Weaving Hope

In the town of Occoquan, Virginia where I was a member of a co-op gallery for several years, there is a little weaving shop that has been offering hope to mentally challenged adults for almost 30 years. The shop is called Spinaweb and was started by a caring weaver named Erna Gilker. In the early 80s, she offered classes to residents of an intellectually disabled adult activity center and they responded with excitement. The shop employs a small staff who warp the looms and do the weaving. The program is supported by ARC (Association for Retarded Citizens of Prince William County, VA). Through the years, visitors from around the globe have brought handwoven gifts to their home countries, and orders have risen. In addition to handwoven shawls, ponchos, scarves, purses, tea cozies and other gifts, they also offer a selection of weaving and knitting yarns for sale. Spinaweb is nestled in the lovely historic community of Occoquan, on the banks of the Occoquan River. Shop hours are 9 to 4 Monday through Saturdays. For more info, call 703-491-7422 or visit Spinaweb .

M'Bemba Bangoura, Bernard Woma with Ethos Percussion Group

M'Bemba Bangoura, Bernard Woma with Ethos Percussion Group, originally uploaded by ambrosianbeads.

I'm not sure the Coolidge Auditorium at the Library of Congress has ever been so lively. At least never during the many times I've been there for concerts. I've heard world famous string quartets, early music ensembles and other recitalists, but this concert definitely didn't fit the mold. The Ethos Percussion Group, a contemporary music ensemble joined forces with two renowned west African musicians from Ghana and the Republic of Guinea for an unforgettable concert. My poor cameraphone was only able to get these shots, but you can see the audience members grooving to the African beats on stage. We were all encouraged to get up and dance, as they say in Ghana, you should dance anyway even if you're not a good dancer because, "the ground won't complain" !

Gorgeous Fiber Jewelry

Just discovered this Russian fiber artist on Etsy whose work blew me away and I had to share. Her shop is TianaCHE and her name is Tiana Agapcheva. I just love what she does with knitting, crochet and beading. Enjoy !

Upcoming Lace Day-April 25th

The Chesapeake Region Lace Guild is holding a Lace Day this Saturday in Fairfax, VA. I'm bummed because it's at the same time my students have their annual chamber music recital. Let me tell you, I would rather be having fun trying out lacemaking techniques than gritting my teeth behind a smile, praying that my students keep their ensembles together. The website lists a fall Lace Day, so I'm marking that in my calendar right now.

Bobbin Lace Finds

Lately, the thought of learning bobbin lace techniques has been surfacing. Not sure I'll actually be able to follow through on those thoughts. They probably have occurred since I missed out on a bobbin lace workshop held in March that conflicted with a beadweaving class I was scheduled to give (secretly wishing that no students would sign up !). Anyway, here is a little treat for the eyes from a talented Etsian: Pure Harebell Bobbin Lace Necklace from FiredragonLace.

Roselette top

Roselette top, originally uploaded by ambrosianbeads.

I've been working hard on finishing this adorable top for my niece. I made another one for my 3 year old niece's birthday a few weeks ago and started one for the 2 year old last Monday. Unfortunately, the yarn was too thin and I looked like it would only fit a 6 month old. So I used some variegated wool I bought at a thrift store and it turned out only a little too big for her. You can see how the colorway changes more rapidly on the top part as the pattern requires turning rows. On the lower part, the pattern works in the round so the colors are more blended. There is a large section of yellow on the back, but oh, well, I didn't have much time to cut and restart the yarn at different color points.

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.

A Lovely Mola from Costa Rica

My in-laws went on a trip to Costa Rica after Christmas and they brought back a traditional mola for me. My mother-in-law says this one was not made for the tourist trade, as it has more geometric elements than birds and flowers which are more typical of souvenirs. However, knowing that I'm a bird lover, she purchased one with two lovely swan-like or stork-like figures in the upper half. This scan does not show the full design which is symmetrical, I just couldn't get it all on the scanner. My husband received one appliqued to a t-shirt which features two large bird figures surrounded by small flowers.

The big story of their trip was the earthquake which hit the region they were visiting. My father-in-law, mother-in-law and her 92 year old father were sitting in a restaurant when it started shaking and cracking. Some tourists who were climbing along a ridge visiting the waterfall were tragically killed. The tourists staying at their lodge were all safe and but had to be helicoptered out of the area (still saying "thanks, God" about that !). I'm still waiting to see their photos and video.

Extreme Knitting

I'm sure many knitters here have seen this, but thought I'd share for those who haven't. If you think your knitting obsession is over the top, feel free to put yourself back in the "normal" category after you see this !

Quilting Talent

There are so many talented fiber artists in my gallery, Potomac Craftsmen Gallery that sometimes, I just have to crow about them here. I love working my gallery sitting day once a month because I get to feast my eyes on the beautiful quilt art of fellow member, Betty Ford. Each of her works is a small work of beauty, color, drama and texture. I would never be able to decide which of her pieces I like best. Please take time to enjoy browsing her online quilt gallery.

