Gonna learn how to do this!

Who knew you could spin old newspapers into yarn?
I think this is a great way to re-use materials and save the energy that would go into recycling them into other things. Now, it is human power rather than non-renewable power being used to re-create.
Here's a simple tutorial to get you started:
Spin Newspapers from greenUPGRADER
I actually just got a package from a friend of mine who lives in Japan (Hi, erin!) and he sent me some newspapers to use in this latest addiction of mine. Some newspapers from Germany should be coming soon, too, from my host family there.
My plan is to spin yarn from all of the places that have touched my heart/where I have lived and create a piece that connects them all via re-used materials.

I will keep posting as I go!

New amtextile art etsy shop!

I LOVE to dye fabric. I feel like an alchemist when I stir all of the different colored dyebaths. Recently, I realized that my hand-dyed creations were getting lost in the mix with the knitted jewelry and recycled fabric accessories.

So, I made an online shop just for my Hand-dyed Japanese Textile Art-to-wear!
www.amtextiles.etsy.com
is the latest of my online shops featuring my 3D Bubble Wraps in Autumnal colors.

Come check it out and let me know what you think :)

Custom Orders

I Love Custom Orders!

It's so much fun to make something inspired by a customer. There's always something new to work with- whether it's a fabric I have never used, or a color scheme I had not thought of- I love how I can make something for a specific someone! Above are some pictures of some of my latest custom orders- loose fitting, silk dupioni "origami" jackets. Such a great item. Named by my customer, the origami inspiration is made by my signature design elements- 3D thread ridges. They can be worn in so many different ways, fit so many sizes and shapes becomingly and silk dupioni is a sculptural and GREAT fabric!

Thanks for looking!

Front Page of Etsy!

This chartreuse hand-dyed silk organza bubble necklace made it to the front of Etsy today!

SO many people viewed my shop- Thanks so much!

Check out more 3D Japanese Shibori Textiles at my www.ambermayhem.etsy.com shop!

Sunsets in Pittsburgh?!

One of my biggest complaints about Pittsburgh, my acquired hometown, is that with the hilly topography and river valley nature of the place, we cannot see sunsets.

Watching the sunset on the dock was a HUGE part of my growing up experience. Dead hour and dancing while watching the magnificent colors of a Lake Erie sunset was THE (i.e ONLY) thing to do in my original hometown.

Well, now that Adam and I have moved, and are on top of a hill near a whole lot of green space in the city we get to see the best damn sunsets in the city. Check them out.

I really love our new place!

My Love, Robots and a Mattress factory

My lovely boyfriend, a talented mechanically-oriented, sweet, creative, stubborn soul has gotten himself into a glorious show at The Mattress Factory. The Mattress factory is a world renowned Installation Art museum that is completely kickass. To be honest, I usually am not impressed with art anymore, gallery art anyway, and the Mattress Factory always impresses me with their shows.

Adam's piece is crazy, whimsical and tells stories. Plus, it's a robot. You should come see it!
Other pieces are rumored to include night vision goggles, embroidery and a space vaccuum. It's gonna be cool!

So, check out this link

Meet The Made
for more info. Lots of other Robot happenings to celebrate Pittsburgh's 250th Anniversary. Umm...don't ask me how it all relates, but the city's PR team thinks it does AND the Art will be cool.

- The opening is July 11!

New House!

Oh, finally, after announcing our imminent move and then having lots of proverbial wrenches thrown into our house-buying process, we finally seem to be really, really close to owning a new home!

Here are some pictures of our soon-to-be-ours-with no-more-mishaps house!

Did I mention there is a jacuzzi tub? Dreamy!
It is much smaller than our current home, but in a safer neighborhood and in relatively good repair. We also have a crazy view to downtown Pittsburgh and in the winter we will have a great view across the Allegheny River. There's a huge yard (for plants and compost and an outdoor stove and chillin') and there is a ton of green space across the street, so our kitties will be able to roam. It's good.