new years ressies (2010)

it is 6:30 am on Friday jan 1,2010! happy new year! :>) I am taking this moment in time to reflect on the last year and wonder what is coming in the year ahead. There is a lot that is beyond my control but I am still going to make some new years resolutions for 2010.
1) Sing everyday. I realized a little while back that the physical act of singing lightens my mood. I know it sounds strange but it is true! you know that phrase "don't worry if it's not good enought for anyone else but you..." ? well, I don't! it is simple SINGING = HAPPY
2) Allow myself play time. My new studio is a bee hive of activity with lots of orders to fill, but I need to take a day (once a week if poss) to play in my studio. I want to explore screen printing and journal making. In order for me to grow in my art, I must have playtime. I really enjoy it too.
3) participate in "phat fiber sample box" every month. I find thier challanges and monthly themes very interesting and challanging. wait till you see what I came up with in Jan! Don't worry, I'll post it in the next week or so. Just a hint- my fav book is Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. ;>)
4) Be a better business person. I love creating my art and dyeing but, this last year, my first true year of doing my art full time and supporting myself with it, has been an awesome, fun challange. Admittedly, it was not the brightest idea I have had to start this all with businesses failing all around me but it was my time. I have grown and learned so much cooweeelll stuff. However, I still have a ways to go.

That is it. 2010 here I come!! gale

class offerings jan, feb, march 2010

Hello all, here are my class offerings for Jan, Feb and March 2010. I have also included a discription of what the class is all about. The class size is limited to 4 people and it is $65 per student. They go from 10:30 am to 3:30 PM. It includes use of studio equipment, dyes and written/oral instruction for me. The FUN is free!

Dye 101 is for dyers without much experience. It is an introductory class for Acid Dyes with protein fibers. I will provide 12 to 15 different pre-mixed dyes (different colors) for the sudents to use on yarn. Students can either purchase a sock yarn from me or they can bring their own yarn to dye. (dyeable yarns can be purchased at LYS, Dharma trading company,Webbs or knitpicks ) There will be enough time to dye up to 1 LB (450 grams) of yarn or more.

Jan 2 (sat)
Jan 15 (fri)
Feb 13 (sat)
march 12 (fri)

Advance dye is for students who have studied with me or who are very familiar with the acid dye process. It is an indepth look of what we can do with roving, yarn and/or silk. I will work with the students on understanding color mixing and finishing techniques for any kind of project they might be thinking of. It is rather like an independent study with guidance from a professional dyer.

Jan 15 (sat
feb 20(sat)
March 19 (fri)

email me at galesart@mindspring.com or call 404 457 4015 if you want to reserve your spot gale

new studio - really

Hey all! two bits of good news for you. The first is that my fiber/colorway "crayon box" has been used in a large 4 page story in Spin Off Winter 2009. Check out Debbie Grale's story "two yarns, three projests on page 83 and you will see what I am takling about. THANS DEBBIE!

The second is that my studio is finished! I can not believe how much more room I got. Mr. M and I speculate that I gained about 2 feet AND, after re-organizing my shelves, I have tons of "new" space. Here are the before and after inside shots as well as an exterior shot.

I will be posting a new class schedule for Jan, Feb, March in a few days. Stay Tuned

new studio- almost!

Ok so I have been hinting on my raverly forum about my new addition to the studio and it is almost ready. we hit a small bump in the road last Friday when the dry wall wasn't dry (haha) enough to paint. Since they don't work on the weekends,the last day will have to be monday and on Tue I will have a new studio! well, basically new- My studio ,for those who have never seen it is a converted garage. When we first moved in, three years ago, we installed a resturant style sink, stove, oven, A/C, shelves, washing machine, fridge, lights and almost everything I needed or wanted to have in a dye studio. The only thing was - it was the garage with the typical door and tracks. Not pretty... Hubby, Mr. M, slapped insolation and plastic up so that I would not be a captive to the temperature out side but it still had this "garage" feeling. I had to have a window so I cut a hole in the plastic just to know there was an outside world out there. Now I am finally getting a wall with french doors so it will feel like a real creative space. :>) I will be posting "before and after" pics next week. Oh, and along with a new wall, Mango bunny is getting new digs too. Check out the new hutch....

Of course, she is having some issues with the ramp between levels. I think she is to...humm...full figured (?) and her fluffy rump has trouble gettin up into the small opening. But once she learns how to get around, I think she will be a very happy bunny.

