Artemisia Ink Studio Arts

Yarn addiction? Me?

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 15:40:22 GMT

Work on my colorful and simple shrug is almost complete, and I'll take a photo once it's done and post it with all the info.. and maybe a pattern. Noro makes such gorgeous yarns, and I'm glad I have store credit projects to help me afford them. The new Malabrigo Twist we just got in isn't helping, either. I'm glad I know how to make my own yarns, or I might not leave work with a paycheck.

I wait with nervous anticipation to see how the CD package will come out, we should get it back in a few weeks. The album sounds great, and I'm looking forward to seeing what people think.

Projects continue in various stages of completion, spinning merino and tussah silk on my Turkish spindle, some local MA Coopworth Finn roving from Sojurner Designs is being spun and simultaneously Navajo plied onto an anonymous spindle, and various sock projects languish on my needles, waiting to be fixed or finished.

Writing for NaNoWriMo has slowed to a crawl, mostly because I haven't been able to steal away any writing time recently, but I'm okay with that. It's not December 1st yet, so I still have some time to meet my personal goal of going over 5000 words.

Later.

-Me.

Yarn Sale!

Mon, 19 Oct 2009 20:20:36 GMT

Having missed many many hours at my job this month due to unforseen death and illness, I find myself in the awkward position of needing to do some fundraising. Therefore, I am having a yarn sale. Purchase any skein in my Etsy shop, and get a second skein of lesser value at 50% off!

Convo-mail me within Etsy and let me know which skeins you want, I will reserve them for you and adjust the pricing on your second skein so you can pay with Paypal, as Etsy requires me to process discounts manually.

If you see something you love, but you need more yardage, ask me about it, and I might just have more of that fleece or fiber in stock to create a custom skein.

Thanks a bunch for looking, either way.

Later.

-Me.

Life and Thursdays..

Thu, 01 Oct 2009 16:08:10 GMT

This moment is all I really have. This lovely cup of Earl Grey before me as I sit in the cafe for some wifi and breakfast. The color of the sky against the changing leaves.

Nothing stays still.. change continues to envelop every plan, each expectation we create.

My Grandmother's sudden death leaves me bereft, wanting another conversation, another hug... but that reminds me again simply to be more present now. No regrets. Love thoroughly right now, so that even if this moment is the last, it will be enough.

I could write about how amazing she was, how strong and loving and warm and wonderful she was, even when things were difficult. That would serve to share some of what she meant to me, but even better would be to live her legacy to me. To love those around me without compromise and to offer a compassionate ear and a warm hug to all.

To spend as much time and love and energy as I can with my mom and dad and the rest of my family while they are still around me.

If you love someone, tell them so now, while you still can. You never know when you or they might be gone, and we don't get a rewind button.

Later.

-Me.

Time flies by..

Thu, 10 Sep 2009 15:06:29 GMT

Wow, it's already September.

Enjoying a wifi morning in Northampton before heading to the studio to work on some musical projects, and it's a beautiful day.

In the fiber world, I am still spinning away on the samples project for Webs and special order skeins, with an occasional bit of spinning on other established projects, one on almost every spindle. Just got some goodies with store credit earned by spinning, a lovely handmade Turkish spindle in Bloodwood, which I am happily filling up with a blend of merino wool and silk, and a bunch of gorgeous hand-dyed roving.

In knitting, I cast on last night for the sleeve of a shrug attempt in a new color of Noro Iro that caught my eye the minute we got it in, and I have no idea what I'm doing, but I'm enjoying the yarn so much, I don't care. Still working on the mate to that first sock, and have already cast on the cuff of a second sock on a set of square double-pointed needles and worked many inches of k1p1 rib in Malabrigo Sock yarn, which is delectable. Nice to have several projects that fit in my bag that I can just pull out and work on say, in line at the RMV.

Kirtan occupies most of my nights, and I'm looking forward to teaching another drop spindle class at Webs in October, visit their website to sign up if you live locally, and a class series to learn and hone spinning on the wheel that is in the works for the spring.. I'll post as various projects unfold.

Later.

-Me.

Stitch by stitch..

Thu, 30 Jul 2009 22:11:34 GMT

Progress continues on the handspun yarn samples for Webs, as another batch dries outside in the last of the day's sunshine. I've also been enjoying learning how to knit socks, and it's been fascinating to watch a sock begin to emerge from my needles.

Here's a photo of the progress thus far.

