My favorite work

After signing up to be a vender and to give some workshops at the Holiday Market at Grove Center in Oak Ridge, TN in a few weeks, I was asked to describe my weaving and post some of my work.  That prompted me to go through several pictures of work that I haven't looked at in a while.  I didin't want to post work that was already sold on the Holiday Market site, but looking at them made me want to post them.  So, here they are.  These are items that I have woven over the years. They are examples of work that I am the proudest of.doing.

I wove this L shaped scarf for my Mother several years ago on my LeClerc floor loom.  She wore it often in the cooler months.  I love this technique, which I found printed in an edition of Spindle, Shuttle and Dye Pot.  I have used the technique several times to make other pieces of clothing.  This tunic, which is one of the first items I sold on Etsy.com, is one of the items woven using the same technique.

 These 2 fabric strip woven purses were identical except the size.  Both were made on my potholder loom.  One with only 1 piece in the width, the other with 2.    The smaller one is the first I made of it's pattern.  I've sold many of purses made following the same patern.

The fabric used in this Framed Billfold was one of the first of my efforts to weave small threads. I really like the way she turned out. I used the fabric also in a shell top and a Driving Cap I made as a gift for one of my brothers.

And last, a couple of favorite scarves that I made on my Louet table loom.
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And, not I'm going to start on a new weaving adventure with a new for me loom.  We've just brought to our home, an AVL Dobby Loom on loan from the Appalachian Art and Craft Center and the Tuesday Morning Weaving Guild.  More to come once we figure out how to put her together.

Loopers and Looper Rugs

You used to see looper rugs for sale at every festival and craft show around. Then the sock manufacturers all moved out of the US and the supply went away. But not entirely. I found a supplier a few months ago. Now, I'm weaving rugs and potholders and selling loopers to others.

I started marketing loopers along with the metal potholder looms this summer and have been selling them online and at festivals ever since.  I'm hoping to gain a following of repeat buyers.  I'm also planning on starting to make larger looper rugs very soon. 

Here are some new bags I've also added:

Tuesday Weavers

I joined  the Tuesday Weavers a few weeks ago.  They meet each Tuesday at the Appalacian
arts Craft Center in Norris TN.  It's so good to be weaving again with a group. I've missed the community and the shared creativity. 

That's how I got started in loom weaving beyond the little potholder loom.  I took several classes in the 1980's at the University of Tennessee Craft Center which was located at the time in the basement of the UT Student Center.  Sadly, I don't believe UT offers Weaving any longer. 

When we moved from Tennessee to Kentucky, I expected to find a similar group to join, but I never did.  There are many weaving guilds in Kentucky, but none that seemed a fit.  So, for 20 years, I was a solitary weaver. 

I'm back to being a weaving student again.  Love it!

Had a great day at the Union County Heritage Festival 10/1/2011

I spent all day yesterday with my friend, Linda Nichols, in at the Union County, TN Heritage Festival in Maynardville.  While it was windy and cold all day, and while there were fewer vendors and visitors than we had been told to expect, it was a terrific day.

Nearly everyone who stopped by, commented that they used to make those looper potholders.  When they then looked up to see the products that had been made with the potholder loom, they were impressed. 

I met my goal for this festival.  I sold potholder looms,  one pound bags of loopers and gave away lots of business cards that have my contact information and the Andy's Treasures shop email address.  People were appreciative of my woven bags, scarves and rugs, but more interested in buying the craft supplies.

I'll need to get more looms quickly, prepare more loopers, and get busy and prepare those instruction DVD's and/or written instructions with pictures.