(tiny) PAPER CRANE

Herron

2012-02-09T14:37:00.001-06:00

Later this year I will be launching HERRON, my first collection of hand woven and dyed textiles for the home & body. Pronounced "Hair-in" like the bird but spelled differently. Website, branding and all that fun stuff will be announced late spring/early summer 2012. For now here is a rendition of our beautiful logo, designed by the handsome and talented Mike Domzalski.

To be continued...

Mittens briefly

2012-02-08T11:11:00.002-06:00

A few weeks ago my dear friend Heather came to town for a visit. On a cold winter night we made our way down to Bridgeport to check out Maria's Packaged Goods and Community Bar for a little night cap. I loaned my warmest and most favorite pair of wool mittens to Heather that night and she flew away to Montana the next day with them. So, I have finally made a new pair! Ruby red mitts made from Blue Sky Alpacas, they are 50% alpaca and 50% wool. Tried them out this morning, not even the coldest winter today could penetrate these mitts! <3

Small Measure

2012-02-07T16:10:00.001-06:00

A short post on Ashley English, the author of 5 books that I want to read cover to cover. Each book is a special topic on homesteading; Beekeeping, Home Dairy, Keeping Chickens, Canning and Preserving, Sustainable Living and Back to Basics Living. Ashley English lives in the mountain town of Candler, NC (near Asheville and Penland) with her husband and young son, crafting the sweet life in those beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains. Oh how I pine for those mountains. (--sigh-- If only I could convince someone in particular that we would love living there--we could get some sheep and spin yarn!) Ms. English is also a contributor to Design*Sponge, another favorite daily read. I really enjoy reading her blog, Small Measure and look forward to getting to those books later this year. I particularly love that she has found a way to incorporate her love for food and simple, sustainable living into her work life and home life. Real honest living, I like that a whole lot. I am working on this myself.

As a huge lover of butter, and a person who buys butter from a farm in Illinois, I have always wanted to try making it myself. Mike feels about cheese the way I feel about butter and I can only imagine how glorious it would taste if we made those things ourselves. That is why I am particularly excited about her book, Homemade Living: Home Dairy with Ashley English: All You Need to Know to Make Cheese, Yogurt, Butter & More.
If anyone out there makes cheese or butter at home, I would love to hear about how you do it. <3

Notes from here.

2012-02-07T12:46:00.001-06:00

New Years Weave is fully funded! Hooray! I'd like to extend my gratitude to those out there that have backed my project, spread the word and offered encouragement. It was delightfully unexpected to experience such kindness and support from total strangers, acquaintances and dear friends. I am humbled by the generosity of so many. THANK YOU!

Presently, I have piles of weaving to do before I leave for Penland. I couldn't be happier, though I admit I am slightly overwhelmed. The rundown; 12 scarves, 1 set of napkins, 6 belts, 26 sets of coasters, 10 handwritten thank you cards with drawings to be completed before March 10th. So far I have 2 scarves complete and about 4 sets of coasters. Perfect way to organize a production schedule and test it out! --And the lessons I have learned for next time are; always factor in shipping costs and material costs. (oops.)

In other news, our sweet cat Jackson has again been in the hospital for days and days. Hospitalization is quite common for our chronically ill feline. This time there was concern that he had a tumor in his colon. Today I took him to a radiologist at the emergency veterinarian clinic for further tests. To my utter joy and relief Jack is tumor free! Thank you care credit for making today's vet visit possible! For now, Jack is out of danger and we reeeeeally hope he stays that way.

Jack and his shaved belly

I am a pro at administering a kitty IV now.

Jack and our dog Penny are very close companions. I think Penny could sense how sick Jack was. Here they are napping together on a chair in our living room.

Weary bones.

2012-02-03T11:38:00.002-06:00

This week I have gotten about 5 minutes of weaving done which is the least problematic of all the things I am about to say.

