So…last week you saw how some fibula show myths, like this (below):
I decided to make ceramic ‘fibulae’ showing textile activities, like these (below):
and showing textile activities as seen in fairy tales, like Rumpelstiltskin, (below)
…and figures based on medieval marginalia (below)
Instead of a pin on the back, each will have some type of textile tool, like these (below)
After they’re dried and fired, I’ll use a type of metallic-wax finish, like I used on some of my tiles (below, left). On the right, I’ve got a photoshopped here’s-what-I-hope-it-looks-like:
After finding images online, I do my Photoshopping until I’ve got a useable image. After printing them out, I cut the paper so it can be used as a pattern. For those of you not familiar with the ceramic process, here’s how it goes ( below):
Roll out the clay on the board, put the pattern image on top. Use a pin to cut around the pattern. That gives the basic shape. Then (below) cut away some sections, add more clay for sections (like the arm) that will hold the tool and sculpt the face. Make sure the groove/tunnel is large enough to fit the sewing tool. Then keep fussing at it until it’s ready or it breaks.
(below) here are some of the fibulae that I’ve done so far, showing original image (left), pattern and ceramic fibulae (right):
(below) A Medieval marginalia monkey holding a niddy-noddy ( a tool for creating skeins of thread)
And what am I going to do with all these little fibulae? You’ll find out next week!