Woven Delights From Blue Loom Designs

This is another post to showcase the creativity and talent of members of Potomac Craftsment Fiber Gallery.

Today, I would like to introduce Ruth Blau and Blue Loom Designs. I have known Ruth for the past five years since I joined the gallery, and have always found myself gravitating towards anything made by her when I gallery sit. As soon as I have finished all the details of opening the gallery on my day, I head towards the beautiful handwoven scarf display. Inevitably, the first scarf I reach for is one of Ruth's. Her sense of color in the handpainted warps and impeccable weaving skill is something I can only dream of being able to do. Then as I look around the gallery at the wearable pieces, jewelry and handbags, I continue to find more of Ruth's handiwork. Many days, I stand there astonished at the number of different techniques she does so well including kumihimo and inkle weaving. She often shares her knowledge and once gave a talk about fiber identification to our beginning weaving study group. I learned a great deal that day and appreciate her interest in educating us. I hope you will take a look at her website to see her beautiful creations and if you are ever in the Washington, DC area, will take the time to visit our gallery.

Viking Knit Experiment

Last week I finally took a class at Star's Beads. Since I try to teach myself techniques, I have never taken a formal class in beadweaving or knitting although in college, I took a weaving and textiles course. When I found out my colleague, Mickey Kunkle was teaching a class on viking knit with silver, I signed up immediately, because I had been eyeing her wonderful bracelets at the Potomac Craftsmen Fiber Gallery.

Dazzling Knitted Silver Jewelry

I wanted to introduce a colleague of mine and her subtle yet dazzling silver knitted jewelry. She recently opened a shop on Etsy to showcase some of her creations, but I have known her and her work for several years now as a fellow member of the Potomac Craftsmen Fiber Gallery in Alexandria, Virginia. She uses her name as her shop name. Please spend some time enjoying the beautiful work of Marla S. Rudnick .

An Inspiring Story

In the latest issue of the About.com-Jewelry Making newsletter, I ran across a reference to group in Colorado that helps refugee women by teaching them jewelry-making skills. To read more: A Little Something: The beaded path to self-sufficiency They are in need of stash beads and especially findings and tools.

Another group I think is a worthy organization is Bead for Life which operates in Uganda. They provide work for Ugandan women through creation of paper beads made from discarded magazines. I went to a Bead for Life sale, and the beaded jewelry was being snapped up like hotcakes. Quite beautiful.