Monday, December 31, 2018

Hidden Salt Mittens



I am walking along the shoreline of Great Salt Lake, the scent of brine is thick in the air. As my feet scuff the dark grey sand, a bright glimpse of pink shines through­—a hidden underlayer of blush salt like a glimmering secret shrouded by dull monotony. My own secret the lake has confided in me. An expanse of archaea lies inches beneath my feet, undiscovered.

Hidden Salt Mittens with a secret burst of color in the lining inspired by the enigma of GSL. (Thanks to @blazingneedles for helping me get the discontinued yarn for this and @gslinstitute for all the knowledge about archaea.)


Saturday, December 29, 2018

Lake Effect Muff


Like everyone else on the Earth, I am reflecting on the last year and am so grateful for many things, family, work, health, and all the artistic opportunities I have received this year. Even with so many pieces I created in 2018 for exhibitions, there are a few that didn’t make any art show. And I am realizing that I have not shared here nor published the pattern. So over the next few days I will share some of these wearable art pieces. First is Lake Effect Muff inspired by our great snow that would not happen if Great Salt Lake dried up (hint, hint save the lake!).

The lake effect happens quite often in Salt Lake resulting in big snowfalls in a short amount of time. Lake Effect snow is made when cold winds move across warmer lake water. The air picks up water vapor, which then freezes and falls on the shores of the lake. It makes for great gray clouds and beautiful snow.

Monday, December 3, 2018

Phragmites vs. Saltgrass



These are the last of the new pieces created for my current exhibit inspired by grasses on the shores of Great Salt Lake. Phragmites vs. Saltgrass is a cowl created two ways using the same pattern one large and imposing and the other small and delicate.  


Phragmites is a serious concern in many Utah wetlands around Great Salt Lake. Extensive dense thickets of these tall reeds crowd out native plants such as saltgrass and block sunlight from reaching the water. But despite their invasive nature, they are beautiful in their own destructive ways.

Tuesday, November 27, 2018

Yellow-headed Blackbirds



Another work showing in the exhibition Sense of Place at the Alice Gallery are my whimsical Yellow-headed Blackbirds wristlets. These birds are in abundance in the spring at Bear Lake Migratory Bird Refuge on the shores of Great Salt Lake where my exhibition partner Kelly Baisley and I spent a morning surrounded by them. The brightly colored birds nest in the tall rushes and grasses of the wetlands. Their flashy yellow and black plumage demand attention as they roost and fly along the shores.

Monday, November 19, 2018

Inland Sea Foam



Inland Sea Foam, another work I collaborated on with Jewelry Artist Mary Lambert, is on exhibit now at the Alice Gallery in Salt Lake City. This fluffy cowl was inspired by the unique long-lasting foam found at Great Salt Lake. While out at the lake this summer I gathered hopper salt crystals that were large and well formed. Mary made them into beautiful buttons for this piece. They are the perfect accompaniment for this cowl.


Foam is caused by waves making bubbles on bodies of water, although it cannot form on high surface-tension water like very salty lakes. But Great Salt Lake has abundant phytoplankton that create a surfactant or soap-like substance. This surfactant lowers the surface tension allowing large quantities of stable foam during windy days. Another part of the surreal and wonderful Great Salt Lake landscape.