Trindles and other stuff

Well, I am back from Michigan and I missed all my furry family (including hubby Mr. M) I actually drove from Battle Creek MI to Atlanta GA in one day. It was about 13 hours on the road with short pit stops for coffee ( I break for STARBUCKS) and food (woman can not survive on Twinkies alone....). So now I am back home and dyeing for the next show.

Evil Eve B will come with me to Wisconsin Sheep and Wool on Sept 11,12 and 13. I am really putting the miles on Kermit, but he doesn't seem to mind. I think it is actually cool to go so many new places. I am happy that Eve can (wo )man the booth while I take a peek as what other people have. In additon to my own fibers I will also be taking Jeremy A's awesome trindles (like a drop spinndle but his own design with 3 arms). I have a few in my own collection that I just could not let get away. Check them out.....One is a cute "june bug" with little green lady bugs on it and the other was a custom job (yes he does that) with oriental dragon dog heads. They almost "grrrrrr" at me when I spin with them. Sweet. He is on Etsy under "trindleman" but I have a wonderful assortment of them so I hope people really come to see me :>) gale

michigan at last!

Hey All not sure how many pics are going to come into this entry. I have never blogged from my lap top before so I am just trying to get the hang of it. After a long trip, I arrived in Allegan, Michigan for the Michigan Fiber Festival. The town itself if lovely and small as it sits on the bend of a river. Next year, I think I will opt for a B and B as there are several in the town and I hear they are really special. It is a great show and everyone here is very happy and helpful. I met up with several fiber buddies here and there is a real great core of spinners. The lady pictured below was looking for a class and had a special way of taking her wheel along. Isn't she clever?

Today is my last day, so I'll be packing up and them meeting my cuz and family for supper. Then back to Atlanta and my husband,dog and rabbitt. I miss them when I am on the road but it is really sweet to meet all these new people and see these new places. :>) gale

Getting ready for Michigan Fiber festival

Well, getting all set for the Michigan Fiber Festival on 8/15. I have been working very hard to get all my stock up and I feel like I am in good shape. Usually, I have a slight panic attack just before a show and I run around looking at my product muttering "must dye more, must dye more..." with this little twitch going in my eye lid . But I am feeling like I'll be ok for this show....which makes me wonder if I have overlooked something. LOL
Mango is adapting well to life in our home. He thinks I am ok but he is really fond of Mr. M. and comes hopping over to him every chance he can. I guess my husband has some bunny MOJO I am not aware off. Hobbs, our german/akita mix, is fascinated by Mango which I find alittle alarming. I don't think we are ready to let them play together yet...... maybe never..... One thing that is absolutly ADORABLE is when you give Mango a little bit of peach or banana. Apparently, fruit is like bunny crack cocain. Mango goes nuts for the stuff and makes these cute smacking noises.
Going off to The Whole Nine Yarns for spin night on monday with (perhaps) the evil Eve B. She knit these wonderful socks for me with my new sock yarn. Really cool for display in the booth at MFF. I'll post pics this weekend before I go.

Mango has arrived

Hello all. I want to introduce you to our latest editon, Mango, a 3 month old angora rabbitt. Mr M and I went out and got him at our friend Sharon's House last Saturday. He is sooo sweet and soft. Of course we had to immediatly traumatize him by shearing him for the first time. We didn't do such a good job so he ended up looking like "punk rock frankin" Bunny but Sharon says it gets easier. Sure hope so......

In other news, I have been dyeing like a fiend for the Michigan Sheep and Wool show on Aug 14. The other day, I did almost 3 lb of silk hankies and created this "leaning Tower of Silk" haha... and I have also been working with this cooooooweeeelllll new stuff that I call "Chocolate Swirl" roving. They take 25 %brown and 75% ecru blue face and swirl it all together. Check out the before and after pics. I want to have some of this ready to sell as well. I like it a lot.

class offering for april, may and june 2009

Hello all, I am sorry to say that due to technical issues beyond my control, I have had to alter my last class schedule for this new one...please note the change and if you want to attend a class then contact me. my email is galesart@mindspring.com or phone 404 457 4015 thanks gale


