Friends and journeys
One of the lovely things about weaving is the friends you gather from all corners of the globe. Well, strictly speaking, there are no corners of course, but you know what I mean... I have been focussing on my first contextual essay in my masters studies this week,...
Weaving education in the UK
For the last 10 days, 12 weavers have been studying intensively at the Handweavers Studio in Finsbury Park, North London on the Handweavers' Diploma course. This is one of just two study courses that I know of that non-mainstream weaving students can take. (I would...
Well, well, well…. a woman on a mission!
If you follow my blog, you will know I love a challenge. And even better is a time-related challenge!! I've had a week when I was at home alone and I gave myself a challenge to do as much outside work on the house as possible whilst DH was away in France with 60...
How nature and jazz combine
I've been weaving several different pieces for two exhibitions over the last few weeks. And while I weave, sometimes I listen to music on my ipod, and sometimes I weave in silence, letting thoughts run through my head. One of these thoughts was about the weaving I'm...
Weaving – the design process
Today is a bitter/sweet day. This morning, I waved my son off on his next big adventure - a career in the armed forces. He's now on his way to boot camp - or Phase I training as the Army like to call it! An intensive 14 weeks to see how he shapes up. I know he...
Silk purse from sow’s ear or similar results!
I don't usually call my weaving a pig's ear (!) but sometimes, when things don't go according to plan, it can feel that way! I have been weaving a series of pieces for two exhibitions, one based on tree bark, the other on geology and erosion. The tree bark series was...
Small cogs in a Big Wheel
I spent a lovely weekend with the members of the Kennet Valley Guild of Weavers, Spinners & Dyers. It was a particularly well-timed visit as they were basking in the success of a mammoth Fleece to Fabric challenge called The Newbury Coat. The papers made much of...
Golden activities
It's Wimbledon time again and I'm an addict, so for two weeks in the year, I juggle my time between the studio and the TV. Not a confession I really like to make, but it's something that began in my youth, and seems to me to be a connection between my mum and me,...
New Life at 81
I don't often write about my family life because I believe my family are due their privacy, but today is an exception. You see, we have just come back from the most amazing wedding which was in Scotland yesterday. The two people tying the knot were my Dad and his...