Bummer!

Well, I'm bummed.  Somehow in checking out the aspects of this site and my blog settings, I lost my original design layout/template.  The choices that were originally available aren't there any more.  Weird and frustrating.  So, I guess I will be re-working everything. Who knows, maybe I'll come up with a better layout.  That's what I get for messing around with things at midnight.

Writing an artist's statement...

   I've been working on writing a Bio and an Artist Statement, two different things, so I've read.  I was reading about how to write an artist statement, what's entailed... I find it difficult to write about myself, praise myself, basically sell myself or my work to someone else.  The article that I read on how to write one, stressed being truthful about what you say, amongst other things.  I've read lots of statements by other artists.  Some I can't understand because they are so full of nebulous words or seem to have no 'real' content about the artist at all.  Others are overflowing with all the various shows and/or awards that they have received that I'm done before I start, not that those aren't good to know too, but I think those should be stated in a Bio.
 
  Ultimately, I feel like I am bragging or something.  When someone comes over, I either feel like a little kid,  and show off what I'm working on or mostly, self-conscious and ignore my work altogether (which is out in the open for all to see). It's like I'm embarrassed or something.  Why?  I've never heard anyone say, "oh that's crap" (maybe they save that for behind my back, lol), or, "why did you do that?", in a mean derogatory way.  In fact most of the time, they want to know how I did something. Or, they might say, "wow, that's a lot of work, or tedious...or that's really great".  So, what's the big deal?  Has anyone else had this dilemma?

   As far as my Interior Design goes, I had someone today want to know if I had a website (working on it) or a portfolio...uhg! I should have one.  I've designed so many tile installations for people over the years you would think I would have thousands of photos. I have only a smattering. Who's fault? Mine...
The potential client wanted to know, basically, why she should pick me to do designs for her.  So there I am, having to tell someone why I am so great, pick me!

   I remember a painting teacher I had years ago who said that there are two types of artists; those who create merely to create and those who produce solely to sell.  I've been primarily a creator, and thus, usually a giver of gifts.  I do love that.  I enjoy sharing what I make and giving things to others.  I feel like I'm giving a little piece of myself, rather than say a gift card...something anyone can do. Handmade gifts have always seemed more personal to me.  I suppose not everyone feels that way about receiving that type of gift.  I guess some people prefer a standard present from the local box store.  Anyway, I've have come to realize the need for both types of artists...endless gift giving creations don't pay bills...So, I'm on a mission.  An artist's mission of both producing art for pleasure and also for potential earnings.  A mission that years ago, I said I could never do.  Never say never, right?  Hence, the need for an artist's statement.

   Not sure where the journey is going, but I'm on the bus.  It's a slow bus too.  So far, I have discovered that I am happiest when I'm creating something...anything. A good thing to know about myself for this journey.  One obstacle that I have is responding to this simple little question- "are you an artist?",
and being honest and not embarrassed by saying, "yes, I am."  Really, I don't know why I have such a problem with that question.  What stigma is attached to it?  Not a worthy profession?  Saying I'm an artist, is not a bad thing.  There are so many great talented people now and in the past...So, what's up?

  So far on this bus, I joined our local art museum...again.  I was a member once before, but I was always to chicken to enter any shows.  I only participated as an art teacher and also took my kids there so they could learn about art.   I am planning on entering a show coming up...another reason for the dreaded statement.  It's a slow bus, and I'm a work in progress.
   Definitely ramblings of this artist...

It's been a while...

Ok, well, I haven't fallen off the earth.  Overly busy I guess with natural coarse of life.
What have I been up too?  Holidays, son's broken leg, graduations, camping, gardening, creating, etc....

And of course weaving.  I acquired a fun Harrisville four harness 22" floor loom to my collection.   I currently have about 19 yards of warp on it. I am making scarves on it.  Nearly finished too.

I helped a friend dress her loom earlier in the year.  That is always fun. She has an all white warp with different types of fibers.  How's the project going?

I recently finished this warp.  I like putting a lot of  warp yardage on the loom at one time and then making several things from it-all uniquely different.  The warp was approx. 12 yards long and comprised of silk, cotton, hemp, and wool fibers. It yielded a rag rug which I used recycled flannel sheets for the weft, eight unique decorative pillows, a shawl, a purse and a coin purse.  I purchased a yarn twister.  Never used one before.  I used it on the purse.  Boy, what a difference it made. I was used to making the twist by hand.  No big deal for one or two, but when you have a lot to do...well, it's much easier to get consistent twists.

I've also been playing around with hand dying natural fibers.  That is really fun.  My love of gardening has come into play.  I found myself scouting out various plants in my yard to try creating dye.  Really fun.  They never turn out quite like you expect, part of the fun surprise.  I like the subtle greens that the copper sulfate adds to the yarn. Some berries from an unknown tree created a taupey color on some silk.  More on that later.  Anyway, all for now.

Happy Days!

Hope the turkey consumption wasn't overwhelming for everyone...I personally liked the addition of salmon, shrimp and scallops to the menu...yummmmm.....
I visited two new yarn stores over the break with my daughter (a fellow yarn lover...knitter and crocheter).  Very fun.  Yarndogs and Purlescence...full of great yarns in silks, wools, cottons etc...I broke the bank.  I already started some new projects.  I acquired a small vintage ridged heddle loom on ebay that I have put a warp on...making a scarf.  It's weird going from a big floor loom to a little table loom.  This way I won't have to tie up my big loom for something small like a scarf.  I also started a couple new crocheted scarf projects on the way back from a Kings hockey game...one with a new wooden hook and the other with a pattern other than double crochet.  Crocheting is a good car travel pass time as long as the roads aren't too curvy.   Not sure I like how the pattern is turning out.  I'll post pictures soon.

