Adorn

Stitching for the young'uns

>> April 24, 2011 – designs in progress, kids, needlepoint, needlepoint kit, new designs

I've got four (4!!) new Thread Gatherings in the works, but there is one I'm particularly excited about. BEAUTIFUL BEGINNINGS. This one is geared to youngsters, introducing them to the beauty of needlework.

The Accordion Book


Samples will attach to card stock acid free paper

This Gathering includes six stitch lessons. A Sampler of sorts. The stitch lessons will be put into a DIY accordion book which will display the stitch samples along with the charts that teach the particular stitches. Participating kids will thus make their own beautiful stitch glossary, their personal reference book.

There will be more books to come, more stitches to learn and eventually a library of reference volumes that each child can be very proud of!

Just think of a birthday party activity, an after school program, a neighborhood get together for the kids.

If you'd like more information about this particular Thread Gathering, just drop us a note, (orna@ornadesign.com) and we will send you a detailed information packet.

Was I dreaming?

>> April 23, 2011 – art, fashion, fiber art

The Philadelphia Museum of Art is showing one of the most exquisite exhibits I've seen, the work of fashion designer Roberto Cappuci. To call him Fashion Designer is to cover only one aspect of this man's genius. The exhibit is curated and displayed perfectly. Around every bend I heard myself gasp.

If you are anywhere close to Philadelphia, give yourself a most amazing visual treat, go see the exhibit yourselves!

Welcome Nomi To the Great Big World....

>> April 19, 2011 – baby

This is Genevieve--

As frequent readers may know--Orna's Daughter Shiri was expecting last week, and, well, you know how these things go--

Welcome a Healthy, Beautiful Nomi Wolf to the World!!!

Orna is up north with the new little family, and has let me know that Nomi is the prettiest, smartest, most talented three---er---four day old that she has ever met! Now does that sound like a Grandmother or what!!???!!

Nina is taking on her role as Auntie beautifully, she is very attuned to every squeak and squeal Nomi makes! And Reid is beside himself as only Reid can be. Mother and father are apparently getting the hang of the schedule, and Nomi, as a baby will do, is setting the pace for feedings and snoozing and snuggles!

Congrats to everyone!! I expect new photos soon, and will certainly post the cute ones!

What's Happening at Adorn and Coupon Codes for You!

Hello All! The past couple weeks have been very busy ones here in Orna's Studio--we have so many projects that are "on the verge". They all need the finishing touches, the tweaks--in other words---a lot of attention! The projects are wide and varied. This past week, the First Thread Gathering was held by a group out on the West Coast, and we are thrilled that the ball is rolling. The first design was a beautiful (All-Silk---Yummy!) Cuff, and there will be more kits following in the next few months.

The Adorn kits ready for shipping, stretcher bars in tow!

Also going on this week is the assembly of kits for classes going on in the next few months. For one of our New Jersey groups, who are having Orna out to teach two classes in May, we are in the beginning stages of creating beautiful kits . They are going to be packing their weekend full--A Kreink Cuff on Saturday and the beautiful Design "Grace" on Sunday!

"Grace" in Oranges

"Grace" in Purples

At the same time, Orna is waiting for the birth of her first grandchild--so every phone ring has the possibility of setting in motion a Life-Changer! I just went through this waiting for my little niece, Cate, to be born two months ago, and it's such an odd place of limbo--but then it happens, and suddenly you have a new friend. It should be any day now for Shiri!

And onto our latest offer: Etsy Coupons! If you have ever shopped at our Etsy site, then we have sent you a SUPER special coupon in your Etsy email account--if you don't get notifications to your regular email, be sure to check---the offer expires on Sunday, April 10th.

If you have never shopped with us before, not to worry, simply use the code GLADTOMEETYA10, and receive 10% off your purchase between now and Sunday. And then you will be on our list and qualified for all sorts of special treats! We have just posted a few full kits, as well as new Thread packs, so there is sure to be something that will catch your fancy!

So that's the update from here, keep an eye out for new Thread Gatherings, and a Baby Announcement!!
Boy or Girl? We will let you know.....

