Artist Series --Cicada Studio

Have you seen the designs by Michelle Engel Bencsko of Cicada Studios? If you haven't this interview provides a little peek into her world. I don't remember how I found this lovely designer, but I can tell you that I love everything that she creates. As a quilter I find her fabrics are so refreshing and beautiful. I also love her linen and have begun to use it to line my hand embroidered wool cuffs. The linen is so stable and provides a nice texture. Thank you Michelle for taking time out of your busy schedule to allow us to get to know more about you. Oh, and don't forget to visit her delightful blog!

PS...keep your eyes open for my blog anniversary contest where you can win one of my cuffs!

When did you become interested in art and did you choose art, or did it choose you?


Art chose me, most definitely. I don’t think I really had a choice, with a mom, grandmother, two aunts and numerous others in the clan that are artists themselves. It is most certainly in my blood. I’ve been creative every since I can remember.

You get to spend one weekend each with three historical figures, an artist, a writer and one of your choice. Who are they and what will you talk about?

Tough one... The “my choice” (for this evening) would be Bette Davis. I saw an image of her on another blog and it reminded me how much I admire her and love her work. I like her spunk and character and indeed, I think we have some things in common, but I bet she could teach me a hundred things about success and all with a brilliant dry wit. Writer… hmmm… JK Rowling. I’d just be fascinated to hear her story first hand. Artist? Gosh, I don’t know! It would be an honor to be in the presence of Georgia O’Keeffe or Frank Lloyd Wright. They have a very clear perspective and I’m pretty sure they would enjoy telling me exactly what it is. I like clarity and passion… I like it most from people who like to communicate it in all the ways they operate. I find that admirable- and brave… and I wish I could do that more myself.


Do any of these choices influence your work?

Directly? Not so much… but most definitely in spirit. So many people influence my work, though- and for numerous reasons… I can’t be specific.

How has the popularity of the internet affected your work?
Immensely. I can stress that enough. It’s given me purpose and perspective and focus. The community, communication and input is invaluable. I realize now how important an audience for my work is to me, whereas I was much less fulfilled when I would only do things for myself.

Have you discovered any new techniques to creating your work that you can share?


No, I don’t think so. I work on a computer, using Illustrator, primarily. My final product is fabric and I have a few methods for producing that. Some I print myself, others I have professionally printed. I’m not about reinventing, but about researching the best outlets for getting my products made.

How do you overcome artist block?

I don’t really get artist block… I do suffer from having too many ideas, which I’ve said before, but it can be equally as paralyzing. When that happens I make a list and just review it constantly to see what’s most important to me at that moment. Consequently, though, the list gets very long and some ideas don’t come to fruition. I still have the list though, so it’s always possible that I’ll return to a concept. My best medicine is working spontaneously. I may have a list a page long of things I’d like to do, then all of the sudden an idea pops into my head and I HAVE to do it all at once. This is invigorating and can really get me on a roll, especially if I’m happy with the outcome. If nothing spontaneous is coming to mind, then I like to tackle the smallest projects first- they usually energize me into doing something else.

If I walked into your studio this moment what would you show me first? What would you want to hide?

I would definitely want to hide the mess. Unfortunately, there’s no hiding that because it’s EVERYWHERE. And if you knew me, and my work habits, you’d know that it completely drives me bonkers. Totally insane. I make myself nuts daily but even then, I don’t have the time, energy or space to sort it out. So, the mess stays (for now). After apologizing about the mess, I would want to show you my portfolio of fabrics and the quality of the different goods because I’m really proud of how nice they really are in one’s hand. Then I’d probably show you what’s on my bulletin board as that typically has pending projects hanging on it. This is work in progress or work I don’t want to lose sight of.

Describe something that comes up in your work because of a life experience

By profession I was a textile designer for the mens and boys boxer industry. Glamorous? No. But very educational. As a result of those 15 years, I have some pretty hefty skills in my back pocket when it comes to designing patterns. I also gained a merchandiser’s perspective, which I feel allows me to formulate a plan and make cohesive groups to tell a better story. This penetrates my personal work as I tend to work in collections. I like to have each print support another, yet stand alone on its own.

Describe what you do, or who you are in a haiku.

I am no poet
Give me a computer please
Visual am I

Is there anything else that you would like to share?

I think I’ve gone on long enough! Thanks so much for this opportunity Rose!

Happy Holidays and Warm Wishes!

Wishing you and your family the merriest and healthiest of holiday's!

I made this Santa quilt several years ago. It was a fun quilt to make and so many of my friends fell in love with it that I ended up making about 20 of them. The pattern and fabric were designed by Debbie Mumm in the early 90s. I still have the pattern and some of the fabric.

So Ho, Ho, Ho and Merry Christmas!

