So Near and Yet So Far

"Legs," digital photograph, Ithaca, NY by E. Trespas

 

With merely a few days until I return to teaching on January 3, 2013, I am grateful and eager, as well as, a little nervous to return to requirements, schedules and a swift change-of-pace. My time away from full-time teaching permitted me to do so many wonderful things, travel, grow and gain perspective, especially. I could go on about all of those things and more...and I probably will in time...but this short post has one main goal: THANKS.

Thank you to all of the people who made it possible for me to take sabbatical and helped me accomplish my goals (and then some) during these months from June through December, 2012.

Thank you and Thank you and Thank you...

"Bird in a Hand," digital photograph, Ithaca, NY, by E Trespas

Feedback in the Fabric Store

While shopping for fabric, I met a woman who asked me what I intended to make with all that fabric, which was overflowing by-the-bolt from my cart. I showed her some of my ideas for color and texture combinations to which she replied, "Wow, what a great imagination...I never would have though of putting those together...beautiful." 

Her comment to me reinforced that my vision for color and texture is indeed unique to others, while still being second nature to me. Many scarves are on the market and I hope to continue to set mine apart by their and intuitive combinations and designs.

Voila: Vision & inspiration into a unique infinity scarf.

The photos are of the finished scarf I made from the material I showed the woman. This will be an edition of two; only two scarves will exist  like this one picture.

These scarves, and others with lighter materials, will list on Etsy as spring approaches. 

My Etsy Shop is OPEN!

Ringing, bringing, singing and sewing in 2013 with my Etsy Shop grand opening:

Trail Pixie Studios

I hope you enjoy it and visit often. Over the next weeks I will add many more things I created during the past months, as well as new items I am busy designing.

Please Note:

• Trail Pixie Studios will be out of town December 23 - 28. All orders placed during this time will ship between December 29 and 31.

• Did you know that USPS shipping will increase on January 27, 2013? if you want to save on shipping consider purchasing before the rates increase.

• Special for the Phillips Academy Andover campus: If you work at/attend Andover, please send me a message (through the Etsy Shop) before ordering to save on shipping… your purchase may be hand delivered! 

 I am so excited to share what I make with you. 

Happy New Year

Now Open! Trail Pixie Studios Etsy Shop

Welcome!  

Ringing, bringing, singing and sewing in 2013 with my Etsy Shop Grand opening:

Trail Pixie Studios

I hope you enjoy and visit often. Over the next weeks I will add many of the things I created during the past months, as well as new items I am busy designing.

Please Note:

-->

• Trail Pixie Studios will be out of town December 23 - 28. All orders placed during this time will ship between December 29 and 31.

• Did you know that USPS shipping will increase on January 27, 2013? if you want to save on shipping consider purchasing before the rates increase.

• Special for the Phillips Academy Andover campus: If you work at/attend Andover, please send me a message (through the Etsy Shop) before ordering to save on shipping… your purchase may be hand delivered! 

 I am so excited to share what I make with you. 

Happy New Year

'Tis the Season

Wishing you happy holidays and 

good cheer this season.

Believe.

.....Checking lists, making resolutions, wrapping up 2012

xo, trail pixie trespas

DC No.87: Shelter

This week's drawing challenge theme was difficult for me, which made for wrestling thoughts and pressed choices. Shelter one of our basic needs—along with food and love—is not only structure but concept. 

I keep a box of old print pieces for times like these. I knew I had the woodcut teepee but was surprised to uncover the reindeer scrap, hiding beneath layers of printed matter. Finally freed to leap into the composition, I composed, embellished and drew onto these old prints to build this "renovated" shelter:

"two teepees"

silkscreen, wood cut, chine colle, silver thread and fabric trim

I've missed pen and ink this fall so I dipped my nib with an homage to Vincent Van Gogh, my pen and ink muse. After looking at many of his drawings, I developed my own versions and interpretations versus direct copy:

pen and ink wash on bristol

Shelter can be something many take for granted.  My thoughts meander to an opposite of the concept "shelter"—e x p o s u r e. There are so many homeless people in the world. And there are also individuals who are sheltered in life, by thought-process and fears. Above my peasant woman advances with trepidation, into an open space.  The smaller fellow herds his sheep, sheltering them from harm, protected by the forest.

