Studio and Arts in Focus
October 2022 It’s been almost two years since we moved and I had to set up my new studio. I love the space, but it is still evolving. The benefits of this space include all the natural light! It’s essential to have natural light when weaving. Something I found helpful is the recommendation to add UV protection - 99% on the windows and doors. It has been worth it as an energy saver and to keep my yarns and fibers from sun fading. I can now keep my sewing machine handy and it no longer has to be lugged to the dining room table as I did in my former space. My textile and fiber works in progress can be displayed where I can see and find them! Command spring clips come in handy and I use them throughout my desk and bookshelf areas. I’ve tried project boards previously, but I end up taking them down to use the space for something else.
I spend daily time in my studio weaving, sewing, or teaching classes by zoom. It’s surrounded by textile art and I can look out at the natural habitat wetlands of Marsh Lake. Even with window tinting, the sun can become overpowering on bright days. A purchase last fall of a dragonfly window transparency woven by Inger Seitz was a definite need as it keeps the overpowering light filtered. The biggest challenge is yarn storage space! My drawers are packed full of yarn! My favorite item is an old oak antique tool chest! It holds my shuttles and wound bobbin stash. What studio is not complete without a cat?! Leia comes to visit me each day.
August 2023 I really struggle with keeping my studio organized as it is such a small space. My fiber art interests continue to evolve so I have found it best to organize my desk space by color palettes with recent projects. I spent some time laying out new palettes of indigo fabric collage and ice dyed yarn today. I can’t display all projects or yarns at once, but added some more command hooks to display some recent ice dyed yarn and latest woven shibori.
September 2023 PBS Fort Wayne came to interview me for the series “Arts in Focus”. It was a morning of learning about their process of filming. Here are some scenes from the studio set-up…
Fabric collage, resist dyeing, and woven shibori 2023
Bobbin Organizer, Ice Dyed Warp Yarns 2023
PBS Arts in Focus Set Up
