Wolf's Den

I dunno...

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 17:32:07 GMT

Maybe I'm being too hard on myself, but the new scarf is a disappointment thus far.

It took 3 tries to get something other than burnt orange, and it's still not a deep red like I wanted, but is more of a scarlet red with darker areas and lighter areas.

I've just started pulling the strings out, only one Kumo design is showing up so far, clearly, the other few are so faint as to be almost nonexistant.

Not happy with it.

Maybe it'll get better when I get it all pulled out and wash it again. Maybe the design will show up better. Who knows.

But right now, I'm not happy with it.

And it was supposed to be a wedding gift. Now, I don't have the time to do another.}:(

I ... just dunno.

New Shibori Scarf...

Mon, 21 Sep 2009 20:29:30 GMT

From this, the one on the right is the finished scarf. The one on the left is being worked on now...

To this... Scarf was 14"x72" by the way...

To THIS... hard to believe that large of a scarf tied down into something less than a foot long and 3 inches wide...

To soaked in soda ash solution, then dunked in blue Procion MX dyes, allowed to dry, then rinsed and allowed to dry again...

To pulling out the strings, two days later...

To washing again and ironing it flat (this was wet)...

To the finished product. This is Kumo Shibori. This is awesomeness.}:P And makes 5 types of Shibori I have attempted and succeeded in varying degrees.

As yet unnamed, so as yet unlisted.

Work in progress

Wed, 19 Aug 2009 18:46:51 GMT

I dyed 3 silk scarves 2 days ago, 2 Habotai and 1 Crepe De Chine. I was trying for a nice rich golden ecru color. Well, only one of the three came close. This isn't that one. Heh.

One the dyehard email list, they were discussing Shibori and the 'Kumo' or spiderweb method that someone else had a specialized tool for creating this style with. So we were brainstorming how to do this method without that tool.

Yesterday, I asked Mark to stop by the store and pick me up some string on his way home. All he could find was Jute twine. So that's what I'm attempting on one scarf to see if it'll work.

It's a slow process, and I've already given myself a blister. Add to this, the silk is 14" wide and 72" long. This is going to take awhile.

Hopefully it'll all be worth it.

New scarves at Artfire and 1000Markets, as well as updated photos of others.

Tue, 07 Jul 2009 21:19:09 GMT

First up is the new scarves.

'Water'
13"w x 68"l
100% Crepe De Chine Silk

* * * * * * *

'Water' is a hand dyed 100% Crepe De Chine silk scarf, carefully dyed in the Arashi Shibori method.

Available HERE or HERE.

'Under the Oaks'
Hand dyed Silk Scarf
11"w x 60"l
100% Habotai (China) Silk

* * * * * * *

'Under the Oaks' is a unique hand dyed and sunprinted 100% Habotai silk scarf.

Available HERE or HERE.

'Boneyard'
Dark Series III
11"w x 60"l
100% Crepe De Chine Silk

* * * * * * *

'Boneyard' is a unique, hand dyed 100% Crepe De Chine silk scarf, that has been carefully dyed in the Arashi Shibori dyeing method, using Procion MX dyes. It was then discharged, and overdyed again with Procion MX dyes, resulting in the unique colors and patterns you see.

Available HERE or HERE.

The following scarves have updated photos...

'Northern Lights'
100% Habotai Silk
8"x54" flat, 6"x54" pleated

Available HERE or HERE.

'Witching Hour'
100%Habotai Silk Scarf
8"x56" flat, 6"x56" pleated

Available HERE or HERE.

'Autumn Splendor'
1st Annual Dante-Inu Commemorative Birth Day scarf
100% Habotai Silk
11"x60" flat
10"x52" shibori pleated

Available HERE or HERE.

'Dreaming of Autumn'
100% Crepe De Cine silk
FLAT- 11"x58"
Ruffled-3"-4"x58"

Available HERE or HERE.

I'm working on one more new scarf at the moment. Then that may be it until after the first week of August. I have some beadwork pieces I need to finish and get listed.

