Cloth Paper Scissors - January/February 2009 - (Page 12) popping the question We asked readers: What do you hoard? Do your palms get sweaty when you’re running low on embroidery floss? Do you store a case of gel medium in your emergency closet, right next to the batteries and canned tuna? Tell us about the art supply you just can’t get enough of. In the mainstream, this may not be considered an “art supply,” but nothing stops me faster than old, slightly tacky jewelry. My long-suffering husband spends way too much time cooling his heels waiting for me at yard sales and church bazaars. I have drawers full of big, shiny, goofy pieces from the ’60s and ’70s that I sift through with the greedy joy of Midas. Colorful pieces, sinfully glittery silver and gold holiday-themed pieces—it all makes me happy. I recycle some pieces as new jewelry and cannibalize bracelets, pendants, and earrings to add bling to ATCs and other artwork. Mary Carter in Fullerton, CA I hoard wool sweaters. I have accumulated so many sweaters I now have waterproof containers full of sweaters sitting out in the rain in front of my studio. I have sweaters in the attic, under the bed, in my son’s closet, on the backseat of the car we don’t use as much, and in my new studio. I have never been a hoarder and pride myself on not keeping a lot of stuff. I have a small collection of fabric that I try to keep to a minimum, but sweaters are a different story. I just love the beautiful colors and textures of the sweaters. It is so much fun to see what they look like after they are felted. Michelle Miner in Seattle, WA I hoard my favorite brand of printable fabric. I am petrified of running out of it, and slip it into the wagon every time we go to the office supply store, hoping my husband won’t notice. I also hoard other brands of printable cottons and silks, just in case I run out of my favorite one. [And I] hoard the gooey t-shirt transfer sheets for emergency backup. Linda Wyatt in Sag Harbor, NY I love sheer fabrics to layer with my small art pieces. To find the best and most original ones, I haunt thrift stores. Blouses and fancy tops are just a wonderful source of sheer fabric overlays and are often very inexpensive, 50–75 cents in most cases. I bring them home, cut the sheer away, and add it to my stash. Jane Whitney via email I hoard writing instruments of all kinds. If it leaves a mark on something, I have to have it. Then I save it. I don’t want to use it up, lest it not be there when really needed. I keep thinking the next pen I buy will be the exact one—the one with the darkest, blackest line, just the right width tip, something I can create anything and everything with. [I also hoard] crayons, pens, pencils, markers, chalk, oil pastels, you name it; surely one of them is the perfect medium. Julie Green in Weatherford, TX I have more paper than I can possibly use in a lifetime, and still I fall in love again and must have more. I love the texture, the finish, the color, the pattern, the weight, the heft—I love paper! Nona Parry in New Zealand I hoard used postage and library check-out cards. I have friends and family who help me gather these things and I enjoy using them in my art. Marti Schrock in Franklin, IN You might say I’m stuck on my hoard, or that I stick by my choices, because if it can be used to tack things down, temporarily, semi-permanently, or forever, I must have it. Since I work mainly in mixed-media collage, glues for any material and surface are my hoard item of choice…and necessity. Jean Marziale in New Orleans, LA [I hoard] the thinnest, tiniest fibers from quilting and sewing fabrics, all raveled ends after washing fabric, and the end threads, which I call “trimming nests,” from sewn projects. So, what would I use these precious fibrous pieces for? Ground cover for the landscape quilt, hair for that angel, nests or fillers for the “in between the scenes art,” and so on. Laura Tabaccki in Southfield, MI how HAVE YOU When you can’t find—or don’t have—the tool or materials made? And what were the results? We’d love to know. ? C I hoard tea bags to be used in my art quilts and mixed-media creations. I have tea bags drying above the microwave at all times, large ones from the cold brew tea bags and regular sizes from various brands. I discovered tea bags in art through articles by Judy Coates Perez in your magazines. Roberta Woodard in Brookfield, WI I hoard watercolor paper, watercolor paints, and copies of CLOTH PAPER SCISSORS, but especially journals. Maggie Nelson via email you really want, what’s the craziest substitution you’ve ever Send your responses to bdelaney@interweave.com. I love, adore, and cherish buttons from the ’30s to the ’70s, molded plastic especially, like the ones I remember favorite P S
For optimal viewing of this digital publication, please enable JavaScript and then refresh the page. If you would like to try to load the digital publication without using Flash Player detection, please click here.