Layers of knit copper and brass wire petals, assorted beads, leaves, form another no wilt corsage suspended on a 20 inch knit copper tube “chain”. The closure is magnetic. The flower and leaves measure 5.5 inches at their widest axis.
Tag: knit
The latest in collar country
In anticipation of the fiber invitational in Lowell and the annual Art to Wear show at Cambridge Artists’ Cooperative, the copper wire is resurfacing in new neck pieces. Some of the presently completed work may be seen below. Materials often come with their own stories. I purchased my nearly invisible wires from an elderly gentleman at a RI yard sale years ago for only a few dollars. He in turn had worked using them on TV and radio tubes in the “old days”. The 32 gauge version was obtained with the assistance of a brother-in-law-electrician. A beaded piece is “in the works”, and then there is all that colored telephone wire and a shoebox full of acupuncture needle cases periodically calling out to me… I tend to work freeform, without sketching, piecing elements and working out designs and problems as I go. There are elements of surprise for me as well in each piece I create.
The beginning of a new/different direction
ladder lace and short rowed ruffles, modified commercial toggle closure
The finished collar tuck lace and ruffle collar; 4 strands of nearly invisible wire used throughout
New collars
In anticipation of participating in the Lowell show, and in the upcoming art to wear show at Cambridge Artists Cooperative in the fall, I have returned to fabricating wire collars. In writing updated artist statements I am again considering why fiber, certainly why wire. I continue to enjoy the surprise and problems in each new piece. Curiosity, exploring and experimentation temper the repetition of production.
Monofilament, fishing lines, wire, have a mind and personality of their own at the opposite pole of friendly yarn such as standard gauge wool. Attempting to work with them and their in-betweens makes the playground that much larger.
One present collar using both wire and vinyl:
the “knit”, convex side out
the”purl”, concave reverse side
The oval “beads” consist wire crocheted over glass, the round one is coiled and stitched wire and beads.
A UFO meets its end
Completed in stages, this no wilt corsage is composed of layers of knit magnet wire; garnets adorn its center, and it measures 4 inches at its widest point