Alltop, Missing Q, and Guy Kawasaki

A little over a month ago I was cruising around on the internet.
I had been twittering and saw a post by Guy Kawasaki. I enjoy his books, such as, The Art of Start, and listening to his lectures so I clicked on the link that he posted on twitter and it took me to Alltop. For whatever reason I had never heard of Alltop but soon figured out that it was a site that would lead me to blogs that contained a lot of great information.

I am a quilter, so I decided to look up what people were blogging about on quilting. I did a search and it took me to the Needlecraft category. Now there weren't a lot of blogs about quilting so I just figured I must not have searched properly. I backed up a few steps and came to a page that lets you look at subjects alphabetically. As I looked at the alphabet I couldn't find the Q.

It was rather late so I thought I had just missed it, so I looked again...still no Q. I thought, well how can that be, the rest of the alphabet was there why would the Q be left out. And, why wouldn't quilting have a category unto itself rather than under needlecraft. Especially since there are a lot of quilters and it is big business. Even though it was late I sent an email to their information email address. Stating, in a rather humorous way that the Q was missing and that I would really like the Q to be added and specifically that Quilting needed its own category. I also said that until they decided to give Quilting its own category I was holding the Q hostage. I didn't even expect an answer. Well, I just about fell off my chair when in about 15 minutes I received a reply. Not just any reply, but a reply from Guy Kawasaki.

He appreciated my sense of humor and how I had approached them to add the Q and ultimately Quilting. A couple of emails back and forth and Guy asked me to gather quilting blogs so that it would have its own category and the Q would be inserted back into the alphabet.


Wa La...the Q is now part of the alphabet again and Quilting has a home of its own on the Alltop network. You should visit Alltop. I promise that you will find a lot of really cool blogs on many different subjects --including quilting. If you place the widget on your blog you will get automatic updates on your favorite blog subjects.

Wearable Art Queen Anne's Lace Wool Cuff

Did you know that Queen Anne's Lace (wild carrot) is actually a weed? I know...I know you are saying how can something so beautiful be a weed. And, did you know that if you find one with a red center, rather than just a dark center it is said to be very lucky? The red center is very rare and its significance is that Queen Anne, whilst doing needlework pricked her finger and a droplet of blood fell on this flower.

Whenever I come across Queen Anne's Lace, which is not often here in Arizona, I always search for a red center...guess what...I have never found one...have you?

My newest cuff is in honor of this weed (I'll always think of it as a flower).

Artist Series - Sherry Truitt

When I first saw Sherry's creative jewelry all that came to my mind was...how cool! Such ordinary objects turned into extraordinary works of art. It also made me smile and chuckle, because I thought of the numerous times I have spent with a level in my hand. Or, examining a map trying to find my way...hmmm I wonder what she can turn a GPS unit into? On a personal level Sherry is outspoken, helpful, and funny. In the Etsy forums I have seen her help people with advice on how to get noticed. It is certainly with her determination and grace that she has become successful with her line of creative jewelry. You can visit with Sherry more below, or on her blog So, Sherry.

1. When did you become interested in art and did you choose art, or did it choose you?

Art chose me at a young age. Not traditional art, like drawing or painting, but three-dimensional art. I was given an erector set at the age of three, and I was always building something. I liked to mix sets, like tinker toys, Lincoln logs and blocks to build small cities. My grandmother would take photos for me, so I could recreate scenes when we got home.

2. You get to spend one weekend each with three historical figures, an artist, a writer and one of your choice. Who are they and what will you talk about?

What a weekend that would be. I would choose Thomas Mann as the artist. He is the consummate metal smith of our generation. He is the first artist I ever met that taught me it was ok to want to be successful, and how to be a businessperson as well as a designer. He teaches a course called, Design for Survival. I’d just love to sit and listen to how he comfortably blends the juxtaposition of art and business. I’d most like to meet the writer, Alice Hoffman. She has a delicious blend of fantasy and reality woven into the most ordinary characters that become extraordinary. I would just listen to whatever she had to say. Finally, I would like to meet Henri Cartier-Bresson, my favorite photographer of all time. One day, I want to become a very good photographer, in this lifetime.

3. Do any of these choices influence your work?

What really influences my work is the world around me. I love the tools of everyday man; it’s a great joy to turn those items, a spirit level, a compass, a map into wearable art.

4. Has the popularity of the internet affected your work?

Oh my yes, I could not otherwise have the world at my fingertips.

5. Have you discovered any new techniques to creating your work that you can share?

I have techniques, and I think they are unique of how I put my work together. Like, precision grinding the levels to fit in sterling caps, or how to bond copper and sterling for my map pieces, but I’m not ready to share them. It was a two-year period of trial and error with the levels, and finally it was my lovely husband who came up with the final technique.

6. How do you overcome artist block?

I carry a graph paper moleskine with me wherever I go. It’s filled with words and sketches and doodles. If I’m having trouble deciding what direction to go on, I just open it, and the work begins.

7. Describe something that comes up in your work because of a life experience.

I did a series of pins for the war in Iraq. I had to keep busy when the war first escalated, and it kept me from feeling helpless.