This weeks theme was hosted by: Renilde

for more visual interpretations visit her blog. Thank you for this thought-provoking theme,  Renilde!

And thank you to Ariane, keeper of TDC theme archives.

Wearing a Work of Art: Sharon Arts Fine Craft Gallery

Last week I delivered 50 of my infinity scarves to the Sharon Arts Fine Craft Gallery in Peterborough, New Hampshire. I am thrilled to be part of this exceptional shop and community of artisans and craftspeople.

In choosing material for my scarves, I consider its hand, color, texture, and pattern. Textiles are like paint swatches; their combinations create new colorful impressions. Sometimes a fabric needs autonomy while another is emphasized or complemented by the company of others. 

When I design a collection, I select fabric that stands on its own and inspires a body of related pieces. Most scarves from a series like this are one-of-a-kind inventions. For some —a scarf is a scarf is a scarf. Still, I believe that each one is a portable composition to be worn and displayed in a variety of ways. The bearer becomes a participant in the composition, as well.

 How is it worn and with what other colors and textures? 

The owner improvises to create a personalized aesthetic.

When Ramona, of the Sharon Arts Center School, wore one of my infinity scarves to a meeting at the Sharon Arts Center in Peterborough, she modeled it so beautifully that others inquired, like Gillie, SAC Craft Gallery Coordinator. This began my representation at the Sharon Arts Fine Craft Gallery!  Thank you, Ramona, Gillie, and all others who enjoy wearing... a work of art!

 This fuscia in ferz cowl is popular!

Care and Laundering Instructions

In an effort to keep the design of my scarves streamlined, I omit care labels. Today, I received a message from a happy infinity owner inquiring about how to launder her scarf:

"Hi, I purchased one of your infinity double wrap scarves at Accent with Style in Milford, and would like your advice on how to wash it. It is a beautiful shiny blue material with a 9-inch piece of print material that is gray with red circles. Love it! Thanks! Paula in Wilton"

"Paula, what a nice surprise to see your message. I attached an image of the fabric(s) I think you described. Both fabrics, the other a velvet with some stretch, are a poly blend. My recommendation, in general, is to hand wash in cool water using Woolite (or another mild detergent) and hang to dry. 

If you feel compelled to machine-wash, which I do not wholly endorse, I have laundered similar scarves using a fine mesh garment bag with a mild detergent—in a front loading washing machine. NOT using a garment bag runs the risk of the material catching on a center spinner (of top loading machines). If you have a top loading machine I would hand wash—always.

 

As needed, iron on LIGHT setting with a pillow case between the iron and the scarf. I try to check my fabrics when I purchase them for blend/material content information and laundering. Sometimes it is not available. I am not a fan of the dry cleaning process (and its byproducts) so I avoid those fabrics. I hope this helps,  

The Trail Pixie, Emily Trespas"

I would like to add that it is important to wash separately (or with like colors) the first laundering, as some fabric dyes may transfer.

DC No. 86: Cactus

"above the choya" m/m on paper.

I am a prickly pear. I hover above the choya.

This week's drawing challenge was hosted by TinyWOOLF. I have been down with the flu this week and had some time to think about this week's drawing challenge laying in bed between shiver and chill. I remembered the breadth of character of a cactus. . .  while defensive on the outside—with her needles and pins —she is supple and fragile on the inside. A delicate flower.

It took these photos when hiking Guadalupe Mesa in  Jemez, New Mexico in June 2003. It was nice to go back, thank you tinyWOOLF.

 This is the beautiful Guadalupe Mesa.

Branching Out: FIVE Shops Selling my Sewn Wares

With the weather growing colder, I am back to my sergers and sewing this season.  I am designing a lot of new infinity scarves— among other accessories—and must get them out into the world for others to enjoy. To this end I spent a few days networking and am happy to report that several stores will carry my sewn work.  This is exciting and makes me want to sew even more.

I am also busy getting things set up in my Etsy Shop: Trail Pixie Studios, coming in 2013.

