Sponsored by TWIST - Tablet Weavers International Studies & Techniques
At 21:21 5/25/05, you wrote:
That's a good idea. Here's one:
We know it has a past, but does tablet weaving have a future?
Okay, strong opinion, delivered from a precarious perch on a soap box follows.
Yes it does, but only if those of us who love this technique are willing to
take/make some steps that bring in the next generation.
It is my personal practice to find ways to actively introduce fiber work to
as many children as I can.
My "current" application of this purpose is a wonderful group of neighbor
kids ranging in age from 6 to 16. They gather, pretty much all day every
day during school vacation in the "court" in front of my house. One day my
mom was sitting out there crocheting while enjoying their antics and they
got interested. She sent one to find me, a selection of hooks, a bag of
odd ball yarns and we spent the afternoon helping everyone learn to crochet.
Mom got "PREPARED" she added a small bag of various things she enjoys and
as many of your know - she much loves TW, she offered to loan anyone
interested Linda's Video. Several weeks later one young man of 9 showed up
at the door with some of the most amazing necklaces. Picture if you will
Linda's necklace "done" in bulky & chunky novelty yarns.
he had learned "exclusively" by watching, over and over, Linda's Video.
He had cut down an old deck of playing cards, glued several together with
the help of hid dad - but wanted something sponger, so was planning to
spend his 'allowance" on poster board so he could make better cards. I
made him a deal, if he promised to teach one other person, I would give him
a set of cards like he had seen in the video AND loan him some books. He
had to promise to show at least one other person how to make the necklace.
I also gave him a HUGE bag of old flosses and Perle cottons.
About a week later 10 of them showed up at the door to show me what they
had done. It was a wonderful experience.
And, I am pleased to report there is an entire cub scout troop that earned
some badge by making Tablet Woven Necklaces (vaguely related to Linda's
instructions, but Zack did get inventive) And there is a 4-H group who one
of the girls "taught" and apparently a middle school wear more than few are
wearing Tablet Woven instead of braided Friendship and a home school
support group that has begun a course of study into various fiber techniques.
Obviously I like how this particular Idea Virus was spreading.
And, I am fortunate to be in a position where I might be able to get
"exposure" for this and other fiber crafts in mass markets.
But thus far, despite a number of efforts and inquiries, no seems to be
interested in working to produce a book that can be marketed "in the
chains" .
No it would not be a 128 pages perfect bound full four color production
selling for $29.95 at a limited number of stores - but if all went well it
would be in front of a million potential new TWers or might be what sparked
someone to come back to TW or teach it to their kids. How many of us
learned something in childhood that we later "came back to"
The future is always the next generation, if we don't take the risks to our
"artistic reputation" to reach out to them by every means possible, how
will ensure the future of this wonderful from of Fiber Work?
Okay lecture over, but you did ask <G>
Wheat
P.S. they are now making quilts they designed that will eventually be
published and all proceeds will go to the a charity of their choice and
they have a list of things they want to learn for this summer. As a side
benefit, a lot of yarn, threads and fabric that was too good to throwaway,
but likely would never used is getting cleared out of my house. Now if we
can just keep the Kool-Aid out of anyone's pool the dye experiments should
be quite fun
Wheat M Carr mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Wandering Wolf Design
featuring the works of
A Slice of Heritage, Carolina Country House, Cindy Simms, Crochet
Fantasy, Designs By Darla J, Dragon Fire Designs, FeltCrafts, Fireside
NeedleCrafts, InKnitters, In The Attic, Jordan NeedleArts,
LQuilts, Larkspur Lane, L'Orna Hot Fix Embellishments, Quilts-On-The-Go,
TBDN, Wild Fibers & some surprises to come.
At these upcoming events;
Jun 11-13 TNNA - Booth 152-156
http://www.tnna.org
Jul 20-24 FiberArts Market Booth 209
http://www.fiberartsmarket.com/summer/schedule.shtm
Aug 12-14 Charlotte Needlearts Market Suite 205
http://www.stitching.org/charlotte/index.htm
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