If your work – or life – feels stuck or out-of-focus as a new year begins, catch a fresh wind from the experience of 3 participants who are taking Jane Dunnewold’s independent study course to find creative clarity. Linda Witte Henke shares her perspective….

SDA Europe Representative Karina van Vught recently planned & hosted a 2nd confab of SDA members at Zijdelings, her textile arts center in Tilburg, NL. Mirjam Pet-Jacobs gives an overview of the outstanding “Ecovision” 2-day program….

In the mood to get inspired by some innovative work using fiber media? Check out this latest selection of sites curated especially for SDA NewsBlog viewers by web-roaming SDA member Mickie McCormic….

Experience the thrill of seeing Barbara De Pirro’s creative mind at work while getting your consciousness raised by her unexpected mixing of organic & synthetic (and environment-damaging) materials in her outdoor installations….

Get the real story behind what it takes to plan and shoot a video how-to about your favorite textile technique or creative process. SDA member Anne Selby (UK) generously shares her insights on making one about arashi shibori that includes the award-winning machine she designed….

The Linen Biennial, a suite of international exhibitions at heritage sites in the Portneuf region by the St. Lawrence River (June-October, 2011), honored the flax and linen culture that 17th century farmers fr0m Ulster, Ireland, brought to Quebec. Patricia Malarcher takes you on a tour of the fashion, fine art and craft that were featured this year….

Let this travelogue by Carolyn Kallenborn transport you on a virtual vacation to Oaxaca, Mexico. Footage of exuberant dancers in technicolor textiles is a must-see – as is her documentary “Woven Lives/Vidas Entretejidas”….

Haystack Mountain School of Crafts recently celebrated 50 years of inhabiting its superbly designed buildings with a conference on design itself. Whether you’ve ever taught/taken a class at Haystack or not, let yourself be transported there by this overview of a well-designed gathering in a spectacular setting dedicated to creative expression….

“Nothing beats good old-fashioned face-to-face (F2F) to really engage in a conversation or experience a work of art. With this craving for human interaction & creative inspiration, I eagerly attended SDA Confluence last June in Minneapolis.” Get an overview of featured exhibitions seen through Marci McDade’s informed eyes here….

SDA Member Melodie Flook (at left) was among 4 student/ designers who won SURTEX 2011 designext competition – and a booth of her own at the NYC trade show. Find out what it’s like to be there + get good backstory on 4 textile design schools in the US, CA & UK….