Robin Wall Kimmerer's Braiding Sweetgrass is a life changing book. Such kindness and generosity to people like me, who came to her land, loved it, take the opportunities and often forget to credit her people's wisdom and care that this land despite white people's foolishness, continues to be beautiful.
I try to get everyone to read it! And anything else she writes.
I had the overwhelming honor of meeting her at a reading in Rochester, NY a couple of years back. We were all still in masks. I was able to talk to her privately and tell her about my work saving trees from clear cutting along the Erie Canal. And she thanked me for it in her inscription in her book. I too think her book is immensely valuable.
How marvelous that you got to meet her and have her sign your book. Marvelous too, that you were able to save those trees. I'm thrilled to hear about both.
Oh yes, agree wholeheartedly. Wonderful book! One of those that is heaven and heartbreak to read. She really has a gift for heightening one's appreciation for our sweet Earth and I also found myself feeling such sadness to think about the damage that has been done as I read along. Her moss book is amazing too!
Sarah...berry season! Black raspberries are my favorite fruit! I pick with just a little antique quart bucket. The places I pick are so overgrown that I can't get too complicated with the vessel, and ritual now insists on this berry bucket. But, a few years ago, when I was working at a thrift shop I scored two pairs of brand new hunting pants, meant for trudging through underbrush. Heavy canvas, extra layer in front. So totally worth the $3.00! An old long sleeve shirt with lots of holes, so briars have at it. (My hands still get bloody, but oh well.) A straw hat with a mosquito veil finishes the ensemble. I pick in comfort long after Reggie has tired to chasing bunnies.
Bloody hands -- absolutely the way it goes with blackberries, isn't it? And purple fingers. Your hunting pants sound quite perfect though. I always add thick boots to a similar sounding outfit cuz there are rattlesnakes where I pick and, you know, when you're reaching for that perfect berry it can be hard to notice where you're stepping....
So great to see another post from you, Sarah. I read it just after listening to Anne Merrow's interview with you, which I thoroughly enjoyed listening, sock knitting in hand. I hope you come back to Latimer in Tillamook, Oregon, again - I would love to take a class from you there. (My hatching and curves need work!)
Isn't the Latimer Center the most wonderful place? I always felt so lucky to exhibit there. The rooms full of looms and quilting supplies.... mmmmmmm. It's where I'll always picture Shirley Medsker. And thank you for your kind words!
I love that backlit house, gleaming like it’s golden hour, and the word salt, looking like mounded salt on paper! Lovely. Even though I don’t understand or know all the technical knowledge, it’s still nice to read about all the considerations that go into weaving text.
Watching you weave was a few moments well spent in reverie. Though I will probably never return to weaving (tooooo many other things in the making), I still find it fascinating.
I use a basket slung over my arm for berry picking. It’s light weight and just the right shape. When my old one wore out completely, it took me ages to find another one that fit as well! Blueberries are finished here and figs ready for the daily game with the birds to see who can get to the ripe ones first. Enjoy your summer!
Figs! wow. Never have I seen figs growing. How delicious to be able to put them, fresh, into your perfect sounding basket, where I imagine they look extra delicious. Blueberries will probably start here in a couple of weeks. We're still in mid/late raspberries.
Generous—-yes, indeed you are, Sarah. Thanks for the lesson on letter weaving. Such a joy watching you weave. I need to give letters a go. A note on nature’s bounty—-Les Stroud’s Wild Harvest on public television. Les gathers wild edibles and a chef (Paul Rogalski) creates amazing dishes. The landscape they gather in is gorgeous. Have a glorious day.
Sarah, thank you so much for this detailed documentation of your letter weaving technique. I am getting so excited about beginning my winter journey that I'm having difficulty maintaining my focus on the gardens and the winter food security that they will provide our family. I will use these blogs as my reward!
Sarah, watching you form those letters was such a gift. Inspired by you, I have woven letters, although I did mine sideways, which was a little different. But I love your collection in the box. By the way, it looks like you gave yourself a haircut to keep your hair short. Good job! I love seeing the picture of you at work, You’re looking good. But no pictures of Beryl, except in drawings. or the grandchild, although you might not want to make that public. In any case, one final comment, how nice it was to see you outside in Idaho, while in Tucson, we are all escaping the enormous heat8 by staying in the air conditioning. Awaiting the monsoon! But an excellent time for reading!
