Felted Art Scarves by Svitlana

Fish Net Felted Art Scarf
This adorable very light weight and very strong felted scarf is a new original design. It features Cobalt Blue, Orange, Dark Brown and Light Green handpainted Merino wool. This beautiful scarf looks great with any outfit from a t-shirt and jeans to a favorite dress or pullover. The scarf measures approx. 60 Inches (152 cm) in length and the width is approx. 9 Inches (23 cm ). This unique handmade item can be a fantastic gift for you or the person you love. $125


Femininity Nuno Felted Scarf/ Neckwarmer
This delicate neckwarmer was created by the traditional Nuno felting technique. A very unusual combination of three shades of 100% Merino soft wool were used— Sky Blue, Sage and Blue and the scarf was embellished with a gorgeous Blue Rose lace and a lovely button in a shape of the heart. This item is very complicated because it has two layers which are connected to each other only in the middle part of the neckwarmer. $115

Details-
Material- 100% Merino soft wool
Color- Sky Blue, Sage and Blue
Length- 23.5 Inches ( 60 cm)
Width- 5 Inches ( 13 cm )
well fit for a neck up to 17.5 in (45 cm).
Embellishment - unique Rose lace, button Heart

Liquid Red Nuno Felted Art Scarf
This fantastic scarf is created of hand-painted 100% Merino wool and natural silk as a base with the traditional Nuno felting technique. It has a unique texture thanks to pieces of silk and rayon ribbon. It measures approx. 54" (137 cm) by 8" (20.5 cm) The fringe is approx. from 8" to 15" (20.5 cm to 38 cm). This scarf is warm and soft. $130

Twilight Nuno Felted Art Scarf
This fantastic delicate neckwarmer was created with a traditional Nuno felting technique. A gorgeous combination of two shades of 100% Merino soft wool were used — Mint Green and Orchid Pink. The scarf was embellished with pretty color-coordinated ribbons. It has soft texture and will be a favorite accessory or a great present for the person you love. $100

Details-
Material- 100% Merino soft wool
Color- Mint Green / Pink Berry
Length- 25 Inches ( 64 cm)
Width- 5.5 Inches ( 14 cm )
well fit for a neck up to 16 in (41 cm).
Embellishment - Ribbon.

Insomnia Felted Wool Scarf
This beautiful scarf was made with a traditional wet felting technique. It features a beautiful watercolor like palette of hand painted Merino wool. This original design is pleasantly soft, warm and surprisingly light. I looks great on the body and is easy to style. $120

Details-
Length- 69 Inches (173 cm )
Width- 6.5 Inches (16.5 cm )
Material- Merino wool
Color- from Dusty pink to Grey

Felted Ruffled Art Scarf
This beautiful scarf was made with a traditional wet felting technique. It features the combination of three shades of 100% Merino soft wool (Bitter Chocolate, Cinnamon Red and Ecru/Off White ). Tencel was also used to create a marbled effect. The scarf looks great from both sides. It has elegance and comfort, easy to match and the perfect accent piece to go with your favorite winter or spring coat. It has soft texture and will be a great accessory to wear all season long. The scarf is very warm and very long. $150

Details-
Material- 100% Merino soft wool
Color- Bitter Chocolate, Cinnamon Red and Ecru/Off White
Length- approx. 73 Inches (185cm)
Width -6 Inches (15 cm)

'Confetti Quilts' are affordable and original

Ann Loveless is a native of Frankfort, Michigan, which is located on the shore of Lake Michigan. She attended Michigan State University and received her degree in Clothing & Textile Design. The artist began sewing her own clothes as a girl and in 2004, she fell in love with the art of Landscape Quilting. Most of her designs come from nature and the beautiful lakes and woods of her region. Ann works from photographs and sketches made on location.







All mini confetti quilts are one-of-a-kind originals and are signed and titled by the artist. They all come in 6" x 4" on an 8" x 10" white mat board for $42 and 6" x 8" on an 11" x 14" white mat board for $70. Stop by either Gallery Fifty location or call to order: 231-932-0775.

Breaking Boundaries: The Art of the Quilt

Gallery Fifty is thrilled to announce the opening of "Breaking Boundaries: The Art of the Quilt." Twenty-five regional art quilters were selected to participate by gallery owner Christie Minervini and guest curator Desiree Vaughn.