Weaving and working along...

I bought some yarn.  Started weaving.  It's amazing how much I'm using.  One skein of 103 yards gave me three full bobbins worth and about 9" of pattern.  The take up on this warp is 2 whole inches. It started out at 40 1/4", now it's 38 1/4" wide.  It's really tricky to keep the salvage looking good too.  I think the navy color really shows the pattern.  The gold tone color cotton weft allows the warp to show through nicely.  I'm going to combine both colors.

I'm still formulating in my mind exactly what I'm going to make.  Sometimes, that takes awhile...I'm still experimenting with the pattern.
I've been looking into cloth labels for finished products.  If anyone is out there reading this, and you know a source for them, please let me know.  I found one place in Texas.  Their samples look great but, they have a minimum of 500pcs...my stock isn't quite there yet. 

Sunday was raining all day, so in between weaving, I crocheted three scarves.
This one below is the 'Fall-changing colors'... in organic cotton.

Below is Winter Shadows, frosty sage green in silky bamboo yarn and purple and black fuzzy yarn woven in for added texture and dimension. 

 This one is a chenille cotton blend of cream, olive, and black with specs of purple and teal.  Don't have a name for this one yet.

Well, I'm still figuring out this whole blog thing.  I've looked at some different sites.  It's great being able to see fellow weaver's and their work.  There are so many talented people.  I'm not sure if my site is open for people to comment or not, or if anyone has even really seen it.  It's OK...I'm going to keep on posting.  It's kind of therapeutic in a way, posting the work I've been doing.  It's a makes it seem a little more real.
I still have work to do as far as getting a business going.  I did file for a name...now I need to work on a website.  The business won't just be weaving, but design consulting and teaching too.
Trying to do it all and take care of the boys is challenging, but they are pretty supportive.  They can't really help me do anything, but they are encouraging.  So, I guess that counts for something.

I just finished a warp recently, made a rag rug amongst other things. Well, actually I have several pieces of fabric that I have designated for different items.  I'm going to wash them tomorrow and see what happens.  It can be an exciting surprise to see which yarns 'fluff' up, some will and some won't.  Some will felt really easily (well wool mostly), so minimal agitation is required.  I'll keep you posted.

After reading another weaver's site, I decided I want to get another loom that I can devote to small pieces like scarves.  I don't want to devote my floor loom to something so small...  I was looking on ebay for a table top loom...so far, the ones I've seen are for pick-up only, in New York...a little far for me.  I saw some too, that gave me an idea to make a frame loom myself...anyway, I'm always thinking. off for now...

The Joys and Frustrations of Weaving

So, I've finally had some time to start checking out my new warp...I found out the 'tabby' in this pattern is really a rib weave, don't know how I missed that earlier in the description. Anyway, pretty fun, something different. 

The above photo shows my first fixed error. The bummer came as I was weaving and realized that one thread wasn't being picked up.  Upon investigating, I saw that I had reversed two ends from the dent into the heddles, so they were sticking every time I switched harnesses. I had to cut the ends and put them back through the dents in the right order...not too bad I thought. 

The beginning of a weaving project is always exciting, trying to find out what the different colors and types of yarn do as they get thrown across the warp, I love it.  Also, when dealing with a pattern setting, it's fun to see what the different patterns look like.  My warp has so many colors in it that what I choose to go across really makes a difference in whether or not the pattern is visible.  So far I like how the dark navy color looks also, the sheen of a pearl cotton is nice.  








Hmph, well, weaving again, trying out the different pattern configurations I noticed another problem..a FLAW AGAIN! Realistically, most people would never notice it...the perfectionist in me could never leave it. Can you see a flaw? No?  You can if you look closely at the width of the weft near the thread laying across the top...

I had to figure out my plan of attack.  I didn't want to re-thread  the heedles. Only two were out of sequence. I decided to move them all over in the reed and add the two back through the heddles at the end.  I hope I don't end up paying for that choice later.  I suppose I could have left them off al together, but I really wanted to get the most width possible.  I've notice the take up on the salvage edge is quite a lot with pattern.
So anyway, two hours later and 25 plus ends cut, put through the reed and re-tied, I fixed it.  I guess I forgot to listen to my old weaving teacher, Charlotte Funk's words, double check the heddles before you tie up...I did actually, but the complicated pattern repeat...and 480 ends...Oh well, at least I caught it before I wove any further.
People who don't understand weaving, just look at it as a mess of confusion..or tedious work and "why would anyone want to do it". 

I love the whole process.  I am excited by color and how different ones make me feel.  One thing with weaving is that the colors really change and play off of each other as they are intertwined together.
It's like a painter who mixes paint and watches the colors change..but different. :)

I'm back...

Happy Veteran's Day to all...

Ok, well, one thing I've found, is life gets in the way sometimes when it comes to creating art.  My son broke his leg this past week, so my focus has been put to that.  He had surgery and a couple pins put in.  The Admin. Nurse ask him how old he was, "17", "and you're still climbing trees?", "well, the Crocodile Hunter did." FUN.

Anyway, I did throw a few threads across the loom finally.  It's a start.  I also filed for my business license, trying to get all the paper work in line, which there is a lot...

 I've been crocheting another scarf too, well, I started that while I was waiting for the surgery to be over...occupying the time.  This one below I just finished and I'm going to post it on my etsy site.

 

So here is the weaving thus far, it's not very exciting right now...the first threads are just to get the warp in line. I can see that the tabby pattern is a little different.  I'm excited to see the whole pattern.  Off to start weaving.

Hope everyone is well...