Sneak Preview

Fri, 26 Jun 2009 20:42:05 GMT

Sneak preview of 2 new silk scarves- one in crepe de chine, the other habotai. Hope to have them listed for sale by Monday.

New Silk Scarves Listed.

Tue, 02 Dec 2008 17:22:41 GMT

Witching Hour by *WolfSilverOak on deviant ART

'Witching Hour'
100%Habotai Silk Scarf
8"x56" flat, 6"x56" pleated

Third in my new Dark Series, 'Witching Hour' is an Arashi Shibori, OOAK hand dyed silk scarf, with hand beaded points, using sterling silver seed beads, Fire polished Austrian crystals, silver-grey rounds and silver tone, heavy skull and crossbones charms.

Black as the deepest hour of night, with hints of deep blue and silver from Pearl Ex powder suspended in fabric medium, then dry brushed on and thoroughly steam ironed for durability, this unique piece is perfect for wearing as a neck wrap or even a stylish belt.

Available Here

Northern Lights Silk Scarf by *WolfSilverOak on deviant ART

'Northern Lights'
100% Habotai Silk
8"x54" flat, 6"x54" pleated

Hand dyed using Procion MX dyes, this gorgeous, OOAK silk scarf was Arashi shibori wrapped, then discharged, then over dyed again, giving it a myriad of depths to the colors.

Within one scarf, you'll see deep navy, blacks, indigos, violets, silvery whites, even pale blues and lavenders in the folds.

Available Here

And finally, the Hand Dyed 100% Cotton Bandanas-

Akita Rescue Bandanas by *WolfSilverOak on deviant ART

100% Cotton, Hand dyed Banadanas
32" on long side, 21" on short sides
To be hand stenciled with Akita Stencil at ' point', in choice of Silver, or Gold.

These cotton bandanas are lightweight, hand dyed and easy to wear. Perfect length for not only wearing wrapped around your hair, but also as a neck kerchief.

Dyed using Procion MX dyes, and to be hand stenciled day of purchase in your choice of either Silver or Gold.

100% of the proceeds from each bandana sold goes to benefit Akita Rescue.

Your choice of colors-

A- Firey Oranges
B- Bronze and Loden
C- Cinnamon and Clove
D- Vanilla and Plum
E- Turbulant Ocean
F- Oak and Nutmeg

Available Here

more coming soon.

Dante-Inu Commemorative Birth Day Scarf

Fri, 14 Nov 2008 17:53:33 GMT

Autumn Splendor by *WolfSilverOak on deviant ART

This stunning silk scarf is the 1st of the Dante-Inu Commermorative Birth Day Scarves. Only one a year will be released, every November. No two will ever be alike, in coloring or style.

Autumn Splendor, close up by *WolfSilverOak on deviant ART

ARSF Auction Scarf II

Mon, 20 Oct 2008 19:01:55 GMT

ARSF Auction scarf II by *WolfSilverOak on deviant ART

ARSF Online Auction Scarves

Mon, 13 Oct 2008 15:50:02 GMT

At nearly any given time, various Akita Rescues ae trying to raise money to offset costs. Relying mostly on donations, you can imagine how difficult this task can be. One type of fundraiser they do is online auctions.

Recently, I donated 2 silk scarves to the ARWNY auction. Well, I put it out there that I could and would, gladly, donate scarves to other Akita rescues who would be interested in some for their auctions.

Akita Rescue Society of Florida (ARSF) recently took me up on that offer. Their auction will be held, online, around the beginning of next month. I will post the direct link when it becomes available so you can bid on these scarves if so inclined.

Remember, all proceeds go directly to the Rescue's funds and aids in the care, and rescue of Akitas in need.

Both scarves are 100% Habotai (China) Silk, 15"x60", hand dyed, hand stenciled.

Scarf #1-

Scarf #2-

Eventually, I may duplicate the colors, but definately not the patterning or stenciling, of these scarves. So that makes them One of a Kind, Unique, as per usual.
Again, the ONLY place you can get these particular scarves, will be via ARSF's online auction.

