Tidal Wave VII, The Second Victrola Spring

 

(Above:  Tidal Wave VII, The Second Victrola Spring. Custom framed: 38" x 38".  Antique Victrola spring hand-stitched to a section of a vintage, tied quilt with assorted buttons. Click on any image to enlarge.)

By the time I finished Tidal Wave VI featuring the first of two, giant Victrola springs, I was already hunting for another quilt to use for the second spring.  Like the first substrata, I used a tied quilt ... not one hand-stitched in rows but periodically knotted ... front to back ... at the corners of various blocks. Like the first one, I needed to do a lot of stitching to unite the tulle/netting I put over the surface before the first stitch was plied.  I didn't like the idea of only stitching the ties into miniature star-burst.  Why?  Well this quilt was much more symmetrical, regular squares of fabric in neat rows.  The star-burst on the first quilt were randomly placed.  So ... I hand quilted the entire surface instead.  When I stood back from it, I realized that the intersections would look okay with the star-burst stitching too.  So, I kept stitching.  It took days and days but I'm glad I did it!

 

(Above:  Detail of Tidal Wave VIII.)

This tidal wave is a little bigger than the first one.  Therefore, I spread the spring out to better resemble the meteorological symbol of a tropical storm ... with the end of the spring showing the direction in which the cyclone was traveling.  

 

(Above:  Tidal Wave VII at an angle.)

I'm really pleased with both of the Victrola spring Tidal Waves ... especially since I'm now using the brick side of my church/studio/home for photography needs.  This wall is north facing.  It is always in the shadow of the structure but the yard is so big that the entire area gets plenty of ambient light!  Perfect!

Tidal Wave VI, The First Victrola Spring

 

(Above:  Tidal Wave VI, The First Victrola Spring. Custom framed: 36 1/2" x 36 1/2". Found Victrola spring hand-stitched to a section of a vintage quilt with assorted buttons.  Click on any image to enlarge.)

Sometime in early 2012, I bought a broken Victrola at Bill Mishoe's auction.  I knew what I wanted it for ... for a pedestal.  For years, my Book of the Dead was displayed atop the Victrola.  The interior shelves were used for more artist books. I still have it.  Several of my altered Victorian photo albums ... artist books ... are inside.  The Book of the Dead is still on top of it.  It now resides in the loft of my sanctuary studio.  But ... back in 2012 ... in order to alter it for this new display use ... I removed the actual device used to play ancient records.  Most of these mechanical things were unceremoniously thrown into the trash can.  But, I kept the two, giant springs.  I had no vision for them; I just thought that "one day" I'd come up with a good use.

 

(Above: Detail of Tidal Wave VI.)

The two springs were moved from Columbia to my new church/home/studio and were put on top of a high shelving unit.  Somehow or the other, I knew exactly where they were when the "one day" struck me as if a lightening bolt of inspiration.  That happened a couple weeks ago after I'd already stitched the button outline of a tidal wave onto the section of the old, tied quilt.  I thought this new tidal wave would become another one filled with "found objects" ... except ... that was the "one day" when the Victrola springs came to mind.

 

(Above: Detail of Tidal Wave VI.)

As soon as I auditioned the spring on the tidal wave's button outline, I knew it was perfect.  Steve happened to walk through the studio at just that moment.  "I love it!" he said.  There was no doubt, just amazement that the springs waited for about fifteen years to find their new purpose!

 

(Above: Tidal Wave VI at an angle, hanging on the side of my home/studio/church.)

Like my Found Object Mandalas, the old quilt used as a substrata is fragile and often threadbare.  I cover the surface with tulle/netting before the first stitch is plied.  This works well to protect the fragile surface ... but with a tidal wave ... there are too many square inches where the tulle/netting isn't well integrated with the underlying quilt. Therefore, I hand-stitched star burst around every tie.  By the time all the ties were embellished, one could barely see that this was two layers instead of just one!  I was thrilled with the results ... and quickly starting another tidal wave for the second Victrola spring!

Mandala CCLXIX, Neon Green Duckies

 

(Above:  Mandala CCLXIX, Nickname: Neon Green Duckies. Custom framed:  17 3/8" x 17 3/8".  Found objects hand stitched to a section of a vintage quilt.  Objects include: Beer caps embedded in resin inside a lid; a souvenir plate; neon green rubber duckies; part of four pairs of neon green plastic sunglasses; blue casino chips; Starbucks coffee stirrers; external tooth lock washers; four, copper coasters; four binder clips; assorted buttons and beads. Click on any image to enlarge.)

