Frequently Asked Questions
1. What’s with all the
circles?
The glib answer is, “They
won’t go away.” But it is also the truth. You should
have seen the face of a judge who asked me that question. Clearly
it wasn’t what he wanted to hear. So after that I thought
I’d better take a look at what those darn circles mean to
me. So here goes. First of all circles represent a completeness.
It is such a universal symbol. So familiar, so comfortable to
be around. Because I utilize the bull’s eye block it also
creates an homogenization of the colors. I love the way colors
blend and communicate — making new colors and beginning
whole new resonances. Our world today is full of people blending
together. The circles show us how it can be done.
2. Sometimes the circles
are prominent and sometimes just barely noticeable. What’s
the deal?
I liken my circle quilts to ragtime
music. It’s a genre of music that creates a certain expectation
level of sound before you hear the first note. Sometimes the ragtime
rhythm is the predominant message. Sometimes the melody is overlaying
it, allowing just a reminder of the genre. Sometimes it is ragtime
in spite of the melody. It is the same with my quilts. My genre
is the circles. It is my starting point. Sometimes the circles
are prominent — other times they nearly disappear as a background.
Sometimes the image is the strongest and the circles sneak into
the frame.
3. Do you dye ALL your fabrics?
Most of them. I buy various silks
by the bolt from China. It takes three weeks to arrive! I buy
my cotton broadcloth by the 100 yd bolt here in the US. Dupioni
silk is yarn dyed before it is woven so I just buy it already
with color. I am often sucked into the lovely cotton batiks and
frequently buy ½ yard segments when I see them. And what
about all those yummy metallics? My raccoon blood reaches right
out to grab those shiny treasures.
4. How long does it take?
This is THE most frequently asked
question. I don’t usually actually count how long it takes.
I did however when I did “Night Hawks.” That piece
took about 200 hours including dyeing the white fabric. I have
gotten somewhat faster as time has gone by. That’s one of
the serendipities of working in a series.
5. Do you do commissions?
I’m happy to create custom
work for individuals and corporate clients. I prefer to stay within
my genre, utilizing my circles. If you don’t like my circles,
then you probably aren’t looking to have me create a piece
for you anyway.
6. How do you handle commissions/custom
work?
Once we have chosen the coloring
and an agreement to create the quilt has been reached, I require
½ down. After I have the blocks built, I will show you
images of the blocks on the design wall in as many arrangements
as necessary. Once agreement has been reached regarding the assembly,
I’ll sew the blocks into a top. When I begin the quilting
I’ll expect an additional 1/4. When delivered the remaining
¼ will be due. Customer pays all shipping.
7. How many weeks lead time
do you need?
From the starting point of making
the blocks until the quilting is finished it will usually take
about 6 weeks. This allows for decision making and sharing of
images via email. Larger works would naturally take a bit longer.
But I am a professional who works fulltime at this. That means
I get a lot of work done. I understand deadlines and budgets.
8. Are you famous?
Not yet but I expect to
be. (hee hee) Now would be a good time to invest in my art. Later
on, when I am famous you won’t be able to say, “Who
knew?” I did and told you so.
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