ORA: Northwest Jewish Artists

I've been waiting to update the home page of our ORA website, until we had our new member roster set in May. I thought we would be adding some new members. But actually, it worked out differently. A few people are taking a leave, and we're putting off new memberships until after the October show. So for the moment, there are only 9 full-fledged members. But I have all these cool pages I worked so...

When we complete a significant project or process, we often say the "Shehechiyanu" blessing. But we don't really have a prayer for beginning the project. There's a prayer for a safe journey, but it really doesn't fit. I asked a Rabbi friend, who suggested that one might say their own prayer, and/or make a charitable donation to coincide with starting a project. So I'm pondering what would be a...

My co-blogger-on-leave, Lynn Dorman, thought it was funny that I was blogging at 1:00 am. I explained that I love to get work done at that hour, including my beadwork. There are no distractions from phone, TV, kids, dogs, doorbell, etc., so I can actually concentrate. It's the only time I can even begin to create web pages! Now, I know it's not the norm to do your work so late at night, but I...

P-s-s-s-s-s-t-t-t-t-t! I got a sneak peek today at the Tallit that Diane is making for her daughter's Bat Mitzvah. My, my my..... this woman has a way with silk! It's NOT the one shown here, but this one's cool too. (Insert shameless plug here... ) You've just gotta come see Diane's Tallitot, Challah covers, Chuppot and wall hangings.... you know when, right? That's right, Sunday October...

A 3-hour drive in each direction, a 3-hour class with a famous beading "Diva," an 8-hour class with a math-genius beader, a cheap hotel, and a full-sized bead show with over 50 bead vendors... squeeze all of these into one weekend, and you have serious Sensory Overload! Of course, I enjoyed every minute of it. But when I got home, I was exhausted for at least a week! All-in-all, I'd say that my...

Besides working hard on our upcoming Celebration of Art, Laurie Fendel gives us a peek at what she's working on now: I'm working on designing fabric vases... 10 layers and 3-dimensional. I will also do several trapunto pieces. They are also 3 dimensional - stuffed from behind. I'd like to have a variety of sizes - some small pieces to hang in niche places. I'm excited to try new fabrics and...

You asked what I've been up to.... I had a commission to make a tallit 6 feet long and 4-1/2 feet wide. I was up for the challenge because I figure that whatever G-d sends my way, is not more then I can handle. I tried to make it and failed two times. I went through loads of silk and a lot of stress mixed with a lack of self confidence which is something I tend to struggle with from time...