8. If I walked into your studio this moment what would you show me first? What would you want to hide?

I am working on some sculpture with maps. I am not sure how it will evolve, or if I will sell it, but it is interesting. I really have nothing to hide.

9. Describe what you do, or who you are in a haiku.

It is from shadows
That we finally see light
And journey onward

10. Is there anything else that you would like to share?

That I am grateful for my family and blessed to wake every day to do what I love.

Snow Hunters

A walk on Thanksgiving along a fire road in the northern woods of Arizona. It seemed a mystical setting as we walked. The fog, leaves dripping chilling, ice-like droplets on our heads and snow drifted on tree limbs and pathways. Our feet crunching in snow reminiscent of our childhood. No gloves and no hats, ignoring the coldness as we reached down to make snowballs and begin a snowball fight. I won, of course...did you have any doubt?

We have become snow hunters... One takes advantage of snow when you live in Arizona and takes pictures as proof! After growing up with this weather delight in the Midwest and not being graced with its presence often or for very long we make our way to the snow, rather than the snow making its way to us. Spending a day playing in the snow takes the bite out of the memory of 115 degree temperatures in August.

Spiral Surprises and Puzzles

I created this cuff while enjoying the Thanksgiving Holiday. I had a completely different design in mind (you may see that one in the future), but I ended up with this intriguing puzzle cuff. While it appears simple, or may even appear non-existent, it isn't. I'm offering to anyone who would like to purchase this cuff the opportunity to receive a matching felt ring, if you can figure out the puzzle or pattern that is contained within.

Just send me a convo at Etsy when you are ready to purchase with your answer. By the way, the lining contains a surprise as well.

Hope everyone had a lovely Thanksgiving --we also played in SNOW!

Artist Series -- Tom Turkey

We have known Tom Turkey for our entire lives. I thought that you might like to get a closer look at the artistic side of Tom. You will be surprised and delighted with this eye-opening interview that brings out a side of Tom that many of you are not familiar with. Let's get on with the party!

1. When did you become interested in art and did you choose art, or did it choose you?

It was early in life when I realized that art would become my life. While I revel in the limelight of being Tom Turkey, I realized that I needed to find another line of work, in order to survive. Starting over again has been very difficult; people don't understand that there is more to me than wings and legs.

2. You get to spend one weekend each with three historical figures, an artist, a writer and one of your choice. Who are they and what will you talk about or do?

Hmmm…let me take a moment to think about this. First, and foremost I would have to say that Sarah Josepha Hale is my writing inspiration. In 1930 she published "Poems For Our Children," which included "Mary Had A Little Lamb," which she wrote --I love her affinity for helpless animals. During her spare time, she campaigned to make Thanksgiving a national holiday and in 1863, President Lincoln granted her wish. (Thankfully I am one of those turkeys who have been pardoned by the president)

A more contemporary artist, Margaret Cusak designed a beautiful commemorative postage stamp that highlights Thanksgiving with a traditional folk-art needlework cornucopia.

Finally, the most important artists are all of the children who make all of those beautiful hand turkey's with their friends and teachers. Nothing beats seeing all of those special creations!



3. How has the popularity of the Internet affected your work?

The internet has let the world know of my plight and how difficult it has been to be taken seriously as an artist. Most of my work is done with feathers and it seems that without the internet I would be basically an unknown artist. I will bet that many of your reader's have little knowledge regarding this art form. There are very few of us who actually practice this art and I take my inspiration from this wonderful artist, Emily Long,


4. Have you discovered any new technique to creating your work that you can share? How do you overcome artist block?

I haven't discovered any new technique's for my feather art. I do have some ideas on different types of theme's to paint on the feathers. I also think I could make wearable art with the feathers. Perhaps some nifty cuffs or neckpieces…I realize that the market may be limited since some people do have allergies to feathers.

5. If I walked into your studio this moment, what would you show me first? What would you want to hide?

Feathers. They are everywhere. Big ones, little ones, turkey, peacock…my studio is a mess! The Butterball Company wanted to do a holiday shoot and I had to turn them down. I knew that I would not have time to get the studio clean to the hygienic quality that Butterball insists on when preparing for a Turkey shoot.

6. Describe something that comes up in your work because of a life experience?

Oh, where should I start? In 1927, Tony Sarg, a children's book illustrator created the first hot-air balloon for the Macy's day Thanksgiving parade. From that history, I decided to take what comes naturally, feathers, to a different level. Before I decided to do feather art I was experimenting with claw art, (I would dip my claws in paint and then dance all over canvas) but I just couldn't create anything that seemed to be acceptable to the public. After doing some research on Thanksgiving and finding Tony Sarg, he gave me the inspiration to create outside of the box. My art is also ecologically friendly since I am recycling a natural material.

7. Describe what you do or who you are in a haiku

A turkey feather
Wispy painted tail feathers
No dinner required

8. Is there anything else that you would like to share?

Have a safe and HAPPY THANKSGIVING!