Gee's Bend Quilts

Essie Bendolph Pettway, born 1956, multiple columns of blocks and bars

Pearlie Kennedy Pettway, 1920-1982. "Bars" work-clothes quilt, ca. 1950,
denim and cotton, 84 x 81 inches.

Loretta Pettway, born 1942. Four-block strips, ca. 1960, cotton twill and synthetic
material (men's clothing), 78 x 73 inches.

Quilt images property of Tinwood Media

I've been reading The Quilts of Gee's Bend and it has been the primary inspiration behind the new work I'm preparing for March as my month to be the featured artist at shopSCAD Atlanta. The University of Auburn has created a website for the quilts here. Take a look if you haven't already seen them in the book or museums! I'll write more about my upcoming show tomorrow!

Sid Was More than Good Enough...

Sadly, a great Arkansas folk artist, Susan (Sid) Sargent passed away recently. My friend Pamela wrote a sweet post about Sid on her blog, OpheliaGolly. She included photos of her Sid art collection and a touching biography written by her son, Artist Eugene Sargent. Sid was truly one-of-a-kind and will be missed by all who knew her.

Starstruck by 1ofmyKind

*Click on image to view in-store*

The bracelet above appeared on Etsy's homepage today and of course I got sidetracked looking at all this beautiful jewelry by 1ofmyKind. The first things you'll notice on this artist's site are all the stars! The Hollywood kind! 1ofmyKind has been 'found' and collected by an impressive list of actors and singers! I would like to add my very unfamous self to the list of admirers. Katie of Newberry, South Carolina, l-o-v-e's the old patina of the Victorian filigree and the fact that it's all hand set-no glue! Don't know how she does it! She must have strong hands like my gardener grandmother did, and Martha Stewart does, and I do! Visit 1ofmyKind here.

Doe, a female deer.

I'm pleased to introduce you to Ms. Virginia Deer.
Visit her here.

Thank you Poppytalk!

A big Thank You to Jan at Poppytalk for inviting me to share my collections with her readers! I am really grateful to have been included in the December Handmade Market and for the times she has recognized my artwork on Poppytalk. Her kindness has given my fledgling business a much needed boost. I couldn't be more excited to be on such an amazing site that features so many of the incredible independent artists that I admire! Thank you, Poppy!

Spring Yarn Nest

Visit this charming pair at my etsy shop!

DuBuhDu Design Dolls

Delphine

Lorelei

Lorelei (detail)

Lillian

Zola

Babette

I should just go ahead and call this blog "The Etsy Gatherer" because I can't stop gawking and gushing about all the fantastic work being sold there! Today I found these fabulous dolls by DuBuhDuDesigns. An artist mom working in Bend, Oregon creates these chic dolls with the cutest Anthropologie-esque outfits! I love the little environments she creates for them as well! If only I could live as fashionably as these dolls! See more here.

Paulette Edition by Iris Schwarz

Adagio by Iris Schwarz

Pendant que la fenetre etait ouverte

Thought

Horsewoman

Poem

I am smitten with the strange and beautiful work of Swiss artist, Iris Schwarz. Her Etsy shop, Paulette Edition is full of prints of her original illustrations and other affordable pieces. Her bio reads:
My name is Iris Schwarz. Paulette Edition is my label. I’m an illustrator and graphic designer, working and living with my husband in Zurich, close to the lake in an old house, I must say it’s quite romantic... Old things are my passion (sometimes I think I’m born in the wrong century...), the charisma of old illustrated books, antique furniture (i love to restore them, if I just had some more time...), paper, fabric always inspires me... but of course for all that I couldn’t be without my (very modern) iMac, printer and scanner!
She sounds like a woman after my own heart! Have a nice weekend! xo

Eurolux Antiques

*Please excuse my nutty photoshop creation above.

Just down the street from my studio, right here on Main street in Newberry, SC is an amazing European antique shop called Eurolux. Owners Greg and Aimee Talbot befriended me immediately and have been extremely generous in helping me get my act together here at The Constant Gatherer. They have an extensive selection online and their prices are so competitive that they do most of their business on the web! To visit their website click here: www.euroluxantiques.com(They have shipping down to a science so go ahead and order away!)

The Loveliest Soap

I love these handmade soaps by 4th Avenue Soap Co. on Etsy. I was first attracted by the pretty designs of the soaps and was happy to find out they are made from all natural ingredients in pleasing scents like rosemary-mint, ginger-peach, lime-sugar, and honeysuckle. I also love that this artisan started her business after first creating soaps as an outlet to combat stress during law school. She has other bath and body available too- find them here.

Circa Lighting

Today a customer was telling me about her lighting needs for her new home and I related my favorite source for such, Circa Lighting. I've visited their wonderful shops in Savannah, Atlanta, and Charleston but never realized that they also have a comprehensive website with online shopping! I also love their ad campaigns- simple and stunning! www.circalighting.com

Big Nest

I made a nest yesterday for display that's the size of a large mixing bowl. I made it using the long coils of vine they sell at Michael's. I had in mind that it would be much larger, but in the end I needed way more vine than I had. I think I'll live with this one. It's fun to make if you are so inclined! Just tie the layers together with floral wire and weave in yarn and any old thing you like.
Have a great weekend!

Balancing Act

New works slowly coming along...
visit my etsy site for the latest.

I've been having a hard time balancing my time between the shop,
the paperwork, my artwork, home, and um...the gym (hasn't happened yet).
How do you do it?

Poppytalk's Valentine Market

Poppytalk's Handmade Market is brand new this week
and packed with goodies for you and your sweetheart!
Visit: here.

Cathy of California

Cathy of California's Mushroom Pincushions
available at Reform School

Pincushion above and below available at
Cathy of California's Etsy shop.

I just found Cathy of California's Blog and Etsy shop. I was bummed before Christmas when I saw that her Mushroom pincushions were mostly sold out on Reform School's website (Visit their site if you haven't!) I see she now has a fancy new selection ready in her Etsy shop! Her blog is delightful too! She shares her love of rediscovering vintage craft projects from DIY books of the fifties, sixties, and seventies. She has a lot of fun links and vintage inspiration there too. Now, which color to choose? They are all so lovely!

New Year, New Projects

(Click on image to read)
Never be wanting for project ideas again!
Keep this handy list around for those snowbound days ahead.
Sourced from a vintage needle craft magazine.