Our cat is in the hospital (again) which has us feeling sad and considering his future. A dear friend found out her father is in a coma and among a host of health problems is in critical condition. She is an ocean away and we are sending as much love as we have in our hearts. Another dear friend's grandma died and her partner found out his dad has a tumor in his brain. We worry more, our hearts grow more sad. Then my friend got into a car accident and totaled her car. Luckily and thankfully, she is completely alright-not a scratch or a bruise. To top it all off, the dog started vomiting in the wee dark hours this morning.

Mike and I have not slept well at all this week. We both have weary bones. Our dear ones are in our hearts and thoughts and all we want is this madness to heal to the most positive outcome.

<3 <3

On the loom.

2012-01-30T14:42:00.000-06:00

Dressing Doris in a new warp to be woven as scarves for kickstarter gifts.

2012-01-24T15:50:00.004-06:00

Let it go down in the record books that on this day, Tuesday January 24th 2012, my kickstarter fundraiser New Year's Weave has been FULLY funded with still 13 days left to go! We did it friends!

Hooray! Penland! This collection of textiles is very precious to me. I can surely promise myself and all of my backers that when I end my two month residency I will have created nothing less than the finest work I could possibly create.

Thank you with my whole heart to all of you out there who helped fund this project. And of course, the most special thanks of all to my Mike.

I will be at Penland from March to May 2012 and will be documenting work and posting it here.

<3

Henderson

2012-01-24T11:24:00.002-06:00

Over the past year I have often seen the most brilliant red male cardinal in my back yard or on the birch tree outside my kitchen window. Today he was nibbling on a tree with his girlfriend. I was only able to snap a photo of him and not she.

Today I decided to name the pair as they seem to live around my house. He is Henderson and she is Lisa. Cardinals are birds that mate for life so Henderson and Lisa will always be seen together or not far apart from each other. Romantique!

New Years Weave, update #6

2012-01-23T12:40:00.000-06:00

My New Year's Weave Fundraiser is 83% funded with 14 days left to go. Over this past week, I have woven 5 yards of fabric for coasters, the $25 gift level. This fabric is 100% un-mercerized, 8/2 cotton in colors, slate, lollipop, black and natural. Donate to New Years Weave on kickstarter today and receive a hand woven item made by me!

Tiger in a Jar

2012-01-22T12:13:00.001-06:00

Preparing food never looked so beautiful.

Beet Cake

Classic Pesto

classic pesto from tiger in a jar on Vimeo.

The art of making bread

the art of making bread from tiger in a jar on Vimeo.

Tiger in a jar

The Silas Capelet

2012-01-17T09:55:00.000-06:00

The Silas Capelet, handwoven and sewn by Dee Clements, 100% 20/2 cotton in indigo, steel and natural. The perfect accent to any outfit!

Shelter Protects you

2012-01-17T08:49:00.001-06:00

Karie Reinertson of Shelter Protects You might possibly be one of the coolest girls around. This talented lady residing in Asheville, NC (my personal dream home) creates beautiful back packs, purses and clutches. Her goods also feature Chicago's own Horween Leather, one of the oldest tanneries in the United States. Now and then I peruse Karie's Blog to see what beautiful work she is making and what wonderful things might be happening in her world. Karie's beau Robert Maddox is a designer and builder with an architectural degree. Together the two seem to make an unbeatable team of awesomeness.

The Rolston Bag

The Ripton Clutch with detachable strap

The Shelburne Clutch

A lovely post

2012-01-12T14:42:00.002-06:00

A lovely little post about New Year's Weave on Maura McGovern's blog I LIKE IT HERE-M.

Thank you Sweet Maura!!

New Year's Weave

2012-01-08T12:12:00.004-06:00

Hello Everyone!

I have a kickstarter campaign in the works and I would like to tell you about it.