NEW CLASS POSTING FOR APRIL,MAY AND JUNE 2009
Gale’s Art
Studio Class offerings
April, May and June 2009
Fellted Mosaic Scarf - One day class from 10:30am to 3:00 pm $60
A class that takes raw, dyed wool and shows you how to create a wonderful, felted scarf using soap, water and your hands. It looks complicated but it isn’t. Instruction and the creation of one scarf should take about 3 hours with the free option of after class “play” time should you wish to stay in the studio and create a second or possibly third scarf. Wool and felting supplies for the first scarf are included. ** 4 students per class **
April 10 (2 spaces left)
May 15 (Friday)
May 16(Saturday)
June 12(Friday)
June 13 (Saturday)

Acid Dye Without Tears -One day class from 10:30 am to 5 pm $85
This is my very popular, ever filling class on the techniques of hand painted yarns and roving. In my studio, you will learn the fundamentals of color mixing and dyeing and then apply these principles to your own masterpieces of yarn or roving. Students will leave with at least half a pound of dyed material (blue face roving or sock yarn ) and a small dye kit to play with at home.
***4 students per class**
May 22 (Friday)
May 23 (Saturday)
June 19 (Friday)
June 20 (Saturday)

back from Destin Spin In

Back from Destin, FL after a super great weekend. What is Destin? It is about 160 crazy spinners, 12 vendors and 2 outrageous hostesses stuck in a giant ball room for 4 days with nothing to do but spin and talk of fiber and life adventures. Soooo much fun! We have it every year in Jan in Destin, Fl but this year was in a brand new condo building called The Palms at Destin. They didn’t know what they were in for- hee hee hee..... Here are a few pics of everyone spinning.I was vending as well so I don’t feel I got in my full spinning time :>(
but I must sacrifice for my art! I also took the opportunity (while I was with such friendly folk) to do a survey of fiber preferences. I had questions like “what colors do you prefer?” and “do you normally have a project in mind when you buy fiber” etc.... They surpassed my expectation as I got 95 surveys back....maybe the $75 prize drawing I had for the ones who completed the survey was a factor?
But honestly, it is a great way to start the year. Ruth R and I shared a condo with Ginny and Sally from the Peachtree Hand Spinners guild and we had cocktails and seafood every night. What is better then that ?

where does the time go????

It has been how many days since my last blog entry????? I can't believe it...sigh... but the good news is x-mas was great and we gota NEW HOUSE.

Well ,not NEW really but NEWLY PAINTED so that it feels like NEW. HAHA

It was a very mundane off white color (body) with a spruce green door and shutters. Not bad but....boring..... for a dyer,color is everything, ya know? So Mr M and I decided it was time for a change :>) (maybe the peeling paint was a prompt too) and we got the ole homestead painted. I am including a couple of pics. The body is now Duron "livable green" and the shutters and door are "oak moss". I think it is beautiful and the painter said he liked it even though he normally did not like green on a house. The two neighbors on either side of us, both with very conservative shades of ecru on thier houses, also gave a seal of approval after it was finished. I guess I have better taste then everyone thinks :>)

Now,New Years is just two days away! I am still working on my resolution list. I'll post on Jan 1, 2009. Stay tuned... gale

look at that face!

Things are really getting hectic for the christmas holidays now. I am going to make this entry short as - I HAVE TO DO X-MAS CARDS TONIGHT! "no excuses are exceptable" says Mr. M.- but I still want to show you what made me laugh today. Look at this pin, my friend Ruth R, gave me a few years ago. He was hiding out in my jewlery box just chilling until I re-found him while hunting for my mother's pearl necklace. Isn't he sweet? what a face! It looks like he just asked a question and is waiting on the answer......I think the question must be..."why am I just hanging out in this dumb jewlery box, when I could be out and about on your coat?" So I put him on my coat lapel and laughed.....

Knitty.com like me!

I wanted to share the exciting news that my lovely Blue face fiber has been reviewed by KNITTY.COM!! You can see the review if you go here:

http://knitty.com/ISSUEwinter08/FEATwin08FF.php

They gave me a wonderful gift for the holiday season by saying nice things about “Iris” in both my blue face and my over dyed black blue face. These are pictures of my roving, the first one is of the color way “ Proud Peacock” dyed on white Blue face (and the yarn it makes when it is spun) and the second is of the exact same colors dyed on a dark brown Blue face roving ( and the yarn it makes). Can you believe it? I really like the cool way the natural browns and tans take the color.

