Plastic exploration - an artist residency

 Well it's finally started. Delayed twice due to the COVID-19 pandemic but finally, I'm installed in the Mungga artist studio 1  at the Ivanhoe Library and Cultural Hub. Mungga means 'to make' in the Woiwurrung language, so nice to be part of the whole exciting hub.

The idea is to continue weaving with plastic, creating new works, but in particular, 3D works. I'm going to collect materials from the local Ivanhoe shopping precinct. I'll be there for the whole of July and propose to work Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, with the alternating Saturdays and Sundays. There are workshops planned. In addition, as a bonus, my big work 'Water' is to be part of the exhibition 'Change' which is in the Loft exhibition space. It should be an exciting install.

Day 1 was really about shifting in and trying to make the space look interesting. I did some repair work on 'Water' and just found my way around. It feels nice to have a space to myself where there are big tables to work on and space for the looms and materials.

Day 2 I spent adding more 2m woven plastic lengths to the already 8m of 'Water'. Big takeaway of the day was how slow I'm working! Did get faster though, so it's probably just early days, but I do want to achieve something this week.

I love the people that have dropped in already, it's lovely seeing how people perceive your work. Also interesting what you learn from them. My never-ending nylon thread was probably used for the hems in garments....why didn't I think of that!

Starting more projects: recycling this time

 I just seem to need to keep moving, so I've started two new projects. They involve me sorting out my wardrobe and seeing if I can come up with new garments from things that are worn out, no longer fit or no longer feel good to wear. I've picked up two pairs of jeans and some brown pants. 

The idea is to unpick them, cut them into squares and sew them up into a new piece of fabric and make them into a new pair of pants. So far all I've done is unpick them, I'm on the last pair of jeans. I just unpick the inside leg and the crotch. This gives me a flat fabric. I've also removed the waste bands, maybe to make a waistband for the pants. The next phase is to cut them into squares, at the moment I'm thinking about 10cm square.

The second project means creating a brand new piece of clothing from weaving thrums. These are the waste ends of a warp. I've had a warp from since I graduated from RMIT and my studio textiles course, that's 15 years ago. But it was a great warp and there was alot left. 

Someone mentioned that there's a Japanese technique called 'Zanshi'. I googled it and basically it is tying the warp ends together and using them to weave a new fabric. Trust the Japanese to come up with a beautiful technique to use what we would call waste. Anyway, I've started winding into balls, this warp.

I'm about half way through. Fortunately, when I took the warp off, I did it so it is in sections. When I've finished I'll be winding a sample length warp in fine black wool and see what will work best with this yarn as weft. I'm looking at twills, the more complex the better. I'll warp up my 16-shaft table loom and see what I can get.

Weaving with Plastic

 So... I'm supposed to start my residency at the Ivanhoe Library and Cultural Hub in October. Even though vaccinations are progressing, our 'road map' doesn't seem to provide for enough opening for me to be able to do that. It's still not confirmed in any way and I don't expect it to for a little while. However, I need to do a little weaving 'just in case'. It also means that I get the current warp off my loom and I can think of a new project for October.

So I've started weaving my little plastic rugs. These are to form an installation that, basically, echoes the rugs used in a yurt and I hoped to figure out a way to hang them in a circle. I was to do two off the current nylon warp and then collect materials from the shops in Ivanhoe for the remaining completed during my residency.

So I started on the first one, which is a simple tabby weave with whatever plastic I have to hand.

And, I've finished...

Plastic is difficult to handle and the finished piece was cut-off before starting the next. This was mostly because of the bulk, but I wanted to reset the warp so that it wove easily.

The second 'rug' is using rya knots to create a rug with more texture. It's slower, but is interesting to weave. You certainly work out why, down the centuries, young small fingers have been exploited to weave these type of rugs.

Each one is only a metre long, so hopefully I can finish this, this week. 

Weaving on cardboard

 I'm booked in for my Artists' Residency at the Ivanhoe Arts and Cultural Hub. I am so excited! Though, at the moment, it's not necessarily sure, as we're currently in lockdown. I can't see that changing till sometime in September, which will change how much I can do during the residency. And it means, that the residency is by no means certain as there are those that have missed out on their residencies. We'll see....

As part of the residency, there needs to be 'community engagement' which, for me will take the form of simple weaving workshops. Cutting out cards to weave something very simple like a coaster or a little more complex like a mobile phone cover.

These are really very simple, and all it takes is cardboard and yarn. I drew around my objects, cut slits at a distance I thought suitable and warped.

Very simple and reasonably quick. I've used three yarns together for the weft and it gives a nice feel. First the coaster.

