Online Holiday Shopping: blankets

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Oh, how I love blankets. The wide expanse of handwoven loveliness. The interplay of colours, the beautiful function of them.

This year, I went on a bit of a spree with shetland wool. It’s got a lovely warmth to it, while still being lightweight. It’s got texture, and depth of colour – little flecks that give it dimension.

Here is my inventory, as of mid-November 2017. If you see something you like, there are a number of ways to buy: I take credit cards, Paypal, e-transfer, & cash. Just message me and I’ll be very happy to take your information and send you the piece. If you click on the highlighted price, it will take you to my paypal page, if you wish to pay that way.

 

Sea blue merino with multicoloured Shetland warp. This mixture of fibres makes the blanket feel much more weighty. It’s a great feeling to cozy up underneath this velvety piece.  (69”x 40”) $200

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Shetland wool, in a mysterious woodsmoke green with pretty blue-grey highland wool border trim (78” x 36”) $200

Highland lap blanket: in a tweedy mix of blue/green/chartreuse and one purple end, this is a very pretty little car- or lap-blanket. Just the thing for a night of of Netflix, when there’s a chill…. (52” x 40”) $150

~SOLD~ Highland with one border: Highland wool is slightly thicker than shetland, but just as soft and lightweight. This blanket is another that would be a great car- or lap-blanket. Excellent for a night on the couch with a movie, stored in the boat or cottage, or in the back of your camper. This one has a pretty little twill detail on one end (56” x 38”) $150

Striped Shetland (80” x 36”)  This isa second, but one of my favourites of the bunch. It is not without some slight imperfections so you get a super deal. Happy stripes of gorgeous colour make for a very pretty throw. $150

Green/blue shetland (78” x 35”)  Another second. It’s a great deal, and admit it – if you squint, you’ll never see those “flaws” again… $150

 

Online Holiday Shopping: Scarves

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Here, for your viewing pleasure, is the current inventory of scarves and stoles available for purchase.

If you see something you like, there are a number of ways to buy: I take credit cards, Paypal, e-transfer, & cash. Just message me and I’ll be very happy to take your information and send you the piece.  If you click on the highlighted price, it will take you to my paypal page, if you wish to pay that way. 

Click on each photo for closer detail.

~ SOLD ~ Sea and sky, a luxe silky linen and mohair stole, generously sized at 90” x 14”.

Velvety brew of witchy purples, greens and blues with an aqua cotton warp. Generously sized at 82” x 14” $80

 

Thickly textured, velvety and heavy. I almost kept this one for myself.  Made of 96% Merino, 4% Nylon, this feels sooooo luxurious, and has a weighty luxury. One of my favourite colour combinations, this gorgeous emerald green-blue buzzes against the dark beet-red crimson. 81” x 7” so you can wrap generously. $85

 

Silver thick-and-thin textured blue-faced Leicester wool mixed with sparkly acrylic/cotton blend. (82” x 12.5”) $85

 

Autumn colours that you can keep all year round: Merino and nylon (4%) red and gold/orange variegated stole, 76” x 14”. $100

 

Purples and greens: a purple merino wool weft with a colourful springtime warp of Treewool (mix of 70% merino and 30% tercel). (74” x 14.5”) $100

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Blue and Rust merino, very soft and an attractive colour combination. (84” x 8” – a great size for multiple wraps around the neck). $80

 

 

Merry Xmas Reds and greens! A velvety mix of merino and 4% nylon, thick and bouncy. Subtle and understated holiday neckwear. (76” x 9”) $85

 

Online Holiday Shopping: Shawls

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As of today, there are 34 days until 25 December. Here is a gallery of available inventory here at Berwick Weaving Co. –  please browse at your leisure.

If you see something you like, there are a number of ways to buy: I take credit cards, Paypal, e-transfer, & cash. Just message me and I’ll be very happy to take your information and send you the piece.  If you click on the highlighted price, it will take you to my paypal page, if you wish to pay that way. 

Click on each photo for closer detail.

Shawls

Red/Pink homespun Shawl, $100

 

red/pink shawl 68″ x 27” $100
red/pink shawl 68″ x 27” $100
red/pink shawl 68″ x 27” $100

 

Sparkly green/frost shawl, cotton and acrylic (80” x 30”) $150

 

 

Sparkly purple and teal green shawl, cotton and acrylic (90 x 21) $150

 

 

Textured turquoise and blue-grey cotton and Blue Faced Leicester shawl $150

 

 

Purple and green merino wool with cotton, with twisted fringe (82” x 28”) $145

 

 

Pink kid mohair/merino/cotton bouclé shawl (80” x 29”) *seriously wonderful drape and depth of colour* $200

 

 

Rainbow shawl 1: red mohair weft, rainbow cotton warp (84” x 29”). Densely woven, could also serve as a car blanket or throw, depending on your tastes). $200

 

 

~ SOLD ~ Rainbow shawl 2: chunky thick/thin beet-coloured merino weft with a rainbow cotton warp and rainbow border at one end (87” x 28”). This, like the mohair one above, could also serve as a blanket or throw, depending on your tastes $200

 

 

Chunky Silver “Thrawl” (Throw Rug Shawl…yes, I just made that up): Arctic silver,  acrylic handwoven textile with fringe. (80” x 26”) $90

 

Smooth as silk

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I’ve been spending some time lately trying to make my work processes more efficient. It’s really bearing fruit, too.