If you like what you see, but don't want to wait, keep an eye on my shop, Dante's Spirit, for future scarves in these scarves' color schemes. Currently, now through Dec 31st, 50% of each sale in my shop, will be donated to Akita Rescue.

ARWNY Annual Raffle, tickets available now!

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 22:21:28 GMT

Remember these scarves?

Well, if you really like them, now is your chance to buy tickets for the raffle in which they will be given away.

Akita Rescue of Western New York is holding it's Annual Akita Picnic/Fun Day on Sept 13, 2008. At this picnic, raffle drawings will be held for a wide variety of Akita related and non Akita related items.

My 2 scarves will be raffled off as a set. You can own these 2, OOAK , 100% Silk scarves, for mere dollars in the grand scheme of things.

So buy your raffle tickets now. Buy LOTS. all proceeds benefit Akita Rescue.}:)

We're buying a good amount and putting them towards the dog bed/toy basket.}:) Our next Akita won't want for toys if we win. Heh.

And remember, these scarves won't be offered up anywhere else. If you want a silk scarf, and want to help a good cause at the same time, there are still Dante-Inu Memorial Scarves available. 2 Silver and 11 Copper. 50% of each sale goes to Akita Rescue.

Current ArtQuilts in progress.

Sat, 16 Aug 2008 17:49:04 GMT

Managed to come up with a second entry for the Old Church Gallery Quilt Show and the Mountain Comforts XX Quilt Show, both in Oct. Both had been originally started several years ago, one really only needed the binding, then finish quilting to be complete, but like usual , I procrastinated on it. The other, needed everything, except the top made. Heh.

The first is called 'Pandora's Box: And Hope Remains'

Entirely hand dyed Kona Cotton, using Setacolors. Then I used Jacquard Textile paint to paint the 'demons/sprits/whatevertheycalledthethingsthatescapedtheboxwhenPandoraopenedit'.}:P
Entirely hand sewn, hand quilted, as usual.

There's still some detailing that needs finished on it, a little more quilting to actually attach the back, black Kona Cotton, to the batting and top, besides just the binding. something that should make the judges happy- look, Ma! Mitered corners! *rolls eyes* Whoever decreed that ArtQuilts HAVE to have mitered corners if they are square/rectangle/etc, is an idiot. My opinion.

MIGHT do some beading on this one. Haven't decided. Needs 4" sleeve attached to back.

The second is tentatively called, 'Life is Beautiful'.

Front and back are made of hand dyed unbleached muslin, the Chinese Hanji (lettering) is hand drawn, then hand painted on hand sponge painted unbleached muslin. The binding is black Kona Cotton.

Needs finish quilting, have an idea to make the lettering really stand out (knew those Pearl Ex powders would come in hand someday), and needs 4" sleeve on back. Also completely handsewn.

This one actually has a bit of a background story-

Back in early 2003? I think, a fellow Guildmate from Guardians of Light in Ultima Online, went to China for a year. Now, I collect rocks, and people regularly bring me rocks from places they visit(most recently got one from Shackleford Island courtesy of Mark's boss). So I asked Lord Baba, as he was called, to send me a rock, just one he happened to pick up off the ground.

When he returned stateside, he sent me the most beautiful rock I have received thus far.

He said he went to a river there, not sure which one, found this rock, took it to a 'Chop' maker, had it cut in half, had the 'Chop' for 'Wolf' carved in half, and he kept the other half. Then he not only sent me this gorgeous river stone that had been shaped and carved specifically for me, but also a small tin of Chinese ink for it as well. ( See this picture for a picture of my Chop)

So I started to make this for him in appreciation. Well, time passed, the Guild fell apart, I've lost his address, yadda, yadda.}:(

Lord Baba, if you're out there, this one's for you.

What it says- left to right, reading down-

" Seize the day"

"Live life to its fullest"

"What we do in life, echoes in eternity"

"Life is change"

"Think without thinking"

New Scarves...

Tue, 22 Jul 2008 19:23:35 GMT

I have 2 new scarves that I just dyed. This is basically a sneak peek at them. There will only be one of each. That means, OOA

Why?