Oh golly, the heat in the southwest sounds beyond anything. Such a thing to endure.
As for sideways letters -- I really enjoying that as well, especially for weaving sentences or phrases. I usually leave off the serifs though -- less necessary somehow.
Wonderful post! I have only done one woven word, HELM, awhile back. I can see, however, I wove it vertically. I plan to try again. Your Gusset posts are so inspiring, Sarah. My eyesight is failing badly, so I go by feel. I see I need to space my letters better, which will be easier to see horizontally, as I can do plan and start them at once. It’s always exciting, isn’t it, whatever one does. Thank you for sharing the way that you do—
Weaving the letters vertically is great. And HELM, quite perfect. So many good nautical words, as my father pointed out to me not long ago: boat, ship, wave, mast, sail....
Thank you for sharing so soon and so generously the mysteries of weaving letters and words! Iam blesssed by every bit of this and am hoping to get get going on words. Of my own. What a treasure!
I love being serendipitously part of your artists life. The serendipity you allow to be involved speaks loudly. I really like the smidgin of video to see the weaving or life in action.
Oh gosh, I'm so glad it was useful. And I hoped that seeing the tails tucked in real time would help explain why I do it. so thanks for letting me know!
So delightful! I love watching you weave!!
Robin Wall Kimmerer's Braiding Sweetgrass is a life changing book. Such kindness and generosity to people like me, who came to her land, loved it, take the opportunities and often forget to credit her people's wisdom and care that this land despite white people's foolishness, continues to be beautiful.
I try to get everyone to read it! And anything else she writes.
I had the overwhelming honor of meeting her at a reading in Rochester, NY a couple of years back. We were all still in masks. I was able to talk to her privately and tell her about my work saving trees from clear cutting along the Erie Canal. And she thanked me for it in her inscription in her book. I too think her book is immensely valuable.
How marvelous that you got to meet her and have her sign your book. Marvelous too, that you were able to save those trees. I'm thrilled to hear about both.
Isn't that the truth! I couldn't agree more about both Kimmerer's work and about Braiding Sweetgrass.
Oh yes, agree wholeheartedly. Wonderful book! One of those that is heaven and heartbreak to read. She really has a gift for heightening one's appreciation for our sweet Earth and I also found myself feeling such sadness to think about the damage that has been done as I read along. Her moss book is amazing too!
Sarah...berry season! Black raspberries are my favorite fruit! I pick with just a little antique quart bucket. The places I pick are so overgrown that I can't get too complicated with the vessel, and ritual now insists on this berry bucket. But, a few years ago, when I was working at a thrift shop I scored two pairs of brand new hunting pants, meant for trudging through underbrush. Heavy canvas, extra layer in front. So totally worth the $3.00! An old long sleeve shirt with lots of holes, so briars have at it. (My hands still get bloody, but oh well.) A straw hat with a mosquito veil finishes the ensemble. I pick in comfort long after Reggie has tired to chasing bunnies.
Bloody hands -- absolutely the way it goes with blackberries, isn't it? And purple fingers. Your hunting pants sound quite perfect though. I always add thick boots to a similar sounding outfit cuz there are rattlesnakes where I pick and, you know, when you're reaching for that perfect berry it can be hard to notice where you're stepping....
Always happier to see a post from you. Thank you for sharing your techniques and wise words and encouragements with us.
Thank you again🙏
I played with letters once on a post card for Archie Brennan when he was sent many💓
I love how you do them in abundance lol
I’ll have to try them again👍
Enjoy hearing what your up to! Fun - thanks
Elaine Todd
How marvelous that you wove a post card for Archie. What an inspiration and influence has was. Lucky weavers for his existence in the world, eh?
So great to see another post from you, Sarah. I read it just after listening to Anne Merrow's interview with you, which I thoroughly enjoyed listening, sock knitting in hand. I hope you come back to Latimer in Tillamook, Oregon, again - I would love to take a class from you there. (My hatching and curves need work!)
