ULLABENULLA

A Few Things I've Been Working On, And A Few Things To Come!

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My beloved Apple tree is in bloom outside of my studio.  After a rather difficult winter, its blossoms tease me out of my doldrums.  I thought I'd share with you a few of the projects I've been working on recently, and show you some peeks at what I will be teaching this summer!  First, I am thrilled to be creating with textiles again.  My studio floors are awash in a sea of colors, until I can rearrange my storage space.  

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I litterly have BOXES and BOXES of fabrics buried in the garage, from my wearable art and doll days back when.  Its the old textured fabrics that I seem to gravitate to these days, silks, velvets, laces and damasks...  Although the classes I am offering this Spring at the CASTLE are full, I will be doing lots more this summer, as well as here in my studio.  Keep an eye on my side bar for upcoming classes!  

I was inspired by one of my Chinese Baby Hats to create a delightful 'Chinoiserie Fish Brooch Class' to be offered this summer. (Date to come)  These little guys are about 7 inches long, and look fabulous pinned onto a hat, blouse or pillow!   

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Working with the same technique I've been experimenting in creating Cicadas and Moths as well.  I'm not as happy with these yet, but they bode well for a future project, down the road...

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My Fabric Flower Necklace class filled so quickly at the Castle, I've created a new Fabric Flower class for the summer.  We will be using a variety of poly linings to create colorful blooms that not only look wonderful as jewelry, but are light and airy enough to attach to clothing. (Date to come)

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I am also working on some samples for a 'MAD HATTER' class, where we will create small decorative hats (also known as Fascinator's) that sit on top of ones head!  Here are a couple of little hats to tempt you for this summer.  

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Although I have not been porcelain painting as much as I would like to, I have been working on a SELKIE head, with a sealife bust.  It's been great fun to paint a fantasy underwater scene, with crabs, coral and fish. My goal is to paint her head, as if she is just coming out of her seal skin, leaving one world for another. There is something about the Selkie Myth that really resonates with me right now, perhaps it is their ability to live in two worlds, and yet they are eternally bound only to one.

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Last but not least, I have been growing rare and coveted Oriental Indigo seeds in my windowsill!  This may not seem like much, but truth be told, babying these little guys and watching them grow has been a highlight of the last few weeks!  Soon they will venture out into the garden, and hopefully grow big and strong.  If all goes as planned, then by Summers end, I will be able to make my own batch of Indigo Dye!

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I recently took a Natural Dye Class from Rebecca Burgess and  was so inspired by the results (see below) that I have been not only collecting pots and pans, but also Apple and Cherry tree cuttings, onion skins and avocado pits!  I dream of being able to offer a variety of natural dyed fabrics in my classes, as I find the mellow colors so wonderful to work with!

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I hope this post tempts you to stay tuned.  I promise class dates and more studio creations soon!

Blessings, 
Ulla

Tuesday, April 20, 2010 in Castle Classes, Fairy Tale Style, INSPIRATION, Millinery Inspiration, Textile - Inspiration, Ulla's Art, Who is Ulla | Permalink | Comments (14)

Pea Pod Tiara and Other Treasures...

Beautiful work by Bailey Tomlin!

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Sunday, June 01, 2008 in Fairy Tale Style, Fun with Fashion, Millinery Inspiration | Permalink | Comments (5)

Millinery Fiesta

Sunday afternoon, Lucille and I visited Phyllis Beals in her amazing home, where she was having a Trunk show, with her friends Deborah Starks and Joan Vilms. Some of you may remember my post from last year's visit filled with color and creativity! Well, this year was even better!!! Phyllis met us at the door, wearing an amazing corkscrew like felted hat (that I quickly purchased right off her head!) and offered us the most divine EggNogs we have ever tasted!

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Lucille and I spent quite a bit of time trying on each and every hat we could find. Doesn't Lucille look like one of her dolls in this hat?

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Along with numerous Felt hats, was a selection of fairytale like Straw hats and beautiful head bands all displayed with magic in mind!
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Even Marie Antoinette made an appearance, sitting on Deborah's table, wearing beautiful jewels any Queen would adore! Surely if Marie's hair were red, she'd look like Deborah!

