I'm ever so grateful to you for sharing "the rest of the story" with the quote about "Jack of all trades." That was often derisively hurled at me by a violin teacher during my formative years. But, now I've reached that magical age of "adulthood" (I got here around age 52), and having found my true artistic niche, I'm learning that the second half of the quote proves true more often than not. As usual, a beautiful read here. Thank you!
IT is amazing how much of a cultural hurdle that "choose a path and stick with it" thing is to overcome. Especially when said path is extra constrained: violin vs music, or tapestry vs weaving/yarnish pursuits. Bliss to get older, isn't it --broaden the path (maybe even into a meadow) and prove the second part of the quote true?
Exactly. I've been reminding my 20-something daughter to pursue her dreams, but don't let the little joys get lost by the wayside. That's where the Jack of all Trades is born - when they all synthesize. A good *think* for us all to remember. Ear scritches for Beryl from me, please!
I loved the Youtube Live! I bought the Fringeless class a while ago and worked my way through half of it. I need to finish it, go back and warp a loom again. I did it once from your blog posts and it was OK, not great. Some because of my decisions and some because I didn’t pay attention to some of the details. I also suggested, in the comments, that Handywoman on Etsy might be willing to make wooden jigs. They make a lot of specialized weaving and spinning wooden tools - like a super skinny ‘boat’ shuttle for rigid heddle looms.
one favorite stick here by the river started the stick way of life as a bone folder, or rather before that stickness it held up a white tail deer on all four legs (completing the set). i found that leg, cleaned and honed it into a slender folde. now most days and times it serves as a small shed stick perfectly keeping that shed on the 4-selvedge shifu pages.
Stick story from 2 days ago: Took a pared down handful of sticks from my back strap basket to do a small weaving in the wild, realizing that while being nomadic was part of the early draw of this loom, I often use it at home…
Was fun being minimalist in the packing (though I suppose I could have done a little stick harvesting on site once I got there and not brought any at all!) & threw in a couple new pencils in case they might want to be loom parts. They did not. But I had fun. And the sticks that came doubled as warping pegs in the sandy bank of the river & the loom itself once I pulled them out, all warped up.
I like learning the proper ending of that saying “Jack of all trades…” as well.
What a marvelous stick story. And warping the loom in a sandy bank of the river -- bliss. And thank you for the inspiration. I so often use my backstrap loom at home that I forget that it travels too!
Fantastic Sarah. Thanks so much. The YouTube live with you and Rebecca was just terrific. It motivated me to dust off my copper loom and get back to learning the Fringeless ways. For anyone who hasn't taken the class, I absolutely, 10/10 recommend you do. Rebecca and Sarah teach so well together.
Gosh thanks Lorraine. And funky containers -- you never know which one will appeal. One of my odd faves are a couple of cardboard boxes I covered with paper maché -- used coffee filters make a surface that is kind of like plaster. And old typewritten pages have stories of their own... Just a thought if you're in the mood for something messy.
Now those are words to make my heart sing. So easy to look back and think, "gosh- how did I do that? I could never do it now.' But then, why would I want to. That was then. This is now and so very full of possibility. Thank you for reflecting that back to me. Much appreciated.
I'm sure my Arthur and your Beryl could have many profitable conversations on the technicalities of what makes a good chomping stick. There is an art to the selection of one, certainly. I do hope Beryl has not yet mistaken a valuable textile tool for a chomping stick? I have a nostepinne with a few teethmarks where I had to leap in to save it.
So far Beryl has been amazing about only chewing on things I"m fine with, even unto sticks outside (though she is particular and I imagine she and Arthur could indeed have a fine chat about the right diameter and length). Now that I write that though, I have to include the one time Beryl expressed her disapproval of too much grand baby attention by snagging a used (poopy) diaper when no one was looking, bringing it into the middle of the studio, and chewing it to bits where I'd be sure to find it. Hard to get clearer than that!
