Thread bowls and nests

Only two bowls survive from a set of four I acquired in my late teens from a local potter - they have been constants over the decades holding just enough nuts, or cereal and now, in my Year of Continuous Improvement, perfect for thread bowls or rather, nests as I prefer. After partially rinsing the soluble stabiliser the sticky mass was moulded over the bowl (which was already covered in cling film). Sometimes I wrap them tightly in kitchen string and that brings it's own texture to the finished product - this time I simply worked the shape onto the bowl with my hands ... and tinkered with pushing it this way and that in between stitching something else. Last evening I painted the inside with fabric stiffener and worked it across the base and about 2/3rds the way up the inside - then placed it over the cling wrapped pottery bowl again. The extra body helps reduce "wilting". Every time I look into the thread bags - sometimes three on the go at the same time - I see another nest.

Thread Wall in La Veta

Judith Baker Montano's studio

This is the threadwall in Judith Baker Montano's studio. It is fascinating simply because it is the entire wall - and then there's the urge to just get in the midst of it all and run fingers through mile after kilometre of beautiful thread. Thick and thin. Silk and more silk .. every colour of the rainbow and a few more for good measure.  It makes such a statement.  This is, perhaps, what happens when you have your own range of thread and ribbon - and there was a lifetime of "more" behind the wall, stored in every conceivable place. Ribbons, threads, hand-dyed this and that - exotic collections of doo-dads ...  Judith's studio is thick with all things creative - simply walking into class each morning was an experience. Creative classmates (Susan, Sarah, Shirley, Debbie and Lorraine) provided more opportunities to learn and get inspired.

Thought I'd share my own "threadwall". It makes a statement. And they say size doesn't matter...