Trunk Show Preview: Jessica Polzin's Quilted, Hand-Dyed And Silk-Screened Fiber Art

 

With the 3rd Ward Member Trunk Show happening this Thursday, we'll be giving you sneak peeks of some excellent, member-made work that will be on display. So without further ado, let's take a look at some fantastic fiber art from Jessica Polzin, who just joined 3rd Ward in January.

"Everything I make I prefer to create from the ground up, meaning, I make everything by hand and prefer materials to be in a more 'raw' state before I begin work on them," Polzin says. She'll be presenting a line of amazing hand-dyed, screen-printed and embroidered quilts, like the ones above, as well as hand-wozen and quilted bracelets, screen-printed table runners and a line of knit and woven box-top dipped hem t-shirts and pull-over boxey sweaters. Check out images of some of those after the jump.

Head over the Polzin's website to see more of her work, and remember to give her a warm 3rd Ward welcome when you stop by the trunk show on Thursday.

-- John Ruscher

Trunk Show Preview: Jake Wright's Repurposed Ammunition Lamps

Friendly Fire by Jake Wright. Photo: Peter DomorakLovers of amazing, beautiful and locally-made objects, you are invited to our first 3rd Ward Member Trunk Show on March 15 from 7-10pm.

You'll have a chance to peruse an amazing selection of sculpture, jewelry, furniture, fashion, textiles and purchase works straight from hands the amazing and talented members that created them. 

One member whose work will literally be lighting up the show is Jake Wright, whose Stockpile Designs lamps you may have seen in our Handmade Holiday Craft Fair. Wright will be presenting an array of his illuminating creations, which he forges out of old ammunition from World Ward II, the Vietnam War and the Korean War.

To the right is one of our favorites, Friendly Fire, which "is made from a recoilless rifle shell used as an anti-tank weapon during the Korean War. Turned walnut finishes the bullet, and a 12" long incandescent bulb casts light through the perforated steel case. Approx. 21" tall, 4.25" in diameter, with a 6' cord. Switch on cord; bulb included."

Check out a few more of Wright's lamps after the jump, and click here for more on his work and the story behind it.

The Beacon is made from Vietnam War cluster bomblets. Six spring-loaded stabilizing fins are nickel-plated for a durable, bright shine. These support the highly-polished shell, which holds a standard light socket. Included is a "squirrel cage" 30W bulb (on the left in the first two photos), which gives off beautiful warm light. Base is 5 5/8" tall (9" with bulb), and approximately 7" across; 8' cord with switch. Photo: Liz Clayman

Made from a recovered WWII bomb casing, the Blitz table lamp showcases the classic "teardrop" bomb shape. The surface has an orange-peel texture, with two serial numbers stamped on opposite sides. Each is burnished to a bright shine, and sealed to protect against rust. Cast iron base, 7' cloth-wrapped cord with vintage-style plug, nickel-plated socket. Approximately 10.25" high (14" with shade), 2.25" in diameter, and 3.2 lbs. Shade included - natural linen, 7" high, 7" base diameter. Photo: JR Delia

-- John Ruscher