Today I finally made it into the studio for the first time in a while to properly craft and not just grab something or print off a file. I’m still not quite used to this “I have a studio” thing. It does function most as my husband’s office, but my fiber stuff probably definitely takes up the lion’s share of the closet and floor space.
Most recently, I’d be in the studio for the rather more depressing task of documenting the damage from a water leak in the ceiling which occurred while we were away. Luckily, we believe it happened only the night before because it didn’t smell of mold or mildew yet, and things were still freshly soaked. Unhappily, the finish on my sewing table is utterly trashed…
The sewing machine was on the table as well at the time, but underneath a cover. The cover appears to have absorbed the worst of the water. So while I’ll get the machine serviced before using it again, everything is still moving when I hand crank it and there is no visible rust. I would have been truly gutted if the machine appeared salvageable. The table will be expensive, but can be refinished.
So, I didn’t look at those items today, choosing to sit with my back to them as I worked at the high craft table I purchased last fall instead. I worked a bit on hand stitching an edging onto one of my pieces, before winding some cakes of yarn with the ball winder. I also started putting labels on my previous finished pieces. Yes! I bought labels with my name on them to stitch to the things I make. I’m somewhat unreasonably excited about this. It makes me feel all professional like.
Bottom left: yarn swift and ball winder being set up on a tall craft table; Bottom right: a old sewing table with water damaged finish, an old singer sewing machine sits underneath
Along with those more brick-a-brac tasks, I also started my next felt piece. As the source image I’m using a photograph I took back in April while visiting my sister in Iowa. We went up to Maquoketa Caves and hiked around to see some of the caves. This image is of the stream that meanders along the flatter meadow between the ridges and has lots of sun speckled mossy rocks. I think it’ll be a lot of fun to translate this into felt. Today I just got a first layer with broad placement of the water (dark brown) and the rocks (light grey and beige) felted down.
Bottom left: back of a needle felt with an ‘All Things Fluffy” label; Bottom right: several drawers of wool roving organized by colors
I’ll get to play with lots more greens, browns, and creams as I build up the layers. And no doubt bits of all the rest of the color wheel as I add highlights and shadows. It’s a good thing I expanded some of my shades of green late last year.
Juneteenth
For those in the United States, you have hopefully heard that there is a new Federal Holiday of Juneteenth. It celebrates the day that Union troops arrived in Galveston Texas on June 19, 1865 and announced the emancipation of all slaves there. It is a celebration of the end of slavery* in the United States. Since the Emancipation Proclamation was first issued in January 1863, it also serves as a reminder that laws and regulations only make a difference when communicated and enforced.
I encourage you to support those yarn stores and other businesses which have chosen to observe the holiday by closing their doors for the day. Do your homework on anybody with Juneteenth sales or deals… what are they doing with the profits? Are they a black owned business? Are they expecting their employees to work today (or tomorrow when it’s observed)? This isn’t to say that every Juneteenth yarn, pin, or bag is bad or something to eschew. They can serve to increase knowledge and awareness. Companies like Neighborhood Fiber Co (black owned) use the proceeds to support non-profits which serve the community.
But let’s try not to let this turn into yet another commercialized holiday which is more about deals on cars and t.v.s than understanding the reasons behind the day.
*Slavery was not fully outlawed until the 13th Amendment was passed. The Emancipation Proclamation only applied to states in rebellion, those the slave states which stayed in the north of Maryland, Missouri and West Virginia ended slavery during the Civil War. The 13th Amendment was fully ratified December 6, 1865.