Genevieve

A Big Announcement

>> March 31, 2011 – needlepoint, needlepoint kit, new designs, new needlepoint, thoughts

As needle artists, we are pointed somewhat against the grain. The world goes fast, we start a piece. The world goes faster--- well, we are still working on that piece. We are members of The "Slow" Movement. Results are second to process; the thrill is in the Doing. That's not to say that we don't appreciate a finished needlepoint! But the mindset of a needlepoint artist has been preemptively tuned to this new idea of slowing down. We savor our time, and know that anything worth doing is worth doing right. We are not afraid of the long-term commitment!

Another part of our reality these days is that we are living more frugally than before. I have realized that needlepoint groups and chapters don't necessarily have the resources to bring a teacher to them anymore. I have been mulling over ways to continue offering classes that allow needle artists the social aspect of what they do. Traditionally solitary, I feel passionately that the needlepoint artist must be exposed to mentors and in turn bring up mentees. Who has not evolved their craft by a hint or trick that was facilitated by stitching side by side with other artisans?

And so it came to me, the idea of a class that could be run without me there as a teacher. What would that look like? This is my answer:

Thread Gatherings are classes in a box. Each box is designed for eight people, with one designated leader. You can run these formally, or you can run them as a salon-style get together for like-minded folks. You can meet once to get everyone started, or weekly until everyone has completed their pieces.

The first class-in-a-box I designed exclusively for Thread Gatherings is a Cuff called "Grecian Glory". Cuffs are very popular among my students--it's needlepoint with a purpose! You can wear it and people see what you do.

What I provide in this Thread Gatherings is:

Eight Separate Kits for each participants:

scissors with decorative fob
All-Silk Threads in one of three colorways (each artist can choose)
fresh water pearls
glass beads
Ultrasuede
graph paper notebook to jot down notes or chart your ideas
needles
pencil
tacks

One "Leader Handbook" containing notes, hints and handouts to help with the teaching process
Seven Instruction Books
Eight sets of canvas stretcher bars
Finishing wire
Practice canvas

Of course the most important part of a Thread Gathering is the people, so begin by bringing together the people you would like to include in your Gathering. You can organize this on your own or pass it on to your ANG or EGA chapter program chair. (Any chapter choosing to order the Thread Gatherings will receive 10% of the cost back as a donation to the chapter. This is a great way to plump up your education fund).

So... have any questions or need more information? Visit the site or send me a note and Genevieve and I will be happy to help. We will have new Thread Gatherings coming soon. Sign up to follow the blog and you will stay in the know.

Orna

Apology

>> March 26, 2011 – thoughts

On March 6th I posted an entry with photos of the Gucci Winter 2011 collection. Because the fur in the collection was so colorful, I assumed it was not real fur. I was wrong. I do not agree with the use of fur, particularly not for our vanity. While the clothing and colors were quite stunning, the same effect could have been achieved with faux fur.

My apologies for not doing my homework properly.

Orna

It's my baby's birthday today!

>> March 25, 2011 – kids, needlepoint kit

Today is Shiri's birthday. She was born 31 years ago today. She was also born 10 days before my birthday, (on April 4th). Yesterday Shiri and I were talking and she said that she is hardly thinking about her birthday, she is too busy thinking about the baby due on April 9th. We both thought that it was totally uncanny, how history is repeating itself, almost to the day. I couldn't be bothered with my birthday back in 1980. All I could think about was becoming a mother.

Happy birthday my beautiful daughter. If history does repeat itself, you too will be a very lucky mommy. To have a child like you makes me one of the luckiest mommies ever!

Today I came back from a delightful workshop with the Shenandoah Valley ANG Chapter. I was spoiled by a group of fantastic stitchers, pampered with a lovely hotel, wonderful food and great company! We worked on Tessellations Again . We spent half of day one talking about the magic of Tessellations. Then we began stitching. It was a very productive workshop and if I'm any indication, it was truly fun! Thank you Shenandoah Valley!

We are now offering two new options for Tessellations Again, which will allow for different budgets. You can get the complete kit in silks as before, or just a quadrant of the design, in silks or in cottons and rayons. The instruction book for this design first introduces the main concepts of tessellations with diagrams and illustrations. Next it details the design along with five wonderful laminated charts.

We will talk again soon.

THINK SPRING COUPON!

It's Genevieve here---my iphone promised me 58 degrees today, and it is 2:00 and reading a mere 48 degrees. So The Think Spring 15% off Coupon Campaign Continues until further notice. I am an avid bike rider, and although I can stick it out in colder temps, it's so much nicer to bike to work in weather over 55 degrees!