Close-up of Braided T-Shirt Rug

Braided T-Shirt Rug

Here's a close-up of the rug I've been working on.  It's a great project to use up lots of old t-shirts!  I'm using my t-shirts for a lot of different projects right now, so this rug is taking a while to make.  But that's okay......it's a fun project.

Great Upcycled Scarf Workshop Last Week!

Such a fun time making upcycled scarves with folks in New Haven last week! 

I always feel so inspired after running a workshop.  I love the energy of each and every person who takes the time to create!  The results, as always, were stunning!!!!

Gearing up for Workshops

I've been busy planning and preparing materials for two upcoming workshops.  Both workshops involve reusing old and worn out textiles.

Bundles of t-shirt yarn

Right now I'm working on a rug that I plan to have ready by the end of the month.  I'm using t-shirts that I'm braiding and affixing to a felt background.  Photos soon!

The Guilford Art League 72nd Annual Juried Exhibition

Two of my works were selected for inclusion in Guilford Art League's 72nd Juried Exhibition, September 9 - 28, 2019.  The exhibition, held at Mill Gallery, Guilford Art Center,  showcased 90 artworks.

The juror, Patricia Miranda, is an artist, curator and educator who uses interdisciplinary projects to make connections among art, science, history and culture.  Of this year's exhibit, she stated, "The strong quality and diversity of the work was inspiring, from quiet observational naturalism to bold gestural abstraction, from poetic interpretation to wry humor....Listening to the artworks, they began to create families, grouping themselves through color, mood, subject, and the indefinable connections that come about through the coincidence of works."

My two accepted works, Tree in the Year 2120 and Oh, What a Tangled Web We Weave, incorporated reused and recycled materials - plastic single-use bags, newspaper plastic bags, and cardboard. 

Tree in the Year 2120, cardboard tube and plastic bags, Mill Gallery, Guilford Art Center

Gallery view, Tree in the Year 2120, Mill Art Gallery, Guilford Art Center

 And my second piece:

Oh, What a Tangled Web We Weave, tree branch and plastic bags, Mill Gallery, Guilford Art Center

Gallery View, Oh, What a Tangled Web We Weave, Mill Gallery, Guilford Art Center

At the opening reception on Friday, September 13, 2019, I was surprised (and honored) to be selected for an Honorable Mention prize for my Oh, What a Tangled Web We Weave work.

Here are a few pictures of the opening reception:

Opening Reception, GAL 72nd Annual Juried Exhibition

Opening Reception, GAL 72nd Annual Juried Exhibition 

 Thanks for reading!

Workshop at Guilford Art Center!

There's still time to sign up for my fall workshop at Guilford Art Center!

Here is a link for the full catalog (a close-up of my upcycled t-shirt rug is on the cover):

Guilford Art Center Fall 2019 Catalog

Here is the link to my class:  Creative Reuse Workshop: Let's Tackle Textile Waste

And here's the class description:

Are you tempted to toss shirts and other textiles that are either too out of style to wear or too worn out to donate? Don’t! Join Marsha Borden in a new Creative Reuse Workshop and let’s tackle textile waste together! Marsha will show you how to take t-shirts, sweaters, old sheets, and other textiles and turn them into fun wearables and home accessories. Mix and match fabrics, textures and colors, warp your own loom (the legs of a chair or even a hula hoop will do), and get weaving! For those who crochet, make drink coasters or a rug with your own t-shirt yarn. For those who hand-sew, make a patchwork scarf, a small lap blanket, or a table runner. And if you don’t sew, make clever necklaces accessorized with fabric flowers, a multi-textured garland, or a cool boho curtain to hang in any entryway. All techniques and patterns will be demonstrated/provided. Bring your own t-shirts, bedsheets, sweaters, menswear shirts, and other textiles, and join us for a playful, crafty afternoon!

Thanks for reading!