Showing posts with label silk scarf. Show all posts
Showing posts with label silk scarf. Show all posts

Friday, December 21, 2012

When Doubt Creeps In

I'll admit that the entire time I was needle felting (single needle, punched by hand), I just wasn't sure I liked it. I wasn't sure I wasn't taking a perfectly nice looking silk scarf and ruining it. Then my husband commented how he really didn't like it and I had a moment of panic. Has this happened to you?

Galileo called self-doubt "the father of all invention." I've thought a lot about self-doubt having experienced often and watched what it has done to other people in my life. Self-doubt that doesn't lead to decision or action is ultimately self-defeating, and creates a numbing negativity. Whereas self-doubt that leads to resolution of the doubts can be a remarkable source of energy and creativity.

My goal was to create an organic piece of art for a friend to wear. These are not my colors. They are hers. I think the colors are part of the reason my husband does not like it. I learned long ago that I can take into consideration what other people think but I don't have to act on it especially if it does not ring true to me. I wasn't making the scarf for my husband. While I value his opinion, I pressed on and finished the scarf.

I didn't think about how the felting would make the scarf feel and was pleasantly surprised to find that it feels divine. I can't stop petting it.  I used mostly silk but added some wool and some unknown content fibers. There is bits of silver thread thrown in too to give it a little sparkle. It looks better in person than it does in the photo, but several people have asked it I finished it. It was made with love and I know it will be received with the same even if she does not like it.  I am blessed. I hope you are too.

Thursday, December 13, 2012

Roving Mind

I have been blessed with truly amazing friends. It's always good to surround yourself with people who make grow as an artist, support you in your efforts, make you want to be a better person and embrace what you make.  As the years roll on, it is getting tougher to think of new and exciting things to make and give. Digging through my roving to make felted soap provided me with an idea for one of my friends. Now I just have to feel the fear and start felting this hand dyed silk scarf (I folded and pinned it so you could easily see the entire thing. It's actually 14" x 72".). Wish me luck!