This November my blog will be 16 years old. To celebrate I have asked you my readers to submit a Guest Post for my blog as a way of celebrating our connectedness as a community through social media.
I hope you will send me your story or at least a glimpse into your life (please send your story and JPEG photos through email.) I feel I know so many of you through the comment section and emails I hope this will introduce you to one another. Thank you in advance for being part of French la Vie / Tongue in Cheek.
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For 14 years I had a stand at the Alexander Palace in London for their knitting and stitching show. After teaching and manning the stand for 4 days I would treat myself to a week in Paris to hunt the brocantes for treasures. Lucky for me the French keep everything and are rich in the textiles that I so dearly love.
When I met Corey Amaro she opened a whole new dimension of hunting for vintage textiles. She showed me the beautiful landscape of southern France while on our way to fabulous brocantes, French artist's studios, and the southern French lifestyle. I am blessed to have found her, call her my friend, and am charmed by all she does and is!
I love sharing the process of using vintage/antique textiles calling it a "second debut" to give these treasures a new life on my artwork. So many of these treasures can end up in less than loving hands and I am dedicated to saving them one creation at a time in my studio and in classrooms far and wide.
My handmade artwork and dolls are one of a kind handmade pieces using personally found/selected antique and vintage supplies sourced mostly in France and England.
Gloria, Barbara waving, and Corey at a brocante with the French la Vie 2019
Thank you, France for creating an atmosphere that cherishes and values so many of the things that I have loved for so long, and thank you Corey Amaro for blazing the trails of France and sharing them so freely.
Some Questions:
Where do you find inspiration for your creative flow?
I love soft vintage colors and textures they lead my way.
What do you look for at the brocantes for your art? Is there a certain style or design, shape??
Laces, ribbons, vintage fabrics.
Do you have a blog? Where will you teach next? Do you teach online classes?
I do not have a blog but my website is barbarawillisdesigns.com and I am on Facebook under my name Barbara Willis.
Tell me about the Master Class that you taught in Prague? How did they find out about you?
I taught a gallery owner from Prague at one time at the Knitting and stitching show in London. We also met at a textile show I was doing in Saint Marie aux Mine. She loves cloth dolls and other doll forms. She puts on a large show with a few masterclasses each fall and asked me to come to teach for her. I met her for the first time at a show I was doing in Saint Marie aux mine and she was very interested in kits and patterns I was selling there.
(Barbara made and gifted this to Chelsea for Gabriel)(Corey's sidenote: Barbara wrote about these handmade sewing tool holders on her website. Her doll patterns and the above sewing tool holders can be purchased on her website.
This handy Victorian Slipper will house your favorite scissors and keep your pins and needles close at hand.
This shoe opens like a book and within the pages, you will keep your needles, pins, and safety pins.
All adorned in delicious Victorian looking trims and ribbons and buttons.
This shoe opens like a book and within the pages, you will keep your needles, pins, and safety pins.
All adorned in delicious Victorian looking trims and ribbons and buttons.
Your finished Slipper will measure 6 and 1/2 inches.)
Do you sell your art or do commissions? If so how do I contact you?
I generally do not sell my work but will on occasion. I have always primarily been focused on sharing the process of cloth doll making and textile collage.
I have taught for over 33 years in the USA, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, England, and Prague.
Due to COvio 19, all my classes have been canceled until we are in a clear health-wise. But people or groups can contact me via email or on my site barbarawillisdesigns.com
Did you study art or design or are you self-taught?
Yes, I am self taught.
Northern California
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