This blog has moved!

Please visit my new, improved blog, now found on my website:  www.realfibers.com

There you can also buy specialized weaving tools, see examples of work, show and open house schedule and more....

Wedding wedding wedding!

A few weeks ago we celebrated my eldest daughter's wedding. Her request (among other things, of course) was a Wedding Shawl for Her and a Wedding Vest for Him.

Both are 100% silk. 8 Harness undulating twill modified from Malin Selander. Warp and threading the same -- treadling different. The vest uses a fine 2 ply silk (maybe 2/30) pale pale blue. The shawl uses a raw ivory silk with a slightly heavier weight.

Now I can concentrate on organizing my new studio!!!

Technocraft: 

Where High Tech meets HandMade

Opening, Thursday, May 3rd, Jamestown Art Center, Jamestown, RI


Work by the following artists is featured: Suzi Ballenger, China Blue, Jenine Bressner, Laurie Carlson, Mark Esper, Beth Galston, John Kotula, Ben Knox Miller, Luke Randall, James Rutter, Cheryl Sleboda, and Shawn Wallace.


http://theengineinstitute.org/technocraft-where-high-tech-meets-handmade#more-1563

Proteus

Love this type of inspiration....

I am in the midst of re-booting -- rebooting my life! we have moved to a new home, i have a new job, my oldest is getting married in a few months, i have an invitational exhibit opening in 5 days.......YIKES!

I found a letter today, while unpacking, from my Dad. Can't remember ever reading this letter before today, but it was written more than 12 years ago. He writes proud and encouraging words for his wild, outspoken daughter/artist/educator/mother-of-four (and stepmother of two more!) to keep on, stay with it, etc.

Inspiration leads to energy and work. This flower from WeedWeaver's in Wakefield, RI made me excited to continue my work for "TECHNOCRAFT: Where High Tech meets Hand Made", opening Thursday, May 3, 2012 at Jamestown Art Center (Rhode Island) in collaboration with HERA Gallery.

A great article about Saunderstown Weaving School
Saunderstown, Rhode Island
pages 63 - 67


http://digital.designnewengland.com/designnewengland/2012012?pg=63&pm=2&u1=texterity&linkImageSrc=%2Fdesignnewengland%2F2012012%2Fdata%2Fimgpages%2Ftn%2F0063_icqgkx.gif%2F#pg63

Just finished!
This warm color scarf has a double edge to it -- both sides have an overlapping "eyelash" that makes this funky and fun (of course). 


Next up is a stylin' Open Reed neckpiece with a delicate over twist weft that has quite the personality.


In between all this, I really should be ordering parts for the J-Comp loom at Saunderstown Weaving School and writing my course proposals for the various weaver's seminar's for 2013. But weaving is so much more fun. And then there is the "Glove" project which I HAVE to get done for Tuesday Night's e-textile Lounge with Lynne Bruning! Sigh..........

Holiday Orders!


Well...... now is the time to place orders for gift giving!!!!! I have one loom already warped and partially woven and another loom ready to go.


All warps are bamboo (one of my favorite fibers, as you know. Next would be copper/stainless steel, and pineapple). I have two asymmetrical color sequences -- an ultra fine black/grey/aubergine  and a slightly heavier warm/burnt orange. Both warps sett comfortably to accept either a silk OR soft wool weft. 


Please give your color preferences now or it is Weaver's Choice! The wool I have is a unique weight I picked up at Wood's Hole, Cape Cod, Massachusetts, this fall while cleaning out a studio from an elder weaver named Nish Raymond. I grabbed "the best of" singles wool in subtle dark maroon/red and the most perfect heather greyblack.

The second BEAUTIFUL warp is going on tonight -- it is, as I mentioned above, a  burnt orange, beige and a variegated warm color ribbon. I have thread weight hand painted silk I am so excited to pair up with this warp. And there is enough left to be able to play with some other fibers such as over twist merino wool, copper wire and silk, and I have just enough left of my stainless steel and silk colors to weave a double Enchanted Evening thing or two! 

Please let me know if you want to special order. I am so excited to weave for fun without thinking about exhibits, art shows, judging, and all that stuff. Even though it looks like a few teaching gigs in 2013, I am still working on Patent's PENDING!!!! (see previous posts)




BTW .... registration for next semester's classes at Slater Mill Community Guild Studio's (Pawtucket, RI)  for weaving is open. I have a few looms left that need students. At least one is 8 harness. And the rest are new Harrisville Looms. I can take any level weaver -- novice/beginner to advanced -- as all instruction is tailored to each student. You will be expected to do some "independent work" at the studio. Tuesdays, 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm. The next 10 week course begins January 10. Contact: Bernadette@slatermill.org

Just entered FiberPhiladelphia 2012.
Excited for response!

Circuitry. 2011. 15 x 50 inches.
Bamboo, stainless steel, wool. 
4-Harness Handwoven with Equipment Modification and self-designed tools.

I just realized that someone hacked into by blog and stole a photo of my Open Reed work titled Blue Ridge Mtn. Tree Roots from My September 28th post! I reposted, but can't wait to see where it shows up. Hmmm........


In the meantime, check this out:

This is NOT 3D -- it is flat woven bamboo and silk! Woven with a Supplementary Beater (patent pending). Love the undulations.

Worth the click! 
If you are a handweaver interested in equipment modification, technology, fabrication, and a new definition of fiber, see what direction weaving is taking in Peace Dale, Rhode Island!

http://www.thewesterlysun.com/news/suzi-ballenger-weaver-inventor-teacher/article_814bb99c-d88b-11e0-9ac2-001cc4c03286.html 

In the aftermath of Tropical Storm Irene....Splintered