I wasn't going to use the neon green duckies.  Their color was too "loud", too shockingly neon green to consider.  But, I found the four pairs of equally obnoxious, neon green sunglasses in my stash and challenged myself to make something using these vivid items.

 

  (Above:  Detail of Mandala CCLXIX.)

Although I do not consult a color wheel (and don't even own one!), I do know that the compliment to green is red.  Using the two together creates increased vibrancy and a remarkable energy.  Since the duckies were already so intensely outrageous, I figured I needed plenty of red and red infused colors to offset them.  Looking at the orange-red bills on these duckies convinced me to seek out more of this hue.  I sorted through my stash and found the perfect centerpiece!  No ... I didn't pour the resin over the beer caps.  I found the filled lid at the Pickens County flea market for a dollar.  Amazingly, I had no problem drilling holes in this unique item.  From there, I introduced more red in the heart-shaped buttons.

 

(Above: Detail of Mandala CCLXIX.)

Green and red evoke Christmas ... of course!  This isn't a holiday inspired mandala.  So, I knew to also include the two other primary colors:  Blue and Yellow.  It didn't take long to find plenty of blue and yellow accents.  This piece ... while still quite "in-your-face" color-wise ... met my challenge!  I'm happy that I was able to pull it together!

Mandala CCLXVIII, Pink and Pale Green

 

(Above:  Mandala CCLXVIII. Nickname: Pink and Pale Green. Custom framed: 17 1/2" x 17 1/2".  Found objects hand-stitched to a scrap of antique, dusty rose curtains. Objects include: Pink glass medallion; plastic cocktail forks; jade handled cocktail forks; beer caps; copper colored can pull tabs; copper colored paperclips; pale green game pieces; green toddle snack tops; flat silver metal embellishments; assorted buttons and beads. $300. Click on images to enlarge.)

This little Found Object Mandala was entirely inspired by the pink glass piece in the center.  I don't know what it once was.  Possibly, it was part of a lamp or wall sconce.  Perhaps it once was the back plate for a fancy knob.  I found it at the Pickens County flea market on the same day that I bought the set of jade handled cocktail forks.

(Detail of Mandala CLXVIII.)

Almost everything else came to my stash as a donation!  Thank you to all those who keep my supply so nicely varied!  It makes the design process so much fun!

Two, new skinny In Box Series pieces

(Above:  In Box CDLXXI on left; framed: 21" x 9"; $195; In Box CDLXX on right; framed: 17 1/4" x 8 1/4"; $165.  Click on either image to enlarge.)

I almost forgot these two, skinny pieces.  They were actually the last two finished in 2025 but the photos weren't taken until earlier this month.  Hence ... almost forgotten!  Each one is the result of polyester stretch velvet shapes fused to synthetic white felt with lots of hand stitching in 100% cotton embroidery floss.  I've made several similar skinny pieces but this is the first time I've actually soldered holes through the synthetic layers.

 

(Above:  Detail of In Box CDLXXI.)

For the most part, soldering holes in these hand-stitched pieces is tricky because the embroidery floss goes all over the reverse side.  I had to pay careful attention to where I allowed the return threads to lay!  I think it worked out very well!

Mandala CCLXVI, The Miniature Duckies

 

(Above:  Mandala CCLXVI, Nicknamed: The Miniature Duckies.  Custom framed: 17 1/2" x 17 1/2".  Found objects hand-stitched to a section of a vintage quilt.  Objects include: Eight miniature rubber duckies and one normal-sized one; a souvenir plate; rabies pet tags; beer bottle caps; yellow telephone plugs; belt buckles; copper U-clamps; yellow Tiddlywinks; assorted buttons and beads. Click on any image to enlarge.)

When designing Mandala CCLXV, (Nicknamed the Ultimate Rubber Duckies), I auditioned these eight miniature ones in various placements.  Nothing worked.  I gave up.  Yet, the eight duckies just sat on my table as if staring at me with disappointment.  

 

(Above:  Detail of Mandala CCLXVI.)

I couldn't help myself. I sort of promised them that they would get their own mandala. Okay ... I admit it!  I do talk to my materials ... not out loud ... because I'm well aware that they won't answer ... but in my mind there's a conversation.  A promise was made and another foundation was put together for these otherwise lonely duckies!