Honestly, you could make a good living as a cartoonist. You have real talent in drawing and you are great at irony.. Aim high….the New Yorker or some such.
Oh Fran, what an incredible compliment. I am a huge fan of New Yorker Cartoons and cartoonists. But what a thought to try myself. Thank you for the encouragement. Geez.
To add to your curiosity about whether pencils want their own identity: My father, a vastly-practical engineering type, practiced what he called "coat hanger technology." In his basement workroom, he had a long row of coat hangers hanging from a rafter. Each had been carefully formed with pliers into exactly the shape he needed to accomplish a task. HE knew what they were used for--but they weren't labeled, of course. So when he died and we had to clean things out. all we could do was consider the exceptional past utility of those former coat hangers, regret their completely mysterious nature, and--sigh--THROW THEM AWAY. Made his death more real than almost anything else we had to clean up. If your pencils and battens and shinsheis get passed on to someone else...what happens to their personality, utility, purpose then?! Just like to add a cheery thought to your day--poor recompense for such a delightful post!
OH golly, your dear father. What a fellow. Now I'm super curious about al those pieces of coat hanger. What brilliant thoughts/uses did he have? I guess that is one nice thing about pieces of wood-- they can always be cut up and burned for kindling so will at least keep someone warm. Hopefully not the spindles though (esp the 3D printed one which would, arghghg, melt in a very stinky way). Of course Henry made my spindles so is unlikely to dispose of them too rudely!
Totally off topic but I’m captivated by your tapestry bobbins. They look quite large. How long are they really from tip to tip? Does someone make them for you. I think I would like the feel of holding one in my hands.
Most of my tapestry bobbins are actually pretty small--approximately 5 1/4" from end to end. My favorites were indeed hand made. My favorites were made by 1. Alex Iosub (though I don't think she is making them any more) and 2. Bobbin Boy --joyfully reviewed by Rebecca Mezoff in a recent blog post: https://rebeccamezoff.com/blog/2023/9/6/the-joy-of-a-beautifully-made-tapestry-tool. Hope that helps!
When I owned a lot of floor looms, I had an enormous collection of warping sticks, spare lease sticks, and even shaft sticks for shafts that had been removed from the Louet and Glimakra looms. It was a bear to keep them organized. I ended up putting together some wire cubes in different height and standing all the sticks in them!
What a great idea to keep them organized. Long ago I too had a Glimakra loom, and when I sold it (cuz... tapestry), ended up hanging on to some of those long flat sticks they had for winding the warp. So so useful! But messy too. I could use some of your organization to be sure.
The most simple things in life bring joy, joy brings love and love endures. The attachment to our most menial tools turns pieces of work into works of love. Thank you for reminding me of basics. I have some hazelnut twigs to turn into crochet hooks… long live the stick, and love.
You are SO right Christine. Attachment to our most menial tools really changes everything. And it is such a pleasure to notice this attachment -- bring it out into the light so we can notice the love, and the pleasure. Thanks.
I hope they're revelers, taking pleasure from the stories they have drawn out, words strung along, yarns spun. ... Thanks for yet another Tuesday wonderment, a meander in the world of Sarah and Beryl. I appreciate your sharing processes: drawing, spinning, weaving, stick chewing. And yes to the "rest of Jack's story!"
I'm ever so grateful to you for sharing "the rest of the story" with the quote about "Jack of all trades." That was often derisively hurled at me by a violin teacher during my formative years. But, now I've reached that magical age of "adulthood" (I got here around age 52), and having found my true artistic niche, I'm learning that the second half of the quote proves true more often than not. As usual, a beautiful read here. Thank you!
IT is amazing how much of a cultural hurdle that "choose a path and stick with it" thing is to overcome. Especially when said path is extra constrained: violin vs music, or tapestry vs weaving/yarnish pursuits. Bliss to get older, isn't it --broaden the path (maybe even into a meadow) and prove the second part of the quote true?
