Small Mandalas

(Above:  Mandala V.  Each one of these small mandalas is a collection of small found objects stitched to single blocks of a tattered, vintage quilt over which a layer of pale blue tulle was placed.  Each one is framed with outer dimensions of 9 1/4" x 9 1/4".  Found objects include safety pins, plastic toys, buttons, clock gears, screw eyes, old keys, bobbins, beads, small hooks, a mechanical compass, needle threaders, tiny ceramic insulators, tweezers, 2-part snaps, fountain pen nibs, metal washers and brackets, blue cement screws, zipper pulls, and more.)

Before going to my two-week art residency at Great Basin National Park, I finished stitching five of these seven little mandalas but didn't have time to complete them all.  Since returning home, I got them all finished, framed, and photographed.  Each one was a challenge.  I didn't want to obscure the vintage quilt block on which each one was stitched. 

(Above:  Mandala VI.)

Another challenge was the odd way the old fabrics came together.  When stitching the larger mandalas, it wasn't so noticeable if a block had only a single piece of orange or didn't have darker fabrics in all four corners or had only one strangely placed plaid.  I think, however, I managed to add just the right amount of "stuff" to keep the quilt block in sight but not necessarily the odd fabric selection.

(Above:  Mandala VII.)

I am in debt to Kathy Garvey who sent me an amazing stash of zipper pulls.  (Kathy is an amazing graphic designer whose fabrics can be ordered from Spoonflower.)  Even though only one of these small mandalas have zipper pulls, I am now working on three medium-sized mandalas in which more zipper pulls will be used.  (The medium-sized mandalas are built on a piece of the vintage quilt with four blocks.  The large ones, which are already finished and blogged over a month ago, are built on a piece with nine blocks.)

(Above: Mandala VIII.)

Although I am working on the next three mandalas, they probably won't be finished soon.  I've had to turn my attention to the new "Stained Glass" and "In Box" series pieces that will be part of my participation in this year's VIRTUAL Philadelphia Museum of Art Craft Show.  I sure have a lot to do!  Below are the other, small mandalas.

(Above:  Mandala XI.)

(Above:  Mandala X.)

(Above:  Mandala IX.)