From Ribbon to Chenille

I've decided to discontinue my "Simply Ribbon" designs. The ribbon yarns have become quite pricey and most people are "over" the novelty yarns. I really loved the challenge of weaving with something knitters were using and the garments were fun to wear. But the phase has passed and it's time to move on. I will still do special orders until my stock yarns are gone. After that, for an additional charge, I will still take custom orders.

Rayon chenille is a fabric that is timeless and much more practical. So I'm switching back to mostly chenille. I want to do some experimenting with bamboo yarns and maybe I'll even offer something in corn and milk by next fall. But for now, I'm enjoying playing with new color blends and designs and dyeing techniques with my trusty chenille.

This new design I've decided to call a Shoulder Shrug. It can be worn three ways - with the long edge to the side - point in front as a poncho look or draped in front as a cowl neck scarf/neck warmer. It can be ordered with or without fringe.

I've had lots of fun designing these new scrappy jackets and you'll certainly see more of this type of garment in the near future.

New Pictures of My Studio

Since I hadn't posted photos since I first moved in, I decided it's time to give a peek inside my busy working weaving studio.

And here's my yarn stash -- or some of it. Most of the greens are on the counter behind me as I'm designing my next project.

This is my sewing and design space. Behind this space through the window is my office and a work station for my woven photographs plus the fused glass work space with tables and glass kiln.

And another scrappy cropped jacket.

Back in My Studio with New Ideas

Since moving to Tucumcari, I've somehow managed to be gone at least one week every month. Even though these trips were mostly unplanned, I really do love to travel. My little secret - I'm a gypsy at heart. But even more important is the fact that I always return refreshed and ready to get back to my looms with great new ideas. Right now I have more ideas than I have time to pursue.

This week I returned from my family reunion in Alabama. While there I enjoyed the green grass, big trees and humidity but I was more than ready to return to the beauty of the big open skies and the west.

My latest projects have included shibori dyeing on chenille and designing new garments. I'm still working on the name for this one from my newest line called Scrappies. I will probably call it an Asymetric Cropped Jacket. I'll also offer it in a longer style as well. The fabric on this one was dyed using the fold and clamp technique called Itajime. I want to work more in this technique in future projects.

Jan has become my idea person. So thanks to Jan for this next great accessory item. Still unsure of its name but for now I'm calling it a capelet. The fabric on this one was loom controlled shibori. I got more dye on the bound fabric than planned but I really do like the results. This can be worn with the seam to the

side or to the front for more of a poncho look.

This scarf on the right was created using loom controlled shibori with the dyes painted on weftwise. Again, I intended to use less dye but I was pleased with the final results. I think more than anything else, I love the dance between the plan and the final result. It's that surprise element, that newness as each piece is born and it's the rush I get that keeps me dancing.

Too Busy To Blog!

My studio has been buzzing with activity and I've totally forgotten to update my blog. So sorry to anyone who may have been paying attention. I currently have three looms with projects progressing. New color combinations continue to excite me so things change often.

Jan Honeycutt is now my assistant/partner. I've been out of town at least one week each month and she's been there to keep the studio open. Carl, my husband, has moved his glass kiln and supplies into my office and has been teaching Jan to fuse glass. She will be making my glass buttons as well as other pieces of her own design. Jan has also moved her slab cutter into the back room where she will be creating her own pottery pieces. Unfortunately, learning to weave didn't work out for her due to her recent shoulder surgery.

Francis Lucero has joined the fun and become my weaving apprentice. She's learning quickly by weaving scarves on my small Harrisville loom. Her scarves will soon appear in Art Space under her own label, Handwovens by Francis.

I recently visited my friend Irene at Cotton Clouds in Safford, Arizona. I returned with the newest organic yarns made of corn and milk, of all things! Who would have ever dreamt it? In honor of my farming backgound I plan to weave something with these real soon.

Studio Opening Soon

I've been very busy this last month getting my studio space set up and ready to open. My official opening will be Saturday, April 5 with an open house. ArtSpace, just four doors down is also having an opening with two featured artists the same day.

Another exciting piece of news -- I now have an apprentice. Jan Honeycut, previously of Pagosa Springs, Colorado, will begin this week. Jan does her own fiber art wall pieces and is anxious to learn to weave.

Even though I stay busy, the beauty of the landscape around me continues to amaze me! This sunset was taken from my backyard this week. The sky is so big. After being closed in so tightly in the city for years, I can't get enough of these wide open spaces.

ZoZo Studio Update

Back in October, I rented an abandoned church building just off of Route 66 in Tucumcari. I painted, pulled up carpet and had almost completed the process of unpacking when I was contacted about a store front downtown which had just come available. Since it's in the same building as Art Space and other art studios, I couldn't let this opportunity pass. Once again I am painting and preparing to move. How exciting! I am finally living this dream I've always had. Life is truly amazing to me! I couldn't have planned this any better if I'd tried. Now I'm really looking forward to my new life here.

My new retail space will be called ZoZo Fiber Arts Studio and Gallery. I hope to have the doors open to the public by mid-February.

I will be ending my Ebay store, Classic Styles Boutique, as of February 15. For anyone interested in purchasing items or making offers, you will need to do so quicky.

I will still maintain a ZoZo website and will be happy to do business with anyone through cyberspace. Just contact me and and we can go from there.

To those of you still reading this blog . . .

I apologize for not updating sooner. This year, 2008, I will try my best to write at least once a month.

A quick update --

My daughter, Brooke, was married on a perfect fall day in October.

In addition to packing to move and keeping my business running, I designed a wedding wrap for both Brooke and her maid-of-honor.

We were both thrilled with the results!

I was finally able to join Carl in New Mexico in December for a true New Mexico Christmas complete with roaring fire in the kiva fireplace in our historic adobe house in the country. What a nice change from the urban life of Denver. It feels like vacation every day.