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Like any true artist, Phyllis has a gift for collecting and display! Her twice yearly trips to Mexico inspire and fill her home with joyful color, playful light and amazing Latin energy! She is truly a Pixie Crowned Queen living a Fiesta life!!!
Please don't miss the fabulous jewelry of Joan Vilms as well! Somehow I neglected to get photos of her wonderful work, but her charming presence was heartfelt and true! ENJOY!!!

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Tuesday, December 11, 2007 in Fairy Tale Style, fashion Inspiration, Fun with Friends, Millinery Inspiration | Permalink | Comments (16)

A Cherished Collection!

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After getting a few comments about my 'bridal wreath collection' seen in my birthday photos, I decided I should do a post on them. The History of Victorian Wedding Orange Blossoms is old and romantic.

"Incorporating orange blossoms into the bride's costume originated in ancient China where they were emblems of purity, chastity and innocence. There are few trees so prolific as the orange; it is one of the rare plants that blooms and bears fruit at the same time, thus becoming symbolic of fruitfulness. During the time of the Crusades, the custom was brought from the East first to Spain , then to France , then to England in the early 1800's. By then, many enchanting legends had spread throughout the continent of maidens entwining fresh orange blossoms into a bridal wreath for their hair... Queen Victoria created the vogue for the sweet smelling blossoms when she wore them in a grand wreath for her 1840 wedding... When real orange blossoms were in short supply or in northern climates where citrus fruits did not flourish, wax replicas were used instead."

When I saw my first wreath, I fell in love with the sentiment of someone creating these lovely flowers of wax to be worn by a bride - and only later learned of their history. I was lucky to find a few wreaths in local antique shops a number of years ago, and then searched Ebay for others. Word got around and a lovely woman in Berkeley told me she was selling her collection and suddenly I had more than I knew what to do with! At that point I had a vision of displaying them like a quilt, each on individual boards, as you see above. Once I was able to create a square of 25 wreaths I stopped collecting - where would I put any more??? I did add a 'French Marriage Globe' to my collection (used by wealthy brides to display their wreaths and bouquets) - which I adore. Most of my wreaths are French. My favorite ones are those that look like real Orange blossoms, (this one came with the Wedding Menu card!)

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Many are very decorative, with pearls and ribbons added on; shaped like wheat sheaths or spring berries... One is completly made of gold paper, and another came with the grooms bow-tie! I love them all, for their romantic symbology and sweet sentiment!!!
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Thursday, October 04, 2007 in Antiques and Insights, Millinery Inspiration, Who is Ulla | Permalink | Comments (36)

Spring Romance

I really like the wearable romantic details of the clothing of Japanese designer Junya Tashiro. And just look at those 'bird-cage-y hats'!!! She makes me want to dig out all of my old laces and create a new outfit that sings of Spring!!!

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Monday, April 23, 2007 in fashion Inspiration, Millinery Inspiration | Permalink | Comments (9)

Hats From The Chinese Opera

These amazing 19th century headpieces are from an exhibit on Chinese Opera Costume. I just adore their opulence and magical colors. The blue and blue-green colored elements were created of Kingfisher feathers, a common decorative element in Chinese Opera Costumes of the time. Breathtaking!!

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Thursday, February 22, 2007 in Fun with Fashion, Millinery Inspiration | Permalink | Comments (17)

New Years Party Hat???

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(A peacock headdress, circa 1913)

Saturday, December 30, 2006 in Millinery Inspiration | Permalink | Comments (15)

Hats By Phyllis!

Yesterday I had the genuine pleasure of meeting hat designer Phyllis Beals at a 'trunk-show' in her home! A mutual friend of ours has been trying to get the two of us together for years, (we litterly live only 9 blocks apart!) but somehow it never happened until yesterday! What a treat to be with her (shown in first photo to the right with her friend Joan)! Her hats, her home, and even her car (see last photo) are filled with an overflow of artistic delight - a perfect reflection of a woman who radiates whimsical beauty and playful spirit!!!


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Monday, December 11, 2006 in Millinery Inspiration | Permalink | Comments (12)

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Ulla Norup Milbrath


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