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Ravelry Raves

A moment of self-congratulation here:

Ravelry (fiber artists' web site with over 1 million members) is featuring three of my projects on their pattern pages. I didn't design the patterns, but the pattern-writers felt my finished projects were representative of what their design should look like:

Definitely encouraging!

Tucker Art Festival -- addendum

A little side note to boost my ego -- I got recommended for a job when I was at the Tucker Art Festival. Two women who work at Michaels asked if I would teach knitting classes there -- Michaels was looking for an instructor.

Unfortunately, without a work permit, I can't work in the US. Flattering to be recommended, though.

I would love to teach. I've got several friends who have asked if I would teach them to knit, and maybe when things slow down after the school year ends, I'll start a little class on our patio. Coffee, conversation, friends, and yarn. What could be better?

Hawaiian Long-Necked Sheep?

We were driving... and driving... and driving along the coast of Hawaii's Big Island, on our way to see Volcanoes National Park. As the landscape changed -- which it does so dramatically on this island -- we passed fields of volcanic rock, coffee plantations, farmstands. And then we came upon the livestock farming region. Beautiful ebony cows, horses, goats, sheep. And then some sheep with really long necks.

Really long necks.

I was thrilled. On this beautiful island, which I was quickly falling in love with, we found something that made it even more amazing -- the Big Island Alpaca Farm.

Ever since I first felt alpaca wool about five years ago, I have coveted it as the ultimate in natural fibre. It is one of the world's rarest natural fibres. It's luxuriously soft, exceptionally light, and warmer than wool.

I've made beautiful sweaters out of alpaca, and an alpaca-silk blend is unrivaled in its luxury and drape.

And the animals are adorable. Who couldn't love that face?

A friend of mine from Montreal told me that he had researched alpaca farming and found it to be an elitist and money-losing venture. But local small-town farmers can't all be wrong, can they?

Today, two chickens. Tomorrow, an alpaca farm...

(Mountain) Lions, Rattlesnakes and Poison Oak, Oh My!

The sign greeting us at the entrance to the Tucker Wildlife Sanctuary was a little disconcerting:

But the setting was absolutely stunning, and there wasn't a threatening creature to be found. I spent the weekend surrounded by mountains, cactus and birds, and got to admire the skills of many local artisans. And I couldn't have asked for a better backdrop for my work:

I even met a fascinating Native American man who invited me to his llama farm, to teach me how to spin the llama wool. Looking forward to that!

If ever you get a chance to visit Modjeska Canyon, don't pass it up. Even with the wildlife warnings : )

Art Festival

Going to be in Southern California at the beginning of April? Join me at Tucker Wildlife Sanctuary's Spring Fair and Art Festival!

Artist Feature: Aya Zucker Pottery

Some people exude peace and serenity, creativity and artistry. In the very best situations, these attributes are channeled into a medium that can be shared with others.

Aya Zucker is one such person, a potter whose gentle nature and creative spirit translate into beautiful pieces of functional art.

Aya has been working with clay since she was in the third grade, in Israel. She immediately fell in love with the feel of the clay in her hands, and spent many years working with sculpture before she was introduced to the pottery wheel in her early twenties.

I was first introduced to her work when I heard she was donating dozens of handmade ceramic bowls to our school fundraiser. I fell in love with a particular design she had made, and bought half a dozen bowls.

When I asked her to make me some other pieces in the same style, she exceeded my expectations.

I also couldn't resist a stunning porcelain tea set she made with a beautiful celadon glaze.

I was fortunate to watch her work and learn about the basics of pottery-making recently as she gave my husband a refresher course. It was fascinating to watch a dull grey lump of clay be transformed into an elegant shape under her skilled hands.

Aside from creating pieces for artisan festivals and custom orders, Aya also volunteers weekly at the Irvine Fine Art Center.

To see more examples of Aya's beautiful work, visit www.ayazucker.com