Weaving Again - Almost (and a question)
That is to say, I think I'm starting to get the "weaving bug" again! I was getting a bit worried, since there was not an inkling of interest anywhere on the horizon. I began to think that maybe weaving would fall by the wayside, with just the occasional piece done here or there as the need or occasion arose. I believe all the ruckus going on around me led to the lull - the construction, the impending (and now in process) move of my second son for his first "real" job, tumultuous times at work, some turmoil with my own "birth" family. Weaving should have been something I turned to during times like these; the throwing of the shuttle back and forth usually becomes quite meditative. Instead I took to knitting, the craft with which I have the most experience, and knit the lace shawl that I showed you last time. (Still no photo of it on me - things have been a bit, um, unsettled here).
Last week, I got an email from the director of Maine Fiberarts in Topsham, which is an organization that promotes all kinds of textile artistry and to which I belong. They have a gallery, and periodically host artists who give presentations. They also have sales of their members art a couple of times a year, and last year they sold a shawl and scarf that I wove at the Holiday exhibit at the Botanical Gardens in Boothbay. They seemed very enthusiastic about my handwovens at the time. Anyway, they are having a 2 months long "weave-in" during May and June, during which
"Maine weavers Emi Ito of Bath, Susan Perrine of Woolwich, Sheila Shanti of Westbrook, and Sybil Shiland of Standish will be on hand during different days to weave on looms and to answer questions. Guest weavers from all over the State will join this group at various times to showcase weaving techniques. A complete schedule of events is posted at www.mainefiberarts.org.
Last week, I got an email from the director of Maine Fiberarts in Topsham, which is an organization that promotes all kinds of textile artistry and to which I belong. They have a gallery, and periodically host artists who give presentations. They also have sales of their members art a couple of times a year, and last year they sold a shawl and scarf that I wove at the Holiday exhibit at the Botanical Gardens in Boothbay. They seemed very enthusiastic about my handwovens at the time. Anyway, they are having a 2 months long "weave-in" during May and June, during which
"Maine weavers Emi Ito of Bath, Susan Perrine of Woolwich, Sheila Shanti of Westbrook, and Sybil Shiland of Standish will be on hand during different days to weave on looms and to answer questions. Guest weavers from all over the State will join this group at various times to showcase weaving techniques. A complete schedule of events is posted at www.mainefiberarts.org.
An exhibition of woven work, special looms and weavers' tools will be displayed throughout the Gallery, and The Red Studio will be turned into a working weaver's studio. Visitors will be able to watch a warp being made, a floor loom being warped, and the weaving of cloth. Several stunning examples of floor looms will be present (including a 36-inch Harrisville and a Japanese Saori), and weavers will also demonstrate the use of table, rigid heddle, tapestry and inkle looms. Weavers will show visitors how to construct a simple loom with heddles and treadles, or to create a card loom that uses only tapestry needles and cardboard to create small woven purses, belts or fabric."
I had received several other emails over the past month or so drawing attention to this event, and "calling all weavers" to display and/or sell their wares at this show. Since I hadn't woven anything for sale and my inventory is fairly low, I didn't even give it a thought. But last week, the director asked me specifically if I'd like to share any of my work. I explained that I hadn't been weaving, and she countered that she really liked the few things that were in my Etsy shop, if I could spare them. An exchange or two later, and I found myself going through my bins, seeing if there was anything I could send her. I came up with these two scarves, one from the shop and one not yet listed:
I mailed them to her yesterday - I hope she is pleased with my choices!
Anyhoo, that got my juices flowing just a bit, and I remembered that I have a cone of 10/2 bamboo in a lovely silver color. I've never woven with bamboo before, but have seen many examples that look gorgeous and have a lovely drape and sheen. I think I'm going to weave 2 scarves, one with a deep teal merino/tencel weft, and one with a black tencel weft, in a pattern called Maltese Cross. Here is a photo of a draft from a wonderful blog,
http://weeverwoman.blogspot.com/. She has woven some stunning bookmarks using this pattern, as well as some lovely tea towels. I'll be basing my scarves on this draft, though I may change it up a bit.
So sorry, no progress photos yet, though I have wound half of the warp already. I'm hoping to get to the other half soon, but my next couple of days will be spent painting and helping Son move some heavy furniture. My poor loom is still waiting patiently behind some other chairs by the fireplace in the living room.
And what will I be painting, you ask? Why this!
And, if it ever stops raining, this:
Those clapboards almost look already painted (not just primed) - see how close in color they are to the clapboards over on the left? Alas, they too need a final coat or two, and there's still a wee bit of carpentry left to do on the outside. The plumber is coming on Monday to install two baseboards, so I have to at least prime the drywall before then. Those interior photos were taken yesterday afternoon, and this morning the plastic came down, and the vacuuming commenced. Hooray! The trim may be some time in coming, as Husband says he wants to do that, and, well, we know how long THAT can take!
If you're still with me, here is the question. Are my posts too long??? I never start out intending to write anything more than a paragraph or two, adding some photos along the way, and yet every post seems very verbose to me. I don't know why that is, and if you all think I am, er, overstaying my welcome, please let me know and I will endeavor to cut back.
Thanks for visiting, and next time there WILL be some weaving-related photos, I hope!
Hi, Karen! Thanks for the blog-visit and your lovely compliments on my Sydney Harbour shawl. Your scarves are lovely! Wishing you lots of sales at the summer show. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Debbie! And thanks for reading - I've missed your posts over on Ravelry, so it's nice to "see" you again!
DeleteHi
ReplyDeleteI enjoy your posts! Photos are lovely, but I like "visiting" with a person.
Best wishes
Judy