Holiday Weaving

Lately I've been busy weaving items for Gallery 209 and for our Fiber Guild of the Savannahs annual Show and Sale.  Its the holidays!
Scarves and shawls and a ruana... so far...

 Holiday Ruana 27" long front and back... and each side 26" wide with 4.5" fringe:

Tybee Sunrise Shawl/Scarf - of alpaca, silk, wool and handspun artyarn - 78x17 - 5.5" fringe

Coton Jaune Revisited

Inspired by Sharon Gordon Donnan's beautiful documentary: Coton Jaune, Acadian Brown Cotton that I saw last year after encouraging our library to sponsor a showing of her film, I decided I wanted to create my own Coton Jaune blanket.

Sharon's film did a beautiful job capturing the story behind the French Canadian Acadian women who migrated to Louisiana from Quebec and spun and wove beautiful blankets.  i knew I wanted to try my hand at it.  Sharon gave me a source for ginned brown cotton from a gentleman in Louisiana who has about 5 acres that he set aside to grow brown cotton, Anthony Mullins.  And I had ordered some cotton sliver  in natural and natural mixed with brown cotton.  Most of it I took to Ossabaw Island to dye in the indigo vats at a workshop I took with Donna Hardy of Sea Island Indigo.  So it was time to get started spinning!  I used my supported drop spindle for some and my Kromski Fantasia spinning wheel.

I warped my Mighty Wolf 8 shaft loom as soon as we got back home from spending the summer on our sailboat.  I was able to speed the process up a bit by tying each warp thread to  "dummy warp"  that saved my threading and sleying. After winding the 7+ yard warp of various natural cotton yarns onto the back beam I was ready to start weaving.

Weaving in the Saori way on 8 shafts enabled me to create with a variety of patterns and techniques highlighting the variety of yarns I handspun interspersed with the various commercial cotton yarns I had used in the warp.  It was exciting to get started weaving and when I finally took it off the loom following our evacuation due to Hurricane Matthew, I was delighted to see the outcome as I laid it out down the hall.

Good intentions

I had such good intentions... to add lots of blog posts this summer.  You would think our carefree summer living on our 36ft sailboat would make for lots of free time, but with visitors nod visiting and the stuff that has to be done in our little living spac to keep it live able... Time gets away. So, here we are with about 10 days to go befor we head South following the lead of the Canaduan geese.

I did weave on my little 15" Cricket rigid heddle loom and got a bit of drop spindle cotton spinning done.  I knit a triangular shawl/scarf with some wonderful Copper Cirgi yarn in the Frayed Knot (our local Savannah yarn store) colorways... And am covering our. Cockpit cushions with Sunbrella fabric.  So there's quite a but of fiber related activity going on floatin on our boat!!!

The five scarf-like fabrics I wove follow.  I am limited to about 3 yards of warp because that is how far I can stretch to the peg attached by our companionway.  But some good things have happened due to this limitation.  The lengths are great for scarves and because the Cricket warps in about an hour, it is fun to do a variety of textures and combinations in each warp.

Taking what I've learned and Experimenting with new TOOLS

The window of the Frayed Knot in historic downtown Savannah displaying the work of Picassso's Moon fiber artist Deb Lambert

 I met Debra Lambert over the internet on Facebook... where I've met many of my fiber friends.  I went to meet her in person last Spring when I attended the SWAY (SouthWest [FL} Art Yarn conference in Sarasota, FL where she has her Fiber Shop.  I was so excited to learn that she was coming to Savannah after I told Jen Schofield, the owner of my favorite LYS (local yarn shop) the Frayed Knot about her.  I signed up for Deb's 3 hour weaving with art yarns workshop on Sunday morning, April 3.

Deb (L) and Jen (R) at TFK

Deb had warped up some 10" Cricket looms with novelty yarns with a wide set and we were encouraged to play with all kinds of textures.  I quickly picked neutral colors with pops of pale pink velvet that Deb encouraged us to rip into strips.  She had artyarn and roving and sticks from bamboo mats and all sorts of textures to add into our weaving.  What fun!