Because there's a catch. They aren't going up for sale at the Shop. These particular scarves for specially dyed for the ARWNY auction this Sept.

So if, you want one, you'll have to go bid on them.

The Blue one..

11"x60"
100% Habotai (China Silk)

Hand dyed with Procion MX dyes for longlasting color. Hand stenciled in silver. Varying shades of blues with hints of purples. Light, filmy, yet sleek and shiney at the same time. Long enough for a belt, a head wrap or simply draping around the neck and shoulders.

The Green one...

11"x60"
100% Habotai (China Silk)

Hand dyed with Procion MX dyes for longlasting color. Hand stenciled in copper. Varying shades of greens with hints of browns and yellows. Light, filmy, yet sleek and shiney at the same time. Long enough for a belt, a head wrap or simply draping around the neck and shoulders.

Each will come with a description and care card inside the box. Remember, if you want one, and there will only be ONE of each of these, you'll have to go bid on them when the auction goes live.

Not much to talk about really..

Thu, 17 Jul 2008 20:42:19 GMT

Been working on the Memorial scarves. Got all the reserved listed, as well as the extras. Now to wait for them to sell.

Dyed 2 new Habotai scarves for the upcoming ARWNY auction. I decided to do 2 that I haven't already dyed previously, so these are completely new scarves.

I'm thinking January time frame for starting to look for our next Akita. Honestly? The fence doesn't really have to be finished right away. We do still have the lead run up and the pup would, invariably, be inside with me most often. Plus there's the park down the street. It's just, time frame wise, I think that would be a good time to start looking. No upcoming vacations that would leave the pup behind, it'll be nearly a year after Dante leaving us. I think I'll be ready by then. We'll see.

Harvested the first bunch of green beans from the garden yesterday. Not many, but there's lots of baby beans still out there. Have a zucchini growing as well.

The Day lilies went nuts, rather like the Irises did, this year. The Praying Mantis is still occupying the Basil and Salvia out front. The squirrels found the volunteer Sunflower and ripped it out. That'll teach me to not keep the feeders fill. Oops.

Sims started boring me, so I started building houses for awhile. Now I'm trying out a 'poverty challenge', but will post it as a storyline of sorts rather than a legacy. Never could get into the legacy style of writing. Blackblade Clan needs to be updated. The next Chapter is written, just need to figure out what screenshots to use. Been rethinking the plot line for it, and haven't decided if I want to continue with the way I have it in the notes for it, or if I want to streamline it more. May streamline it a bit. We'll see.

Saw 'Hellboy II' last weekend with the bro in law and sis in law. If you like 'Pan's Labyrinth', you'll liked HB II. Very visually pleasing. A little slow in some areas, but it makes up for it. Going to see 'The Dark Knight' this weekend. Hope it's as good as the trailers and such make it out to be. Even if it's not, Christian Bale will make up for it.

It needs to not be so hot, so I can go start digging out where I want the pond to be.

Speaking of ARWNY, they are having their 4th annual picnic the weekend we plan to be in New Jersey. I talked Mark into going, mentioned it to his mom, who told his dad, who said he might be interested in going too. It'll be nice, finally meeting a few of the people I only know via emails and the Akita Rescue list, as well as meeting their Akitas.

Stupidity going on the various Sims2 comms, makes me realize that I really should have stayed a lurker. Oh well. Most I go to for the CC and such, not the scintillating conversations. /sarcasm.

Dante-Inu Memorial Scarves, followup

Sat, 12 Jul 2008 18:27:20 GMT

Ok, all reserved scarves have been listed.

There are TWO from Limited Edition Run 1 left. These are the gold ones. They are listed here.

There are NINE from Limited Edition Run 2 left. These are silver. They are listed here.

So, if you want another one, or know someone who might like one, send them on by.

So far, total funds raised for Akita rescue is $215.00. This is counting the scarves that have been purchased, not the ones still reserved. The donation will be sent in once the final RESERVED scarf has been bought. A second donation will be made as the other 11 scarves sell out.

