Mandala XLIII

(Above:  Mandala XLIII. Framed on point: 46" x 46"; as a square: 32 3/4" x 32 3/4". Found objects hand-stitched to a section of a vintage quilt. Found objects include: Clock gears and spiral springs, keys, brass hinges, Swarovski chandelier prisms sent my my friend Teddi Fine, bangle bracelets, metal picture frame hangers; Tinker toy wooden spools, paper fasteners, druid-like game pieces, white plastic bottle caps, wooden clothespins, and lots of buttons. Click on any image to enlarge.)

Just when I thought I would run out of unique multiples for the next, large mandala, a box arrived in the mail.  It was from my friend Teddi Fine, a very talented bead artist I met while we were in the same aisle of the Smithsonian Craft Show.  We've stayed in contact.  She knew that I'd love her Swarovski chandelier prisms.  They are PERFECT for this first mandala on a newly cut vintage quilt.

(Above:  Detail of Mandala XLIII.)

Each time I've approached a new substrata (a "new-to-me" section of a vintage quilt), I'm a bit nervous.  I've gotten so used to stitching on a different pattern and different fabrics and different colors that the new background looks intimidating.  Coral, purple, and pink with stark contrast to off-white sashing is so very different from the last background.  Yet, I remember the first mandala stitched on that "now familiar" background.  I thought that last old quilt was totally unusable and I called it "ugly".  As soon as the prisms were stitched in place, I loved this new background!  By the way, the prisms were the first element stitched down.

(Above:  Old, tattered quilts and two, new afghans purchased recently at Bill Mishoe's auction.)

The photo above shows a recent purchase from Bill Mishoe's auction.  I got all this for a ten-dollar bid.  Some of these old quilts might not turn into mandalas.  Some are more damaged than is feasible but a few will definitely become art!  I truly love this part of my studio practice. It comes very naturally to me to give "second life" to old, neglected, and otherwise unwanted things ... especially textiles!

(Above:  Detail of Mandala XLIII.)

Serendipity often figures in my life and art.  Just like receiving the prisms when I most needed them and purchasing the stack of old quilts when stitching the last mandala, I found a tube of metal polish under my kitchen sink right when I collected all these old USPS post office keys.  I don't remember purchasing the tube.  In fact, I don't remember ever seeing the brand name ... but it was there when I needed it!

(Above:  Detail of Mandala XLIII.)

Most of the buttons used were from the company that sent a fifty-pound box of discontinued ones.  I have, however, purchased a few skeins of #5 perle cotton ... purple, red, and orange.

(Above and below:  Ernie helping the mandala process!)

Of course Ernie the Cat has been helping!  He's gotten so big since the first mandalas!