Kirtan has been wonderful this past month, with Shivananda visiting from India and the beginnings of a few projects in the recording studio, all very exciting to watch unfold.

I'll be teaching another drop spindle class at Webs in October, I'll post a link when it's been listed on the website and interested people can sign up.

Now to keep spinning and have some dinner.

Later.

-Me.

Spinning my way around the spiral..

Fri, 03 Jul 2009 18:06:53 GMT

Music and spinning projects continue, after a busy June. Looking forward to a busy July as the focus shifts more towards the music, playing harmonium and singing kirtan all around New England.

I finally broke down and got myself an olive green Namaste knitting bag with some of the store credit I'd earned, and I'm quite pleased with it. Spoiled myself further with a hank of Malabrigo Worsted in Sunset that I'm knitting into a super simple k1p1 ribbed thin scarf just for the sheer joy of it.

Lately I find myself working with sacred knitting, thinking a short mantra, like one of the Names with each stitch. Bringing mindfulness to each simple task opens an entirely new dimension within mundane routine, whether it's behind the spinning wheel or the cash register.

Off and into the rest of the day...

Later.

-Me.

Spindles and hand-dyed fibery goodness..

Thu, 28 May 2009 15:53:45 GMT

The past month in fiber has been mostly concerned with the spinning project I'm working on for Webs, creating handspun samples of the fibers they carry, and my own spinning has been mostly on hold, except for some gorgeous hand-dyed roving I bought from one of the local vendors at the Tent Sale that I'm spinning right now on my Schacht spindle.

Looking forward to teaching a class in spinning with the drop spindle at Webs at the end of June.. there may still be a spot or two available if you live near Northampton and you'd like a single day workshop focused on the drop spindle with lots of individual attention.. check out the listing on their website to sign up.

I've also decided to learn how to knit socks, and I've gotten as far as making a 4-5 inch cuff tube of Trekking Pro Natura, a wool/bamboo blend in stockinette stitch on lovely rosewood double-pointed needles.. the next step is the heel..

I know I've said it before, but an update of the Etsy store is looming in the works, if I can get to it in the next few weeks before the summer's kirtan tour.

I love that when I'm not driving, singing or working at Webs, there is either a set of needles or a spindle in my hands. My love affair with fiber continues..

Later.

-Me.

Knit another row..

Thu, 16 Apr 2009 19:54:41 GMT

Mountain air agrees with my lungs as I sing the sunrise, late nights under the stars listening to the owls and the coyotes calling to each other. Staying with friends blossoms into adventure as I roam around New England, armed with harmonium and spindle.

Working slowly on a spinning project for Webs, creating handspun samples of the spinning fibers we carry, looking forward to being done and getting back to making yarns to post on Etsy.

I watch the opportunity for doing good work with myself in taking rest when I need it, retreating from the usual breakneck pace for a day or two of lying down more often, knitting another row, drinking another cup of tea, reading another poem.

There is never enough time in a day to accomplish everything, so I'll focus on being fully present for whatever I'm doing right now.

Later.

-Me.

An interview and an update..

Tue, 03 Mar 2009 05:55:01 GMT

I've been interviewed over at the blog for the Phat Fiber sampler box, check it out..

My thanks to Jessie for all her hard work in organizing and promoting this sample box and giving so many talented artisans a way to get their work out there and into the hands of fiber enthusiasts.

In other news, my first kirtan went well, and I'm looking forward to the next one at the end of this month.

I'll also be teaching a beginning drop spindle class at Webs in June, another exciting opportunity to share the fiber love and my enthusiasm for spinning.

Later.

-Me.

Back at the helm..

Mon, 16 Feb 2009 05:50:07 GMT

Time spent in California was exactly the rejuvenating break I needed, and though this month is already completely packed, I'm happy about it.

The Etsy store is back from vacation mode, and though I only got coupons sent out for this month's sample box, March's installment should have some more yarn and fiber goodies.

I'm excited about the kirtan I'll be leading, coming up in just about a week and a half, and yoga teacher training is going well, just taught my first public class with the rest of the team, which was a great experience.

Later.

-Me.

Excitement? Adventure? Heh. A Jedi craves not these things..

Fri, 23 Jan 2009 06:41:12 GMT

It's been cool to watch the buzz from the Phat Fiber sampler box grow as people receive their packages and post about them on Ravelry or various blogs, and really awesome to find people commenting on my stuff.