Artists were chosen for their unique design abilities, skilled craftsmanship and overall commitment to fiber art. Vaughn is being featured in the adjacent Rinaldo Gallery with her latest work.

Awards were announced earlier this month. First place and a $300 cash prize went to Pat McKean for "Blaze" (see photo); second place and $200 went to Jill Ault for "Divided Circle: Anthracite"; and third place with $100 went to Lenore Crawford for "Hybrid Lily III".

Honorable mentions went to: Jacky Trimble, "Thinking Outside of the Box 3"; Virginia Spiegel, "Boundry Waters 19"; Jeanne Beck, "Harvest"; Pamela Allen, "Autumn"; Susie Vigland, "Big Baby Girl"; Sidney Inch, "Plastic Fusion"; Lynn Krawczyk, "Talk to Me I"; Sue Holdaway-Heys, "Land of Blue"; and Lisa Chipetine, "Trapped."

"We were really hoping to capitalize on the interest that the Dennos Museum has generated with their 'Twelve Voices' show," says Minervini. "We're so proud of our exhibition — it really has exceeded expectations."

Over 100 art quilts are on display through the Mercato at the Village at Grand Traverse Commons through December 31, 2008. Gallery hours are Monday - Wednesday 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.; Thursday - Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. The exhibition may be viewed on-line at www.galleryfifty.com. Call 231-932-0775 for more information.

'Wired' for vintage appeal

New Jersey fiber artist Beth Whiting uses ribbon to fashion these little brooches and barettes. Primarily, she uses French wired which allows her to sew, pinch, twist and otherse coax the flowers into shape. It also allows her pieces to age gracefully as they are worn and loved, giving them vintage appeal. The craftsmanship is superior and each is backed in soft suede.

We've been carrying Beth's work for over a year and her pieces make popular gifts. Brooches start at $20 and go up to $48 (see top photo). Barettes run $22 - $26 each (bottom photo). Call Gallery Fifty for our current selection: 231-932-0775.

Stand out in the leather and pleather crowd

We've just ordered our Fall 2007 selections from Maruca's line of tapestry handbags, and expect the order mid-September.

Why does Maruca Design continue to be so popular? Because in a sea of leather and pleather purses, there remains a devout customer with whom we share a common thread: an appreciation and passion for fabulous textiles.

They are recognized for their custom-designed fabrics, fashion-conscious shapes and commitment to making bags by hand in Boulder, Colorado.

We hope you are inspired by their colorful world. Here are the season's fabric swatches:



We're especially excited about two new designs Maruca is offering. The "Metro" is a courier-style bag (see above) with a broad adjustable woven strap and big flap with pockets for pens, phone, glasses, etc. The "Soho" is large enough for daily use, but small enough to make a statement with a single strap — short enough to hand carry, and just long enough to fit over your shoulder. We love the two exterior pockets — one for your cell, the other for your keys.

Check out their website to your selection at www.marucadesign.com. Then call Gallery Fifty and make your order: 231-932-0775. We'll offer free shipping on any order over $75.

A heart in your hand

Colorado designer Andrea Soltis creates these wonderful 6" miniature pillows that easily fit in your hand. They come in an eye-catching array of colors in crushed velvet, and stunning patterns in rayon silk brocade. Filled with natural flax seed and lavender blossoms, they are hard to put down.

Our customers have picked them up for a pretty gift embellishment or a "just because I love you" present. And at only $12 each, you can really spread the love around!

Call Gallery Fifty for available styles: 231-932-0775.

Beautify your everyday life

Always right on trend, Maruca's distinctive fabrics and beautifully-constructed shapes are the perfect union of style and clever functionality. Recognized for sophisticated textures and distinctive shapes, these finely handcrafted bags are made in Boulder, Colorado.

One look and it's easy to see that the company was born out of a love for textiles. Owner, Rex Maruca has a background selling high-end jacquard fabrics and uses only domestically milled fabrics, most of which are custom-designed.

Gallery Fifty carries an extensive selection of styles, most in the teal/ brown/ gold palette for Spring 2007. Look at future posts for an updated look.