Life in the studio...

I fear that I have become the wondering crafter...
my body is restless and I can not seam to sit down long enough to complete any one thing.
but some how I have started a lot of different projects:



Here is a pile of laces before I use



some dyes



and here is this lovely fabric and lace rainbow for me to play with....



I have many ideas but my ability to focus on any one thing has taken a toll
on my work progress. and here is the proof:



stacked on my mannequin you will find uncompleted poetry scarves
(a good idea, but what more do they need?)



and this small wee dress on it stand in the need of completion.



and this little bit that wants to become more is just waiting to be stitched to perfection.



and lastly a poetry heart in the need of some stuffing...

so for you all you out there felling a little out of sorts,
I am right there with you!

Some times we are devil's
to ourselves when we will tempt our power.
~William Shakespeare

(true words of wisdom!)

something fun to try out!

Head on over to mycraftivity.com to download this free project from a charming exchange .

And if you are inspired to make something please email me a image at ruthraestudio@gmail.com and I will post it on the charming exchange blog.

book signing

(Bracelet design by Ruth Rae with Charms from left to right made by:

Deryn Mentock, Catherine Witherell, Jessica Berry, Crystal Neubauer.)

Kelly Snelling and I will be signing copies of A Charming Exchange on Sunday, March 22nd, at 2:00 p.m. at The Garden of Beaden.

(Kelly and I always have a good time and when I don't have my sewing machine with me there is always a drill in my hand!)

The Garden of Beaden is located in historic, downtown Upland, California at 313 N. Second Ave.

(collaborators on this necklace from top to left are:
chain and necklace construction:Ruth Rae. bird nest charm: Deryn Mentock. natures gift: Shari Beaubien.)

Kelly and I will also have jewelry and artwork for sale. And we will have pieces from the book on display for your viewing pleasure.


(Chain and necklace construction: Ruth Rae. fabric charms: Jade Pegler)

We will share the details on collaborations and demonstrate a few techniques from our book.

(collaborators on this bracelet from top to right are:
Chain and bracelet construction: Ruth Rae. divine:Deborah Edwards. man on the moon:Kelly Snelling. postage stamp:Judith Thibaut)

Please come by and see us!
we are sure to have a divine time!

Her modest house --- iti-ni-san (one-two-three)

For Every Bird A Nest
poem by: Emily Dickinson

For every Bird a Nest --
Wherefore in timid quest
Some little Wren goes seeking round --



Wherefore when boughs are free --
Households in every tree --
Pilgrim be found?



Perhaps a home too high --
Ah Aristocracy!
The little Wren desires --



Perhaps of twig so fine --
Of twine e'en superfine,
Her pride aspires --



The Lark is not ashamed



To build upon the ground
Her modest house --



Yet who of all the throng
Dancing around the sun
Does so rejoice?



("Her modest house --- iti-ni-san (one-two-three)" 17 x 12 inches multimedia art quilt.)

"Aubergines Joy"

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that frightens us most.

We ask ourselves, 'Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and famous?' Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God.

Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that people won't feel insecure around you.

We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in all of us.

And when we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.

As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”

~ Marianne Williamson

"Aubergines Joy"

This diminutive beauty has been sitting every so patiently on my cutting table
for just about two weeks because I was sick.
Nevertheless yesterday she made her debut into this world. I had every intention of putting her up for sale, however my mother was smitten with little Aubergine... and how could I say no? For everything I am is because of my mother ~




multimedia art dress measures 18 by 14 inches.
slide show and more details can be viewed here
I will be teaching a workshop on how to make these dress at artfiberfest

Passion (we are to love)

A few people have asked me just what found poetry is. basically the "found poetry" or "DADA poetry" technique involves skimming the text on a page you are altering, and isolating certain words to form a new message. I would say a vast majority of my work is based on this approach but not as blatant as my last few pieces have been.

(click photo to read)

when I made this I started by skimming the page for prime words that some what told a story and circled them then I used a color pencil and shaded out the background words. next I layered various papers behind the page to help strength it. A fabric background was created. Lastly I stitched on the page with my sewing machine to block out more of the text to better highlight the poem.

This is a detail of a "thread nest" alongside the word passion that was free motion stitched with my sewing machine.

If you want to try you hand at this approach these ideas may help you make your own found poem's: here , here, and here.

bitter irony

His Place Shall Be With You. (found poetry)

(click the photo to view full size to read)

obedient to
his place shall be what you
the woman spoke
a touch of insanity
of such a
desire to keep him
i do not wish
on myself
all that
bitter irony
sufficiently brightened
to be reviled
at his own pleasure
to awake
in the eternal fire
never quenched
who live
I must soon
I must
I must
I must