The second piece, I tried to warp both sides and create a pocket. Worked reasonably well for a phone cover.

There are more options I might play with:

- using two pieces of cardboard to make a flap

- trying to attach a strap down the side, while weaving.

It's interesting to go back to something so simple, but which is very effective and useful.

Meandering Mind

All bloggers seem to have a love/hate relationship with their blogging. I would like to do more, I always thought that being a writer would be nice....even though I can't write well! My initial reason for blogging, that is keeping myself focused on my work isn't really needed anymore, studios, exhibitions have all added to that and I can say that I do work. So why write now? Because I want to. Do I care if nobody reads it? Sort of, not really, maybe??

So, where am I?

With a studio at 601 Waterdale Rd.

 I'm working on my red madness. Three metres of all sorts of yarns with a woven backing. Don't know if it's going to work yet.

Working on using recycled materials found at 601. Look what a bit of old rope can do!

Participating in the projects of the Textile Art Community making community works for an exhibition in June. This is my Daily Weave project and the second length finished by some willing helpers. 

Whilst at home, I'm participating in Sock Madness (on Ravelry). This is the first pair of warm-up socks, before the main game in March.

Finally, trying to finish the now woven Samoyed Blanket. Just working on the edges before washing.

Five on Friday - what on earth have I been doing?

Well, I have been overseas, and yes, there will be photos, but I'm still sorting them out!

Here are my Five on Friday. I have started working well this week and am feeling active, we arrived back at the end of July after 6 weeks away and it's taken 4 weeks (or more!) to get my act together.

From the last experimental spinning, where we worked with Blending boards, I've spun up this, and it's nearly finished! We're at experimental this Saturday (the 5th) where we'll be spinning embroidery threads and the rooms will be buzzing with activity as the Handweavers and Spinners Guild has a Spinning Open day from 11 till 3pm.

I need to practice my weaving and thought I'd try something simple! A spaced warp with a separate warp for a little bit of seersucker. Warp looks good.

Actually weaving very nicely, except the seersucker is just a softness, rather than a bubble. Maybe when it's washed. 

I'm not supposed to buy anything this year, but couldn't resist the amazing fleece from Andyle when the Black and Coloured Sheepbreeders came to the guild. One of the few meetings I attended. It's been sitting in my car.

Thought I'd better spin up said fleece. It's gorgeous, happy so far.

 And I did fit a bit of knitting in as well.

Holiday inspiration

We were priviliged to encounter some amazing wildlife in Hawaii, the most amazing, green turtles, blue nose and spinner dolphins, all sorts of coral reef fish, have to reside in our memories alone, no photos were taken. There were, however, these wonderful cardinals, gorgeous and cheeky birds that were everywhere we went.

I discovered these were the northern cardinal and the other, equally cheeky birds we saw were Brazilian cardinals. Both are introduced to Hawaii, but they brightened up our days. I managed to find a couple of pictures of both birds on the net.

As nests are still a source of inspiration, I went looking for these birds nests and found reasonably traditiional looking nests. Full of all sorts of chunky materials and beautiful blue eggs.

 I've been trying to figure out another wall hanging and have wanted to use this yarn that I picked up a little while ago at the Handweavers and Spinners Guild textile bazaar. The red is amazing and now I have something red to work from. I think this is going to be suitable to weave in as short lengths with fuzzy ends.

I've done a bit of a yarn wrap to try and get an idea for the warp, and, I think this is just about right. Random warping with one side with a bit more red than the other with a strong bit of black.

These are the other colours I've used.

Tomorrow, I'll make a short 2m warp and do some sampling.

Ideas that rattle

I've had this idea for a woven wall hanging rattling around in my head for ages, ever since I've been looking at birds nests, which must be nearly TWO years now. FINALLY, I managed to do a sample on my lovely 16-shaft loom.

It's perhaps not the best looking sample. I've never been very good at the good looking sample. I just need to see what happens when I try a few things and get sorted in my mind. Once I've done that I get bored pretty quickly with the sample.

However, they are worthwhile as the weaving in its' proper form in coming along nicely.

The weave is a honeycomb, which should collapse into nice little 'nests' when finished. I have no pattern and am just changing the elements as I go. I have two blocks of honeycomb and a block of tabby at each end. This allows me for all sorts of combinations of pattern.

I know the colour isn't quite right, but I hope you can see the subtle colour variations. There's going to be alot more happening, and I still haven't decided if it will need embellishing after I've finished weaving. Probably won't be able to until it's off the loom.

Isn't it wonderful having a studio that you have to work at. I'm hoping to finish it this week, in time for the opening!