Today I warped my loom (meaning I got all the fibre on the beam and rolled up). It can be tricky sometimes – if you are, like I was today, using delicate fibre, or if you are trying to keep the tension  regular throughout and the dog is barking, something snags, the phone rings… or you all of a sudden find that you really need three hands….

I’ve been dressing my looms for years now, but it’s still tricky to me, every time. Sometimes my husband helps, sometimes I just do it myself and muddle through. Weavers are a clever bunch – we use weights, water bottles, hang weights from strings. We use trapezes, friends, dowels, etc. We’re always looking for an easier way to wind on.

Today, though?

I used this lovely tool made by my talented friend Lee Yorke, who made it after  seeing  other tensioning devices online. It’s custom fit to my loom, and even has a spot for me to hang a roll of paper that will magically roll between the layers of warp. It’s quite something.

Here it is, in action. It seriously hastened the process, and was a pleasure to use. I just had to share because I didn’t swear once during the entire process. A miracle!  (Please note, the noise is from traffic outside my window, not the tensioner.)

This warp, by the way, will be jewel-toned mohair shawls, eventually.

Shopping? I’ve got that covered.

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There are some small but vital changes coming to Berwick Weaving Co.

I like social media.  I like to curate Berwick Weaving Co’s Facebook and Twitter and Instagram. I like blogging, here on this page. I don’t always remember to update them all, and it seems that this page has started to become a little orphaned. I don’t always remember to update it with day-to-day things like I do the Facebook page, but I tend instead to think of it as the long form version of the others, where I can muse about what I do, or give you a better view of the big picture of what I do.

I do not really want to have an IRL store – I have prioritized making things over running a brick-and-mortar business, which would allow me less time to actually do what I love.   I do an occasional show, and while I really enjoy every minute of it, I am always glad to be back in my little studio.

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I have recently made a tiny step toward putting up an option on the Berwick Weaving Co.  Facebook page that will allow you all to see what is available for sale in real-time, and to buy it from me, online.  When I have a moment this week, I’ll also make this site a spot from which you can see my inventory and purchase it using PayPal, email transfer, or credit cards.

And while I don’t have a storefront, as always I am available here at my studio if you want to come and see what I’ve got, and have a chat. Just email or message me first, and we can set up a time. I love visitors and am happy to oblige but need advance warning.

So. Gearing up into Fall, you should start to think about shopping for the holidays. Christmas is only 117 days away.

HO-HO-HO!

 

Flying!

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A few months ago we were in Ireland, and made a point to revisit a lovely old town with a mill of the same name: Avoca. About 4 years ago we’d first happened upon it, and it was maybe the first time I’d ever really seen a loom in action. Much of what they do now is automated, but they still have a few old looms on the factory floor. The weaver was a lovely man who told me he’d been working there for over 30 years and wasn’t tired of it yet.

Watching the weaver on that loom was, somehow, life-changing for me. On the spot I realized I wanted to do that. Not only wanted, but needed to try it. I don’t know why, and I’m not going to worry about it over much – I think that if you feel that sort of urge, you should go with it.

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Later in that first trip, that weaver was still in the back of my head; the snick-snick of the shuttle, the clatter of the harnesses, the gorgeous textiles…. We then happened upon Swallow Studios in Annyalla, and lo! More weaving. This time, Liz Christy’s studio with all of her gorgeous colors and textures. It was such a pleasure to see her work (and to buy a shawl to take home), and to realize that it wasn’t only “factories” like Avoca that had looms.

4 years later, almost to the day, I’m sitting in my home weaving studio. The past four years have been a treasure. It has been, essentially, a dedicated self-directed journey into the art and mechanics of weaving. There isn’t much I don’t like about it, and I continue to fine-tune my practice and techniques. It’ll take me the rest of my days to learn all there is to know and that’s just fine with me. I’m putting in my ten thousand hours, and ten thousand more.

This month I treated myself to a flying shuttle beater.  A very interesting contraption that offers the opportunity to weave more quickly, over wider areas. It revolutionized handweaving back in the industrial revolution, and although I’ve only used it to make one blanket so far, it is having the same effect on my weaving.  Faster, and smoother, but still handweaving nonetheless. I’m keeping my other, sans-flying-beater, loom as well, at least for the moment.

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Yesterday I’d finally cleared the decks enough to try out the flying shuttle, and as I stood there, pulling the cord and listening to the snick-snick of the shuttle and the clatter of the harnesses, I realized that I was doing exactly what I’d seen that weaver  doing 4 years ago in Avoca.