Exactly. I've been reminding my 20-something daughter to pursue her dreams, but don't let the little joys get lost by the wayside. That's where the Jack of all Trades is born - when they all synthesize. A good *think* for us all to remember. Ear scritches for Beryl from me, please!
Beryl is wiggling with delight!
I loved the Youtube Live! I bought the Fringeless class a while ago and worked my way through half of it. I need to finish it, go back and warp a loom again. I did it once from your blog posts and it was OK, not great. Some because of my decisions and some because I didn’t pay attention to some of the details. I also suggested, in the comments, that Handywoman on Etsy might be willing to make wooden jigs. They make a lot of specialized weaving and spinning wooden tools - like a super skinny ‘boat’ shuttle for rigid heddle looms.
Thanks Jaya! And great to know about the Handywoman/wooden jig possibility.
Thank you for sharing your drawings, videos and feelings about your tools. They need praise.
Wow-- well thank you kindly for praising them. They (and I), are warmed by your words.
one favorite stick here by the river started the stick way of life as a bone folder, or rather before that stickness it held up a white tail deer on all four legs (completing the set). i found that leg, cleaned and honed it into a slender folde. now most days and times it serves as a small shed stick perfectly keeping that shed on the 4-selvedge shifu pages.
OH yeah -- a stick with an energetic history. How perfect. Bone bone folders are just the best. Reminds me to keep my eyes peeled in the woods.
Stick story from 2 days ago: Took a pared down handful of sticks from my back strap basket to do a small weaving in the wild, realizing that while being nomadic was part of the early draw of this loom, I often use it at home…
Was fun being minimalist in the packing (though I suppose I could have done a little stick harvesting on site once I got there and not brought any at all!) & threw in a couple new pencils in case they might want to be loom parts. They did not. But I had fun. And the sticks that came doubled as warping pegs in the sandy bank of the river & the loom itself once I pulled them out, all warped up.
I like learning the proper ending of that saying “Jack of all trades…” as well.
What a marvelous stick story. And warping the loom in a sandy bank of the river -- bliss. And thank you for the inspiration. I so often use my backstrap loom at home that I forget that it travels too!
Right? Finding a place to anchor it at home is great fun too though.
Fantastic Sarah. Thanks so much. The YouTube live with you and Rebecca was just terrific. It motivated me to dust off my copper loom and get back to learning the Fringeless ways. For anyone who hasn't taken the class, I absolutely, 10/10 recommend you do. Rebecca and Sarah teach so well together.
Wahooo! So glad to hear that. Thanks SO much for the recommendation and the kind words.
Beryl living her best life makes me ridiculously happy.
I missed the live stream - ARGH!
I need to hit yard/garage/boot sales and find better containers for my zillions of pencils.
So much creativity! So much beautiful art, and so inspirational as always! I remain extremely grateful for this posts.
Gosh thanks Lorraine. And funky containers -- you never know which one will appeal. One of my odd faves are a couple of cardboard boxes I covered with paper maché -- used coffee filters make a surface that is kind of like plaster. And old typewritten pages have stories of their own... Just a thought if you're in the mood for something messy.
For a long many years I have loved your work, woven and written. You just get better as time goes by!!
Thank you for sharing,
Margaret Tyler
Now those are words to make my heart sing. So easy to look back and think, "gosh- how did I do that? I could never do it now.' But then, why would I want to. That was then. This is now and so very full of possibility. Thank you for reflecting that back to me. Much appreciated.
I'm sure my Arthur and your Beryl could have many profitable conversations on the technicalities of what makes a good chomping stick. There is an art to the selection of one, certainly. I do hope Beryl has not yet mistaken a valuable textile tool for a chomping stick? I have a nostepinne with a few teethmarks where I had to leap in to save it.
