Dear Reader,

When I was little, every year my grandmother would get me a subscription to National Geographic World. I loved the magazine, and I was fascinated with any article or photos that showed people building earthship homes and making art from “trash”. My mind would race, thinking about all of the sculptures I could make if I only had a welding torch. Just looking at the photos made me want to run out and collect all the cans and metal scraps I could find. But, as little kid who didn’t have the resources or skills to make the grand sculptures of my dreams, I settled for glueing any objects I could find onto wood. My mind saw possibilities in everything I could get my hands on, but since I didn’t have adventurous elementary school art teachers, I was often relegated to very specific projects, which is something that didn’t inspire me then, and it still doesn’t now.

When you look around at what gets thrown away on a daily basis, it’s astounding. So, now as an adult, I not only save all of my fabric scraps when I work, but I also save paper, cardboard, and plastic. At some point, I started looking outside of all of my fabric and yarn scraps, wandering what else I could do. First, I worked with plastic bags, then plastic containers. Of course, I did my research, making sure that I was only using certain types of plastic that I could safely melt. While I love working with plastic, I don’t love the fact that I can only work outside. What if the mood strikes to make something and it’s 15 degrees? I don’t like to let that creative energy go to waste.

Making paper clay was the answer for me. Even though I have to sand it outside, I can do the rest of the work inside. It took me a long time to develop a great paper clay recipe that works well, but all that trial and error was worth it. I started out making small things like beads and pendants that I use for jewelry, and before long I was also making small vessels as well. Recently, I started to delve into making larger decorative/functional pieces using armatures and sculpting. Right now the pieces I’m working on can sit on a table or hang on the wall. As I continue to explore with paper clay I plan on making even larger scale pieces and seeing what happens. Paper clay is both extremely light and durable. Even though the process of making the clay is a bit tedious, I love the fact that I’m reusing something (recycled shredded paper) to create art. That always makes me happy.

I will have smaller objects and vessels for sale on my website, in the studio, and at art shows. The larger pieces I create will be available for sale at my studio. All paper clay beads and objects are hand painted and sealed with a water resistant non-toxic sealant.

I appreciate all of you who choose to be here and read my newsletter.

xo,

Christa

Paul Robeson 

That time
we all heard it,
cool and clear,
cutting across the hot grit of the day.
The major Voice.
The adult Voice
forgoing Rolling River,
forgoing tearful tale of bale and barge
and other symptoms of an old despond.
Warning, in music-words
devout and large,
that we are each other’s
harvest:
we are each other’s
business:
we are each other’s
magnitude and bond.

-Gwendolyn Brooks

Last week at a glance

• I made myself three pairs of pants.

• I made a maxi dress.

  

• I started reading Giovanni’s Room.

• I spent a lot of time making and working with paper clay. As you already know of course.

• I worked on the bodice of the crochet dress I’m making for myself.

• I played my guitar, which is very therapeutic for me. It’s another art form that helps me escape into my own world.

• We got the van back from the garage and luckily it was only the alternator.

• My kids and I went out in the snow on Sunday, while my husband stayed home and baked an apple pie.

  

• I dropped off crochet wrist mitts, arm warmers, hats, and scarves at River Pearl Studio.

• I bought the clamps I need for my tufting frame so I can start learning how to machine tuft this week.

• I consumed many delicious hot drinks, mostly dandy blend, matcha, and hot chocolate, while cozying up with my dogs and cats.

• I watched my dogs have fun in the snow. They love it so much. Thanks to all of you who have asked about Bucky and his progress with his injury. He’s coming along quite well.

  Links

  Email: wildchildfibers@gmail.com

  Website: https://www.wildchildfibers.com

  If you’re in Marietta, you can find my work at

  River Pearl Studio.

  Book a shopping appointment: here

  Anytime 20% off discount in the online store for subscribers