After kicking up my heels on Saturday night with my sister Gina and friends at the Washington Metropolitan Accordian Society’s Italian Night in Vienna, on Sunday I met my friends Suzee and Nancy at the Smithsonian Craft Fair where three hat designers were showing this year along with other inspiring artists. As usual it was a feast of ideas but I was too busy running around and looking to take pictures this year. Nancy bought a beautiful hat from Ignatius and I do wish I’d snapped a picture of her in her elegant new chapeau. For you Kate Bishop fans out there Kate confirmed that this was her last Smithsonian show. She is retiring so there may be a spot for a newcomer next year. I am pleased to say that all the hat booths seemed to be doing a bustling business.
I didn’t buy a hat this year but did buy this pair of earrings. These were intriguing and are my little step toward the Goth side, I suppose. Guess what they’re made of? Like my recent denim hats they can be categorized as "green" art and are composed of pieces of old bicycle innertubes! This artist’s work was featured on the front cover of Vogue Italia! I think the earrings are great fun and they will go with the
Fellini-esque black and white wide brim hat I bought at TJ Maxx on Saturday (yes it actually fits my big head and it was only $15.00). No wonder it’s tough to make our nut selling hats these days. Won’t these work well on my Sicily sail in July tho’?
After the Craft Show we walked down to the Natural History Museum to view the Hyperbolic Crochet Reef Project. This was the last week for the exhibit (and the Orchid Show) and I am so glad we made it over there.
The reefs were an eyeful and so creative, using everything from art yarns to old zippers, cassette tapes, plastic zip ties, crocheted wire, pop tops and you name it. This project was a collaborative effort by hundreds of fiber artists around the world and the exhibit closes here on April 24. The Project is touring the world to raise awareness of what pollution and global warming are doing to the world’s coral reefs.
Two pieces from Latvia (this is for you, Katia!) with over 500 women and children contributing to the workmanship on these two pieces.
White parts represent dead reef areas. Notice any recycled bits?
Don’t miss this show if it comes to your neighborhood.
K Q;-)
Boy do I ever wish that would come to my area! Great visual treats day you had there.
Posted by: jill | May 14, 2011 at 11:50 AM