A Master of the Tree

One of my former colleagues of the Artists' Undertaking Gallery, Patrick O'Brien, recently moved his woodturning studio into the new Lorton Workhouse Arts Center. I managed to check out the new arts center on its opening day and stopped by to see Patrick at work. Patrick is a master at seeing the future beauty of each piece of wood he turns and he allows details in the natural appearance of the tree to shine through. He will be having an open house along with a few other artists in three of the buildings of the former prison on Saturday evening, Dec. 13th, from 7-9 pm or you can stop in the arts center during open hours. Check out Patrick's turned wood mastery on his website.

Knitting Sales !

Usually I only submit my beadweaving to my co-op gallery, Potomac Craftsmen Gallery but for the holiday show, I had some knitting that has been needing a good home for the last couple years. I can finally bid my mitred square hat and grey curly scarf a fond farewell. The hat took me from Thanksgiving to Easter to finish one year. I thought I would never finish it. It was a good learning experience in modular knitting, and strangely, I became attached to knitting mitred squares after that ! The curly scarf was another experiment with the idea of casting a crocheted chain onto circular needles and increasing until each row took an hour :P

Upcycling: It's Gone Mainstream Art Gallery

I had seen her creations before at Eastern Market, where I marveled at their beauty and ingenuity and was excited to learn that Tamara Embrey's upcycled designs now appear at the Torpedo Factory in the Fiberworks gallery. While I was taking a break from working at the Potomac Craftsmen Gallery today, I stopped in at Fiberworks and saw Tamara's exhibit of gorgeous, unique and totally upcycled dresses and other wearables. On either side of her display were two stacks of uncut, recycled sweaters in blended color palettes awaiting a new life.

Ever Wanted to Knit Backwards ?

Well, here's my new Flickr tutorial to explain it all. I always hated purling and wanted to be able to work freeform and short rows without turning. I found some instructions in a book and sort of figured it out. The only thing was, I had to re-orient each stitch on the next row-boooo.
Fast forward to a few days ago. I was working on my newly learned entrelac technique, when I visualized the purl row from the other side and tried inserting the left needle into the back of my last stitch. I wrapped the yarn around the front of the needle, slipped the right needle out, and VOILA, had a purl stitch without turning. And it was just as easy as doing a regular purl stitch on the other side.
After that, I was able to speed up my entrelac significantly and now I'm excited about doing more entrelac.

Entrelac Success +

Last month a member of my knitting study group taught me how to do entrelac (basketweave) knitting. I have been wanting to figure it out for 20 years or more but could never get my head wrapped around any written instructions. After some hands on help, I discovered how easy it is and started to plan a little halter top for my 6 year old niece. Well, as I was knitting it, it was taking alot longer than I thought it would and looking alot bigger as well. Another niece who is 10 is happy to have it so I am working on finishing it up for her. After coming back from vacation I took it up again and while working, decided to try to work a purl stitch from the knit side and lo, and behold, it worked ! So the plus in my title of this post is: I CAN KNIT WITHOUT TURNING NOW !!! As soon as the project is finished, I'll be posting photos.

Springwater Fiber Workshop Closing Sale !

It's very sad news for all the fiber enthusiasts of the Washington, DC region but the longtime source for classes and supplies is closing up at the end of the month. They are selling off yarns and equipment this weekend so check here for open hours.

Wow, time flies ! Another market has come and gone !

Last week was the next Ballston Arts and Crafts Market. This time I was on the other side of the circle which was a little more publicly located. The only problem was the late afternoon sun drifting in and covering more and more of my space inside the tent. The day was not too hot, not too humid, it could have been worse, but I kept the heat at bay with a gel-filled neck cooler (bright orange, couldn't have looked uglier) and frequent cool-downs with cold, wet washcloths (I looked like I was giving myself a bath at times !).

I had three of Alice's critters this time and her darling alligator went to a good home. I sold my refashioned plaid skirt bag and souvenir New Mexico apron tote bag. Three new smaller handbags made their debut at the market having just been created at 2:30 in the morning.

I won't be at the next market, as I will be in Boston so Alice will be manning the booth this time.

Ballston Arts and Crafts Market

My Booth Shot, originally uploaded by ambrosianbeads.

...is a nice art market, although I only sold a bookmark, sniff, sniff after all that hauling/setup/breakdown. I had a whole bunch of my apron bags plus knitted purses and shrugs as well as Alice Webb's awesome whimsical fiber sculptures , of which I sold the biggest one. Maybe my booth was too eclectic, well, back to the drawing board before the next market which is on July 12th.

Apron Bag Tutorial-Finished Bag

Apron Bag Tutorial-Finished Bag, originally uploaded by ambrosianbeads.

I've been hard at work, cutting up old aprons and reconstructing them into cute and handy tote bags. Follow this link for a visual tutorial on this super easy sewing project

It's FUFU time !

Yesterday, I had my first taste of the Ghanaian mealtime favorite: fufu . OK, what is it ? It's a special bread dough-like pastry made from plantain flour. We had a chicken (or fish) stew made with tomatoes, habanero peppers, lime juice and peanut butter served over the fu-fu. The proper way to eat it is with the hands. The stew can also be served over boiled fresh plantain segments, rice or blackeye peas. Boy, was it spicy and delicious, but one bowl is enough. It's very filling. We also tried the kenkey which is also a type of bread.