What made me laugh today......
Well for the first time in a long time, Gale dyed herself. Yes sports fans, this is what happens when there is the tiny, tiniest whole in the rubber gloves that I did not notice before I started dyeing. It really was funny to see the clerk’s reaction when I hand over change at the supermarket. HAHA.

a thought and a smile

Wanted to share a picture that made me happy today. I was cleaning out my picture files in the computer and found this This is a group of my quilting buds in “Off the Wall” quilting guild. Sometimes you it is good just to find the one thing in the day that makes you smile. Today it was this picture and yesterday it was the smell of an orange that I had for my mid day snack. I would like to advise everyone to take a minute (when you find that one thing in your day) and just sit back, relax for a moment and smile. I know that your day will be better for it and so will the world.

Turkey day was GOOD!

I had a wonderful Thanksgiving (as I hope all of you did) with my sister, Jennifer and her lovely family who drove many long miles to come eat a good Turkey dinner with me and Mr. M. As always, I give thanks for having a loving and supportive sis who thinks I am the creative one even though she is an Interior Designer! Ha-ha.... Thanks as well for great hubby, lovely nephews and bro in law as well as a big, fluffy, 95 lb love muffin named Hobbs ( my dog) .

Before they arrived on Wednesday, I completed a set of adult sized slippers that are modeled here by yours truly. Aren’t they sweet? The flower design on the slipper was put on as I was felting using cut out pre-felts that were placed on the green base of the slipper and then felted on. This is what we will be doing in my “slippers/baby bootie” 3D felting class. So look on my class schedule and email me if you want to sign up for a class. I am offering many and various time slots on Fridays and Saturdays to give everyone a chance to take a class. My class size is small (only 4 students at a time) so sign up now rather then later.

The other picture is of my sis, Jen, working on a felted flower. We did get a day to “play” so after she made some felt, she created to flowers for Christmas gifts. And she says she is not creative?

Class offerings for Jan,Feb,March,April 2009

Felted Mosaic Scarf class
A class that takes raw, dyed wool and shows you how to create a wonderful, felted scarf. It looks complicated but it isn’t. Instruction and the creation of one scarf should take about 3 to 4 hours with the free option of after class “play” time should you wish to stay in the studio and create a second or possibly third scarf. Wool and felting supplies for the first scarf are included in class price of $60. 4 students per class


Inlay Purse / Knitting Needle Case
This class is devoted to the design development of a large piece of decorative flat felt. Students will learn how to make pre-felt sheets for felt inlay as well as adding interesting artistic details with silk and nylon fibers. The finished, colorful flat felt is suitable for a small purse, a knitting needle case, a book cover or many other things. The first flat felt should be completed in the time allotted but students are encouraged to stay for “play” time to create additional gift items. Class price of $60. 4 students per class


Slippers/Baby Booties
Felting wool goes to a higher level in this class, as students work with a cardboard “form” that they felt around to create slippers and/or baby booties. Although it is preferable that you first take the Inlay class first, it is not mandatory. Again, there will the additional time for you to stay after class to explore and create. Class price is $60 with a 4 student limit.




Inlay Felt Purse 10:30 am to 3:00 pm (playtime until 6 pm)
Jan 3 (Friday) Jan 9 (Saturday)
Feb 20 (Friday) Feb 7 (Saturday)
March 6 (Friday) March 21 (Sat)
April 17 (Friday)


Mosaic Scarf 10:30 am to 3:00 pm (playtime until 6 pm)
Jan 30 (Fri)
Feb 27 (Fri) Feb 14 (Sat) and Feb 21 (Sat)
March 13 (Fri) March 7 (Sat)
April 3(Fri) April 18 (Sat)

Slipper/ Baby Bootie 10:30 am to 3:00 pm (playtime until 6 pm)
Jan (no classes in this subject)
Feb 6 (Fri) Feb 28 (Sat) class full
March 20 (Fri) March 14 (Sat)
April 4 (Sat)


Gale’s Art provides equipment and materials for the classes. Please wear casual, comfortable cloths and non-skid shoes as the floor in the studio often gets wet. Also, please bring a lunch with you as there are no really close eating places to the Studio. Gale’s Art Studio is located in Stone Mountain GA. To register or for additional information please contact Gale Evans (404) 457- 4015 or email gales art@mindspring.com

Felted Baby Booties (say it 10X fast)

Hey look what I did over the weekend!! Felted baby booties. Aren’t they sweet? I have really been having a wonderful time with wet felting these last few weeks. As you know, I am offering a two classes on felting and have many requests for more. So I “thunk” that felted slippers would be the perfect class. Who doesn’t wanted to curl up in front of the fire with cocoa and slippers? Making baby booties is an easy first step to doing larger adult size slippers. They were so quick and fun! I decided to share pictures of my first “born” baby booties. I haven’t gotten to the slippers yet as today was a running around day (grocery, library etc....) but tomorrow is all studio time, baby! So I’ll post pics of the slippers when they are done and look for my upcoming schedule of felting classes too! I will be posting Jan/Feb and March in the next few days.

