commuknity...a neighborhood yarn experience

We All Have a Story to Tell

Our exhibit for mid-September through mid-November features artwork created by breast cancer survivors, their families and friends.

Part of the ongoing BABCN art project "We All Have a Story to Tell," under the loving guidance of Saratoga artist Bonnie Stone, the exhibit highlights the artistic expression of BABCN members; survivors, family members, and friends.

These compelling narratives are played out on a simple butcher's apron and each unique tapestry expresses humor, loss, memories, anger, dreams, pain, and an overriding spirit of happiness and joy for life and family.

"Each person had a unique creative vision," said Bonnie, "and my role was to inspire, stimulate, excite and most of all...encourage. Each time I view the apron stories I have to fight to hold back my tears...often I don't succeed."

This exhibit has been displayed at Southwestern Texas State University, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, the Koret Gallery, and various places in the Bay Area. We are proud to provide another venue for people to view and experience this moving exhibit.

(apron shown was made by Mary Ellen Presta)

sewn pages/woven thoughts

The Bay Area Book Artists present an exhibit of their work featuring fiber books in our gallery. The exhibit runs through September 28th and features a reception with refreshments on Sunday, August 24 from 1pm to 3pm. You will want to be sure to stop in and see these amazing books!

Knitting and Crochet as Art!

Creative juices are flying in the San Francisco Bay Area and fiber artists around San Jose are getting into the act. We are so blessed to have such a rich community of fiber artists who make fabulous and creative wearable fiber art garments and accessories. There are many events happening this spring and a couple I want to highlight are happening very soon.

This Saturday, April, 26th, The Palo Alto Art Center will host it's annual fundraiser, Style 2008. It is a trunk show and sale featuring textile and other wearable art jewelry and accessories designed by over 30 international and San Francisco Bay Area artists. The Center is worth a visit and has wonderful exhibits throughout the year.

On Saturday, May 10th, PenWag (Pennisula Wearable Arts Guild) will hold its bi-annual fashion show and luncheon at the Santa Clara Marriot at 11:30. Ivy and I and a few others from commuknity are attending. You can purchase a ticket on their website. Please let us know if you would like to attend and we will save a seat at our table for you.!

commuknity is having its very own fabulous exhibit of Nuno Felt wearable and wall art. If you haven't been in to the shop yet to see it, you will want to stop by. Marilou Moschetti will be holding a Nuno Felting workshop this Saturday, April 26th for students to learn the technique themselves. This class is full and she already has a list of interested students for her next class. Feel free to stop by to check in on the workshop this weekend to see what is involved and to see the creative process in action. You may also want to get on the list for her next class!

Hope to see you out and about at all these wonderful events!

Old World New Age Felt Exhibit Opens

The spring exhibit of Nuno felted artwearables is on display now. We are featuring the work of several Bay Area artists including: Marilou Moschetti, Melissa Koloski, Ann Lamborn, Sue Lamlin, Ruth Martin, and Todd Tressler.

Nuno feltmaking is a specialized application of felting with ancient roots. Nuno felt is made by arranging open weave fabric, such as silk chiffon, with loose wool fibre in an alkaline liquid (such as dishwashing soap) and then subjecting the combination to vigorous agitation.

The resulting fabric is soft and drapey, and has the looks as if it has been painted with watercolors. An uneven application of wool fibre causes the fabric to have interesting variations in texture. Some pieces also include silk fibre which adds a sheen and dimension to the fabric that is almost metallic.

The Old World New Age Felt exhibit will be on display at commuknity through May 31, 2008.

Do You Know Nuno?

Nuno Felters are coming to commuknity for a group exhibition from April 4th through May 31st in our “new” gallery space at the shop. You will be delighted and surprised to find garments, art paper, wall pieces and more all done in the Nuno Felting technique. Many of our customers have taken classes over the past 2 years in this fabulous technique. Our resident “nuno guru”, Marilou Moschetti has assisted many students in creating one of a kind nuno felt cloth in her workshops for us.

Marilou and many other fiber artists will be on hand to talk about the technique and their works at an Artist Reception on April 13th as part of our Third Anniversary Celebration at commuknity. Be sure to come by to say hello and talk to the artists while at our party! Festivities begin at 1:00 and the artists will be on hand at 2:00.

So what exactly is "Nuno Felting" you may ask…

According to Wikpedia, “Nuno felting is a Japanese fabric felting technique. It melds loose fibre, usually wool, into a sheer fabric such as silk gauze. This creates a lightweight felt that can totally cover the background fabric or be used as a single decorative design.

The Nuno felting process is particularly suitable for fine garment making, since silk-backed felt ensures a stable felt that will not stretch out of shape like normal felt. Because it is lightweight and easy to manipulate it can also be dyed more readily than traditional felt. Other fabrics or open weaves can be used as the felting background, resulting in a wide range”.

Nuno felt is lightweight with drape and flexibility. There are many possibilities for transparency, exciting texture, conglomerate layering of materials with diverse characteristics, and thus great multi- dimensions.

The development of Nuno Felt techniques is credited to Polly Blakney Stirling and her assistant Sachiko Kotaka.

Artist Reception for Charlotte Kruk

Local artist, Charlotte Kruk will be featured in a one-woman show in our expressions gallery. Her work features clothing made from recycled candy wrappers, what a sweet way to enjoy your candy twice!

Meet Charlotte at an artist’s reception and preview the new exhibit on Friday, December 7, 7:00-9:00pm (no fee).

Charlotte was just named Distinguished Artist of the Year in Cupertino. Her work includes handmade candy wrapper clothing and wall art. Charlotte works predominately with recycled candy wrappers to make her whimsical and thought-provoking art pieces.

Featured in magazines as diverse as Jane and The National Enquirer, Charlotte creates her fashion confections when she is not teaching art or coaching field hockey at Lynbrook High School.

This exhibit runs November 4 through December 31, 2007 in the expressions gallery.

Fibre & Fauna...a mixed-media menagerie

For the months of August & September, we will be featuring a group exhibit by Bay Area fiber artists of animal-related art in a variety of media. Come in and walk on the wild side!

August 3rd is the opening event for Fibre & Fauna and a South First Friday event. The gallery will be open until 9 pm, and as always, you are welcome to come in and join the social knitting in our living room.

The Many Faces of Lace

Our customers and staff are so talented! The Many Faces of Lace showcases their work with a selection of lace shawls, scarfs, and other lace pieces. The exhibit will be on display in the expressions gallery through the month of July, so come and get inspired!