Wednesday, July 26, 2006

Misc *stuff*



Pix is of a felting on a balloon project- prototype for a felted hat series. See tutorial link below.

The Cedars of Marin, where I work, gave me a spinning wheel when they heard I was using a spindle and enjoying it. The wheel is an Ashford Traditional, 70’s knockoff I have been told ( I see it as the good solid easy to learn on wheel and potentially a keeper). Well, it is/(was?) the second wheel at the textile art center... and they don’t spin there. At fairs and visits from classrooms they use the first wheel to demo. The Studio is a Weaving Center only- and I felt honored by the sharing and it still “belongs to them” tho i have it at home. To make the long story short, I was also told there is another one buried in the back of the container, and is the one for me when they dig it out again... Mystery Wheel awaits.

There are sheep / fleeces too-

Do you like raw wool? I know it seems like pain in the butt, but that is what appeals to me. Somehow very grounding to me, being around the sheep here and there each week - and then working with their fiber for fun.

That being said I have a stash of not handmade (well, some are) odd balls, And cone yarn and hanks I have collected too- etthat was an impetus to learn machine knitting too. As a kid I learned weaving from Master Weavers- long story too- let‘s say from the next door Danish grandma master and another Aunty master at the College of Marin( Marianna Rauschanable ). I went to her classes as a grammar school child, as an afternoon workshop I could drop in on. I played there with fiber, looms and soft sculpture a great deal.

I also knit off and on from about age 5 or 6 (learned from Mom and Oma) and in fits and bursts as an adult ( moi baby came along and then knitting things had a long run, until he was about 8 years old; he complained of being the only kid who HAD TO WEAR HOMEMADE SWEATERS. OK now more.....The next project was a big sweater- we‘re talking a BIG Hawaiian Dad here...Took forever....Anyway it was an arsty 49ermotif sweater in the proper colrs, that was promptly left behind at the first game.Probably left at the tailgate! ( L;OL - Needless to say, he’s long gone ..;-)

Last year, while lusting for my knitting self to expand into as yet unchartered fiber waters..... I was ready for a leap into new aspects of the fiberaholic. Being the impassioned knitter, with less and less time on my hands, it was to be Knitting Machine rather than loom weaving.

Knitting and technolgy! What a hoot...then came the notion of spinning too..

I am still in my more rudimntary stages of spinning and machine knitting for sure and am loving every minute of it. Dyeing in the mix here and there. More time is spent planning and envisioning after exploring the stories and technique ideas, than actually implenting them. ( That darn Internet addiction thang).

Now with all the readily available WOOL, felting is Very do-able and I’m off and running there.Great for hot summer days‘ playtime!
My 12 hour work days this week ( too many things going awry with my rather extensive flock of Nursing Charges...) hasn’t helped productivity either...

so..... Balloon felting a bowl Or basket! It is.....

Craftster Balloon Felting Tutorial

Later now- The balloon wet felting was a bit of a challenge. I used tights instead of hose/nylons; Where the tutorial states to use an extra pair of hands -it made a big difference. Trying to keep wool from sliding around without the extra pair of hands when you put on the encasing- made for a bald spot on my second try.



This is a bit enlarged of the hat turned inside out. Frst try! I have made some nice slippers too- I really want to go for 3d work and do hats, vests, jackets, boots. We’ll see...

4 comments:

Abigale said...

Hi Claudia! I've been wanting to try some wet felting too - I just haven't had time... I also am able to get some really awesome fat sturdy foam pieces from work that are perfect for needle felting - let me know if you want one, I'll bring it to the next guild meeting. And speaking of guild meetings - would you mind terribly pestering me a couple of days beforehand - I can be so forgetful!

Anyway - thanks for stopping by my blog - see you later I hope!

Abi

Anonymous said...

Hi -- Searched "Spinning, Marin" and found your blog. I live in Marin, and am interested in spinning, but can't find any classes... Do you know of anyone who can teach me? I was at Sonoma Co Festival today, and the woman who was spinning at a craft show told me that it's best to learn from a person, not from a book.
Thank you --

KnittinNurse said...

The guild was how i got going after a spindle lesson at Stitches.
http://www.spindlesandflyers.org/

Yep- hands on is the best way to learn

http://www.spindlesandflyers.org/

the JUNE online newsletter has a few opportunities via the guild this month; the retreat may be a great way to hang out all weekend and learn! Really nice folks-

Aug 13 Samplings Textile Festival with S&F CD Spindle demonstrations, Oakland Museum of California, 1000 Oak St, Oakland. Noon – 5PM Free admission. 510-238-2200 or www.museumca.org

Aug 18-20 S&F retreat at Windrush Farms, Petaluma with Mimi Leubbermann. Approx $45 plus shared food. Reservations: Elaine at ematsui@sfchroncle.com or at June meeting.

I’d offer but it would be the blind leading the blind still!

Anonymous said...

Thank you for the tips. I will contact Elaine and may show up at the retreat. I don't know if things will work out, with a three year old in tow... My son's been interested in knitting and yarn, so he may enjoy it.
Thanks again,
tamami

About Me

Marin County, California, United States
I work for 2 non-profits in Marin County CA (near SF) that serve the Developmentally Delayed. I was introduced to weaving and knitting at a very young age. Over the years I have always had knitting on hand. There was a time where I was severely chastised for being so old fashioned, so it is great to see the upsurge in the home arts now going on! I have expanded into machine knitting; fortunately there is a great Guild nearby that has really been great. Spinning Fibers is a new thrust as well, and felting has creeped in too. If only I had more time...