I leave on Wednesday for 2 weeks out in San Francisco, and the Etsy store will be inactive during that time, but I'll be back on the 12th. Any orders need to be recieved by the 26th in order to get mailed out before I go.

Putting together the samples for the February box over the next few days, definitely some cool yarn going in, and I'm looking forward to making a new round of custom spinning batts to fit the theme.

Later.

-Me.

Rolling with intensity and stillness..

Thu, 15 Jan 2009 20:49:39 GMT

There is so much beautiful intensity swirling around my world, and I'm grateful for everything it has been teaching me.

In the fiber arts world, I am a participant in the inaugural Phat Fiber sample box, which is awesome, and a cool way to get my yarns and spinning batts out there and into the hands of knitters and spinners. Here's a photo of the samples I sent, just before they went off to the post office.

Some small sample skeins, ranging from 15-20 yards, and 1/2 oz sample spinning batts created for the "Wintery Mix" theme.

I'm excited to be teaching a spinning class to the staff at Webs next Sunday, I'm still thinking about what I want to cover and how best to teach on the wheel, but I'm pretty sure it will all work out well in the moment.

In my yoga teacher training, I had my first experience of teaching this past weekend, and it was good preparation for February, when our group will be teaching a class that will be open to the public, which is super exciting.

In the world of kirtan, the practice keeps deepening the more time I put into it on my own, and bringing that development to the public kirtans has made a big difference for me. Both the harmonium and the guitar playing get better slowly, and there are always new songs to learn.

The scheduling has come together, and I'm happy to announce that I'll be leading a community kirtan on Thursday, February 26th from 7:30-9 at Samadhi Yoga Studio here in Manchester.

I'm still in awe of the way that the past 4 months have unfolded, and looking forward to seeing what else the Goddess has in store for me.

Later.

-Me.

Poking my head in...

Thu, 18 Dec 2008 04:49:15 GMT

I'm amazed at the new routine my life has settled into, and though I've been taking a month or so off from spinning, my job at Webs has been great, and I'm anticipating potentially offering classes in the basics of spinning and art yarn spinning during their summer session, we'll see what unfolds.

Yoga teacher training continues, my strength increases as my practice deepens, and I really feel like I've come home to the practice of kirtan, which I will be offering, community-style, sometime after the new year at the studio I'm studying with here in Manchester. Guitar and harmonium practice keeps getting better slowly, and I'm really excited about all the wonderful things I'm working on, which have been keeping me really busy.

Having my hands in yarn all day has lots of interesting ideas percolating in my head, and I'll post photos of my strange creations once my hands coax them out of my brain and into reality.

Later.

-Me.

Playing with yarn all day..

Tue, 04 Nov 2008 05:56:14 GMT

Since my last update, I've begun working a few days a week at Webs in Northampton, which has been great so far, and will likely prove to be a fantastic source of yarn inspiration.

Here's a photo of my recently finished yarns, all still waiting to be set and priced so I can post them.

The yarn all the way to the right began as the batt I posted a while back, and became a coiled art yarn.

Yarns continue to trickle onto Etsy, and I remain thoroughly occupied with yoga teacher training, attending kirtan all over New England, and guitar practice for the chants I'm learning.

My life has utterly changed in the past few months, and I'm beginning to feel centered in myself again, slowly. Keeping busy helps.

Later.

-Me.

Another Etsy update..

Thu, 09 Oct 2008 06:19:32 GMT

Had a great day meeting people and networking at the ECHS Fall Festival, though my hands got a little sunburnt from spinning in the sunny parking lot. A proper vending tent is next on my agenda..

Got some great photography work done tonight, and I've updated my Etsy shop with several new listings tonight, and hopefully more will follow tomorrow.

I've also got some yarns on consignment at Uniquely Yours in downtown Manchester, CT for the New England local that wants to get their hands on my work.

Later.

-Me.

Experiments with fiber..

Mon, 29 Sep 2008 05:06:31 GMT

Tonight I challenged myself to make something utterly unlike anything I'd done before, to take some risks with fiber.

I carded out a first batt from a combination of a bunch of stuff from my large fiber stash.

Merino wool, domestic VT wool, hand-dyed Bombyx silk, and a wool and silk noil blend all in layers.

The resulting single looks pretty cool, lots of softness and shine, with nubs from the silk noil.

I'm not sure if I'll leave it a single, ply it back on itself or with something else, but I'm pleased with the evening's experimentation, at any rate.

Later.

-Me.

Craft fair appearance...