Isn't the Latimer Center the most wonderful place? I always felt so lucky to exhibit there. The rooms full of looms and quilting supplies.... mmmmmmm. It's where I'll always picture Shirley Medsker. And thank you for your kind words!
I love that backlit house, gleaming like it’s golden hour, and the word salt, looking like mounded salt on paper! Lovely. Even though I don’t understand or know all the technical knowledge, it’s still nice to read about all the considerations that go into weaving text.
Gosh, thank you! And yes about the golden hour. Such a magical thing when our textiles can exude a bit of the mood of the moment, isn it?
Watching you weave was a few moments well spent in reverie. Though I will probably never return to weaving (tooooo many other things in the making), I still find it fascinating.
I use a basket slung over my arm for berry picking. It’s light weight and just the right shape. When my old one wore out completely, it took me ages to find another one that fit as well! Blueberries are finished here and figs ready for the daily game with the birds to see who can get to the ripe ones first. Enjoy your summer!
Figs! wow. Never have I seen figs growing. How delicious to be able to put them, fresh, into your perfect sounding basket, where I imagine they look extra delicious. Blueberries will probably start here in a couple of weeks. We're still in mid/late raspberries.
Generous—-yes, indeed you are, Sarah. Thanks for the lesson on letter weaving. Such a joy watching you weave. I need to give letters a go. A note on nature’s bounty—-Les Stroud’s Wild Harvest on public television. Les gathers wild edibles and a chef (Paul Rogalski) creates amazing dishes. The landscape they gather in is gorgeous. Have a glorious day.
Wild harvest sound like a fabulous show. So fun to learn and watch and then feel able to actually do it oneself. Thanks!
Sarah, thank you so much for this detailed documentation of your letter weaving technique. I am getting so excited about beginning my winter journey that I'm having difficulty maintaining my focus on the gardens and the winter food security that they will provide our family. I will use these blogs as my reward!
I imagine you picking and freezing and canning -- and thinking-- so that by the time winter comes, you'll know exactly where to begin.
Thank you soooooooo much! It's raining today so I am making time to think about winter projects. You are reading my mind!
A frog in a pond needs a fish and a wave and a crest, oops, that's five...
So many perfect words. And if not crest, perhaps comb?
Sarah, watching you form those letters was such a gift. Inspired by you, I have woven letters, although I did mine sideways, which was a little different. But I love your collection in the box. By the way, it looks like you gave yourself a haircut to keep your hair short. Good job! I love seeing the picture of you at work, You’re looking good. But no pictures of Beryl, except in drawings. or the grandchild, although you might not want to make that public. In any case, one final comment, how nice it was to see you outside in Idaho, while in Tucson, we are all escaping the enormous heat8 by staying in the air conditioning. Awaiting the monsoon! But an excellent time for reading!
Oh golly, the heat in the southwest sounds beyond anything. Such a thing to endure.
As for sideways letters -- I really enjoying that as well, especially for weaving sentences or phrases. I usually leave off the serifs though -- less necessary somehow.
Wonderful post! I have only done one woven word, HELM, awhile back. I can see, however, I wove it vertically. I plan to try again. Your Gusset posts are so inspiring, Sarah. My eyesight is failing badly, so I go by feel. I see I need to space my letters better, which will be easier to see horizontally, as I can do plan and start them at once. It’s always exciting, isn’t it, whatever one does. Thank you for sharing the way that you do—
Weaving the letters vertically is great. And HELM, quite perfect. So many good nautical words, as my father pointed out to me not long ago: boat, ship, wave, mast, sail....
Thank you for sharing so soon and so generously the mysteries of weaving letters and words! Iam blesssed by every bit of this and am hoping to get get going on words. Of my own. What a treasure!
I love being serendipitously part of your artists life. The serendipity you allow to be involved speaks loudly. I really like the smidgin of video to see the weaving or life in action.
Sarah, thank you so much for that video! Now I understand how you get those clean lines on your letters, and tuck in the tails.
Oh gosh, I'm so glad it was useful. And I hoped that seeing the tails tucked in real time would help explain why I do it. so thanks for letting me know!