Can't Stop, Won't Stop: The First Collection

Wow, did May get busy or what! Even though these weavings all sold in last week's Instagram flash sale I wanted to share them on my blog because I'm really proud of this little collection.

I started an ambitious project in January 2013 to hit refresh on the creative part of my brain after a few weeks of feeling uninspired. One of the goals was to teach myself a new medium and see what others were already doing in that field. I had seen a few modern wall hangings here and there on Pinterest but wasn't aware of the beautiful work being done by fiber artists such as Maryanne Moodie and Janelle Pietrzak until I started searching for inspiration on Instagram. 

It opened my eyes to a fresh take on a traditional craft and I finished my first few weavings shortly after. Then I set it aside as the year took a few unexpected turns with Brett's deployment and the parting gift that I found out about the day after we said goodbye for a few months! It turns out that any creative inspiration one might get is sucked dry once again by the first trimester of pregnancy. Worth it, though.

I picked it back up recently with the announcement of Sebastian's school's first May Faire and the opportunity to sell Waldorf-friendly wares at a booth. I hadn't been doing much other than nursing and changing diapers so I decided it was a great opportunity to get involved with a school event and maybe scratch that creative itch again.

I made a standing loom from a piece of scrap wood and some nails, cut a few dowel rods, and picked up some yarn from JoAnns. Most of these were made during Smith's long morning naps or during any quiet moments throughout the day when no one needed me. I just left my loom and yarn out and did a few rows here and there. In ten days I was able to finish 15 wall hangings. Some were quite involved and others were simple patterns that only required counting but they were so fun to work on. The feeling of satisfaction for finishing a project was so refreshing and really helped combat some of the cabin fever that was creeping in after a long winter and a new baby. 

It was also really special to me that Sebastian and Ruby both showed an interest in doing what I was doing and took the initiative to learn a new skill. Sebastian made two wall hangings and both sold at the event and I held on to Ruby's first because it's just precious. 

I've loved experimenting with different color combinations and yarns and already have some ideas I want to incorporate into my next collection. There is some 550 cord that is calling my name from my craft stash that may be making an appearance because it is my favorite shade of yellow. 

I've been visiting with a local gal about teaching a class to some of her friends at our local coffee shop one afternoon and will be teaching at a sponsored event in Denver in June with some Instagram friends and I'm so excited for both! There's something so therapeutic about weaving and I'm such a fan of showing people how capable they are of making beautiful things. 

If you've ever wanted to learn to weave I've got a really simple tutorial here that can be expanded for a larger sized wall hanging and showed how I made one of my first wall hangings here. 

What have you been dying to try lately? 

-Rachel

 

Comments

[Kerrie]

I've been weaving a bit this year too. I've experimented with a few different techniques, like shag and adding in bits of ribbon and other objects. However, I'm not super sure how to change colors mid-weave or how to incorporate various designs.

I actually live in Denver. When/where will your class be in June?

[Bec Thexton]

I love them! The colours you chose are great I would love one for my new home :)

www.dancingthroughsnday.typepad.com

[Jac]

I love your weavings, they look really fresh and contemporary. It's funny what you said about the first trimester of pregnancy! I had just got into making flowers to go on dog collars (as you do!) and then the sickness and tiredness kicked in and I couldn't even look at them! They are still in a box now, as it just kinda brings the memory back!

Anyway, love your work! X

[Kaiti]

I'm a Senior at Kent State University. And Textiles is my major, I absolutely love it! It's also really inspiring to see you and your kids do this together. If you have never used a floor loom, I believe you will love it. I love my hand loom. But being able to make things much bigger is nice too. Another thing I would so love you to try is sculptural weaving! I did one for my final project (it required 50% recycled materials), I used all recycled materials except the warp. It was really fun, I added some jewelry wire so I could shape my sculpture how I wanted, and it was really fun. I really hope you do continue this new craft, it is very relaxing and it is a disciplined art to do such a repetitive motion over and over.

(Here are two links to my final project if you interested, I did not know if I could post a photo on here, http://tinypic.com/r/2059t2b/8, http://tinypic.com/r/v3q43s/8)

I hope I inspired you (and your children) to try some sculptural weaving!

[Hazel]

I remember doing weavings at school on a cardboard frame, seeing yours has made me want to get a loom and gave a go at doing something for nicer than my school time ones!

[Kara]

I love your style and creative flare!! I would love to see a photo of the loom that you made, as I've been working with a cardboard one, and at least want to see what kind of set up you have, if it's one I may want to replicate! Thanks!! :)

[Kelcey]

I love these! I did some weaving in college and loved it. This may be something I have to pick up again. I've also been really interested in trying pottery making lately!

[Kathrine]

You're so incredibly talented! And how exciting to explore a new field of craft. Gut feeling tells me this is only the beginning ... :D

[Kellie Winnell]

These are all so amazing, you are extremely talented and inspiring. I am doing some weaving and hoping to do a lot more and learn a lot as I go. it's almost therapeutic?

[Melanie]

Are these for sale anywhere? They are so beautiful

[Melissa @ Bubby & Bean]

They're all so beautiful Rachel. My mom was very into weaving when I was growing up - we have a massive loom that took up most of our dining room. It's been years for me but I'd love to get back into it.

[sam]

Fun and beautiful!

[Haley]

I was inspired by your weavings and I tried a couple of my own. I only have gray, black, and blue yarn so my weavings aren't as exciting as yours. Once I got the hang of weaving, I've found it's pretty relaxing

[pamgarrison.typepad.com]

I thought I was stalking your ig so as not to miss the sale, but miss it I did. I bet it was literally over in a flash as the sale name says. Love these, and hope you make lots more for sale. For sure your first tutorial lit the bug in me (thanks for that!) and think it's great that your kids have gotten the bug too- I would have totally bought Sebastian's if I had been at the sale. ;) Looking forward to seeing where you go with this. Lucky girls at the coffee shop!

[Brooke Knipp]

These are great! I'm in Denver and would love to know about your event in June. Is it open to more people, or private?

[Aijung Kim]

these are awesome! another art project to add to my list. thanks for providing tutorials for the loom.