 17" across but it still took two days to make.

Walford Mill Gallery at Wimborne are fundraising to build a new bridge to give easier access for the disabled to their centre, it is also their 25th anniversary this year. To celebrate, they are planning a "silent auction" of works and an exhibition entitled "Silver". Artists and makers previously involved with the gallery have been invited to offer an item for inclusion in the event, this is my offering! It may not be accepted, but whatever happens, I hope that the auction raises loads of money - the gallery is a great place - full of inspiration.

Word & Wisdom of the Week

Word of the week:

Contrafibularities:

Obviously from contra - against - and fibula, the smaller of the two bones in the lower leg. Means "pulling one's leg"



Wisdom of the week:

You know why I'm pulling your leg? Because I can't touch it from where I am. - Gene Simmons



 It's not Wednesday, have a great April 1st.....................!