Indigo, Bamboo, and collaboration April 15, 2017
Posted by ionagiddings in Sewing, Weaving.add a comment
Here in my basement weaving studio things can get pretty solitary. I listen to radio and podcasts while I work to bring some human voices into my space, but weaving isn’t a collaborative type of art.
That’s why this current project I’m working on has been so fun, and so challenging. I sent some yarn off to Chicago, to be naturally dyed by the excellent artist Grace Rother. It started like this:
and came back like this:
The pressure was on for me to make something worthy of all the combined work and creative energy in this yarn.
I started with the linen. napkins with the earth-tones and place-mats with that featured highlights of indigo-dyed blue.
Next the bamboo yarn
I decided on a slightly more interesting pattern than when I’ve been doing lately. It seemed okay to spend some extra time on making these scarves because I really want these specially dyed things to be right, almost perfect.
one long scarf, one short one, with fringe. I think they’re okay.
Someday I’ll learn to be happy with what I make. Maybe?
goods woven October 21, 2016
Posted by ionagiddings in Sewing, Shows, Weaving.add a comment
I got some very tasty apples at the Dixboro Farmer’s Market tonight, if you’re inclined to make things with apples I highly recommend coming out next Friday afternoon. It’s the last market of the season!
I really loved watching all the tiny superheroes and animals and royalty parading around the market and demanding candy tonight.
The wind kept making my displays pretty dynamic, and my fingers pretty numb.
But in spite of the chilly weather, trick-o-treaters and pie-makers were out in force, and I made a few sales.
Happy almost Halloween!
mad Madison September 26, 2016
Posted by ionagiddings in Research, Sewing, Weaving.add a comment
I took a vacation to Wisconsin this weekend and got some great inspiration. We mostly walked around the Willy Street area and drank tasty beers, but in between pubs I managed to take in some culture as well…
The best place i stopped in was a little re-sale and antiques store that also sells stuff from local artisans.
I can’t remember it’s name and it isn’t on google maps… just trust me, it was good.
But so I’m inspired to create cute things.
Maybe like more of these?
we’ll see!
I’m so excited, and I just can’t hide it September 17, 2016
Posted by ionagiddings in Sewing, Shows, Weaving.add a comment
Towels, washcloths and cloth napkins display 2016
Shooting stars September 16, 2016
Posted by ionagiddings in Sewing, Weaving.add a comment
embroidering fun:
I’m thinking it might be a pot holder. It’s gonna be cute.
May is so over wool May 13, 2014
Posted by ionagiddings in Sewing, Weaving.Tags: finishing what you started, progress, Weaving
add a comment
The blanket is finally off the loom! On the hottest, muggiest day so far this spring…
next steps include washing, sewing the two halves together, and tying up the fringe
Re-branding, re-evaluating: Oh, what’s in a name? February 6, 2014
Posted by ionagiddings in Sewing, Shows, Spinning, Weaving.add a comment
I’ve always been unhappy with my Etsy shop name, Ionart. When I started it selling on Etsy I used the first thing I could think of, assuming I’d think of a better “business” name before I got serious about stuff.
Now, I’m not sure I want to get too serious about selling my woven pieces. I like to weave. I know I’ll never be able to support myself through weaving but I will always continue to do it for the joy of making. So I wouldn’t mind of the things I sold made enough to buy materials for the next project.
But back to the name; every time I think of promoting my shop, or printing business cards, or applying to craft fairs, I hesitate. I don’t want to have Ionart on my banner, or my business cards. I don’t want to create a logo for tags or signs that relates to that name. But I just haven’t been able to think of anything better.
The task I am setting for myself is this: find out what ties all the things I weave together (besides me). What makes my stuff unique? Let the brainstorm being!
A change in the wind April 27, 2013
Posted by ionagiddings in Post-Apocalyptic, Sewing, Weaving.Tags: moving, plaid, Weaving
add a comment
The feeling of pulling a scarf off the loom could never be any more satisfying than when the warp has been difficult and the loom has broken down at least once. Four months is a long time to work on such an un-complicated weave pattern but I do have my excuses. I love the way plaids look but since I only have two shuttles and was using four colors I got frustrated with constantly switching bobbins in and out.
But it is finished.
I have other reasons to have feelings about the end of this piece of weaving. I am moving, but not moving. I am packing all my earthly belongings and putting them in a storage unit for the summer. Taking only a backpack of essentials and embarking on my summer of adventures. I am being braver than I have been in a very long time.
These plaid pieces of fabric are the last things I will weave for at least another four months. For some reason that time seems even longer without my loom.
The first scarf has been washed and the second one has been turned into a patch.
As I feared the different types of material shrunk at different rates causing some bits of the plaid to pull in and some to bubble out. But a hot iron really ironed out the problem. heh.
So now I am folding up the back beam of my loom and getting ready to send her off to the storage unit. Excited and nervous are playing tug of war and my heart is the flag tied to the center of the rope. If I can keep them balanced I might just be standing when the adventure starts.
Howling Away April 10, 2013
Posted by ionagiddings in Sewing, Weaving.Tags: embroidery, Weaving
add a comment
A little weaving teaser till my tonsils heal and I can finish it.
Let’s try something new shall we? April 1, 2013
Posted by ionagiddings in Sewing, Weaving.add a comment
I finished one scarf with my plaid warp and I’m starting a new one. But this one is going to be a little different. You see, my friends just started a band and named it the howling loud. I just love that, the howling loud, it sounds cavernous and spooky and a little bit like falling into the abyss.
So I thought about trying to make a thing for them. Not that I expect them to wear it. I just want to make lately. It’s good, this feeling.
So here is a teaser:
It’s different isn’t it.
Different can be good.
