Back to "Hooking" in Harlem

Didn't do any crochet last year. My  2013 fall wearable art presentation was based on the quilting of roving with a technique I may have created. Didn't plan on crocheting this year but the cool weather inspired me to sift through my stash of yarn and appropriate it toward near future projects. I can't seam to work with yarns in the summer. Something about those warm fibers against the body is unappealing in warmer weather even with the AC on. Since we had an unseasonably cool summer and fall is in full swing early it is perfect yarn creation weather. I tried to make myself work solely out of my stash but I did pick up a few additions at the annual Harlem Needle Arts Inc. trek to the Sheep and Wool Festival in Rhinebeck NY. Working toward a series of long mittens and some fiber fusion coats and wraps to showcase during the 4  remaining 2014 Harlem Aesthetic events at the Gadson Gallery. Two pair of mittens and a coat are in the works at this moment. I hope to complete them and a few more by November 8th and 9th - the next event. Wish me luck!

Front view of my drop back bolero.



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The Evolution of Re-shirt Couture

This season I will be using sweatshirts as a base to create texture filled sweaters, jackets and even coats. This past week end I featured a few of theses creations in the Harlem Aesthetic's "Couture Show" at the Gadson Gallery featuring a variety of wearable art creators. My winters wearable a feature wool roving and/or fabric quilted to the sweat shirt through the assistance of water soluble interfacing. I am excited by the possibilities and can' wait to get started on my next batch of art wear .


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Re-shirt couture

I was looking for a new summer project and have been thinking about going back to my roots in wearable art. I was all set to take a t-shirt re-working workshop with button artists Beau McChamp when I realized that I was already obligated to participate in a festival.... bummer! So what is a tech savvy gal to do? Go to you-tube! There I was inspired to do all kinds of things with t-shirts. Taking some of the ideas I saw and then putting it with a little of myself I have created my own style. Much of what is available on cutting and refashioning cotton jersey shirts is designed for the young, the thin and the naked. My creations are made with me and my "gurlz" in mind. I have so far come up with a shrug, the pocketed sac, the ruched top and several pieces of neck wear. The fall line is soon to come and I will Clarence some of the summer wear at the upcoming Harlem Week festival: 8/18 & 8/19 on 135th street.

Midnight Amethyst

Working feverishly on a new coat with a recipe of yarns I call "Midnight Amethyst" . All yarns are part of the Lion Brand collection which is now my favorite as a staple of my creative fiber recipes since the yarns are easy to find, readily available and a good quality for a mass produced yarn collection . I am currently working on a Midnight Amethyst coat for the show at the museum tomorrow. Lets hope I get it finished.





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Urban Threads at the Studio Museum

Saturday October 22nd & Sunday October 23rd the Studio Museum in Harlem and Harlem Needle Arts will present "Urban Threads", a trunk show in the museum shop. Michelle Bishop, Gs Edwards and myself will showcase our wearable crochet and knitted works of art from 12 to 6pm both days . For more info on this special event please visit www.theGadsonGallery.com/currentevents .

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Location:W 134th St,,United States

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Harvest Taupe Coat

I a very proud to have presented my latest crochet coat at Pahti NYC's "Kocktails & Kouture" event. She debuted along side the fabulous work of Twains Twines (hand spun & knits) and Michi's machine knit fashions.


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Location:St Nicholas Terrace,,United States

Upcoming Jacket

Here are the ingredients for my proposed jacket.

Hooking Again

I the words of Rakim: It's been a long time, I shouldn't have left you... (old school hip hop heads know what I am talking about). Had to put up my needles to address my quilting demand and to my purchase of expensive quilting equipment (trying to get them to pay for themselves!!!). I have also invested a lot of $$ in yarn over the years and everything must earn their keep at the Gadson Gallery so I am back hooking. With my trusty S hook (she is only for the "Big Girlz") and 4 strands of yarn/fiber I expect to have at least 1 coat and 1 jacket ready for this weekend's "Kocktails and Kouture" at the Rio II Gallery. Splitting my time between crochet and quilting will not be easy (and did I even mention my recent love affair with paper?) but I will be giving it a shot this season. I love buying supplies and now it is time to work on paying the piper.

NJPAC is the next event

The next event for the Gadson Gallery will be the Kwanzaa event at The New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) Thurs. Dec. 18th - Sun. Dec.21st. NJPAC will host concers nightly and there are Kwanzaa concerts and Festivities all day Saturday. Join me and fellow artist Pat Mabry as we sell our wares. For more info visit http://www.njpac.org/

Kick up your heels in a pair of these!

A new spin on an old classic. These legwarmers are slightly fitted to give a knit boot effect. They button at the calf for a custom fit. Price ranges from $25 to $45 and you can order your color preference. Turns any shoe into a boot look instantly.

Ardella's Coat

Here is a swing number made at the request of great customer. After seeing last years designs she asked for a little wiggle room. This orange swing was made especially for her and I hear the 2 are doing just great.

Green Dream

This olive green jacket is a wool blend, crochet with 2 strands of yarn and fashioned with handmade buttons and inset pockets. She is featured here with a funfur scarf of similar color.

The definition of FABULOSITY

Fabulosity: in a state of being or feeling fabulous. This is what immediately came to mind as one of my latest customers, Roz, tried on my Knotty Crochet Coat. She was so excited that she exclaimed " I have been waiting for this coat for years" though I only started making them last year. She did a quick financial calculation on her fingers, put a deposit on the coat on Saturday, paid the balance on Tuesday and wore it out the door though the weather was a little warm for it. She may have felt good about the purchase but her enthusiasm made me feel wonderful. To have made something that will put her in a state of FABULOSITY every time she wears it I would guess makes me fabulous too.

above - Beauty in a Darker Hue: Ethnic Fabulosity, one of my original quilts in a series of 4. Machine applique, machine quilting, hand embellished, 42"h x 22"w, $850.00