I start with a story or picture that I want to convey in the handwoven. It could be as simple as to show the colors of the sunset or as complex as designing a flame pattern by using all 16 shafts of 300 heddles on each shaft to create an original pattern. The pattern is determined by how the individual yarns are threaded thru the eyes of the individual heddles on the various shafts and how the treadles are set up and lifted by the hands or feet. After the heddles are threaded the yarns go thru the reed on the front breast beam. Then the footwork is determined by how the shafts are tied to the treadles to complete the pattern. It is similar to playing a piano as you read or create a pattern and how you thread and lift the shafts determines the music or cloth. I use all types of yarns to get a particular look, texture or effect. If I want the complex pattern to dominate I may use the same types of yarns in the warp (long threads that make the length of the project) and the weft ( the horizontal threads that are hand thrown from side to side to create the cloth – one row at a time). I pay great attention to each step in the process and it is a joy to see the piece evolve and grow as time is spent working on it. My hand-wovens are technically complex, but express my love for the process and creativity to generate a “one of a kind” or exclusive piece. I use the older and more traditional hand and/or foot looms to create my pieces. This manual process keeps me alert to what is happening as the cloth is created and gives me the opportunity to modify a pattern or yarn if I decide I want to add more creativity or depth to the colors, texture or design.

My works are designed to last as I use high quality yarns, often handspun by me. I weave with myriads of textures and yarns from organic cotton, rayon, chenille, tencel, bamboo, mohair, wool, alpaca, linen, handspun, silks, cashmere, art yarns from other artist, and some acrylics. I exhibit at local Art Studios and do several Art shows each year. I spin some of the yarns used in my creations on Minstrel or Mazurka spinning wheels. The dyeing of the yarns and spinning allows me to create the colors I want for truly unique pieces.

The end to end process involves determining the size of the project, running calculations to determine amount of yarns needed for warp and weft ( allowing for shrinkage, loom waste, fringe, fringe, EPI /PPI, etc). The warp is then built that will later be wound or dressed on the loom, the pattern is threaded as described above through the eyes of the heddles on various shafts and reed one thread at a time and then it is tied to the front or back of the beam in preparation for weaving. This varies dependent upon if I dress the loom from front to back or back to front. This process sets the frame or warp for the cloth. I finish all pieces by either a hand hem stitch while on the loom, a zigzag stitch on sewing machine and turn over hem, or hand twisted fringes to create a polished look.

I create my patterns on a software program to reduce the number of floats and generate a custom pattern.

My Handspun yarns are often custom dyed by me to achieve the color ways I want to fulfill my vision. I spin traditional type double plied yarn, single ply, triple ply or chain yarn and Art Yarns. Watch my website as it changes frequently and is populated between local art show.