Tuesday, February 2, 2010

Cool Climates Handspun Giveaway!



When does yarn become Art-yarn? I wonder this sometimes as I look through etsy listings that entitle themselves as such.

I personally consider fine crafts like handspinning, an art form. But, like all art forms, mastery, technique and a certain need for expressing an idea are what separates the arts from the crafts. Don't get me wrong, there is also good art and not-so-good art, but I think intention is what separates art and craft.

They say, all you need to appreciate good art is a chair. When you first happen upon art yarns like the ones in the Cool Climates shop, you might wonder how will I use this? What can I do with this? But, perhaps these are the wrong questions to ask. Instead, consider looking (or better yet, experiencing in person!) at the yarn and deciding for yourself if the execution of the piece was successful. I'm going to use Rachel's "Mongolia" hanspun as an example of what I mean. Browsing her shop, I was immediately drawn to this listing. I did not read the description, I just studied the photo and thought to myself "what a pretty yarn" and then "What could I possibly do with this?" Having some basic knowledge of Mongolia, I felt the yarn was a wonderful interpretation of the country, especially with Rachel's add-in choices like bone beads and fur. The colors very much reminded me of the indigenous dress as well. Now, reading some background information in the description about Rachel's extensive research on the Mongolian culture, I understand why I feel this was a well-executed piece. This piece of artwork, like all art yarns, are ones that I consider "interactive". Rachel is inviting us to finish the journey to articulate Mongolia with her, by using her work. This opens up lots of exciting possibilities for the yarn, doesn't it?

I did want to mention before closing that Rachel has another shop where she sells her art batts. Check out the Coollight shop.

I'm inviting you to take a look at Cool Climates, find something you like, and write about it in the comments section below. We'll be drawing for this "Melanie" art yarn giveaway later in the week. Please consider gaining extra entries by using twitter, facebook, or ravelry to let everyone else know about Cool Climates.

48 comments:

Jess said...

I love the Lorikeet handspun luxury yarn. So pretty!

Jess

http://storiedyarns.etsy.com
http://jessecreations.wordpress.com

Kim said...

I am in love with the Korea art yarn :)

Darcy said...

I've always been intrigued by art yarn--what do you make to show it off? I love Secret Garden--the colors and flowers.

Anonymous said...

I want your "Oceania" yarn! Are you in the Bjork Ravelry group? I've been wanting to submit to that for a while. Well done! Love all your yarn.

yarnmagic on Ravelry said...

I'm voting for the newly listed Secret Garden handspun luxury artyarn. Beautiful!

Unknown said...

I'd love to try an art yarn. I think Melanie is actually my favorite.

elendir said...

Lots of great yarns, but this time it hasn't been difficult: Field of Tulips in Holland. (I've chosen it before reading the description... and as I LOVE Monet it definitely figures!)

Unknown said...

My vote is for Ziggy Stardust handspun luxury artyarn. Just fab

Carla said...

The prize is my favorite of the art yarns. I just love it.

Sylvia said...

Oh me, me, me!

I love the space age beaded art yarn.

Unknown said...

Just coincidental, but we're big birders here and my favorite is the lorikeet art yarn

Unknown said...

I love the Melanie yarn. It is just my colors.

Unknown said...

Ziggy Stardust handspun luxury artyarn is just amazing. I'd love to try that or just sit and admire it.

Knittingdancer on Ravelry said...

I love the Hummingbirds handspun luxury yarn. I love watching hummingbirds out of my kitchen window.

Patience Ann said...

No, I genuinely can't choose between Mongolia & Magical Mystery Tour artyarns. Seriously, each one looks so full of amazing little surprises, I could never ever decide. This is *SO* my kind of thing. RTed @millarca

Diana Troldahl said...

The Frida Kahlo succeeded in capturing the colors of her artwork very well! I also loved the Moody Weather.
I am not drawn by the beaded yarns (even the more conventional ones). I enjoy looking at them, but not working with them.

Liz said...

The colors of Space Age plus the little add ons really intrigue me. I'd have to say that I'd grab that.

Lizbert on Ravelry

saskia said...

the art yarn - like i can really choose though

Renee J said...

