One of the things that I have discovered is that weaving can be very messy. I have fabric all over the studio, as I search for the right color combination, and have piles of stuff all over. And then there is the dust. So occasionally, I have to stop. Can't weave today. Have to CLEAN today. Because my mind is as cluttered as my surroundings at times like these, and there is no fix but to interrupt my weaving marathon, and take matters into hand.
So today, I started.....I would not let myself even go near a loom. I swept, I organized, I picked up, and I even mopped. I got TWO rooms in ship shape. There are more rooms, and more to do, but at least I have started.
On the Toika right now: 4 x 6 Adirondack lodge rugs. Two, maybe three, more to go, then a lavender rug for a custom order.
And all the while I am weaving on the Toika, I am looking around at the other looms, standing there quiet. It is just not right, why CAN'T I weave on more than one loom at a time.
The shop is full .........rug hooking wool, monk's cloth, frames, supplies; needle felting kits and supplies, lots of books, yarn and knitting kits, roving in merino, tussah, ingeo, alpaca.........knitting needles, Denise knitting needle kits, some beautiful wool kits from Fleece Artist. And of course, rugs! Lots of rugs.......cotton blends, and Adirondack lodge rugs, North Creek bath mats, and placemats, anywhere mats, mug mats, rag bags, beach bags, table runners. And some scarves, shawls, and HATS, lots of hats.
It is looking good, if I do say so myself.
Monday, February 19, 2007
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
We are in the middle of a blizzard. And I went to the studio today to weave. It was marvelous.....listened to music, worked all day on the Toika, made 2 big rugs.........then I looked outside and realized how much it had snowed. So I packed up my stuff, and tried to leave. Unfortunately, it wasn't happening. My car is stuck in the drive way. My husband said, "didn't you look out the window while you were weaving???"
Hmm.....don't think he understands. I don't need to look out the window when I am weaving.
Hmm.....don't think he understands. I don't need to look out the window when I am weaving.
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
Toika
People are always asking me how long I have been weaving. The answer always surprised them, they think I have been weaving since I was a toddler. Actually, I came to weaving pretty late, several years ago, after I had raised my children.
Once I learned to weave though, I was committed to it. I couldn't get enough of it. I bought looms and material and equipment, and finally, the house! Now I have a 2600 square foot house, with 13 looms set up, tons of fabric, and my biggest problem is which loom to weave on.
Well, not really. I still have to work as an RN 2, 3 4 shifts a week. Have to pay the bills. That is my biggest problem, because it takes me away from the studio, which is where I really want to be.
Right now, I am attached to this Toika. It weaves, actually I weave on it, a rug 7 ft wide. I have had the loom a year, and I have wanted to sell it several times. It annoyed me, and confounded me. I didn't like it, and it didn't like me. But I kept getting orders for bigger rugs, so I found myself weaving on it anyway. With help from my daughter, Morgan, I became acquainted with this loom. I had a sectional beam put on it. I put all new Texsolv heddles on it to replace the saggy string heddles that came on it. I made a list of all the things I had done wrong on the first big rug that came off it. I studied the sheds, and finally got decent ones. And I got more orders, and realized that this Toika was paying the heat bill, and the taxes, and was actually doing more for me than all my other looms combined. Somehow, we got to know each other, and I can honestly say that now, I love the Toika. She is my friend, and I wouldn't part with her. My neighbor came in and said.....you are ALWAYS weaving on that loom!!! And she was right.
Once I learned to weave though, I was committed to it. I couldn't get enough of it. I bought looms and material and equipment, and finally, the house! Now I have a 2600 square foot house, with 13 looms set up, tons of fabric, and my biggest problem is which loom to weave on.
Well, not really. I still have to work as an RN 2, 3 4 shifts a week. Have to pay the bills. That is my biggest problem, because it takes me away from the studio, which is where I really want to be.
Right now, I am attached to this Toika. It weaves, actually I weave on it, a rug 7 ft wide. I have had the loom a year, and I have wanted to sell it several times. It annoyed me, and confounded me. I didn't like it, and it didn't like me. But I kept getting orders for bigger rugs, so I found myself weaving on it anyway. With help from my daughter, Morgan, I became acquainted with this loom. I had a sectional beam put on it. I put all new Texsolv heddles on it to replace the saggy string heddles that came on it. I made a list of all the things I had done wrong on the first big rug that came off it. I studied the sheds, and finally got decent ones. And I got more orders, and realized that this Toika was paying the heat bill, and the taxes, and was actually doing more for me than all my other looms combined. Somehow, we got to know each other, and I can honestly say that now, I love the Toika. She is my friend, and I wouldn't part with her. My neighbor came in and said.....you are ALWAYS weaving on that loom!!! And she was right.
I have finally decided to start a blog.....yay....I have entered the present day...I am no longer computer illiterate.....well, at least in my opinion. So this is where I will enter my daily ramblings about the life of a weaver......me. Here at Crazy as a Loom Weaving Studio in Kingsbury, N.Y. My dream come true. Stay tuned.
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