From the Editor’s Desk:
The topic of different types of looms and weaving continues from our summer issue. We have articles looking at twining, bead weaving and chair caning – as well as a nostalgic look at simple pin looms. I think there should be something for everyone!
Humboldt County Spinners and Weavers are co-sponsoring The Natural Fiber Fair in Arcata in early September. They have organized demonstrations, classes, workshops, a Vendor Hall and a Fleece Market! It looks to be lots of fun and worth a special trip–especially if you need a fiber fix after the long hot summer!
Worldwide Spin in Public Day will be celebrated September 24 at the Children’s Park in Chico and we will be celebrating National Spinning and Weaving Week October 3-9, 2011. This is a good time for we Guild members to show off our passion. Arrange with schools, libraries, yarn stores and other public venues to demonstrate what we do and get the audience to try their hand at it. Demonstrations are always fun.
Me demonstrating at the Fair
As I write this, Fair season is upon us–another place to take our looms, wheels and skills public. I’ve been demonstrating at fairs for decades and the interactions we demonstrators have with the visitors never ceases to amaze me.
I’ve come across another weaving show–this one in Venice, Italy– that you may want to explore via the internet. The exhibition is called Penelope’s Labor: Weaving Words and Images. The show features a wide range of textiles from the 15th century to the present. Many of the newest tapestries are artist designed and machine woven. However, there are a few that have been handwoven. The first is a kilim ( a flat surfaced rug) designed by a Bosnian, Azra Aksamija, as a memorial and testimonial to the ‘ethnic cleansing’ Bosnians went through at the hands of the Serb and Croat extremists. The rug was woven by women war refugees in Sarajevo.
The other piece that I found to be incredible and handwoven is by Simon Peers and Nicholas Godley. The two spent over eight years in Madagascar gathering the silk from more than a million golden orb spiders to make The Golden Orb Spider Mantle, a gorgeous golden shawl.
So–after you’ve explored this issue of CNCHnet, Google Penelope’s Labor…
Judy Fisher, Editor
This is a good time to check out the Fibershed Project!