Spring Cleaning Treasures

The Orange Wheelbarrow

Living life as a beautiful artform is my highest aspiration . . . Che'usa

Me Musing . . . March 21, 2010 . . .

It's time for Spring cleaning!

I have been unpacking more Treasures in my Creative Space and decided that some need to find new homes . . . so with that in mind, here are a few along with their stories . . .

The stories people tell
have a way of taking care of them . . .
in some way, soothing them,
helping them to see more clearly.
If stories come to you . . .
care for them
and give them away where they are needed . . .
for they help to weave
the fabric called 'Life'!

The hand-woven Navajo rug I bought in New Mexico in the late 1980's is now enjoying its new home in Eureka, Nevada. At the time I bought it, I lived outside Portland, Oregon and traveled to the southwest at least once a year.

I took a few classes in Navajo weaving; however, learned very fast that it is a LOT of work! So I switched to weaving on a loom and wove these 4 rugs to use around the 38" drum I made. The drum has long since found a new home, but the rugs have stayed with me . . . now they too are looking for new homes.

They are woven with hand-dyed and custom-spun wool rug yarn I purchased while in Taos, New Mexico at Rachel Brown's Weaving Southwest Studio+. (use that link to view yarn colours, although some of the names may have changed since the late 80's!!!!!)

29 inches x 28 inches (not including fringe)
Coral rug with natural gray ~
Since the wool is hand-dyed over gray wool
there are variations in the coral colour

29 inches x 28 inches (not including fringe)
Medium Rose rug with dusty lilac band,
a little natural gray
and hand-dyed silk ribbon.
Since the wool is hand-dyed over gray wool
there are variations in the colours

29 inches x 28 inches (not including fringe)
Sage rug with sand colour
(see 'Sage' on link to colours)
Since the wool is hand-dyed over gray wool
there are variations in the colour
and flecks of the gray show up more on this rug.

This photo below looks more gray.
It was really difficult to photograph the exact
colour. One side has faded and the other is original colour.

30 inches x 27 inches (not including fringe)
Two shades (similar to Malachite and Yucatan on link to colours)
with Ganada red yarn bought at Hubbell's Trading Post ~
Since the two turquoisey shades of wool
are hand-dyed over gray wool
there are variations in their colour

Each of these rugs are from wool
that has been hand-dyed, custom spun
and hand-woven.
$120 each rug
or $450 for all 4

(shipping $8 per item
if bought individually)

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

The hand-painted gourd rattle shown above
I purchased in Cave Junction, Arizona.

Close-up:

From tip to tip it is 26 inches
and at the widest part, 8-1/2 inches

$45

(shipping less than $8)

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

These 3 fabulous cup and saucer sets
by Frances Boettcher
of King Salmon, California (near Arcata)
are hand-built, hand-painted then fired.
I first saw her work in 1996
and fell in love with them.

Actually I have 5 different ones,
but can only part with 3 of them !!!!!

I may be mistaken, but believe
the clay may be a porcelain type.
With all the gold in them,
they are definitely not
for dishwasher or microwave!
Once you nestle one in your hands
you'll only want to hand-wash
and cherish them.

The purchase of these sets were the first
in what has grown into a collection
of interesting cups and tea bowls.

Eggplant

These are showing up more rose coloured than actual colour.
Scroll back up to the rug/rattle/cup-saucer photo
to see the colour ~ a deep eggplant purple colour.
The cup is 5 inches across and
plate is 8 inches across