Gallery of hands

'Uprooted'

The gallery show was surprisingly successful for me.  Three of four
pieces sold and the fourth, the one called 'Delicacy', I have chosen
to keep. The experience of making these pieces - what I learned of
new processes and navigating the awkwardness of working outside
the comfort zone of shoes - has changed, subtly but profoundly, the
way I view my creative life.

'Memory'

 

'Re-Gifting'

'Delicacy'

For months I have been working on a non-shoe project.  These will be my first pieces shown in an art gallery.  Of course they are small hands as I seem to have a thing about appendages.  This is one of three pieces,  just 3" x 5".  It was quite a challenge to make something other than shoes but now that they are done I am pleased. Next I will begin another shoe with a heel, cast in bronze, that my son designed and had made for me.  It is quite dramatic.

small hands

I took another photo of my work table because it says a lot about me (and perhaps nothing good) that this is how my table actually looks when I am working.  If my table is neat it means I am up to nothing.
I have a new project that has nothing to do with shoes, but something to do with hands...
Not quite ready to share it

                         

'Allie'

My simplest and most feminine miniature shoe yet.
Its simplicity is a little deceiving because its construction
took just as much time and care as any of my other shoes.
It opens with a zipper in the back. The t-strap is from
an old gold filled ladies watch.

'Equinox'

The flowers remind me of Spring and the colors
 remind me of Fall... hence the name Equinox

This is not an excellent photo of this shoe, nor is the shoe finished.  But it's close. And I felt the need to post something after so long an absence.
The fabric is from an old napkin.  I stitched and stuffed parts of the design. The small flower in front is made from paper thin dyed leather. The sole has a modest leather platform and a maplewood heel.  While my woodcarving is improving, my finishing still leaves much to be desired. But I do like it.

I wish the zipper was a
more subdued yellow but
I can live with it.

A close-up of the flower.  The dyed
leather is a pretty good match.

Sigh...

Life can be full of surprises and not all of them pleasant.  This month has been deeply challenging.  If I don't get back to shoemaking in earnest soon I may just go mad.  Work, craft, art, music... these are therapeutic.