Terrariums

Check out these awesome terrariums.  A few weeks ago, my coworkers and I created some fun landscapes in glass jars.  The tear drop shapes are my works in progress.  Inspiration here.   Supplies here.   So fun; can't wait to make more. 

Back Again

Since my weeklong pottery retreat with my cousin Kiyoung, I have been itching to get back on the wheel.  The summer was too hectic to take on a class, but fall seems to be the perfect time to start something new. Upon a friend's recommendation, I signed up for a Tuesday class at Powderhorn Park Recreation Center.  It's not a glamourous studio, but the price is right, the location unbeatable and the people friendly.  Our instructor, Jennie the Potter, is someone whose work I have admired since I moved here 5 years ago.  

I've never seen

Over Labor Day Weekend,  I was home for a visit and I found the biggest spider I have ever seen hanging out on the cucumber plants. I pointed it out to my mom and she said that the spider had been there the entire summer.  The spider had built a large web straddling the cucumbers and Korean squash, a perfect spot for a hungry spider.  Upon further investigation I learned that this spider was a female Black and Yellow Argiope, also known as a Garden Spider.  In the waning summer, she ventured deep into the cucumber vines to lay her eggs.  When I found her she was fussing over her egg sac, covering hundreds of them with a papery coat.  Once satisfied, she returned to her web and resumed her spidery ways.  

She will die in the first frost of winter, but in this garden her babes will be safe.  With luck they will survive the winter and perhaps 10-20 spiderlings will survive to adulthood.  I hope one lucky spider will stick around next year. 

Off the Loom

These towels seemed to take forever.  The combination of a steamy summer without air conditioning,  particularly heavy treadles and a more than usual complicated pattern were all good excuses to take my time.  A wedding gift deadline really lit a fire under me and in 2 nights I managed to weave almost half the remaining warp before cutting off.  My next project will be a simpler version of the turned twill blocks and then maybe I will think about a waffle weave.  Can't wait to share.