Dyeing, repurposing and weaving with Weaving Hand Studio

Dyeing and drying the warp by hand with an iron. I actually hand painted the warp with watercolor wax pastels...

I also spent some time weaving, using cut-up, old t-shirts as "yarn" for the weft. 

Fun with 3 dimensions

So the fun of making jewelry and experimenting with 3 dimensions has led to more figurative experiments as well. Below is a piece in progress. I can't wait to continue and "finish" this "doll."

"Stitching Myself Together."
Watercolor, embroidery,
stitching, batting (fill)
appliqué. 2013. In progress.

Neckwear by Iviva - something new!

Dear blog readers,

While you know me as a stitcher of language and portraits, often combined, I have lately started making jewelry. Here are some images of a new line I'm working on. I thought you'd all appreciate a preview!

"Links." 2013. Hand embroidery.

"Collar." 2013. Hand embroidery.

I'm hoping to turn this into a custom-order line, so get in touch if you have questions, or need a unique piece!

Tangible yet loosely structured

Thanks, Weaving Hand and Cynthia Alberto for giving me an opportunity to weave again and try out some new ideas.

Fall Sprawl

When the weather shifts even slightly in New York City, it's apparent immediately in people's fashion choices. The G and L trains are great places to spot people expressing themselves through clothing, as in my below sketch in homage to a woman I observed recently on my way home from Bushwick.

Using my new method of a very leaky watercolor drawing with embroidery on top, I recreated from memory a woman I observed from afar. I was mostly interested in her textured, brightly colored skirt, severe haircut, and heels...

Subverting the Pattern, en fin

New - Resident Teaching Artist at Brooklyn's Weaving Hand Studio

September has introduced some exciting changes! For one, the day job I'd had for 7 years as a textile designer came to a denouement. While I'm sad, it's opened the door for some unexpected opportunities. I'm now able to get back into hands-on weaving as a Resident Teaching Artist at Weaving Hand studio in Brooklyn. I'm so excited!


This comes at a perfect time, as I'm preparing for a December exhibit at Muriel Guepin Gallery. I feel as though some of my embroideries could use some 3-dimensional accompaniments...and I now have more time and access to the equipment with which to explore my ideas!


And I'm teaching embroidery at Weaving Hand in Brooklyn on two Sundays in September - September 22nd and 29th from 12-4pm. This 4-hour class is a great intro to classic stitches and ways to apply them to make artwork. Check out the workshops here.


In the meantime, here is a sneak peak at part of a larger-scale watercolor + embroidery piece I'm making, "Subverting the Pattern."

More to come soon!