Monday, February 13, 2006

mashers & strainers

I finally plugged in the waxpot and got to work, using some of the implements from yesterday's workshop. Two of the people in the class generously gave me their potato mashers when class was over: they were not going to use them again -- two gifts -- ovals that worked just fine for me and were unlike the ones I already owned. Thanks, Kendall and Diane!! I started with a piece of green fabric I had dyed and didn't care for and now I like it a lot. I think it needs another layer of something, but I'll have to let it sit for a while till I figure out what. This picture is just one section of the fabric. The next piece is really nicer than it looks on the monitor. I worked with muted colors - crystal brown that they don't make any more, a pale blue, and pale chino. In class, Arlene had a strainer she had bought in Chinatown but had a hard time getting it to work with the wax. I borrowed it and managed to get some nice patterns. Are they flowers or fireworks? I guess it doesn't matter.

6 comments:

PaMdora said...

These are beautiful -- but of course I have to go the top one. Always attracted to the bright and the bold!

Rayna said...

I'm thinking that they both need going back into.

Anonymous said...

Almost lunch time here, so I thought I would check in--I like them both but am drawn to the second on--must be the purpley/mauvey color.

Diane C. who had only 2" of snow

Judy said...

The second one is definitely Chrysanthemums...is that how you spell it? Anyway, you get my drift (eww, poor choice of words for the snow challenged!). A great effect and I never would have thought of using a strainer for the wax...but then there's a lot I haven't thought of and that is why I read your blog so faithfully!
Judy

Debra said...

Well, since it came from chinatown, I'd vote for fireworks! Love the printings.

Is it sad that the students enjoyed a process but know they won't do it again? (I'm assuming that's why they gave you the mashers).

Rayna said...

They might have given me the mashers because they were resin, not metal, and didn't hold the heat well enough for them to enjoy using them. Or, perhaps they didn't care for the patterns they made on the cloth and wanted something more delicate. Sometimes what you learn in a workshop is that you enjoy a process once, but not enough to keep doing it. That's ok. Not everything is for everybody. As long as they had fun!

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