So pass the word! Let's get these 11 scarves sold. Make it so I have to do a third limited run in copper. Let's see if we can get up near 500.00 donated to Akita Rescue in Dante's name.

Dante-Inu Memorial Scarves

Tue, 08 Jul 2008 14:29:13 GMT

Ok, all but 2 of the first Run are listed, several sold already.

Gab, and Rottn, yours still need listing yet. They'll be up by Friday.

Dansr, Atypia, and Starsong , yours should also be up by Friday. These are the second Run ones, in silver.

Conscience, I'm hoping to have yours up by this evening, if not sooner.

There are 2 Limited Edition Run 1, in gold left and 9 Limited Edition Run 2, in silver left. Depending on whether they sell in a quick fashion, I may do a third Run in copper. We'll see.

There's no rush to get your scarves, don't break the bank. They are reserved listings for each of you. I am sending the links directly to YOU, so there's no confusion.}:)

Thanks everyone.

Two weeks.

Thu, 19 Jun 2008 14:44:02 GMT

Feels like it's been longer, honestly.

Today I go to the vet to pick up her ashes. Mail hasn't run yet, but I'm hoping the urn comes today.

I got the scarves in for Dante's Remembrance Scarves. Had to order more of 2 of the colors of dye, as I don't have near enough. That should be here tomorrow. Still waiting on the stencils. Still waiting on my Abney Park cd, that I ordered nearly a month ago... oh wait, wrong post, sorry.

Waiting... yeah, I'm doing alot of that lately.

Newest Scarf...

Wed, 14 May 2008 19:14:20 GMT

Murder and Mayhem by *WolfSilverOak on deviant ART

I did say I was going dark...

Wed, 14 May 2008 00:56:25 GMT

Tree Frog by *WolfSilverOak on deviant ART

On a lighter note...

Mon, 14 Apr 2008 17:36:31 GMT

I ordered some discharge powder (Thiourea Dioxide, not bleach) because I need to 'bleach' a scarf I dyed for a new scarf design.

Well, the instructions say to use 'Pro Dye Activator'. I had no idea what that was.

Carol Dean has never done discharging, so couldn't really give any advice on using this stuff, haven't gotten any answers from the dyeing list I'm on, so I went looking on my own(you, know, doing my own research), and lo, and behold...

'Pro Dye Activator' is SODA ASH! Which I HAVE (It's a fixative used in dyeing mainly on cottons to make the dye particles 'strike' better to the fabric and 'sets' the color.).

I feel so damned stupid right now.

This entry has no point... or does it?

Mon, 07 Apr 2008 18:37:42 GMT

I finished the DawnFire scarf last night. Now I need to get some really great photos of it, and get it listed.

This is the last of the 'bright' scarves for awhile too. My dark side wants equal exposure and to that end, I have one scarf dyed, one stweing and one waiting its turn. Need to find certain silver charms for them as well.

We went to the bro in law and sis in law's house for dinner last night. Had chicken alfredo, homemade, with steamed broccoli. Was VERY good and I ended up bringing some of mine home. They had been whispering and being secretive much of the evening while we were there, so I knew something was up. So I was only mildly surprised when they brought out a cake with a birth day candle on it and started singing Happy Birth Day. They gave me a giftcard to Barnes and Noble as well, always a good, foolproof gift for me.}:)

Kat mentioned that the Mom in Law was thinking of taking us all (7 of us) to Disney in Orlando next Feb. For a week long trip. All expenses paid type deal. Seems that taking a plane would be cheaper right now than taking a train. Ugh. Mark said if we do go, we need to take a day and head to Tampa to see our friend Dean. Fine by me. It's still in the thinking about phase, so we'll see.

Their only comment on the hair was 'why red?' to Mark. When he said because I wanted to do something different, they said, well it IS different. So no clue as to whether they liked it or not. Oh well. Chuck, their neighbor, liked it.

Today I did laundry early this morning. I thought the point of laundromats was that they had washers and dryers that worked. Apparently we are sadly mistaken. Only ONE of the large washers was working. And half the dryers were out of order too. Sheesh. Luckily I didn't have much this week, or I'd still be there.

