Brewing Silk soup & Making Hankies

Hankie

Originally uploaded by SOFennell

Following the instructions on Wormspit, Beth and I plunged into the next step in our explorations with raising silkworms.

The morning began with making silk soup (with the proper ingredients including cocoons) and then opening up each cocoon (after removing the pupa skin or shell) and pulling it out and attaching it to a stretcher.

The hankies were layered up to about 10 sheets or less, then rinsed in a vinegar and water solution, then in Milsoft. They were then removed from the frame, squeezed out on paper toweling and hung on the line to dry.

Altogether, we opened 70-80 cocoons with the results being about 8 silk pieces. I have roughly 50 cocoons waiting to hatch and if I were to repeat what I did today, I would have 5 small silk textile pieces to work with. Thank you silkies, for your hard work. Gokurosama deshita!

Simply Irresistible

Silkmoth1A

Originally uploaded by SOFennell

It happened a little earlier than expected and what I even determined in the “wrong” box…but here he or she is…newly hatched. Another cocoon nearby was moving actively. I suppose there could be another tomorrow.

making new pages & facebook

making pages1

Originally uploaded by SOFennell

After spending entirely too much of my morning on Facebook, I went running back to the studio. What was it that I wanted to accomplish this week (not that I want to think in those terms)? I still have a little time. It isn’t due until Sunday, still….

Nevertheless, the time spent on Facebook (just setting it up and the other little gifts that followed) turned out to be much more than I expected or could have anticipated.

To return to the actual topic – I began by cutting a sheet of paper into 16 smaller pieces that I folded in halves to make the pages for my next book.  They were a little too buckled, so at the present they’re sitting under a heavy book.  The next thing will be to mark and punch holes in each to make an inner binding.

Gold book

Gold book

Originally uploaded by SOFennell

I finally completed book 2 of that old project. It took more time than I expected and also more muscle. Punching the holes through the spine took more effort and patience than I’d expected and the sewing went much more quickly. It was easy to do and while it may not be a thing of beauty, I like it for its irregularities and imperfections.

Silkie update

Waiting1

Originally uploaded by SOFennell

With apparently more than 50 silkworms to wait on, it has been a slow and sometimes impatient process (on my part). I am eager to get to the end and pack them up again (not to mention the silk harvest!). This morning the last one in “box 3″ finally wrapped it up so I could clean it out, dispose of the remaining trash it left behind and make a new nest for these 10 cocoons.

I’ve decided to split them up in smaller groups in hopes of keeping the upcoming mess a little easier to manage. This was just one small aspect of my morning.

Workshop Prep

Shibori Prep1

Originally uploaded by SOFennell

It’s a few weeks away still I need to begin thinking about my approach to an upcoming shibori workshop at Artspace. I’ll be working with rising 6th to 8th graders. I haven’t taught it to this age group, so I hope it has appeal. Starting on it early will give me some time to enjoy it as well as explore some outside ideas of my own.

At this point I’m thinking about the supplies I’ll want to take in to the classroom outside of what’s being provided and then again, how will the materials work?

Today I inched toward it with an origami book, fude (calligraphy brush), some sumi-e paper and blue food coloring, which I promptly spilled all over the table. That’s another thing I need to keep in mind – accidents will happen and I can make them too.

At any rate, while I’d rather be working with fabric, I feel like I need to begin walking through what my students will be doing just do see how it will or won’t work. This is probably how I will begin to approach it: on paper, monochromatic (at first) and exploring folding and itajime (clamping). These will also be some samples they can reference. I hope they’ll try a few and go on to explore on their own.

Books by hand

books by hand

Originally uploaded by SOFennell

After spending a lot of the last couple of days cleaning and organizing, I needed a break this morning and have returned to an old project. Earlier, when taking a workshop in Japanese bookbinding (Gallery Shibui), I made a cover (to hold 3 books) and one actual book. I started a second and it has probably been nearly a year (or maybe more) since I’ve really looked at it (to finish).

So this morning, I got reacquainted with the tools and materials (glue, brushes, mat knife & paper). I referenced my book on bookbinding and got a start on finishing this second book. I really am rusty and have forgotten a lot of the technique. My old notes were also disappointingly inadequate. I have however, made some good progress and look forward to completing the project. I have other ideas calling.

I also have an opportunity to show with my critique group at the end of the month, and the subject is books. I don’t know whether I’ll submit this project or do another one, but I have a little time to ponder all of this and play.

Cocoons

cocoons1

Originally uploaded by SOFennell

At this point, I’ve come full circle (or cycle) from the time I started this little venture last spring. Beth gave me some of her cocoons at the school year’s end and I brought them home to await the next and last aspect of this cycle.

At this point, I have 30 cocoons and expect to have 50 or maybe a few less (depends on the outcome). It’ll be roughly 2 weeks before hatching, so there’s still more of a wait before I’m back to the beginning (with even more eggs – yikes!).

So, the questions still remains: what to do with the cocoon? That’s something I have yet to experience and isn’t that the point of all this?

Purple & Gold

Purple-Gold

Originally uploaded by SOFennell

I haven’t attended every graduation since I started teaching, but I have attended some and have enjoyed watching my students walk. I also have come to like that purple and gold.

So the school year is finally at a close, the key to my classroom has been turned in and that was the last thing I did on leaving. Many teachers won’t be returning next year and unlike me, not by choice.

I’m not sure of the numbers, but the evening grew especially somber at the faculty reception, the evening before, when names of those not returning were called. I thought the list would never end – it was a large number and it will have an impact.

Aizome Shibori

On-the-wall1A

Originally uploaded by SOFennell

I enjoy seeing my work displayed as it is meant to be, on a wall or worn by someone. This was just in the Artspace instructor’s exhibit in preparation for the summer arts program there.   I brought it home today as the show ended Saturday.

I’ll be teaching different aspects of shibori to youth for a week long session (3 hrs. daily for 5 days). It should be a challenge and also a time of fun (play) and exploration (not just for the kids, but also for me!).