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Artist Profile: Bronwen Heilman – Ghost Cow

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tikisA woman of many talents. Glass…music…metal…mom…creative dynamo! Her glass work is an inspiration to so many. And with good reason. It rocks!!! So allow me to introduce you some of the many facets of her glass work, with using bottle glass as her newest adventure. Check out the tikis…so cool. I have a tiki collection so I have a sweet spot in my heart for tikis. And these are made with bottle glass. So cool. Wait, I said that already. But it’s so true. Recycled glass…go Bronwen! And eco friendly! Check out her web site www.ghostcow.com. You can find out more about Bronwen, her glass, shows and of course her band, Ghost Cow. I’ve seen them play and they rock too!

Bronwen is based in Tucson, AZ, but does make her way around for shows and classes. Her next class is at Blue Moon in Austin. She’s going to teach you about enamels. Check out this other piece…n570264301_1103399_7773

This is made in multiple stages with glass painting and fusing. Just awesome. Can I gush about her work enough? It’s just that it’s so unique and cutting edge. And the beads she makes with this painting technique and then doing roll-ups are amazing! Needless to say, if you get the chance to check out her work or one of her classes you really need to. And her band too! One last piece of hers here to swoon over. From her beach glass series. Simple beauty.

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Learn All About Sewing Velvet Fabric

 

I’m always tempted by the pretty velvets at the fabric store.  So much texture!  And the way the fibers catch the light!  But sewing on velvet is trickier than you’d think.  That nap that lends beautiful texture also likes to slip and crawl.  That nap can also spell disaster if you cut a piece the wrong direction.  That isn’t to say you shouldn’t use buy that velvet and sew it into something gorgeous, you just need to go into your velvet sewing project prepared.  And Melissa at Melly Sews has a post that takes you step by step through sewing on velvet. 

Velvet is such a luscious fabric, especially for winter sewing projects.  Of course there are velvet Christmas sewing projects – stockings, tree skirts, santa hats – but velvet is beautiful for all winter.  Think of all the gorgeous velvet dresses, evening bags, hair accessories, even pillows and other home décor that you see all winter long. 

Melly Sews’ post gives you the tips and tricks you need to know in order for your velvet sewing project to end up a success.  There are types of projects better suited for velvets, and kinds of projects to avoid.  She describes the different types of velvet available.  And she also tells the best way to lay out and cut your pattern pieces from velvet fabric.  Her tutorial also covers marking, pressing, and of course sewing that beautiful fabric.  There’s also a video included in case that’s your preferred method for learning.

Head over to Melly Sews to learn how to sew on velvet fabric. 

And if you want to learn more about that lovely blue velvet dress shown, she has a post that tells more about it including 2 ways to style it depending on if you want to be more dressy or more casual.

[photo credit: Melly Sews]