I began weaving over 10 years ago while pursuing my degree in Fiber and Material Studies at The School of The Art Institute of Chicago. As I continue to develop as a weaver, my focus is to create hand woven utilitarian textiles for the home and body. This year I am excited to introduce some new elements in my work. By blending the Japanese dyeing techniques, Kasuri and Zanshi with classic Scottish Tweed and Tartan weaving patterns, I'll be creating an original collection of textiles that combine both tradition and innovation. There are many intricate steps in the dyeing process and will require the proper facilities and tools in order to be made. The threads of the fabric are resisted in areas and dyed in other areas to create interesting, colorful patterns when woven. I will be using the dye and weaving facilities at Penland School of Crafts in North Carolina to create this new work and I need your help. In order to make this collection happen, I need to raise $3,538 to cover the cost of studio fees, equipment rental and materials. As a token of my thanks for your generous support you will receive a special woven gift hand-crafted by me in my Chicago studio. Your help is greatly appreciated!
Below are a few images of the gift items you can receive for your generous donation.

Donate Here and THANKS!

Holiday time

2011-12-14T09:08:00.000-06:00

It is the holiday time of year when we all give special focus on the ones we love. Christmas to me has always meant spending time with the people who are the most dear to me and giving thanks for the joy they bring to my life. I usually give gifts when I find a thoughtful thing for someone and this is my first year with an actual shopping list for people. One thinkg that I care a great deal about is buying goods from small businesses, local shops and artisans. I like to know my money goes either back into my local economy or to a hard working artisan/small business. Here are a few lovely small businesses that I love and perhaps you will find a great gift for your loved ones.

Meow Meow Tweet Awesome handcrafted soap. In Chicago you can buy their goods at Renegade Handmade.
Wiksten Made An Iowa based online shop that carries simple luxuries from small, independent companies. The Wiksten clothing line is designed and hand made by Jenny Gordy in her Iowa studio.
Primoeza is a clothing and accessories label producing wearable pieces that combine hand-worked elements with knit fabric created on vintage knitting machines by Elizabeth Rayman Yong of Melbourne, Australia.
Shelter Will Protect you This is my most favorite of all, Karie Reinertson makes beautiful bags and other goods that focus on quality, sustainable local materials. Super dreamy! Karie lives and works in Asheville, NC.
Specks and Keepings is a small shop filled with fine handmade objects and design. It is a showcase of thoughtfully made goods that aim to inspire a simple lifestyle that is carefully shaped and chosen.
Rennes Julia in Boston makes gorgeous leather bags and wallets out of her home studio. She also has a delightful blog.
Ermie first began as a blog, and evolved into a small clothing collection. The garments are made by hand in limited editions in Los Angeles, CA. The garments in the current collection feature original prints digitally printed in North Carolina and San Francisco using water-based pigment inks on natural fiber textiles. No additional chemicals are used in the printing or preparation process. Wash by hand / on delicate setting in cold water using phosphate-free detergent, or dry clean.
Poppytalk Handmade is a monthly online market that features handmade goods of emerging design talent from around the world.
Wolfbait and B girls A nod to an amazing local Chicago shop in my neighborhood Wolfbait & B-girls Showcases the wares of over 170 local artisans as well as Chicago-based fair-trade companies. 3131 W. Logan Blvd. Chicago, Illinois 6064, (312) 698-8685

<3

Home made Christmas tree

2011-12-12T09:40:00.000-06:00

This year Mike and I decided to put a spin on the traditional faux Christmas tree and make an original one of our own. Mike made the inside armiture out of wooden dowels, wire and string and I sewed up the outside. We went to our local Joanne Fabrics for some Christmas sale fabric, strung our lights on the inside instead of outside and wallah!

Ladies Skill Share: Frame Loom Weaving

2011-12-08T09:58:00.001-06:00

A few months ago I created a group called 'Ladies Skill Share'. It is a way for women in my community to get together and teach each other about the things they know. We have had things like, how to make pickles, how to make lip balm, and last night I taught how to weave on home made frame looms. A few ladies came over to my house and I showed them how to make a loom by using a picture frame.

Each lady started a unique and beautiful hand woven project and we had a lot of fun working with our hands, chatting and eating snacks.

<3

Drawn Together

2011-11-30T17:31:00.000-06:00

A link to Olga Stefan's blog, curator of Drawn Together, a group art show in Lucerne, Switzerland that I was invited to participate in. Thanks Olga!