There’s something to be said for listening to that little voice that says “I want to do that”.  Go out and do whatever it is that is whispering to you. Weave, write, make toys…. whatever it is, make the time.

 

 

June!

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I love this time of year, and it just gives me so many ideas – everything is blooming and bursting with colour, and saturated with that gorgeous limpid/lucid June light. I’ve been busy weaving and rearranging the workroom, warping, teaching, and weaving some more.

Some scenes from my workroom (mouse over each photo for a caption)….

a blanket, merino and BFL
A linen window shade, in progress
inventoried scarves
luscious alpaca scarf
inventory
June lilacs – it smells wonderful in my workroom
Cottons
mohair and silk, a scarf

I haven’t been writing on this page much; I tend to post things on Berwick Weaving Co.’s Facebook page and forget about this place. If you’re looking for day-to-day Berwick Weaving news, go there.

As always, if you want to arrange a commission or have any questions, please email or comment here on this page or on facebook.

 

Spring!

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I’ve been weaving with a purpose for the past little while. I don’t do a lot of shows, but there’s one here in Berwick on 08 April (this Saturday), and it was so much fun to try to work up some spring-like weaving. I’ve got some “seasonless” shawls – silk and mohair, cotton, merino. I’ve also made something new to me – a few “stroller blankets” – the perfect size for a stroller (hence the name) and machine washable materials.

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The information: the “Swing into Spring” Craft Show is Saturday 08 April, and runs from 10-4 at the Berwick Legion (232 Main Street).  Admission is free. There will be a canteen that will provide lunch and various treats. There will also be a “Kiddie Korner” so the kids can be entertained while you look at 40 tables of local craft and art.  There is an ATM on site (and I take credit cards at my table). Here’s the link to the event on Facebook, so you can see more information about other artisans who will be there. Did I mention 40 tables?

There will also be a 50/50 draw, so you may end up with more than you came with!

As I write this, Spring has overnight come to the Valley. It’s sunny, the sky is blue. There’s been a little rain (it is April, after all). There are crocuses! This is the perfect time to get out of your late-winter fog and come see some colour, and to buy local.

Here’s a bit of a slideshow of what I’ll have available on my table tomorrow. Remember, though, that I do a lot of commission work, and so am happy to discuss with you making just the right thing.

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Looking forward to seeing you there.

January Blues (& Greens, Reds, etc.)

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It may be dreary outside, but these are not.

January is a funny time of year – it’s usually a bit dreary, and we begin to long for Spring, but we know there’s still some winter to slog through. Sometimes there are, say, world events that get us a bit down. We will look away from those things for a moment, and think about ways to cheer ourselves up, right?

To counteract the doldrums, I’ve been weaving with more colour lately, moving slightly out of my usual palette, and it’s been a brilliant move for my own mood. Just handling these lovely fibres makes me happy.

So. If your neck is cold, or you want to warm up a loved one, here’s what I’ve got in inventory. Of course, feel free to contact me if you would like me to make something different up for you to your specifications.

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**SOLD**  Sea and Sky, with some bottle green beach glass thrown in. Wide and slinky scarf, 12.5” x 80” all in a 70/30 mix of super wash merino and tencel. It’s really beautiful, $140

 

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**SOLD**One of my favourites. A large scarf of “peacock colors” – teal, purple, green. Who can resist? Chunky, nubby blue-faced leicester wool, with merino, silk, and bamboo warp. 13” x 68” $100

 

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Stole, in pink/orange/red with some chartreuse thrown in. Handspun weft with multicoloured 8/2 cotton warp. It’s lightweight and gorgeous. 26” x 70” $175

 

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There’s a special buzz that happens when you mix blue with rust/red. I love this mix – cotton and merino warp with a blue faced leicester/merino weft. 8” x 84” nice to wrap around several times. $100

 

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Ravenclaw House, anyone? Made in the Hogwarts’ Ravenclaw colors of blue and bronze, this is for those in your life who are known for their wit, learning, and wisdom. Smaller than my usual, it’s still a good size at 5.5” x 60” and made with a mix of cotton and super wash merino.  $50

Looking for last minute gifts?

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Christmas is fast approaching. I have a few pieces still available.

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img_3255Stole, pink/orange/red. A gorgeous handspun wool. 26″ x 70″
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Understated generously sized scarf, 12″ x 78″. Very pretty tweedy grays with subtle panache – greens, purples, blues. Cotton warp, Merino weft. $100

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img_3259One of my favorites. Large scarf, “peacock colors” of teal, purple, green. Who can resist? Chunky nubby Blue Faced Leicester wool, with merino, silk and bamboo warp. $100img_3260

 

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Sea and sky, with some bottle green beach glass thrown in. Wide and slinky scarf, 12.5″ x 80″ all in a 70/30 mix of superwash merino and tencel. It’s really beautiful. $140

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