Magical Mystery Tour... the Beatles and Yarn... I'm in love!

Diana, Fiber Fancy said...

Love the Ziggy Stardust handspun luxury artyarn, just looks sooo fun. And... don't forget to check out her other shop! I always wondered why she didn't sell her batts, well, she is now and I'm having a blast watching what she's coming up with!

Elaine said...

I love both the Melanie and Space Age art yarns. Would love to try an art yarn. What fun!

Elaine said...

And all blogged about at elaine-knitting.blogspot.com

Rachel O said...

Lots of great-looking choices. My favorites are Melanie (my birthday is coming up next week so this would be a great win/gift), Ziggy and Space Age.

Amy said...

I would use the Golden Lily handspun along with some other feltable yarn to make a bowl for my kitchen table. The colors are perfect for it. They would show nicely against a complimentary feltable wool in a stripe or two or three.

Anonymous said...

Ok, gorgeous yarn! As you mentioned, I am drawn to the mongolian handspun - love the trinkets, fur and beads that are included. Beautiful!

Unknown said...

Wow, the Bryce Canyon handspun artyarn is lovely. That just made me happy. Oh what to do....

Cindy said...

I like the Deep Tropics!

Turtle said...

i would have to say it is the melanie that catches my eye! nice fibers though!

Kim Reid said...

Love the Deep Tropics handspun luxury yarn, wool and allergy-free, Thanks!
kimberlybreid at hotmail dot com

Unknown said...

So hard to choose a favorite. That is some of the nicest yarn I've seen !
I like the Hummingbirds handspun luxury yarn. Would love to win "Melanie" !

Anna B said...

I like the Space Age beaded art yarn! Very pretty :)

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Debra said...

I absolutely love the "Field of Tulips in Holland" yarn...I see it for an amazing head of hair on a fair skinned doll with dark brown eyes! Thanks for the opportunity.
http://www.apple-tree-house.blogspot.com

Jenn Doll said...

Korea is great!!!
OH MY!!

InJuneau said...

There are so many lovely yarns there! The Van Gogh's Irises handspun yarn is fabulous. Truthfully, though, just about everything there would find a happy home in my house, even if I just kept it around as art!

Heather J said...

Wow she puts a lot of thought and effort into her yarns. I have to say I am crazy about the Lorikeet but I have often wondered what a Monet painting would look like in a hank of yarn and her Garden of Giverny is even more beautiful than I envisoned. WOW!!! I do wonder what I would make from her yarns but than that would be half of the fun. The hunt for an extrodianary pattern to match a art yarn would be a wonderful journey. While you were looking think how special it would look in an elegant bowl.

Unknown said...

Deep Tropics, I can just picture a tropical beach. I love it!
Sue

Kat said...

Violet Passion is really appealing. Frida Kahlo is another that I really like. Thank you for pointing out the link to her other shop. Lots to love there!

Beesybee said...

I love everyone, they are all so different and beautiful, Ok, I'm drooling over Mongolia.

Heidi B said...

so fluffity!!! IT is all absolutely amazing!!!! *DROOLS*

Heather said...

I LOVE Van Gogh's Irises!

bib and tucker said...

Van Gogh's Iris's is fantastic!! What a stunning example of a yarn that has been inspired by a work of art. It is a work of art itself. I don't know that i could make it into anything, it looks scrummy just the way it is! :-)

EVA SB said...

I love the Orchids artyarn or
Frida Kahlo for something totally different.

I tweeted
http://twitter.com/EVA_n_essence/status/8584855790

Kenlynn said...

your Van Gogh's Irises handspun yarn is very nice.

Ann Ryan said...

I love the Magical Mystery Tour and the Klimt yarns. So interesting!

Ruhammie said...

Ooh, Winterwonderland looks like a lot of fun!

Max. H said...

This is a fantastic shop with interesting & unique yarns! My favorite is the Mongolia handspun luxury artyarn. The colors are rich and story that goes with it even better!

Little Miss S. said...

I have a dream of creating something like the Van Gogh's Irises handspun yarn - from left overs in every color imaginable...

Anne said...

OOOOOOOO......I love Violet Passion