 

(Above:  Detail of Mandala CCLXVI.)

Because this piece is small, it didn't take long to make the duckies happy!  In the process, I was happy too!

Mandala CCLXVI, The Ultimate Rubber Duckies

 

(Above:  Mandala CCLXVI, Nicknamed: The Ultimate Rubber Duckies.  Custom framed: 20" x 20".  Found objects hand-stitched to a section of a vintage quilt.  Objects include:  Rubber duckies; duck profiles cut from a set of shower curtain hooks; wooden honey tasters; copper-colored aluminum can pulls; brass hinges; four antique cardboard lids of chocolate milk jars; a miniature doily; assorted buttons and beads.  Click on any image to enlarge.)

While I was enjoying an amazing art residency in Montana, Steve went weekly to the Pickens County flea market.  Some weeks, he found nothing.  One week, however, he scored big!  He bought a big tub of assorted rubber duckies.  The seller assured him that there were over three hundred.  I was thrilled.  It took a full day to sort them, trying to find ones that could work together for a found object mandala.

 

(Above:  Detail of Mandala CCLXVI.)

Oddly enough, there weren't many that truly resembled the rubber duckie featured on Sesame Street.  You know the type!  Simple yellow ducks with orange bills ... like those on this mandala!  This didn't matter to me!  After all, an assortment of 151 were absolutely ideal for Tidal Wave V.  Ones with black hair or hats worked well on Mandala CCLXV.  A variety went on Mandala CCLXIV  Duckies carrying tiny surfboards looked great with the Bullwinkle plate, Mandala CCLXIII.  But I did manage to find eight "traditional" duckies that were the same size and one that was a little bigger for the center.

 

(Above:  Detail of Mandala CCLXVI.)

 After looking at this group, I knew I wanted to make a small mandala to feature them.  I already had the ducks cut from shower curtain hooks.  It was just a matter of finding a few other things to compliment the arrangement.  I'm happy with how this piece turned out ... the ultimate rubber duckie mandala!

Mandala CCLXV, Wired Face

 

(Above:  Mandala CCLXV, (Nickname: Wired Face). Custom framed:  27" x 27".  Found objects hand stitched to a section of a vintage quilt.  Objects include:  A decorative wired face on a souvenir pewter plate which is on a decorative trivet; dominoes; toddler snack tops; car fresheners; Colorado buttons; assorted plastic lids; rubber duckies with black hair/hats; assorted buttons and beads.  Click on any image to enlarge.)

This is another Found Object Mandala that was finished during the second half of December but not photographed until the light was better in my studio.  At some point, I really ought to invest in high quality lights.  Maybe that should be my New Year's resolution!  

 

(Above:  Detail of Mandala CCLXV.)

I could probably rationalize the expense.  After all, the Ohio State Buckeyes lost their quarter-final playoff game.  Steve and I will not be going to Hilton Head to watch the semi-finals.  That might save enough for professional lights! LOL!  (It might not though!  I have no idea how much they cost!)

 

(Above:  Detail of Mandala CCLXV.)

This piece was created on a quilt top that I backed with batting and a section of a damask tablecloth.  I quilted it before adding the found objects.  The car fresheners were purchased at the Pickens County flea market several months ago.  My studio smelled of pine scent for weeks and weeks.  Thankfully, enough time has gone by that only a pleasant aroma remains!

 

(Above:  Mandala CCLXV at an angle.)

Despite not having professional lights for my photographic needs, I do have lots of natural lighting in my sanctuary/studio.  I use a few sections of my ProPanel booth ... in the middle of the giant space ... often angling these walks so that I seem to have rather even light from both sides.  So far, it's been working but I think I could do even better.

Mandala CCLXIV, Green Handled Pruning Shears

 

(Above:  Mandala CCLXIV (Nicknamed: Green Handled Pruning Shears). Custom framed: 37 1/2" x 37 1/2".  Found objects hand stitched to a section of a vintage quilt.  Objects include:  A sun shape that was peeled off a decorative plate stitched to a souvenir porcelain; blue perns/spindles wrapped in yellow yarn; dominoes; green handled pruning shears; wooden blocks (cut in half); Mardi Gras doubloons; wooden clothespins; toy drum Christmas ornaments; blue coffee K-pods; fabric figures; assorted plastic lids; toddle snack tops; tins in the shape of card suits; spoons; assorted rubber duckies; a toy train track circle; assorted buttons and beads.  Click on any image to enlarge.)

