SPINNING UPSTAIRS

Yesterday I noticed that the handspinning wall in my shop was looking pretty bare.  I guess my obsession with stitching has overshadowed my spinning.  So, I dusted off the spinning wheel and got to it.

What a joy, rain on the roof and a well oiled wheel, made for a lovely afternoon.

STILL PONDERING THIS ONE

This is an old Bolivian knitted hat.  It is quite small and obviously for a child.  The consignor brought in a bundle for me to sell.  All of them have very interesting images but this one really intrigued me.  I would love to know the story.

DRUZE WEAVING

In the last post I mentioned a Druze weaving that I have on consignment in my shop.  I decided to show a section of this runner.  The pattern is very complex and almost chaotic.  I'm sure it is full of symbolism and I would love to know something about that however the Druze people are quite secretive and stay to themselves so unless I happen to meet a Druze in Santa Fe who is willing to help me out, I doubt that I will ever know much about it.

This piece was consigned to me by a retired anthropologist, now living in Santa Fe.  She purchased the weaving in Israel however it probably was woven in Syria.  I find the Druze people to be quite fascinating.  I did find a lot of info about them on the internet.

TEXTILES UPSTAIRS

This is a bird's eye view of the Textile area in my shop.  All of these textiles have been consigned, most of them by collectors who are downsizing their collections.  I feel honored to be able to sell them and also very lucky to have them in my space for awhile just to admire and touch.  It is quite an eclectic collection with pieces from Japan, Bolivia, Africa and the Middle East.  In the foreground is a Druze weaving from Syria.

CASA MIRASOL

This is where I spent the weekend.  It was a much needed retreat.  Although I am now living in Santa Fe I still have my home up in Taos.  The house is empty most of the time but some friends recently spent a few weeks there this summer and christened the place Casa Mirasol.  

One of  my favorite times of the year is when the sunflowers are in full bloom and I  have such a jungle of them in my yard.  I never cut them down because when winter comes and the seeds are dried, they become a much needed food for the birds.

 

WEAVING CONTINUED

This cape was woven from Egyptian Cotton

Hand embroidered  Pockets

I USED TO BE A WEAVER

I don't really weave anymore, at least not on a big loom.  Production weaving can do that to you.  I prefer smaller more portable tools now, like a needle or a hand spindle. 

These pillows were patched from my woven fabric.

It was fun while it lasted