Sneak Preview—The Cricket Student Loom

I’ve been playing around with crickets. Not the insect, but our new Schacht Cricket Student Loom. We’ve designed this nifty, compact little loom for the school market, but I think any weaver who wants a compact loom to take along will love weaving on this honey of a loom. I even wove (always pushing the deadline) in the car last week on my way to visit Brown Sheep in Mitchell, Nebraska.

This loom will come with all the equipment needed for weaving, including shuttle, threading hook, warping peg, table clamps, and instructions. We should have The Cricket ready to ship this fall, in plenty of time for holiday gift giving.

Colorado Weavers Day 2008, part 2

Highlights:

• The pre-conference dinner the night before, followed by a group discussion about common guild issues and concerns. The idea of a Federation of Colorado Guilds was proposed and will be explored.
  

• Of particular note was Judi Arndt’s presentation of her textile collection and the work she is doing with Colorado State University to document her pieces—which she will donate to their extensive collection. I admired her passion and the collaboration with CSU.
  

• The guild exhibits, especially the work of individual guild members. Some wonderfully accomplished work!

• Being in the presence of other weaving enthusiasts. It was great to focus all my attention for a day on weaving and weavers. Congratulations to Pueblo Weavers Guild for a job well done.Publish Post

Colorado Weavers Day 2008, Part 1

I just returned from Pueblo, Colorado where I attended Colorado Weavers Day (CWD) with a few of my fellow Handweavers Guild of Boulder friends. Held every other year, CWD aims to bring together weavers from across the state for a day of lectures, exhibits, and getting to know each other.

Colorado Springs

As it turned out, one of the highlights of the trip was stopping in Colorado Springs on the way to view the “Beyond Bedspreads: American Heritage Through Historic and Contemporary Weavings” at the Colorado Springs Pioneer Museum (a stunning building for all you architecture freaks). The exhibit is an outgrowth of the guild’s work in assisting the museum with documenting and photographing their extensive coverlet collection. As part of their study, PPWG members wove interpretations of coverlets and coverlet motifs. Two memorable pieces were woven by Sandra Hutton and Susan Bowman. The show runs from April 26-August 17, 2008. It’s a worthwhile visit.

A further extension of the guild’s focus on functional textiles is their upcoming internationally juried show, “Living With Beauty: Handwoven Textiles for the Home” which will open June 13^th in Manitou Springs. The show closes July 26^th, 2008.

In talking with Sandra Hutton, one of PPWG driving forces, she explained that her intent is to raise the awareness and prestige of textiles, in particular handweaving, through exhibitions and public demonstrations. I agree with her and thank her and PPWG for their passion and pursuit of textiles. Other guilds would do well to follow their excellent example.

Check out their useful and beautiful website, besides information about the guild, it includes a gallery of guild member work, a weave drafting program, and a list of programs and projects: www.pikespeakweavers.org