This season my  Sewn Wares are Available Here:

Sharon Arts Fine Craft Gallery

20-40 Depot Street, Peterborough, NH (603) 924-2787
Unique infinity scarves and "ferz" cowls.

Accents with Style

37 Wilton Road @ The Pine Valley Mill

Milford, NH (603) 654-9868

Infinity scarves and cowls, fleece hats/mittens, stuffed animals. 

 Sharon Arts Center by Hand Shop 

457 NewHampshire

Route 123, Sharon, NH

(603) 924-7256

Infinity scarves in velvet, jersey and ferz. 

Nest

3 Barnard Street, Andover, MA

(978) 474-1995

Plushy fur cowls and infinities

Thank Taylor, shop co-owner! Ask her to show you my makings—ferz!

Envisage Nail Spa & Boutique

4 Slip Road, Greenfield, NH

(603) 547-2850

Infinity scarves and cowls, fleece hats/mittens, bags.

"All Pi-Ed Up" Prints on Exhibit at SAC

This Friday (12.7.12) at the SAC art opening, I hope to connect with two of the artists I met in the Museum of Printing's Letterpress Broadside workshop last month. Amy and Devin told me about this timely opportunity and for that I am thankful. I believe their work is full text while other artists, like myself, chose to combine image and text. In co-curating the show with Kate Lenahan, Zach Green  looked for a range of responses that included conversations between word and image—as well as direct messages.

PR for the Exhibit!

Artscope Magazine mention: artscope magazine .
A link to the Facebook Event is HERE.

All Pi-Ed Up: Experiments in Letterpress Broadsides.

 

Some of my prints in my thesis exhibit in graduate school included setting symbolic type on the letterpress and printing the quotes without ink. By omitting ink, the embossing of the letters was deeply present while the traditional relief impression from inked type was absent. This dialogue between presence and absence is a recurring thread through my work—though not always obvious.  

I have Jim Tyler, Larch Tree Press, to thank for my early fondness for the font. When I saw Jim in October, after 16 years, our visit rekindled my fascination with letterpress. We enjoyed  Steve Miller's talk, "Why Books? Why Not?" at Wells College in Aurora, NY, before which I admired the college's highly specialized Book Arts Center.
 
The convergence of these events might be the start of a new direction in my visual work.

Getting Ready: Trail Pixie Studios

Welcome to Trail Pixie Studios. Some of you may know me as the Trail Pixie from my Trail Pixie Trespas or Gator-Bait Gaiters blogs—yes it is playful and curious me. Others might be visiting this blog for the first time and I thank you! To learn more about my other visual art and feel free to visit my website, www.emilytrespas.com. I am not great at sitting still for long periods, have an active imagination and a fascination with the tactile, hands-on aspects of creating. Thankfully my interests are broad.  

Since I am currently not consumed by training and running trail ultras, I redirected my creative energies, in part, to designing/making accessories. (The other parts are reserved for my teaching of art, creating fine art, living fully...you get the picture.) 

Since I was in high school, 20+ years ago, I was busy making jewelry. During college and graduate school, I entered various holiday fairs with my jewelry and hats and was encouraged by the enthusiasm. After I began teaching full time in 1999, I was thankful to participate from time-to-time in open studio sales with other local artists and craftspeople in a beautiful Lawrence mill building. All these events directed me, along with the encouragement of peers and colleagues, to open an Etsy shop, Trail Pixie Studios. The Etsy shop is under construction and building slowing so bear with me, please.

This blog serves as an on-line sketch and idea space for the shop. I hope you enjoy what's to come!

DC No.85 : State of Mind

Following a creative cookie-crumb trail, I delighted to find The Drawing Challenge. I've always admired Kristen's vision and creativity and follow her blog, A Sunny Spot, so it made sense after enjoying her posts that I would soon seek indulgence. Thanks to Elisabeth—whom I learn founded TDC and 85 creative prompts ago—for TDC this week. State of Mind. For more states visit garnapa, Elisabeth's blog.