Christmas has come and gone.  New Year's Eve is almost here!  (On that evening, the Ohio State Buckeyes face Miami in a quarter-final National playoff game.  If our team wins, we might travel to Hilton Head to watch OSU along with members of the alumni association!  Go Bucks!)  

(Detail of Mandala CCLXIV.) 

I haven't blogged in two weeks but we had company and I kept very busy making art.  I also accepted a commission for nine Stained Glass Series pieces from an interior designer in Charlotte.  Many afternoons were dark and gray ... not good times to capture quality images.  Then it became unseasonably warm; outdoors called!  Today, however, I've shot pictures of artwork and will start writing a series of posts that will publish over the coming days.

(Detail of Mandala CCLXIV.)

This first piece was started months ago!  Literally!  The train track was stitched down but I just couldn't decide what objects I wanted to go with it.  Finally, I acquired the green handled pruning shears but still couldn't figure out other items.  Finally, I returned from my one-month art residency in Montana and knew that as assortment of colorful rubber duckies were meant for this piece.  Steve bought a tub of duckies while I was away.  Yet, I was so excited to create my Tidal Wave of Duckies that this mandala got neglected.  Plus, I had lots of other things to finish, frame, blog, and basically "catch up" with!

 

(Above:  Mandala CCLXIV at an angle.)

At long last, the piece was finished!  I'm glad I waited for the perfect pieces!

Tidal Wave V, The Rubber Duckies

 

(Above:  Tidal Wave V, The Rubber Duckies. Custom framed: 37 1/4" x 37 1/4".  Assorted rubber duckies and buttons hand-stitched to a section of a vintage quilt.  Click on any image to enlarge.)

While I was enjoying a month-long art residency in Montana, Steve continued to visit the Pickens County flea market ... every Wednesday morning.  One week, he scored big!  He bought a large tub of assorted rubber duckies.  According to the dealer who sold them, there were over three-hundred.  Looking at the duckies I have left, the dealer was correct!  There are about as many still in the tub as are stitched to this piece!

 

(Above:  Detail of Tidal Wave V.)

In order to create this piece, I prepared the surface.  By this, I mean that I cut a vintage quilt to the size needed for a large stretcher bar. The quilt section was stapled to this stretcher bar.  Next, I placed a piece of sheer off-white netting over the surface.  I do this in order to protect any fragile/worn/tattered areas.  Then, I stitched the button outline and added the star-shaped embroidery in the area where there would be no duckies.  The vintage quilt was tied, not densely quilted.  Thus, the star-shaped stitches went over the tie ends.  This helps integrate the sheer netting to the quilt.  You can't even see it in these photos!  In person, I can point it out but most people don't even see the netting!

(Above:  Detail of Tidal Wave V.)

Then, I tacked down the duckies using a bare minimum of hot glue.  It was the only way to cover "the wave" adequately and spread out the colors of the duckies.  Stitching through rubber is hard enough.  Stitching through hot glue is really, really hard ... so not much is used ... certainly not enough to seriously attach them, just tack them down "a little"!

 

(Above:  Detail of Tidal Wave V.)

It took several days to stitch all the duckies.  Some of them were easy to stitch.  Most required a part of pliers to get the long needle through the colorful creatures.  Several needles broke.  Some swearing was involved.  I used plenty of hand lotion every night to help revive my fingers.  Yet, it was really fun to do!  

(Above:  Tidal Wave V and me!)

Jim Henson's voice played in my mind constantly ... singing along with the Muppet Ernie who debuted the song Rubber Duckie on the Sesame Street episode of February 25, 1970.  Steve loves oldie countdowns on Sirius radio and knew that the song was a hit single ... number sixteen on the Billboards Hot 100.  As I finished the piece, Steve snapped a rough photo of it and printed it.  We numbered the duckies on the photo ... 151 rubber duckies!  That's a lot of duckies!

Mandala CCLXIII, Bullwinkle

(Above:  Mandala CCLXIII, (Nickname:  Bullwinkle).  Custom framed:  21 3/4" x 21 3/4".  Found objects hand-stitched to a section of a vintage quilt. Objects include:  A Bullwinkle plate; bottle caps; rubber duckies; suspender attachments; white poker chips; letters from a board game; rabies pet tags; green flags/fan blades from a set of Tinkertoys; four, shiny gold, disposable "Smokey the Bear" ash trays; assorted buttons and beads.  Click on any image to enlarge.)

