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.