Ann Williamson

Handmade Designer Women's Apparel

Scarves

New Projects, and, Spring!

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The closest I’ll ever come to having rose petals tossed at my feet, will be the springtime cherry blossoms that Mother Nature drops onto the sidewalks in my neighborhood.

I walk through as though I am a princess.

Gorgeous!

Meanwhile, in my studio, it’s all about beads. I’m in the middle of two projects. It’s always slow going with beads, but the final result is so rewarding. One in black and gold and the other in blue shibori.

Also on the table, several jackets and a coat. Can you tell? It’s those pile of fabrics in the back. One in reds, one in greens and one in blues.

Stay tuned.

And just in time for the American Craft Council’s on-line PopUp Marketplace, I’ve been working on a few more scarves to add to my store.

Two below, in process.

Maybe you remember my 30 second video of me making a scarf? Check it out here.

Below, one of the scarves finished. This one and others, along with jackets and tops, will be in my store at the marketplace.

The on-line marketplace will be open for ACC members on Monday, May 8th and open for all May 7th – 21st. The shopping pages will be up and viewable when the shown is live. You’ll be able to get there with this link. Click on ‘Online Marketplaces.’

There will be lots of gorgeous work by craftspeople from all over the country. Check it out!

One more thing.

My tree peonies are in full bloom. Last year it snowed when they were just getting going [… I know, snowed… in April. In Portland. Where we hardly ever get snow… ] and some of the big branches broke off. Sigh.

But they are back! Hooray!!! Gorgeous.

Thank you Mother Nature, for the cherry blossoms falling at my feet and for the rebirth of my beautiful peonies!

New Video: ‘One Scarf’

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We are live! My newest video, called, ‘One Scarf,’ is up and available for viewing.

I’m participating in the American Craft Council’s on-line artist’s directory [click [here] to visit the website.] It is a platform listing over 150 craft artists with information about their work and links to their websites and social media pages.

This October 3 -16, there will be an on-line pop-up marketplace with featured artists who will have work for sale at the site.

We were asked to submit a 30 second video featuring our ‘favorite piece’ that will be for sale. Favorite! Yow! Each one I make is unique and loved. They are all my favorite. So instead, as a way to show that every single piece is created with attention and care, I decided to focus on the process. I chose the making of a scarf.

Click [here] to see what we came up with. 30 seconds is over fast. Do not blink!

Beginning-Middle-End

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Here in my studio there is lots going on. I have pieces started, pieces in process and pieces finished. It’s my favorite situation. It can be overwhelming when I am finished with all my projects and it’s time to start something brand new. The sky is open and anything is an option. Where to start? It’s easier when I’m on a roll. I can walk into my studio and start right up where I left off. I continue with what I’ve been working on, bask in the accomplishment of what is finished and let my mind wander to think about new projects I’d like to do.

For example, right now, I have new, in process and just finished projects.

Below, a jumble of fabrics, the beginnings of new scarves.

Scarves are a perfect for in-between projects. I have the basic formula down, so the initial figuring out is done. But the finished design is not set so there is plenty room for creativity. All the possible variations of colors and shapes leave more than enough room for creativity. My mind gets lost in all the possibilities.

Also, up on my wall, a new coat with bias tube strips pinned in place. This is the front, next I’ll baste the strips and then hand stitch them down.

The bias strips in the black and white coat above, are leftovers from the jacket below, a special order, placed by a customer who wanted a different size from the original.

I’m right in the middle of the hand stitching. You can see my needle next to the black strip, as I hand sew it in place with tiny pick stitches.

Next up with this one, I’ll sew beads along the edges of the strips.

And one that is finished! This purple crane coat just sent to its new home. I’m pleased with how it turned out. A gorgeous silk from a very special kimono.

There were enough leftovers of the purple crane fabric to make scarves. Check them out at my web shop here. ‘Purple Cranes and Fans’ and ‘Purple Cranes,’

I hope you’re having a great summer, keeping cool and happy. And just busy enough, not too much, not too little.