Opening day at the Studio, Gallery & Shop

Yep, it was the first official day that the Studio was open. I had three visitors and a delivery of some gorgeous signs from my husbands' brother-in-law, Lee from Signs UC.

It was a bit of a shaky start, as I wasn't quite ready! We had painted, pulled up the bright blue lino to reveal concrete for the floor of the 'gallery' part of the shop, but there are still some missing pieces from the gallery.

I can't hang all my work in the 'shop' but the method of display works well and I'm quite pleased with the effect. I haven't enough coat hangers and macrame rope upon which to hang things. And I still haven't quite figured out how to hang the neckwarmers. But I'm pleased with the effect.

The first exhibition, I've called 'Journey' as it's a sort of survey of the work that I've done since the days of my Diploma of Art (Studio Textiles & Design). Once I have everything hanging, it will be quite good, but I'm pleased with the effect already.

The studio isn't really set up at all, that will happen over this week. It's exciting!

Celebrate with a mystery box!

Jan and Marie from the Handweavers and Spinners Guild of Victoria have come up with a lovely way to celebrate the coming 60th Anniversary of the guild. They distributed mystery boxes, filled with mysterious stuff which we will make into something mysterious for an exhibition in April and May next year.

Here are my boxes:

Yes, I know, there are two.... I didn't realise that I would get a choice, so while I was trying to make up my mind, the keepers of the boxes (Joy and Doris) decided I could have one of each! How could I refuse? I can't pick spinning over weaving, or weaving over spinning...just not right!

Here is what is inside:

 I think you can see the strange threads, bright blue beads, feathers, a playing card!, bits of wire, all sorts of yarns and fibre, oh, and shells....

These are actually the most interesting and the colours match yarns and fibres, and me, and will form the basis of whatever it is I'm going to make. It will be a sculpture, and, as far as I can, I will use all the materials and it will be done by the 29th March, 2014.....just not sure about those blue beads yet!

Stay tuned for progress reports!

Oh, and sorry for not blogging for awhile, bit crazy round here, going to get crazier....

Samoyed and new toys!

Eventually you have to get on with things. I've finally managed to catch up with the lovely Samoyed owner W and discussed progress on the spinning and weaving of a blanket from her lovely Samoyed fur. Many things had to align for us to finally have an excited and exciting discussion. We're both passionate about this project, I for the challenge it will be and for W, the promise of a wonderful reminder of a friend.

Here is the bags of fur that I now have to spin!

It also means that I do feel the pressure and was highly delighted when I showed her the small spun samples and the little bit of weaving that I had done. The weaving was done on a weave-it loom, which is only a square with nails and gives a fairly rough approximation of the final product. Fortunately, her immediate response was positive!

In testing out the spinning I used my small wool combs and loved the result so much that I determined to buy the much bigger English combs when I went to the Australian Sheep and Wool show in Bendigo in July. I've been playing with these monsters ever since, and just love the speed of preparation and the resulting ease of spinning. It is these that I will use to prepare the Samoyed for spinning.

Now I'm off to spin up some the wonderful wool top from Andyle to make into lovely natural coloured neckwarmers. I've just realised that without really thinking, I've been doing the right thing. In the middle of winter, when I can't really get any dyeing done as there's nowhere to dry and the boys don't really appreciate having their bathroom taken over by slow drying skeins, I spin natural wool tops that I get at the sheep show. It makes so much sense. Now, I have to make a special big effort over the summer to do alot of dyeing!

Little treasures on sale!

Yesterday the Handweavers and Spinners Guild of Victoria had one of the twice yearly Textile Bazaars they hold at their guild rooms. I generally try and get to these as they are that wonderful jumble of all sorts of textiley things that just makes you feel that if you hunt hard enough you might just find a treasure!

It was easier getting there this year as it was held on the same day as Experimental Spinnning. I was still later than I wanted to be and sadly followed a big bus load of ladies down from the country on a road trip, and, the early crowds. Oh well.

I did manage to pick up a few little gadgets that I will add to my weaving equipment. A rug beater, another simple shuttle, some plastic bobbins that I will work out if my bobbin winder can handle and crochet hooks.

More crochet hooks! They look good!

AND, there was a treasure...

Eventually worked out what it was, a cone winder, or holder, not sure which, but potentially useful nevertheless. It has 'Passap' on it and I assume it is meant to be used in conjunction with a knitting machine. I will be useful somewhere....Luv it!

Weaving Rag Rugs

I've been weaving rag rugs.

It's fun, but cutting strips of fabric into 4cm strips is a bit slow. I have a rotary cutter, but I do need to get more efficient.

And, I just want to know, how is it that I use up fabric from the stash box and it's still full? Does the fabric breath out into the emptied space?