Two more Found Object Mandalas

(Above:  Mandala CIX. Custom picture framed: 17 3/4" x 17 3/4". Found objects hand-stitched to a block of an old quilt. Found objects include: a vintage cherry candy tin lid; fleur di lis charms; miniature, black clothespins; four toy motorcycles; old keys; Italian beer bottle lids; beads and buttons. Click on any image to enlarge.)

I am more than happy to report that Carolina Steinway purchased both of the recently finished Steinway Found Object Mandalas!  In celebration, I immediately started another piece ... in fact ... I started three.  Two are finished.  One will be taking considerably longer as it has all eighty-eight Steinway piano keys on it.  

(Above:  Detail of Mandala CIX.)

I'm also anxious to stitch even more pieces in this series.  Why? Well, I have a solo show coming up in April at Artisans on the Square in Greenville, Georgia.  This opportunity overlaps the Smithsonian Craft Show and both need mandalas!  It is fun to think about artwork in two different venues, in two different states, and in front of entirely different people.  All that needs to happen is MORE ART!

(Above:  Detail of Mandala CIX.)

These two pieces include things donated to my stash by several friends including Flavia Lovatelli (whose incredible paper pieces were also accepted to the Smithsonian Craft Show), Jane Hiller, Sabrina Lindenmann, Sue Porter Heiney, Dolly Patton, and Shirley Fassell ... among others.

(Above: Mandala CX.  Custom picture framed: 12 1/2" x 12 1/2". Found objects hand-stitched to a block of a vintage quilt. Found objects include: a copper brioche mold; felt piano hammers (non-Steinway!); grey hair curlers; four, green Christmas light bulbs; English coins; buttons and beads; and green felt circles (function unknown to me!) from the recently dismantled Steinway.)

Mandala CX was inspired by the green, felt circles that were retrieved from the recently dismantled Steinway piano and the four Christmas tree light bulbs.  The felt circles were filthy but they hand washed well in cool water.  I really should have snapped a photo of Ernie the Cat while he tried to help.  Ernie is a strangely wonderful cat.  He seems to love a stream of water flowing from the sink's spigot. He also like going outside while it is raining.  Maybe next time. 

(Above:  Detail of Mandala CX.)

I had this little mandala stitched and supposedly finished.  Something was "off" though.  I needed "something" in the space beside each of the one-penny coins ... "something green" but something that didn't fight with the light bulb or felt circles.  I don't really know why I looked into a container of green buttons.  I already had enough buttons on the piece, but amazingly I found eight, flat, square, antique glass beads.  They shouldn't have been in the container with buttons ... but they were ... and the perfect number too! Sometimes I think the "Great creator" is adding to my stash too!  I don't remember ever seeing these eight, unique beads!

 (Above:  The green, felt circles still on the wooden part of the old Steinway ... along with the dirt!  This is why they were hand-washed!)