Author: Harmony Weavers Guild

March Program — Zoom and in-person
March 14 @ 10:00 a.m.
presented by Molly Elkind

The world of contemporary work in tapestry is exciting and diverse. Many artists are exploring the potential of texture, creating works that come forward in space or even become completely three-dimensional. In this slide lecture, view the work of a wide variety of weavers who are pushing tapestry beyond two dimensions. Warning: you may leave with a strong desire to weave with weird materials in new ways!

From her blog Talking Textiles — https:// mollyelkindtalkingtextiles.blogspot.com/ — “So . . . what is woven-ness? Over-under-over-under. Interlacement. Warp and weft crossing in specific patterns. All of these, and also: the making of a web, the combining of two or more elements into one integrated whole, the weaving together. Not for nothing do we speak of the fabric of society and the worldwide web. If we probe deeper into the modality of weaving we find an approach, attitude and orientation, that is crucially different from that offered by knitting and crochet, different from surface embroidery, different from felt- and paper-making. All of these connect elements in different ways and moods and for different purposes. All can make images, but those images will be very different from each other because of their modality.

So I continue to read and to make small experiments, seeking to find the magic center place in the Venn diagram where technique, material, form and concept all converge. I am a weaver, and weaving is a beautiful, ancient, and nuanced language. But all languages grow
and change by incorporating “foreign” words and phrases too. Is it tapestry when the weft is plastic? Grass? When the warp includes wire? Is it weaving when strips of fabric are interlaced into metal hardware cloth? I’m about to find out. If you’re still with me, thanks for following along.”

February’s Program — Zoom
Thursday, February 8 @ 10:00 a.m.
presented by Lisa Trujillo

Lisa Trujillo, is a member of the Trujillo family of weavers who settled in the foothills of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, between Santa Fe and Taos. Spanish settlers came through
Mexico seeking land and the Trujillo family was one of the original families who made Chimayo their home. Lisa learned to weave after marrying seventh-generation master weaver Irvin Trujillo in 1982. She has developed into an award-winning weaver, using traditional techniques and materials to create new work. She has taken an active role in preserving this rich Hispanic weaving tradition by publishing “A Chimayo Weaver’s Guidebook” and teaching workshops. She and her husband have passed their love of weaving on to their daughter Emily Trujillo, who has become the eighth generation of the Trujillo weavers.

If you are interested in learning more about this weaving tradition and the Trujillo family, visit www.chimayoweavers.com. If you would like to borrow “The Centinela Weavers of Chimayo; Unfolding Tradition”, “A Chimayo Weaver’s Guidebook” or “Images of America:
Chimayo”, contact Dinah Kirby. They are available for purchase on the website listed above.

January 11, 2024 @ 10:00 a.m.
Zoom Only
presented by Susan Conover

The program will be offered on Zoom, using Ms. Conover’s own Zoom account. She will provide the link and any handouts one week in advance of the program. Any handouts will be sent to Guild members and posted on Groups.io in Files, under Programs 2023-2024.

After the program, a recording of her presentation will be available for viewing by Guild members for one week. The recording will be on her file, and she will send us a link to the file after the conclusion of the program.

Susan began spinning and weaving in 1980 and spent the next three decades studying under numerous national and international instructors. Her focus has always been on the historic aspects of her chosen craft.

Since 2000 she has offered courses in hand spinning and floor-loom weaving from her studio. Her experiences have included being Operations Manager at Vavstuga Weaving School in Shelburne Falls, MA for five years. Being a consultant and demonstrator for Historic sites has brought her a great deal of joy and sense of accomplishment. She specializes in lectures and workshops for guilds and craft schools throughout the country.

In this one-hour lecture Susan Conover will share a seventeen minute video of an adventure in flax planting, harvesting and processing. Flax spinning results in linen yarn. Susan will discuss some of the intricate ins and outs of spinning this ancient fiber.

A PowerPoint show will highlight how to wind a linen warp efficiently; humidity control of your weaving space, etc. And last but not least, how to remove certain food stains from your hand woven linens.

Of course, there will be a question-and-answer session at the end of her presentation, so start thinking of any linen-related questions you might have!