More Jewelry RVK Part 1

 Staka leather collars... So excited to see these pieces in person! They are gorgeous! 

So I made it back to the U.S. after two days of travel. I have a few more things to tell you about from Reykjavik before I dive into what's next. On my last day in the city I visited Mýrin, a design shop in the harbor, and was psyched with all the jewelry--definitely my favorite collection of all the shops I visited with a thoughtfully curated selection of modern and minimal pieces. The shop itself is filled with beautiful light and includes great clothing, accessories, and homewares.

Kria cast codfish bone necklace

Steinunn Vala Bow Tie Necklace in Ash and Porcelain Rainbow Trout Pendants

Orri Finn Design Anchor Ring

Erling Design vertebrae pendant

Thanks for reading.

Island of 14,264 Days

After a great deal of thought and much writing, I have chosen a title and completed the statement for my embroidered piece. It is called "Island of 14,264 Days."

"Island of 14,264 Days is an imaginary island that represents my life. It presents my experiences both past and present as an independent landmass that is seen at once in a faraway and a close-up view. It is also as a kind of self-portrait, an abstracted interpretation of my physical form and persona. I made this piece during an artist residency in Iceland where I was constantly inspired by the environment, the weather, and the isolation of the location.

The shape of the island, which took approximately 200 hours to create, was not predetermined. Instead, it formed intuitively, knot by knot, with needle and thread. I used an embroidered knot for its inherent texture, pattern, and layering possibilities, to mimic lichen and moss, and to symbolize the act of not forgetting. I utilized only one stitch, the Colonial knot, as a way to create focus and to add to the contemplative process. The island is white to reference Iceland and to symbolize solitude, honesty, and the beginning of something new--feelings and states of being that I was present with as the piece developed.

I made this piece to spend deliberate time processing and making sense of my experiences, both wonderful and troubling. I felt it necessary to slow down and consider each moment individually and collectively and embroidery was the perfect way to do this--it is an innately slow and methodical technique. The moments captured in the countless knots comprise the number of days I had lived when I completed the piece, as the island itself established a place of existence and home for me."

Thanks for reading and a huge, huge thanks for reading and following and commenting while I was away. I return to the U.S. this weekend and I'll be back here shortly after that with final happenings, thoughts, and photos. 

Art & Design RVK

Megan Herbert, Tradition at Spark Design Space

To complement yesterday's post on jewelry in Reykjavik here are some of my favorite finds in art and design, all leaning towards textiles...

Volki at Hrim

Björk Viggósdóttir, Unseen at ÞOKA

Björg Juto & Anna Thorunn Hauksdóttir, flocked dishes 

at Spark Design Space

Thanks for reading.

Jewelry Design RVK

rubber lace cuffs, Rósa Helgadóttir at Kraum

Yesterday I went in search of Icelandic contemporary design, in particular jewelry, of course. My friend Margrét from the Textiles Museum gave me a list of shops and with my map in hand I went roaming. Here are some of my favorites:

Sasa Clock, Thorunn Arnadottir  at Spark Design Space

(tells time in 5 minute increments and the necklace can be worn)

silk bow necklace, Fluga Design at Kraum

leather collar, Bylgja Svansdóttir and María Kristín Jónsdóttir

(Bylgja's laser cut rings at Spark Design Space 
lead me to more of her work and these leather pieces)

necklace, Helga Mogensen at Kirsuberjatréð

(I was so happy to see Helga's work in person!)

brooch made with reflective yarn, TÍRA at Kraum

wood and polymer clay necklaces, Steinunn Vala at Kraum

Thanks for reading.

Graffiti RVK

Afi (Grandfather) by Guido van Helten on Vesturgata

I spend my down time in a new place just wandering street after street. Since arriving in Reykjavik that is exactly what I've been doing and as I walk I collect more images of graffiti and street art. There is a lot of great work here and it's been so fun discovering it. These are a few favorites I've seen just in the last few days, including my friend and fellow Nes artist, Guido van Helten's lastest wall:

More on Flickr.

Thanks for reading.

Lost and Found, One More Necklace

I became fascinated by rope while living in Skagaströnd. There were bins full of rope, piles of rope, and bits and pieces on the ground. I collected some of these and arranged them in my studio to look at and think about. They are like drawings to me. Then I found a long piece in this wonderful seafoam color and knotted it into a long necklace. 

 

More images on Flickr.

Thanks for reading.

Goodbye Nes, Goodbye Skagaströnd...

I am leaving Nes and Skagaströnd today and it feels like I am tearing myself away. This place has gotten under my skin deeply and I can tell I am not done here or in Iceland. After I've had some time to think about this experience I will write more. In the meantime, here are a few last photos of this incredible little town and surrounding area.

And, I know I will be back...

Please visit my Flickr to see all my Skagaströnd pictures.

Thanks for reading.