DRAWN TOGETHER
12.11. – 10.12.2011
with
Dianna Frid and Monika Müller
Dee Clements and Raphael Egli
Danny Hein and Ray Hegelbach
Jennifer Mannebach and Loredana Sperini
Cody Hudson and Tom Fellner
Selina Trepp and David Chieppo
at
ALPINEUM PRODUZENTENGALERIE LUZERN
Hirschmattstrasse 30a, CH–6003 Luzern

Lately on the loom

2011-11-30T16:04:00.000-06:00

This is one half of the blanket I am weaving on my loom. It has come out a bit different than my original design, I changed some things once I was weaving. I am now weaving the second panel and will sew them together to make a full blanket. It is a made of 100% cotton.

A detail

Laura Carlin, I love your ceramic bowls

2011-11-20T20:24:00.000-06:00

O, treasures. Swoon.

Ceramic by Laura Carlin

<3

Slouching Toward Bethlehem

2011-11-20T18:40:00.002-06:00

I remembered this bit today. For my E and W. Always.

Goodbye To All That, By Joan Didion

How many miles to Babylon?
Three score miles and ten—
Can I get there by candlelight?
Yes, and back again—
If your feet are nimble and light
You can get there by candlelight.

Excerpt from Slouching Toward Bethlehem by Joan Didion.

And I know you will remember the rest...

Pretty from Primoeza

2011-11-17T09:24:00.000-06:00

Ms. Elizabeth Rayman Yong of Primoeza makes the most beautiful knitted pieces on vintage knitting machines in her Melbourne studio. They are all my favorite!

Here is a sweater I plan to knit for Mike while we are visiting his family in California over Christmas. <3

or maybe this one...

Revolution = reinventing culture

2011-11-16T11:04:00.000-06:00

Recently I've started a group that I call 'Ladies Skill Share'. I sent out an email to all of the ladies I know and it went something like this:

"I have been spending a great deal of my energy as of late thinking about our economic and environmental crises. I am interested in social activism and awareness not by means of assembly and protest but by education and self reliance. Recently a dear friend of mine and I were discussing the idea of starting a women's center in which women could come take classes or teach classes in craft or life arts. The center would also provide child care, parenting skill building and education on sustainability through food, consumption and environmental awareness.

Where to start, well right here in my own home by hosting a skill sharing night. At present I have no formal plan about how to go about this. My general idea is to have my women friends and their women friends come over and we can discuss what we want to learn, change, try, exchange. What we have to offer each other. And then pass on what we learn. I myself am a weaver and a seamstress among other creative things that I do and so I am very interested in reviving slow design and craft by producing sustainably made textiles by hand. I believe sewing is best done in a community. And that is a skill I have to offer people who want to learn. Maybe you are an excellent cook or gardener or mother and you have things to discuss, teach or share?

My hope is that we can get together, talk about this stuff and do something. I believe that the solution to our economic crises is in self reliance, community and education. Maybe we can make some things better for each other. Revive the ways we use to rely on the earth to get our food or our own hands to make the goods we used for ourselves and our families. With education becoming the number one debt in America, why can't we educate each other--for free..."

And that is how it started. Some ladies came over, we sat around my living room and discussed change. Ellen is teaching how to make pickles, Thea lipbalm, me weaving. Small beginnings can equal big change. Today Tselanie shared this video--YES! YES! I exclaimed. And here it is:

Grace Lee Boggs' Message to Occupy Wall Street Part 2 from American Revolutionary on Vimeo.

I think we need to heed Grace Lee Bogg's words.

2011-11-16T09:57:00.000-06:00

Yesterday, all of my cotton finally arrived in the mail. I am overjoyed! I have designed a beautiful blanket, a huck lace pattern that I have modified a bit and today I will begin threading the loom! Photos soon. <3

The Dana Rug

2011-11-09T09:32:00.000-06:00

This one I made as housewarming gift for a friend who just moved to rural North Carolina.

For the weft I used the remaining fabric from some pillow cases and a dress I made. This rug is 100% cotton. The warp is 10/2 cotton in blue-grey dye lot.