Then I moved a bunch of old planters, and the dog kennel that we really need to get rid of, to make more room to build a raised garden bed. It's days like today that I miss the Truck not running. What I could have done in 1 load with the Truck, I had to do in 2 loads with the Car- once to Lowe's for more cinder blocks and gravel, then to Wally World for cheap (HAHAHAHA) topsoil that I can augment with compost. Sadly topsoil ain't cheap anymore. So I only got half of the bags I'm estimating needing.

After moving cinderblocks 3 times, bags of gravel 3 times, and bags of topsoil twice, I'm beat. Tomorrow, I'll spread the gravel and layer in what dirt I have. Hopefully Friday, i can get the rest of the topsoil I need, then I can get my seedlings all planted.

Went by Barnes& Noble, got 4 books, Mercedes Lackey's newest Luna book, Robert Aspirin's newest series 1st book and both reprinted copies of Robin McKingley's The Hero & the crown and The Blue Sword (I have original paperbacks, but I think only of one.}:( ) Then I hit Subway for lunch. Now I'm home and tired, and waiting for 4pm to roll around before I go pick up Mark from work.

If you haven't done so, go by the Etsy BeadWeavers blog and vote on this month's Challenge entries (mine's #17, hint, hint, hint}:P ), then go by SandFibers' blog , leave a comment saying you voted and be entered in a drawing to win one of her cool beadwork rings.

I entered this year's Bead Dreams competition. With my EBW Monthly Challenge entry piece. I find out by April 25th if I made it past the juried judging to the actual Competition itself. But I ENTERED, that's what matters.

Now, I must go take photos of DawnFire.

Doobie doobie doo....

Sat, 05 Apr 2008 18:31:12 GMT

So 2 of the 3 scarves are ready, photographed and waiting for their photos to be finished with editing, so they can be listed in my shop.

DawnFire is taking abit longer as I'm doing something somewhat elaborate with the beads on that one.

Did finally decide to go ahead and list the variation of Cosmos I and II (see-here for example) , so that'll be listed as well. The variation is that this one doesn't have the sponge painting.

Ok, back to editing photos.

Fri, 04 Apr 2008 17:29:13 GMT

DawnFire, WiP, closeup by *WolfSilverOak on deviant ART

Trio, Work in progress....

Thu, 03 Apr 2008 20:47:25 GMT

Trio is 3 different Habotai silk scarves I am currently working on. Fresh from the pole, 2 are Arashi, 1 is Bomaki.

I'm also working on another beadwork piece, as yet to be named.

Sometimes...

Sun, 23 Mar 2008 18:57:13 GMT

A piece just doesn't want to be photographed properly.

Case in point is my Spirit of the Cove piece.

I took 2 sets of photos of that piece. Both on sunny days.

tHe first time, they came out so badly backlit, that you couldn't edit the photos to see the details without ruining the integrity of the photos. Today, I retook them, and while I'm still not entirely happy with them, you can definitely see details and they were a vast improvement.

Knowing me, I'll retake them again sometime, in an attempt to improve them.}:)

But for now, I guess they'll have to do.

I have a new scarf waiting for its beadwork trim. I need certain charms to go on it, and have to wait until payday to order them. It's a very interesting scarf, one that Mark gave me the idea of doing. Not my colors, certainly, but someone will love it.

I am also getting ready, as soon as I move Max off the design table, to fold an Indigo base dyed scarf to prepare it for shibori. This one, if it does what I want, should come out gorgeous, with blue undertones and red and purple highlights.

I still need to finish my EBW Monthly Challenge piece. I still have roughly 12 more inches of branched fringe to do, then to attach the main componant and bead it. SHOULD be finished by next weekend, I hope. Also need to finish the commissioned piece for the guy from Mark's work. That will only take a few hours, tops, though, so not too worried about that.

Back to work I go...

Sat, 15 Mar 2008 15:09:50 GMT

Polished Brass, finished by *WolfSilverOak on deviant ART

(OH YAY! It worked!!! WooHoo! Rock on, Squeaky!!!!!)