Fri, 26 Sep 2008 19:40:02 GMT

I'll be out and vending my amazing handspun yarns at the East Catholic High School Fall Festival on Saturday October 4th, from 11- 4pm, rain or shine.

If you're in the Greater Hartford area and looking for unique yarn, come by and say hi!

In other news, I've finally gotten the drum carder out, and hopefully that means more cool new yarns, and perhaps some special batts will go up on my Etsy store after the craft fair.

Later.

-Me.

Etsy update..

Thu, 18 Sep 2008 21:43:47 GMT

More yarns have gone up on Etsy, and new ones will continue to show up as I get my stuff set up here.

In progress on my handmade spindle: Blended alpaca and silk laceweight single.

Recently completed on the Lendrum: a skein of 2-ply jacob wool DK weight yarn in natural white and greys.

Made some great connections on my retreat weekend, and looking forward to finding more as I begin to venture out to events.

Later.

-Me.

Weekending!

Fri, 12 Sep 2008 19:00:34 GMT

I'll be away on retreat for a few days, will be back and checking in on Monday.

Later.

-Me.

Update..

Thu, 04 Sep 2008 19:33:47 GMT

In CT with my family, still unpacking and preparing the paperwork in order to transfer the business.

Yarns should be appearing slowly on Etsy again in the coming weeks, and though I won't be vending yet, I plan to attend the VT Sheep and Wool festival happening this weekend. It will be good to connect with new people in the local fiber community.

Later.

-Me.

Moving..

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 03:31:55 GMT

In the process of preparing to move back to New England in August, and I hope that this fall will find me vending at one of the exciting sheep and wool festivals happening on the east coast.

In the meanwhile, all my yarns are packed, and I will be relisting them on Etsy as soon as I'm settled in.

Later.

-Me.

Progress report..

Wed, 18 Jun 2008 21:58:51 GMT

Getting ready for vending at camp during the first week of July, which will be a lovely break.

I finished plying these skeins yesterday, on the left is orange Polworth wool from Tactile and on the right, Merino cross dyed in purples by Nebo Rock Textiles and plied with a merino/tencel blend with occasional coils.

This is what's currently on the Lendrum, two bobbins' worth of naturally dyed organic Merino wool, also from Tactile.

We'll see if I can get a group photo before I set my next batch.

Later.

-Me.

Finished!

Wed, 04 Jun 2008 05:21:29 GMT

I just bound off the end of this lovely scarf this evening, and I'm really pleased with the results.

The yarn's undulating color changes came out so well, and it's been really satisfying to take a project from fiber to finished object.

I still have the second, smaller skein, and I'm thinking about crocheting a hat to match the scarf.. perhaps.

Later.

-Me.

Jaw hits floor..

Mon, 02 Jun 2008 20:04:10 GMT

I always thought the glass canes my father collected were the high mark of glass skill.. until I saw this video of a glass spinning wheel by Andy Paiko. It's so unbelievably beautiful and delicate.

Not a bad example of someone spinning long draw from the fold, either.. especially since you can see through the wheel to watch what her hands are doing.

Also, while perusing a local antiquarian bookstore this afternoon, I found a beautiful gem in a Victorian-era copy of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's Courtship Of Miles Standish, which tells the story of my ancestors, John Alden and Priscilla Mullins.

I love the praise Priscilla receives for her spinning, and the frankness of her speech, and the way I connect so strongly with her.

Later.

-Me.

Sunshine and wine..

Sun, 01 Jun 2008 07:30:24 GMT

Spent a lovely day at the Spinning at the Winery event at Retzlaff Winery in Livermore with 70 or 80 other spinners and fiber artists. I loved being able to look around the crowd and see 30 or 40 flyers all whirling around simultaneously, all engaged in making yarn. There were spinners of all ages and genders, and many excellent conversations were had, as well as some stellar potluck. The winery's organic Port, half a bottle of which we sipped throughout the day, is delectable.

I won a really cool raffle prize, a transparent paint can filled with a rainbow assortment of naturally dyed(!) Romney wool fiber. Here's a photo, along with all the new fiber I bought there, before it gets absorbed into my stash.

I left a gorgeous whole Merino cross fleece purchased from Nebo Rock Textiles with Morro Fleece Works to be processed with love and pin drafted into wonderful roving. I love that I can buy a fleece and hand it to a fiber processor all at the same event. I'll get it back, ready-to-spin in a few months, so it's like sending myself fiber joy in the future.

Later.

-Me.