Over the last couple of years, I have been weaving a series of tapestries and one of a kind art dolls.
Green-Empress-art-doll-by-Noreen-Crone-Findlay-copyright
I am calling this series, ‘Woven Women’. I made a little video mini tour of one corner of my studio, showing ‘The Green Empress’.
The Green Empress brings together many of my favorite fiber techniques: Tapestry weaving, inkle weaving, small loom weaving, crochet, wire work, tatting and punch needle embroidery.
My plan is to eventually have enough ‘Woven Women’ for a one woman show. I don’t have enough of them finished yet, but I am working on it!
Here are some more photos and the video tour that shows The Green Empress:
Green-Empress-art-doll-by-Noreen-Crone-Findlay-copyright
Green-Empress-art-doll-by-Noreen-Crone-Findlay-copyright
Her face is punch needle embroidery and her crown is tapestry weave.
Green-Empress-art-doll-by-Noreen-Crone-Findlay-copyright
Her hands are heavy gauge wire, wrapped with cotton thread. They are cupped so they can hold small objects.
Her arms are inkle bands and 2 inch Weave it Squares, stitched and shaped and layered.
Green-Empress-art-doll-by-Noreen-Crone-Findlay-copyright
Her feet are a combination of 2 inch squares that I wove on my vintage Weave it loom, with Inkle weaving.
I just kept stitching and shaping until I was happy with her feet.
Green-Empress-art-doll-by-Noreen-Crone-Findlay-copyright
I crocheted wire in an open work mesh to shape her body and skirt.
They, I wove miles of inkle bands (woven on my Schacht inkle loom) through them.
I also wove in tatted lace, too. The skirt is about 24 inches wide, but is folded and stitched.
Green-Empress-art-doll-by-Noreen-Crone-Findlay-copyright
This closeup shows a small panel of punch needle embroidery , tatting, inkle weaving and the copper wire armature.
Green-Empress-art-doll-by-Noreen-Crone-Findlay-copyright
Close up of one eye and part of the crown. You can see that I love Byzantine art, as there is a definite influence here.
And, here is the link to a mini studio tour, with my wonderful husband playing one of his compositions (with our small dog in his lap, as small dog insists on sitting in Jim’s lap when he plays and practices!)
Tottie Talks Crafts Blog 
What a wonderful doll! Great combination of techniques. Thanks for the tour. Cute dog, cute, talented hubby as well!
LikeLike
Thank you so much 🙂
And yes, my husband is VERY talented (and completely wonderful) and our little dog is truly spoiled but very cute, too, so that makes up for the spoiled bit, doesn’t it? LOL
🙂
LikeLike
I love this mixed media weaving/textile art/whatever you want to call it! Your Green Empress is very Byzantine and imaginative; has she told you who she is yet? A series of these women would be wonderful; there were so many strong women who inhabited that world, both before and after the Turks took Constantinople and the fall of the Empire of Byzantium.
LikeLike
Hi Caroline
Thank you so much 🙂
What an interesting question! Actually, I don’t really know the stories of any of the Woven Women… there are several of them in the series, and I have been intrigued by the process of weaving them, but don’t have stories in words for them…. I think that the stories will have to reveal themselves to the people who look at them….
LikeLike
Hi, I found your fabulous Emperess via the FFC forum and I LOVE her! I had the same thought as Caroline, though, and saw a Byzantine figure (in my other life I do Byzantine Studies). Bravo! Hope to see more beautiful women in your blog!
LikeLike
THis is amazing!! I love the mixture or techniques and textures, I look forward to seeing the rest of the series as they take shape.
LikeLike
Noreen, you are one extremely talented lady! Thank you for allowing us to have a peek into your studio. I crochet wire jewellery and yes it does become hard on your hands unless you remember the old saying ‘softly, softly little monkey’ that and lots of cups of tea. I think that your Green Empress is beautiful and I am sure that the company that will join her will be equally impressive.
LikeLike
“Happy….everything!” Love that, Noreen, and loved the chance to see a corner of your studio. And of course, love the doll and the way all those techniques combined to bring her to life. (When you think about it, humans are composed of different textures, design + materials! ) You should make more of these studio tour videos – it was lovely and inspiring.
LikeLike
Those eyes are SO compelling. They just go on and on, even before one looks at the rest of this amazing creation! More!
LikeLike
Thank you so much, Isabella 🙂
If you click on the video, you’ll see the the Empress Theodora that I designed and knitted- there’s a pattern for her on my website.
I love the art of the Byzantine empire, and am definitely influenced by it. 😀
LikeLike
Hi Lyn
Thank you so much! I’ll definitely post more photos of the rest of the series really soon! 🙂
LikeLike
Thanks so much, Kiwigal 🙂
I love the ‘softly softly little monkey’ mantra- what is the source of that? It’s charming!
LikeLike
Hi Zann
You are right! We really are a combination of the most amazing elements, aren’t we? Humanity is fascinating!
For another glimpse of my studio, see:
😀 and, thank you so much…. always in all ways!
LikeLike
Thank you Aleksa! I quite like the photo of her eyes… it made me think about the possibility of working on some pieces that are just about the eyes….. hmmmmm…..
LikeLike
Love your Green Empress, Noreen!
Margaretha
LikeLike
Thank you so much, Margaretha!
LikeLike
Beauriful and so creative! Maryse
LikeLike
Pingback: Woven Women-Butterfly Prayer | Tottie Talks Crafts Blog