Here is my state-of-mind:

 

Emily Trespas, foggy notion,

collography, m/m on paper, 2012

Pieces. many scattered, collected, gathered and organized, but not touching. Hold them in. Layering, fiddling, seeking— free through peek holes. Muses emerge, whistling, whirling and foggy.

Broadside Basic Letterpress at the Museum of Printing

Today I treated myself to a letterpress workshop focusing on the Broadside, led by Ted Leigh (Red Squirrel Press) and Katey Corrigan both of the Museum of Printing in North Andover, MA.

This one-day workshop provided and excellent opportunity to finish carving my relief plate of a Shadowgraph and get inky. The wooden and metal type from which to choose was limited and pushed my concept for the better. 
 Scrapping haiku poems, I went for one encompassing word:  Shadow. My hope was to echo its meaning visually through my selection of font/type style, scale and arrangement, and to gesture towards narrative via smaller words/sounds/shapes within the larger word.  

 "Shadow." This is a detail from the broadside.
I was especially delighted that the small "o" didn't solidly ink. 

Organizing the wood/metal type as I did—in a non-linear, sideways and graphic composition—took more time to finish because of the uneven spaces between the letters. My friend Sally poked that this is what happens when artists and the  letterpress meet— A systematic and organized method is turned on its head. 

 I call this image:"Font settling score with Artist."

Above is my finished/carved relief plate in the galley with type. 

Notice anything funny? Neither did I— until I proofed the plate:

ShaBow. That little "d" or a "p" was a "b."

Proofed again & Much better after the correction.

 Devin, Katey, Amy (at press) and Sally. 

 Aron at the Vandercook.

 Katey: type in hand.

 Devin's broadside on the Vandercook.

Ted Leigh, Red Squirrel Press, rolls up a baren.

Devin composes..

 Aron organizes the type.

The stained type is so beautiful.

My broadsides drying at home.

Before trimming paper scale is 24 inches high and 15 inches wide. 

I will probably scale print down to 17 h x 14 w.

MANY THANKS to the MoP, Paparazzi Di Frank R., and especially to Katey and Ted for their volunteered time and dedication. Sally for her inspiration and help with the puzzle that was my word. Sorry about the tympan today!

Shop Locally! Local Shops Selling My Makings

Bird-image cowl 2-color jersey and Infinity double-wrap, 2-color Jersey

Since my return from an art retreat in upstate New York, I am pinned to my sewing tables and sergers. I have a love of textiles that I am no longer willing to curb. So it's about time to find places that will kindly help me sell what I make and share this textile love-affair with others. I am also hard at work on uploading goodies to my Etsy Shop: Trail Pixie Studios, which is forthcoming.

I am still busy making a new collection of long and short infinity scarves and cowls, as well as some Malden Mills Polartec© fleece hats and mittens. As I would rather be designing and creating instead of tending a fair booth, I pursued local shops to consign my wares or *buy them outright (thank you Nest of Andover).

This winter my scarves, hats, mittens, small zip bags, and stuffed animals and jewelry are available for purchase at the four locations below, as well as directly from me. If you can't make it to any these locations (or events listed), it would be my pleasure to arrange a viewing (send me an email extremilys@yahoo.com).

Accents with Style
37 Wilton Road @ The Pine Valley Mill
Milford, NH (603) 654-9868
Infinity scarves and cowls, fleece hats/mittens, stuffed animals (photo is from their FB page)

 

Envisage Nail Spa & Boutique

4 Slip Road, Greenfield, NH
(603) 547-2850
Infinity scarves and cowls, fleece hats/mittens, bags

Nest
3 Barnard Street, Andover, MA
(978) 474-1995
Plushy fur cowls and infinities
Thank Taylor, shop co-owner, and ask her to  you my makings.

 

 Sharon Art Center by Hand Shop 
457 NewHampshire
Route 123, Sharon, NH
(603) 924-7256
Infinity scarves in velvet, jersey and plushy fur fleece.



 

My Gizzlegorps© for adoption at  
Accents with Style, Milford, NH

Velvety cowls, fleece running hats and mittens and crocheted scarves.

Phew. Now I am off to a Broadside Letterpress Workshop 

at the Museum of Printing in  North Andover, MA