About a year ago we put our house up for sale and the realtor asked me to clear out a few of my craft items from around the house. "it looks like a lot of clutter" he matter of
fact stated, little did he know that all that clutter, is just a wonderful therapy session for my busy mind, but since I wanted to try to sell the house I obliged, under protest of course. The office building I work in is huge we have exactly 9 vacant offices and I asked my boss if I could take the smallest office and put some boxes in it for storage, he agreed and I was happy. I also asked if I could hang my loom in the lunch room so that I could work there during my lunch breaks, he said "I like to watch you work on that thing since I have to earthly idea what the hell its for", jackpot I thought, so I get to play on my lunch break and educate the masses (well the four that lunch with me at least). I've been working on this shawl for about two months now, and am at the point where I need to get it finished and off the loom. I'm at the last 7 pegs and these always seem to be the hardest, they are, by this time really tight to weave over and under takes a lot of pressure from my hands and after 15
mins I get cramps so this this the slowest part for me.
I remember when I made this loom, and I was in the
Triloom Group on Yahoo, there were ladies that put these shawls out in an afternoon, I was always amazed that they could put one out that quickly, it's never been that way for me, but I always work at my own pace, since I want to enjoy the process.
This is a close up of the weaving pattern, it's a cut thread shawl with the simplest plaid for some color effect. I have already had a few requests, for it, but of course no one wants to purchase it, they want it as a gift,
pfffftttt.. NO, this is going on to the 1
kmkt store and needs to be sold, I have to support the fiber habit(
hrmm addiction) and this stuff ain't cheap.
LOL.. But only other fiber artist understand that bit of
frustration, when they are told "oh you could sell that for like $30.00 and make so much money", yeah right, I could just get rich on that.
Once it's is washed the the weaving
stabilizes all the
unevenness will subside and the shawl will be wonderfully soft and warm. I have to think about the fringe, I'm so tired of the twisted fringe, I need to come up with something else maybe I'll cut it and just let it be this time.
This is a close up of the weaving pattern, it's a cut thread shawl with the simplest plaid for some color effect. I have already had a few requests, for it, but of course no one wants to purchase it, they want it as a gift, pfffftttt.. NO, this is going on to the 1kmkt store and needs to be sold, I have to support the fiber habit( hrmm addiction) and this stuff ain't cheap. LOL.. But only other fiber artist understand that bit of frustration, when they are told "oh you could sell that for like $30.00 and make so much money", yeah right, I could just get rich on that.
Once it's is washed the the weaving stabilizes all the unevenness will subside and the shawl will be wonderfully soft and warm. I have to think about the fringe, I'm so tired of the twisted fringe, I need to come up with something else maybe I'll cut it and just let it be this time. 
11 comments:
I have got to learn how to do this! The shawl is stunning-great work. No one but another spinner/knitter/weaver will ever appreciate the 'cost' of our work!
It's really easy once you have the loom, if you need a website for instructions on building one let me know.
$30? Let them work all those hours and accept $30 and this doesn't even include the materials. Smile sweetly and tell them to multiply that 10 times and they'll be closer to the mark.
Grrrr!
Yes, I am handy with wood/tools so would love a recommendation on building my own!! Thanks!
People don't understand everything you have invested in making something. Not only the cost of the yarn and equipment but the time and money you've invested in learning your craft.
Your shawl is lovely!!!!!
$30 *lol. Did you tell them that that comes to 50 cents an hour? It looks great, BTW.
Delighted Hands, here are some sites I recommend for the Tri -loom instructions. The one book from Barbara Herdman is the best book I own. If you have any questions let me know.
http://kero1au.tripod.com/id18.html
http://www.lulu.com/content/paperback-book/tri-loom-weaving/792110
http://www.waynesthisandthat.com/triloom2.htm
http://hand-woven.blogspot.com/2007/01/building-my-triangle-loom.html
http://www.confabulation.com/~workstead/howto.html
I agree with all of you on the money for handmade items, but it seems that since people have been exposed to cheap manufactured items they think that everything is the same. I don't really pay much attention to that, I sell my pieces for what they are worth, as most artisan do.
Lovely shawl! I did make one project on a triangle loom once...and did not enjoy it, especially those last couple of shots!
Add some zeros to that $30!
Thank You Very Much!!! :')
But only other fiber artist understand that bit of frustration, when they are told "oh you could sell that for like $30.00 and make so much money", yeah right, I could just get rich on that.
Not only a fiber artist. I make jewelry out of semi-precious stones and .925 silver and 14kt gold plate. If I had a nickle for every time I've been told I'm charging too much for my jewelry, I'd be rich by now.
When I tell people that I'm making the same quality of things they'd expect to find in a JC Penney's or similar store, they counter with they can get the exact item from Wal Mart for $15.
Errr, no. They can't.
Just like you couldn't charge $30 and make "so much money" for that.
*Sighs*
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