CindyRQuilts

 www.cindyrquilts.com

My name is Cindy Richard. I am a mother of three, a wife and a passionate quilter.   I grew up in NY and have a degree in English literature. Right after college, I worked as a production supervisor in publishing, doing color correcting on press. That's where I learned about color.

Nearly twenty years ago I followed my heart and together with my family moved to Israel. I was working as a technical writer until a year ago when the company closed.

I saw the end of my job as an opportunity to follow my passion for quilting and pursue it as a full-time career. I have been quilting for more than 15 years.  I teach quilting classes locally, which I find very fulfilling. I attend classes offered by other quilters and network with other crafters and people involved in small businesses.

I find the more I share, the more I learn. I look forward to being part of TAFA and exchanging ideas. Feel free to contact me and visit my website! 

Artist's statement:  My art is a combination of functionality and beauty. Being surrounded by beauty raises people's spirits and outlook. I try to create harmony utilizing vibrant colors and fabric, resulting in usable full-size quilts as well as wall hangings. In time, each piece composed of fine and soft cottons acquires an heirloom, antique look.

My quilting interests have changed over the last 15 years. I have always gravitated toward less traditional techniques, using muted colors, varying tones and three-dimensional perspective to achieve an impressionistic quality. I love the idea that I can use fabric to paint a scene with depth. I feel I can cross into the mountains I piece and bask in the sunlight.

I am especially drawn to scenes from places that have touched my life and journeys I have made. These are often reflected in my work, making each piece unique. I strive towards high quality and hope my art adds warmth and serenity in every home it is shown.

Location:  Beit Shemesh, Israel

Online shops:  cindyrquilts on Etsy
Blog:  cindyrquilts

Memberships:

  Internet Jewish Quilters
  Israel Quilters Association
Languages spoken:  English, Hebrew 

Quilts and Accessories by CindyRQuilts

Tags:  quilt, landscape, scene, fiber, art, dimension, depth, color, thread paint

Gilgulim by Hagar Arnon Elbaz

www.etsy.com/shop/Hagarae

Hagar Arnon Elbaz

My love for textiles, buttons, beads, lace and ribbons goes back very far to the time when I was a little girl visiting my grandma's house. My grandma had a room full of cupboards of all sizes and colors in which she piled her treasures that had come all the way from Germany back in 1939. It included fur coats, stray keys, strings, mother of pearl and crystal buttons from her father's shop, lace along with cotton night gowns and linen she had received for her wedding.
This room was my paradise.

When I grew up I followed my love and became a textile designer.  Many of the necklaces are made from second hand neckties and cloths. Neckties were always a mystery to me. No man in my environment has ever used one. Undoing this unknown object, using its tiny beautiful, colorful prints and turning it into female decorations was a challenge to my imagination.  I try to use as many recycled, reused or second hand materials as possible.  Every article is hand cut, ironed and stitched by hand in my home studio with great love and care. I do hope you are going to enjoy this unusual approach to textiles and jewelry as much as I do!

Artist's Statement:   Except for my love for anything that has to do with textiles, my other passion has to do with looking after our precious planet as well as the ever growing population living on its' surface.  In my craft I try to combine both passions. I wish each one of us could take little steps towards change in our habits.  In my way, I try. You may join me in this tremendous work we have to do in order to survive. 

Location:  Beit Shemesh, Israel

Online shop:  Hagarae
Blog:  hagarae

Social media:  facebook (personal page)

Languages spoken:  Hebrew, English, French

Wearable Art by Hagar Arnon Elbaz

Tags:  Necklace, pendant, reuse, eco, creation, earrings, soft materials, mix, off fashion

Orit Dotan

 

www.etsy.com/shop/oritdotandolls

I am a Waldorf handwork and crafts teacher, doll artist and art therapist.  I teach sewing, knitting, needle felting, weaving, wet felting and wool painting, using soft, natural materials in my creations.  I recently discovered a love for buttons and started to use them in my work as well as selling them.  (See my second Etsy shop.)

I used to teach at Waldorf schools and at the seminar for training Waldorf teachers in Jerusalem.  I recently opened a private school where I work with young teachers, children, mothers and grandmothers.

As a teacher, I believe I have to be the example of how to create so I practice with making every single item I teach.  In this way, teaching and creating handwork and crafts in the Waldorf tradition are both my inner development and my occupation too.  I have taught for over 30 years now and needed a change.  So, I started my first e-shop as a hobby, as a way to study new skills [computer and English].  I was amazed to see that people liked what I created!  It encouraged me to go on with it-  and here we are...  Now I am a seller, too.  You never know what tomorrow will bring or where your destiny will lead you.

Artist's statement:  I believe Waldorf dolls provide healing forces for the child.  The love and warmth which is involved in the creation of these kinds of dolls streams to the doll in the process of creating and the child can feel it.  I can tell you from my experience that hyperactive children who did not sleep well began to sleep all night when their mothers created a waldorf doll for them. Also, the process of creating these dolls is therapeutic for the adults, as it is a process that requires forces from the soul which are different from any other creation i know...  It calls the creator to be in touch more deeply with their own inner powers.

Location: Israel

Online shops: oritdotandolls, oritdotan

Memberships: 

    Naturalkids team on Etsy
    Needlefelters team at Etsy
Languages spoken: Hebrew, English

 Waldorf Natural Dolls by Israeli Artist, Orit Dotan

Tags: Waldorf, dolls, felting, needle felt, sewing, painting, wool, buttons, vintage, hand painted