A few weeks back I had a phone call from a lady who had been gifted one of my silk scarves. She was calling to invite me to showcase my work at a charity event in a well known local hotel. A first for me. I jumped at the opportunity as it was a ticketed … Continue reading From little acorns.
In 2020 I became inspired to create the textile version of my Elemental Colours Range and am very excited to showcase them here. They depict the Ocean, Earth and Fire as well as the Desert. Inspiration comes from the places I visit, landscapes, wildflowers and seascapes. Continue reading Mixed Media Textile Art
As a textile artist, I am drawn to many types of fibres. Wool is perhaps the most ancient of fibres used to create something more usable. My grandmother was a potter and the idea of making pots intrigued me until I tried it and realised it was too rigid for me. Felting caught my eye many years ago when I was in County Galway but I didn’t get it together to try until the autumn of 2022. Oh my was I hooked, it feels like its deep rooted in my DNA. Such an ancient craft, so much a part of many cultures on a primal level for centuries. The ability to create a vessel out of wool using techniques also used for pottery just feels so good. So many gifted felters here and abroad gracefully giving their knowledge, what a gift. I am learning quickly and avidly, creating bowls, vessels and wearable pieces combining other fibres, silks and found objects. This is a love affair for sure. Continue reading Wet Felting
Wet Felting
Wow October disappeared under clouds of wool! For many years I have wished to be able to felt and a friend gifted me some merino felting wool recently. I had no idea how to start but a few tutorials later and I dived in. I made my first wet felted neck warmer. Followed swiftly by a second pushing into new techniques and incorporating hand dyed wools of my own. Another tutorial later and I had to try making a bowl. I love bowls. I cracked it! I love affair is born. Continue reading A New Journey
I had some fun experimenting this last week dyeing various items in the microwave. I use Dupont silk dyes for all my dyeing projects and these are steamed fixed in a pressure cooker which can take up to an hour plus the use of water to rinse. Some time back I learnt that you could fix dyes in the microwave… but I was reluctant to try not being a fan of microwaves anyway.
However… having seen another textile artist posting gorgeous pieces on Facebook and learning that she had fixed them in the microwave, I vowed to try the very next day. A bit of googling and I found some basic instructions which I followed. This was not enough for my enquiring mind though. I wanted to test other materials that I had previously steam fixed successfully. Continue reading Dyeing silks and things in the microwave
I absolutely love this time of year when natures jewels are ripe and ready for picking. Elderberries, blackberries and rowan mountain ash all grow nearby where I live so I am super lucky to have these to forage. I don’t think I have missed more than a handful of years since being a small child to pick blackberries. It’s almost a ritual. I think perhaps bordering on addictive. Who can resist those juicy black berries. One for me and one for the bucket! Risking brambles and nettles to reach the prize. Continue reading Natures Jewels.
These are a wonderful way of gathering gorgeous bits n bobs without having to invest loads in large amounts of things.
As a textile artist I use a large range of products and materials across my various projects and have therefore amassed a vast pile of goodies. I decided to make up these textile bundles as inspirational packages for mixed media textile workers, or anyone who might find them a great resource. They can be used for junk journals, jewellery, scrap-booking, bags, wall art pieces, clothing, needle books and whatever your imagination creates.
These are available to purchase from my Etsy shop. Continue reading Mixed Media Textile Bundles on Etsy.
New items available to purchase.
Gorgeous bundles for mixed media textile artists!
I often dye silks, lace and wool at home for my various projects and thought it would be lovely to make up these bundles to inspire other textile artists and crafters. They have more than 50 elements. Lots to play with. Continue reading Mixed Media Textile Bundles
New works at the Kinsale Arts Weekend artists walking trail Continue reading Kinsale Arts Weekend 2022
We have been keeping ourselves busy at the Wildly Created studio and having some fun along the way. These two top hats are now completed.
Inspired by a children’s book that we all know and love, this hat is the perfect fit for a festival. Here in our part of the world we have an annual Mad Hatters festival where the towns people turn out in all manner of headgear. This adult sized top hat features soft denim fabric and fleece fur with floppy bunny ears and tail. The brim is decorated with all manner of vegetables, a watering can, wheelbarrow, a small felt mouse and a white picket fence. A robin sits atop one of the ears. Hats like these are timeless like the books. Continue reading Festival Time
Karima Rebecca Powell Artist 