Fellow student's weaving in progress

Weaving surrounded by wonderful "STUFF!"

TEXTURE!

My weaving in progress

Detail of my weaving in progress

My finished piece hanging on our wall!

Deb's Wallhanging

I ordered a curvy stick from her longtime beau Joe M who creates wonder tools.  I was blown away when Deb gifted me one of his little I shaped looms and then sent me home with a bag FULL of treasures including several pieces of leather.

If you ever have the opportunity to take a weaving workshop with Deb Lambert... DO!  Her enthusiasm and expertise abound! 

Well... I've been busy!

my Springtime in Savannah series on the loom

I'm enjoying having the creative push to be creative!  Being an active member of a gallery is encouraging me to create more work.  I was especially was encouraged by the fact that I sold two large items.

I was very excited to hear that one of my Moroccan tops in blue and greens had found a new home and THEN to have someone purchase my mostly handspun coat I was over the moon!  I priced the items I have in Gallery 209 quite reasonably.  Because they are very labor intensive to create as each one is unique and like a painting with yarns on the warp... the mostly handspun wools, alpacas and silk coat was $680 and the cotton, linen and silk lightweight summery Moroccan top sold for $275.   This reflects the 25% fee that goes to the gallery as well as the $100 monthly rental fee and membership fees. The people who now own my creations are getting a bargain as they now have something in their wardrobe where each fiber has been touched and loved many times and the piece has been created as a work of art.

one side of my finger fringed Soft Shoulders Top

the other side of my finger fringed Soft Shoulders Top

I just completed a warp that I call "Springtime in Savannah" as it is reds and fushias and different tones of greens from dark to yellow green.  It was funny that I had to force myself to add the greens when I wound the warp... when I looked around at paintings I have created lately they all are in these colors... they really are the colors of my surroundings here in Savannah.

one side of the Moroccan Top on "Springtime in Savannah" warp

the other side of the Moroccan Top on "Springtime in Savannah" warp

 When I work at Gallery 209 on River St in Savannah I often park in the hotel at the end of the Riverwalk.  The other morning it was glorious as I took my Moroccan top to be put on display.  It was in the mid70s and there was a wonderful breeze and I found flowers along the way that reflected my palette.  How lucky am I!!!

Looking back through my photos to add some to this post... I realize I am very far behind in my posts so I will try to catch up bit by bit in other posts:
Workshop with Deb Lambert Picasso Moon
Workshop with Margo Duke on Eco Printing
Guild activities - Sheep to Shawl Spring Celebration
Oatland's Mighty Oak fiber art installation Dedication and our Show and Sale
Writing an article for Shuttle, Spindle and Dyepot Magazine about the process of creating Oatland's Mighty Oak.
SCAD Fiber MFA thesis show for Marv Graff
Losing my dear friend and fellow fiber artist Mary Kelly

Gallery 209 - I'm HERE!

I am so pleased to announce that I have been accepted as the newest member of Gallery 209 on River Street in Savannah!  The gallery is very successful and has been in existence for over 40 years in their wonderful location in the heart of the Tourist District in Historic Downtown Savannah across from the Convention Center.

my fiber artwork on display downstairs at Gallery 209

I was able to use the wonderful racks of their former fiber artist Carole Kay who I have known through the Fiber Guild of the Savannahs.  Carole has decided to sell all of her looms and equipment and has bought an RV and is off to see the USA! I am so lucky to have been at the right place at the right time to fill her empty spot.  

One of my new year's resolutions was to find a local gallery to sell my fiber artwork.  I love creating it and hate doing craft shows and it was time to find the perfect place to sell my work.  I am excited that Gallery 209 is it!  

Gallery 209 did over $300,000 in gross sales last year representing 31 different artists in a variety of media from 2D paintings and geclees to jewelry to ceramics and stained glass and they have always had 2 fiber artists.  Now I am one!  Gini Steele is the other... Gini creates mostly handknit and crochet items - no weaving. Carole's work was based on several designs that were made from yardage she wove and embellished with broaches that she made out of femo clay.  My weaving is quite different as I like to create one of a kind items with freestyle weaving techniques... and also nuno felted items.  I hope I do well, but its just wonderful having a well established venue to show my work!  Wish me luck!

