Harvest what you craft

Here is one example of some shoelaces I wove for Christmas presents.  Everyone has belts, key chains, hat trims, jacket trims etc, but they sure did not see shoelaces coming!  It was the narrowest band I had made so felt dainty in the hands while weaving.   Results none the less, a strong band into laces.  

Paces wool mill in Latvia. Finally we had the chance to visit the mill we source our wool from.  Its on the complete other side of Latvia.  Yes, Latvia is a small country and the size is relative.  But driving 4 hours seems like a big commitment here. I have been dreaming of the wool mill ever since I saw the wool.  The wool mill is the only one in Latvia that you can bring your own wool and get yarn in exchange.  And that is how they get all the fiber. Then they clean it the traditional way in a...

I have been weaving in the car for years now.  I was always the driver for years since being American put me way more experienced then my Latvian country man who got his drivers licenses when we were together.  I already had ten years on him at that point!  But now I am very happy to be the co-pilot, navigator, backseat driver and weaver (which makes me be not so good at the first 3.  When I began I would tie a knot and close it in the glove compartment (who puts gloves in there now?).  That worked but less...

The final harvest was two weekend ago.  One ton of apple juice!  Thanks to a bunch of friends that came over to help it was relatively effortless.  Now we to try to drink it all is the challange, or not. Since the major harvesting is over around the house and the cold air is blowing in, craft season has begun. I have finished four bands in two weeks.  And those weren't left over projects from last winter (hah those are still there!).  I am very excited to get into pattern bands again with the slot looms.  I have been buying some...

We love seeing the looms around the world.  And what more to love when someone is teaching the weaving gospel to others. Here is a fiber artist Nadine Marchal (see here beautiful works here www.nadine-marchal.com ) teaching with backstrap weaving with harvestloom heddles. doesn't the studio look so inviting!