This mandala is the result of several stories!  First ... I almost didn't buy the Bullwinkle plate when I saw it ... months ago ... at the Pickens County flea market.  Truly, it seemed "too big" for a centerpiece but how could I resist?  I don't actually remember watching Bullwinkle cartoons but I also can't remember a time in my life when I didn't know the characters!  So, reluctantly, I bought it for a whole dollar! LOL! 

 

(Above:  Detail of Mandala CCLXIII.)

Finally, I figured out a way to make the Bullwinkle plate visually look "smaller".  It took hours to line-up and drill holes and finally stitch the beer caps to the rim.  They moved during the stitching.  They weren't tight against the plate until a series of pulled knots tightened the attachments.  Swearing was involved but it was worth it!  The gold beads were how the plate was then stitched to the quilt.  For something that looks so simple, this was complicated!

 

(Above:  Detail of Mandala CCLXIII.)

A more recent purchase from the Pickens County flea market was the four Smokey the Bear disposable ash trays.  I do remember visiting Smokey the Bear at the Smithsonian National Zoo.  (He died in 1976) And, I remember the night when the last cigarette ad broadcast on television.  I wasn't allowed to stay up and watch it though!  (The last televised cigarette ad was for Virginia Slims and shown on the Johnny Carson Show on January 1, 1971 at 11:59 PM.)  Somehow or the other, I would never have imagined anything about Smokey the Bear and cigarettes being put together ... but someone must have!

 

Finally ... the rubber duckies!  While I was in Montana enjoying a month-long art residency, Steve continued to go to the Pickens County flea market.  One Wednesday, he bought a tub of assorted rubber duckies.  The dealer claimed that there were at least three hundred in the tub.  It took an entire afternoon to sort through them.  These eight had little surf boards and were the first to be incorporated.  I've been stitching rubber duckies ever since!

Mandala CCLXII, Strawberries and Snowflakes

(Above:  Mandala CCLXII, Strawberries and snowflakes.  Custom framed: 11 5/8" x 11 5/8".  Found objects hand-stitched to a block of a vintage quilt.  Objects include:  A very small Oriental dish; strawberry shaped emery pincushions; small bells; snowflakes from a broken string of Christmas lights; buckles; antique capacitors; assorted buttons and beads.)

Steve built this little "floater" styled frame for me from four scraps of moulding that would otherwise be thrown out.  It was small ... very small!  Therefore, it was a challenge to design something for this little enclosure.  Naturally, I thought about the tiny porcelain dish.  I've had it for months and months but it has been too small to use in the center of any other Found Object Mandala.  I told myself, "Susan, if you can drill a hole in this dish, it will be used on this little piece."  Well ... I was successful!  The hole was drilled and I found things to surround it!  Stitching this one didn't take long! LOL!

(Above:  Photo for scale!)

Mandala CCLXI, Small Indian Icon

(Above:  Mandala CCLXI, the small Indian icon.  Custom framed:  15 1/2" x 15 1/2".  Found objects hand stitched to a block of an antique quilt.  Objects include:  A small, leather patch featuring an Indian woman; a protractor; antique chocolate milk bottle cardboard lids; external tooth lock washers; brass screw eyes; pieces of jewelry; gold shank buttons mounted on grommets; assorted buttons and beads.  Click on any image to enlarge.)

This piece started with two frames left outside the custom picture framing shop where our orders of moulding and framing supplies are delivered (because our supplier doesn't want to add another stop to our weekly truck delivery service!) Thankfully, the couple who own The Framery in Liberty, South Carolina are really nice and allow us to pick up things at their shop!  They are so nice that they leave scraps of mat board, old boxes, and discarded frames outside their front door with a sign reading:  FREE!  The two frames were in terrible shape.  One was definitely broken but I could easily see that between the two, one unique frame could be cut and built.  Steve built it and added an interior frame (the gold lip shown in the image above.  Yes ... this is "double framed"!)

 

(Above:  Detail of Mandala CCLXI.)

I then went to work designing something for the frame ... something exotic because that outer frame seemed quite ornate.  This is what I came up with and I'm very please how it all came out!

(Above:  Mandala CCLXI at an angle.)