Teaching

Oh and I forgot to mention...

I updated my schedule on my website, so if you're interested in classes check it out at www.deborahjarchow.com and go to "class schedule" under "programs and classes"

Holidays

For the first time I'm writing the blog on my ipad instead of my computer so I'm not sure how the format will look. Well, I guess I won't know till I try it and look at it, right?

The past couple of weeks have flown by and I'm not sure where all the time went. I spent a week in Ohio visiting my sister and family. What Fun! It was lovely to hang out and relax, just enjoying time with the family. The week prior to that I was on overload trying to get my weaving projects finished before leaving. I was able to finish 6 scarf orders and 3 garment orders during that last few days before flying east. I met the deadlines, but just barely. (Three hours sleep the night before flying out.) I'm never sure if I delay too long to begin any final push before a deadline or if I schedule too much. No matter what though I always am right up to the deadline....

So now that Christmas is past and I'm getting back to work, I am excited about many of the projects I'm working on.

The Craftsy course is coming out just after the first of the year, so that's in a week or so! I've been reviewing it, and they did a great job! Even the areas where I know I tripped over my words came out looking smooth. What great editors! I got a package of postcards for the course... I'm very excited about being able to reach so many students through Craftsy and am so happy for the opportunity.

Meanwhile, I'm working on several new patterns and some samples using new yarns. I just received a box of wonderful yarns I get to work up swatches for. They'll be used at TNNA for the Great Wall of Yarn. I'm very pleased that weaving swatches are included with all the knitted and crocheted ones. Aren't these luscious?

Busy times

As always right before the holidays, this has been a very full week.  Last week I got busy weaving in preparation for the Studio Holiday Market and got quite a bit done.  One project I worked on was a beautiful white/off white woven shawl.  Since I'd been playing with the hand manipulated techniques for the rigid heddle course, I decided to add some Brooks Bouquet to this piece and was very pleased with the results.  Here's a detail right off the loom, but before wet finishing.

I think the hand manipulated structures are more appealing to me since I've used them frequently on the rigid heddle loom.  Always before, they seemed unnatural in my weaving as I was only used to production style weaving, not taking the time to investigate a more "detailed" process.  But lately I've been enjoying not only the final look, but the process as well.

The Studio Holiday Market was quite a success and many new people discovered the Art Center.  Santa led a parade from the tree lighting at the Chamber of Commerce to the Studios, then kids could have their pictures taken with him on the courtyard outside my studio.  It was great!  We had beautiful stars for sale as well and they were lit up all around the patio, creating such a festive environment.

Yesterday I went to Newtons in Anaheim to teach.  It was the second session in the "make a vest from you stash yarns" using the rigid heddle loom.  What fun!  Everyone's fabrics turned out so well and it was a pleasure to see them.  I'm looking forward to seeing the completed projects.  The group is talking about taking the train up to the studio to visit in early January and all wearing their vests.  That will be a real treat!

Today I finished weaving the fabric for a ruana in black sparkles that has been on the loom for quite a while.  And I wove 5 rayon/silk scarves.  Back to the loom tomorrow....

Back to Weaving!

As I reflect on filming the Craftsy.com course last week, I'm so happy to have that experience completed!  After the first day it was a great time.  Once I got into the groove and got over most of my nerves I enjoyed the filming.  Liz, Jarrod and Nicole, my production team, were all fabulous and so supportive.  I can't say enough good things about them.  I'm looking forward to seeing the final, edited version of the course.  Here we all are on the set.

It seems like I spent most of the fall preparing for this and I'm so glad I did.  I wove all new samples for the techniques in the course and came up with new finished projects using the techniques.  The course is scheduled to come out sometime in December.  It's unbelievable that they can put it together so quickly.  As I found out more about the release date, I'll let you all know.

Meanwhile, back at the studio I've really gotten to work.  Early this morning I delivered an altar cloth to St. Monica's Catholic Church in Santa Monica then drove up the coast highway to the studio.  It was a cloudy morning with a bit of drizzle - there were lots of surfers in the water and the greyed landscape was very beautiful.

While driving I couldn't help thinking about how lucky I am to be on my way to work to do something I love doing.  Then I got to spend the day in the studio just weaving away with the music blaring, getting so much accomplished.  I wove on four of my looms, completing 2 chenille scarves, 4 rayon/silk scarves, worked on a ruana and a shawl, and wound a new warp.  Wow!  And since I'd been thinking about Brooks Bouquet (one of the techniques in the Craftsy.com course) I wove a border of that on the shawl.

Next weekend we have the Holiday Market at the studios and I'm hoping to get some new pieces finished to sell there.  I also have several orders that are late, so I've resolved to get those finished before Christmas.