Pages

Thursday, June 30, 2011

Two new Saori-esque scarves

I am preparing to teach a ridged heddle loom class at a local knitting store. I went by the store to pick out some yarns for weaving two scarf samples using some the yarn stores inventory.
I really tried hard to weave more conventional scarves as I realize that theses students are not familiar with Saori, or weaving. I got about 3" to 4" into weaving a scarf and realized that I could not stand  weaving in the "conventional way" any more! I take the scarves to the shop tomorrow .I figure if the store owner does not "get " it then I will just bring the scarves home. TO LATE, I AM A CONVERT TO SAORI WEAVING AND THERE IS NO GOING BACK!


The first scarf is called "otters in Monterey bay"


If you look carefully you can see some dark brown furry bits mommy otter and some lighter tan furry bits, the baby sea otter, amongst the" blue ocean yarn", (click on the photos to enlarge).
A baby otter was just born this week in the monterey bay aquarium .
here is a video of another otter and another 




The other scarf is called"Lavender in Provence" 
this was as "conventional" as  could handle"




Monday, June 27, 2011

New Saori loom owner

Debra has been weaving on a ridged heddle loom.  I found out she and her husband were from Ohio originally , my husband and I were Buckeye's too. she home schooled her children, we did too.

She  came to the studio wanting a better weaving experience, classes, loom. What does that mean? well when you know you know. Saori is so much fun and the equipment is so well designed it is a joy to experience.  I felt the same way when I first used a saori loom, I fell in love with it, and the appreciation just continues every time I use it. I have had/owned over 15 looms in my weaving life so I have comparisons for sure  .
She liked the portability of the Saori SX60 folding loom.
We got it out of the box and put it together and were weaving in about an hour.


Debra's new loom all put together, warp tied on and ready for weaving. Thank you Debra , nice to meet you and here about your lovely family too.
can you see the yarn in Debra's braid she inserted? very nice.

 looking very good



 Her original weaving she brought. She wants to continue the theme.

I  think she has  started to weave  a very nice complementary new piece.
"I had so very much fun today" was Debra's response as we loaded her loom in her vehicle  and she was on her way.She will be back with some friends in 2 weeks . I will take photos again and report back on her progress! Very exciting Debra.

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

more saori woven sandal straps

I needed to weave a second pair of straps for my Sseko sandals, narrower , and I got to use my aglet crimper.
I wove two simultaneously on my saori loom . finished width 1/2' but you could weave these on a ridged heddle loom , they are 85" long.


the multi color cotton 8/2, is my hand dyed warp I dyed.

EMPTY AGLET

aglet crimp pliers




cool 



makes lacing my Sseko sandals  really easy





my feet are all set for hot weather now.

Sunday, June 19, 2011

Saori woven straps, popsicles & laundry

Time for the toes to emerge from my clogs and shoes. So to celebrate toe summer solstice coming in two days I started weaving Saori straps on my saori loom for my two new pair of sandals.

Mohop low sandals with stock  black strap and my new saori woven strap. Sseko's flat sandals made in Africa
My Sskeo's before with plain brown cotton straps , bottom photo,  MORE HERE  they practice  responsible consumerism to support sustainable economic development and are made in Africa
Above are my mohop's clog/wood cherry low sandal with stock tie and new woven strap  MORE HERE they come is 3 or four different cute heights of heel, mine are  conservative  lows as I twist my ankles and break bones too easily.
Annie started mohop  in Chicago by making custom made shoes/clogs 4 yrs ago. Now recently  some are made in china making them more affordable and accessible to others, but you can still order the  custom made ones made in the USA too.













  Yes the eternal HIPPIE

Going to weave  more straps, monochromatic color, but I truly love the randomness of these too.

The summer solstice is in two day I have hung out the laundry for that fantastic fresh warm smell, I have not used regular detergent for years, only unscented, biodegradable kind so the fresh scent is honest and real.

 laundry hung.view from the outside studio/ weaving deck

my good friend Maggie told me about these great popsicle makers, ZOKU.


The first zoku pops I made were "MOTHERS LITTLE HELPER" Mimosa fresh orange  juice, fresh strawberries, and Champagne  .
I made 9 pops with one freezing. These are saori style , no two alike for sure.
you see there is only 6 here I ate 3 over 3 days. yummy.
 The grand kids, 5 under 5 years old, will have a blast making there own out of different kinds of non sweetened  juice too.






HAPPY SUMMER SOLSTICE

www.saorisantacruz.com



Monday, June 6, 2011

Grand reopening of The Golden Fleece

Almost a  decade ago I left the Golden Fleece , new owner ship, and the fact that it was becoming another knit shop , not the spinning, dyeing felting weaving, doll making, and knitting shop I had worked at for almost 8 years. One of the customers  then , new to the country from Sweden ,  was Gunilla. She is know around the area's  knitting shops now as "the knitting doctor" . Well last month Gunilla bought the golden fleece and is bringing back weaving and spinning and will be adding other crafts as well as knitting. She invited local dyers, spinners and and me to come and demonstrate for two days. Santa Cruz is having record breaking low temperatures  and crazy winer like rain falls in june, but despite the wind and rain customers flocked to the Golden Fleece this past week end to welcome and check out the NEW Golden Fleece.


Katrina 8 yrs old really took to to weaving  and sat and wove, {with a  short cup cake break,} for about 12".

maggie teaching drop spindle spinning






I met so many nice new people and some I have not seen for years.  I was to busy to take many photos but the shop was very cheerful and warm and buzzing with excitment. Gunilla's  lovely teen age daughter Lynnessa sat down and  tried weaving for the first time before i packed up { she was busy helping to ring up customers and stock shelves for both days,and fell in love with it. }
I introduced many to SAORI weaving and we will be having weaving workshops at the store soon with introductions to weaving on ridged heddle looms in the cozy class room area .
 Sunday our power went out and our road was closed by fallen power lines and trees so I had to drive 27 miles a back roads  to make it to the store, power was still not on, nor roads open so I drove home the extra distance again, power  just came on about 1:00 AM this morning.I am so glad I made it out. It was a  very very fun week end surrounded by many wonderful fiber people and worth making  the  crazy curvy and  narrow back road route detour !