So far Beryl has been amazing about only chewing on things I"m fine with, even unto sticks outside (though she is particular and I imagine she and Arthur could indeed have a fine chat about the right diameter and length). Now that I write that though, I have to include the one time Beryl expressed her disapproval of too much grand baby attention by snagging a used (poopy) diaper when no one was looking, bringing it into the middle of the studio, and chewing it to bits where I'd be sure to find it. Hard to get clearer than that!
Oh the horror, the horror.
I hope you were suitably corrected, once you'd cleared up the mess and Beryl no longer smelt of baby-poop.
tee heee. Indeed. She is clear, that girl...
Honestly, you could make a good living as a cartoonist. You have real talent in drawing and you are great at irony.. Aim high….the New Yorker or some such.
Oh Fran, what an incredible compliment. I am a huge fan of New Yorker Cartoons and cartoonists. But what a thought to try myself. Thank you for the encouragement. Geez.
To add to your curiosity about whether pencils want their own identity: My father, a vastly-practical engineering type, practiced what he called "coat hanger technology." In his basement workroom, he had a long row of coat hangers hanging from a rafter. Each had been carefully formed with pliers into exactly the shape he needed to accomplish a task. HE knew what they were used for--but they weren't labeled, of course. So when he died and we had to clean things out. all we could do was consider the exceptional past utility of those former coat hangers, regret their completely mysterious nature, and--sigh--THROW THEM AWAY. Made his death more real than almost anything else we had to clean up. If your pencils and battens and shinsheis get passed on to someone else...what happens to their personality, utility, purpose then?! Just like to add a cheery thought to your day--poor recompense for such a delightful post!
OH golly, your dear father. What a fellow. Now I'm super curious about al those pieces of coat hanger. What brilliant thoughts/uses did he have? I guess that is one nice thing about pieces of wood-- they can always be cut up and burned for kindling so will at least keep someone warm. Hopefully not the spindles though (esp the 3D printed one which would, arghghg, melt in a very stinky way). Of course Henry made my spindles so is unlikely to dispose of them too rudely!
Totally off topic but I’m captivated by your tapestry bobbins. They look quite large. How long are they really from tip to tip? Does someone make them for you. I think I would like the feel of holding one in my hands.
Most of my tapestry bobbins are actually pretty small--approximately 5 1/4" from end to end. My favorites were indeed hand made. My favorites were made by 1. Alex Iosub (though I don't think she is making them any more) and 2. Bobbin Boy --joyfully reviewed by Rebecca Mezoff in a recent blog post: https://rebeccamezoff.com/blog/2023/9/6/the-joy-of-a-beautifully-made-tapestry-tool. Hope that helps!
When I owned a lot of floor looms, I had an enormous collection of warping sticks, spare lease sticks, and even shaft sticks for shafts that had been removed from the Louet and Glimakra looms. It was a bear to keep them organized. I ended up putting together some wire cubes in different height and standing all the sticks in them!
What a great idea to keep them organized. Long ago I too had a Glimakra loom, and when I sold it (cuz... tapestry), ended up hanging on to some of those long flat sticks they had for winding the warp. So so useful! But messy too. I could use some of your organization to be sure.
LOVE❤️
The most simple things in life bring joy, joy brings love and love endures. The attachment to our most menial tools turns pieces of work into works of love. Thank you for reminding me of basics. I have some hazelnut twigs to turn into crochet hooks… long live the stick, and love.
You are SO right Christine. Attachment to our most menial tools really changes everything. And it is such a pleasure to notice this attachment -- bring it out into the light so we can notice the love, and the pleasure. Thanks.
Thanks so fun! I love my sticks and geriatric pencils also!
I hope they're revelers, taking pleasure from the stories they have drawn out, words strung along, yarns spun. ... Thanks for yet another Tuesday wonderment, a meander in the world of Sarah and Beryl. I appreciate your sharing processes: drawing, spinning, weaving, stick chewing. And yes to the "rest of Jack's story!"
I hope they are revelers too!