Wallhanging

My main studies have been to know various structures within the basic weaving theories so I can expand in those areas with non-conventional combinations of colours and setts (how one puts the threads through the reed, on a loom). From here the main structures are expounded upon, stretching them to a higher number of harnesses to get the intricacies I know will work. I design the warp first, thread by thread, and then if it is not space-dyed or other plan, it goes on the loom directly. 

After this, the article is very likely finished on the loom with hemstitching, or it is then ready for the dye-pot. Many things are factored in. Daily weaving is my bread and butter, and when I have time I concentrate on a deeper artful approach. But even with the day to day handweaving, having two items the same is rare.

My main looms are a 12 harness 60” LeClerc floor loom, 5 table looms, 36” 4 harness floor loom (being re-designed to an 8), 16 harness AVL pegging system floor loom,  plus lots of spinning fibres and accessories. I can’t think of a fibre I don’t like to work with. This year’s selection for the Sooke Fine Arts Show has in it hand-spun recycled coke (pop) bottles! When purchasing this fibre I enquired as to the origin of this roving as it was just labeled ‘acrylic’ handspinning fibre. The answer was that is was recycled coke bottles.

How I got started – I was living in Dawson Creek during 1991 and joined the local guild. During the next summer we were demonstrating weaving and spinning in one of the log cabins at the local heritage site. The girls were always bugging me about being a weaver – no way! Anyhow, in front of some tourists, I was coaxed up onto the weavers’ bench and threw the shuttle, and that was it. I purchased a floor loom later that summer and was on my way. There have been lots of bumps and delights along the way, but to this day weaving is my passion and I’ll try and evangelize anyone I can. My earliest mentors and teachers are all passed away now, Dorothy Powell, Sue Brocke, and Casey Moser, to whom I am eternally grateful.

Thank you for supporting the show  –  enjoy your visit. If you haven’t found your gifting, may this show encourage you.