Uptairs in the balcony area is my Handwoven Haori - a kimono like jacket in wool using a unique textile design with a kumihimo braided closure.

At the top of the stairs you will find my Handspun, Handwoven coat - woven in wool and silk and cashmere handspun in a unique design with handknit and crochet edging and details.

Chatham County LIVING

first page of the article!

If having my work in a gallery exhibition was not enough... the magazine article I was interviewed for last September was published!  The above photo was at the head of the article and full page! I was expecting our Fiber Guild of the Savannahs's fiber art installation, Oatland's Mighty Oak to be the focus... But it opened with a full page color photo of ME!  The author did an excellent job interpreting what I told her about our guild and the photographer took some wonderful pix of our guild members at this year's Harvest Festival (I missed it for the first time because it was when we had tons of company for my brother's art exhibition.) [Thank you for all the photos by Ryan Lee Photography]

ME at one of our Fiber Guild of the Savannahs looms in our Fiber Guild of the Savannahs fiber studio at Oatland Island Wildlife Center.  I'm wearing a dress I wove and holding some of my Saori way fabric.

my NUNO FELTED fiber artwork

The article:

Through the Eyes of Art:

The Fiber Guild Offers Something for Everyone who loves to explore Fiber Creativity

By: D. Annette Sasser for Chatham County LIVING magazine – Winter 2016

It was November and the early morning air was cool and crisp with an occasional breezy scent of nearby marshes.  I made my way down a little path at the Oatland Island Wildlife Center until I came upon a small cabin where members of the Fiber Guild of the Savannahs had gathered after spending months in preparation for their annual Harvest Festival.

Several members of the Fiber Guild were dressed in authentic early American garments. The place was charged with excitement and the sense of a former era. Several homemade items, which included a couple of lovely quilts, displayed the Guild member’s skills in spinning, carding, weaving, embroidery, and etcetera. 

Two large looms had been set up in the cabin and adults and children alike watched as two of the members wove colorful yarn through the warp yarns. Later we were all given an opportunity to try our hand at weaving. I felt as though I had stepped back in time. It was hard to imagine that not far away from this early American setting cars were bustling up and down Savannah’s busy Island’s Expressway.

My introduction to the Fiber Guild of the Savannahs came through Suzy Hokanson, a delightful retired art teacher who moved to Savannah from Albany, New York, seven years ago.

“I had a friend who grew up in Savannah and told romantic stories about the place,” said Suzy. “As an art teacher I knew about SCAD and all the wonderful things they do. My in-laws lived in Gulf Shores, Alabama, and when we stopped in Savannah one year on our way home from visiting them, it was not difficult for me to fall in love with the city. I loved Savannah’s rich history, many cultural events, and the busyness and excitement of large container ships coming and going along the Savannah River.”

Working with fibers is a major part of Suzy’s life. She served as president of a weaver’s guild for several years in New York, before moving to Savannah. “I searched on line to make sure that there was a fiber guild here,” said Suzy. “I contacted them even before I moved.”

Suzy grew up in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and learned to knit at age seven. “My mother was an amateur artist and knitter,” said Suzy. “I enjoyed knitting but I found my greatest love when I was ten years old. I got one of those little potholder looms children often get. I became obsessed with making potholders. It was my first taste of weaving. Then I started putting potholders together to make place mats, handbags and other things.”

Suzy and her husband, Bob, were married in 1967. Although they owned and operated a dairy farm in Central New York for eighteen years, she always found time to weave. “I made rugs, sweaters, hats, scarfs, and tops for our four children,” said Suzy. “I started out with one loom. But eventually I had several of them set up all over the house.” She laughed. “I love the feel of beautiful fibers passing through my fingers. Weaving can become very addictive.” 