Hey All, thanks for the many emails about my sickness. I am happy to report that I am now hail and hearty. What a relief to be back in the swing of things and to enjoy the season. The Autumn color here in Atlanta is still outrageously lovely although the leaves are falling fast and furious. Ruth R and I played hookie from life and house cleaning last Sunday and spent the day in the park spinning and drinking coffee. Here is a picture of Ruth R and wheels with the fall backdrop. I am not in the pic ‘cause no squirrels volunteered to take it so I had to. If you have not had a chance to run away somewhere fun this season, I say “DO IT! DO IT NOW!” . Before you know it the holidays will start claiming all your free time for shopping and cooking, so I think now it the perfect time for a breather before they begin.
I have been in the studio today trying to fill some wholesale orders but I did take a minute to clean and dye some of the Cotswold locks. It was easier then I thought and the curls are sweet! Here is a picture of them drying. I didn’t consciously dye them red and green but there they are.....maybe I have Christmas on my brain :>)

My first INLAY FELTING class last Sat. was excellent due mostly to my three great students, Christy, Gayle and Jean! thanks guys and I look forward to teaching you again!

The Good news is......

The Good news is- I lost 10 lbs! The Bad news is - you never want to go on this diet. I have been very sick for the past week sports fans! Extremely rare for me but I was down for the count. But I am getting a head of myself. Let me fill you in......
When last I wrote, I was Soaring in PA with many spinning gurus and friends and what a fun time we had! After returning home, I was in a rush to get all ready for my next show SAFF in Ashville NC. Having only a week and a half between these two shows proved to be a bit of a dyer’s challenge but I got my behind in gear and “got her done“. The show was great, I had Sassy Nancy as a booth mate which is always a hoot. I even bought a wonderful Cotswold fleece out of the Fleece show. Look at those curls!
SAFF is always the last weekend in October and is well worth a visit for knitting, spinning and felting fans. It is the best show (in my opinion) south of the Mason-Dixon line. If you didn’t make it this year, make the effort for next year :>).
So after the show, I was ran away to a small mountain cabin to be with the marvelous Mr. M. Very exciting it actually SNOWED and I have pics to prove it. Here is the snow with my footprints and look at the temperature!

It was completely wonderful for about 2 days. Then I got a soar throat, then I got a fever, then I got a cough...yada yada yada. I was sooooo sick that I was crying when I swallowed. Mr. M was wonderful, as always, and fixed me tons of peppermint tea and soup. He even got me a birthday cake which I was too sick to eat (yes, it was my birthday!) Finally I had to be dragged (kicking and screaming) to the Doctor’s office.
TOTAL SIDEBAR----I really don’t know why I resist going to the Doctor’s office. I mean, I always feel better after they give me medicine but I guess it is the child in me thinking that if I don’t go, then I can’t really be sick. I feel the same way about hair dressers and always wait until my hair is way outta control before getting it cut. But I digress.....
We got many cool drugs and I dragged myself and Kermit (my faithful Honda Element) home the next day. That was Saturday. Finally today, Thursday, I feel recovered enough to make a blog entry. October seems like it is a blur to me. I can’t believe it is already gone. Oh well, on to the holidays and my first felting class at GA’s studio this weekend. It is the Inlay Felt Class. I’ll let you know how it all comes out. Hope you all stay healthy and happy :>) gale

I am SOAR-ing

Hey all, well it has been a month of Sundays since I last posted but I aM SOAR-ing right now at the Pocono Manor here in Pennsylvania. SOAR is this killer week long event filled with great classes and people who are just as crazy about fiber as I am! Interweave Press puts it together and they did a wonderful job this year. I am taking a nuno felting class with Sharon Costello until wend and then vending in the market for the rest of the week. Just looking out my room window right now at the great autumn colors against the hill. ......sigh......Fall is such a super time of year.
I have a few pictures of the proceedings but they aren't really great ones so I'll skip them. However, this is well worth the 13 hour drive from Atlanta. My next big show is at SAFF www.saffsite.org and I am really hoping to see ya there! gale