Suzy especially enjoys a freestyle form of weaving known as Saori, which was introduced in the late 1960’s by a Japanese lady named Misao Jo. It was while visiting Japan on a scholarship funded for teachers (called the Japan Fulbright Memorial that Suzy had the privilege learning about the Saori style of weaving.

“I was one of two hundred teachers who received a scholarship,” said Suzy. “The experience was life changing. Misao Jo wanted weavers to be able to create at the loom instead of following an exact pattern so that it would be a more joyful activity. Many American Weavers are ‘pattern weavers’. They follow a draft that looks similar to a musical score and weave in a particular way. That style produces lovely work. But at this stage in my life I prefer the freestyle form. I don’t like to do the same thing over and over. I set a loom up with a pattern but I play with it and make it my own. We encourage all Fiber Guild members to be creative.”

Emmie Howard and Janet Bailey formed the Fiber Guild of the Savannahs in 1972. The organization was first known as Handweavers Guild of the Savannahs. The name was later changed to Fiber Guild of the Savannahs to reflect the current membership, which encompasses South Carolina, and includes people who work with various kinds of fibers. Member activities consist of weaving, spinning, basket making, knitting, crocheting, quilting, beading, rug hooking, doll making, and bookmaking.

“We participate in two yearly events,” said Suzy. “Oatland Island Wildlife Center’s Harvest Festival is held in November and their annual sheep shearing is held in the spring. Most of the wool we weave with is hand spun from our resident sheep here at the Wildlife Center. “Storm” gives us black wool and “Cloud” gives us the white wool. Members of the Guild shear the sheep and we send it away to be cleansed and carded or fluffed up, which makes it very easy to spin.”

Members of the Fiber Guild are presently involved in a huge, magnificent project, which can be seen in the main entrance to the Oatland Island Wildlife Center. I was truly amazed by the lifelike creation of a large oak tree, which spreads its branches out and over the front desk in the lobby. It is truly a superb work of art.

“We add to the tree weekly,” said Suzy. “It’s still in the process of ‘growing’. We use a lot of different browns to make this variegated look for the bark. We wrap the tiny branches. Everybody is doing something on the tree. A former Savannah guild member, who is a spinner, recently moved to Oregon. She had been so involved with the project she mails us packages of felted leaves because she knows we need so many. And another young lady spent almost her entire summer putting bundles of leaves together.”

Members work on the project in the Guild’s upstairs meeting room at the Wildlife Center. “It will all be downstairs when it’s finished,” said Suzy. “The members keep working on it and then take it downstairs, which is not an easy task,” she laughed. “We then attach it to the tree.”

Urban Jupena, a gentleman who lives in Michigan, comes to Savannah in December and stays through April. He retired from teaching in the fiber’s Department at a college in Michigan and has been a tremendous help to the Guild in their tree project.

“He is a Godsend,” said Suzy, “and a great encourager. He is the one who came up with the whole process of how to create the branches. We use chicken wire and surge the fabric after it is cut. We have old sheets we iron and use for stability. We hand stitch it all together. The tree is growing beautifully.”

 The Fiber Guild does a big show yearly where members can sell their projects. This past year it was held at SPACE (Savannah’s Place for Arts Culture and Education) which is a gallery run by the city of Savannah. “We had many different handmade items and several beautiful large quilts,” said Suzy. “We also hold a series of fiber related quick workshops yearly called ‘Taste of… (the Fiber Arts)’ and is held in January and February. People who attend these workshops are offered a taste of felting, hand spinning, weaving, quilting, etc., to see what they might be interested in doing.”

Suzy is a past president and a member at large in the Fiber Guild of the Savannahs. Her love for working with fibers and helping others find their creative niche keeps her busy. She is in charge of the web site, Facebook page, and various workshops.

“The Fiber Guild offers something for everyone who loves to explore their creativity, ” said Suzy. “Weaving and working with fiber is soothing and satisfies the desire to touch. I love it because it’s not just a temporary exercise but produces something that is beautiful and lasting.”

http://fiberguildsavannah.homestead.com

Membership in the Fiber Guild of the Savannahs is open to all who are interested in the fiber arts.

Here is the cover: