Finding Purpose Through Color and Fiber

1. Where I started

I have been weaving off and on for years now. There is something I am very drawn to, especially with floor looms: the draft notations, the rhythmic percussion of a loom when the weaving is in flow, watching line by line as thread slowly and magically accumulates into fabric. The way that the weaving matrix is in conversation with material choices and the forces applied to them (tension, twist, beat, etc.). It’s visual, performative, musical, and tactile all at once. I find it all very satisfying. And I’ve always loved using painted yarn on a loom, and watching as colors shift and change as you work. There is no ending to the explorations of pattern and color on a loom.

And Shiny Dime Fibers? Really, I just wanted 5/2 Tencel. I’d woven with it as a student at KCAI, and it’s one of my favorite yarns. And it’s a gauge that’s not so prevalent on the market. So I started this business deciding it would be the yarn I would focus on. Both this business and my kiddo were born roughly the same time. For a hot minute, I did some commission weaving for a local artist, and when I decided to try some new things with the pattern and some painted warps, she generously let me run with it. My Riverbed Scarf pattern originated from her as well. She is an excellent instructor, has been so supportive of my endeavors, and has shared so much with me. It gave me a place to start when I was still developing painted warp ideas. Her input helped me decide how best to design the length of color shifts.

You can read my blog post about the foundation of my brand. It starts as a place of healing for me (still a work in progress). And now, community is what I need—what we need—more than ever. At no time have we ever been driven so far apart, left scattered and distracted and so alone. We cannot support each other if we do not come together. We can’t rise up if we aren’t together to help lift each other up. We can’t speak for each other if we can’t speak with each other. For me, the circles that form around the fiber arts have always been the most positive and supportive groups I’ve known.

2. Where I am

There has been a lot of new in my life in the last few years. New mom of 1, then 2; new entrepreneur; and most recently, a new house (the old house will likely become my new studio for all those big looms and growing business!). More gardening, more indigo plants than ever, and yeah, more mess in my life than ever before. I insisted on NO CARPETING in our new house; therefore, there's NO HIDING THE DIRT. My goal this year is to work on our rug collection.

And if I’m going to be really, really honest, I’m still learning how to be an entrepreneur. I’m not always successful at it. It is a challenge that can be stressful at times, but it’s so solidly in support of what I love. For now, it’s a passion project. It can be hard these days to “justify” doing this, taking so much time to work on it. But it truly makes me happy. My husband and I are both passionate about our interests and skills. He’s an engineer, I’m a weaver. My hope is my children will learn to be curious, thoughtful, and find their own path in the world that gives them the same satisfaction that engineering and mechanics give my husband, and that weaving and yarn dyeing give to me.

I am right on the cusp of weaving again! The universe recently connected me with my THIRD multi-harness AVL production dobby loom. I am ITCHING to begin weaving again. Kiddos are now 2 and 6, summer vacation is right around the corner, and they will be home all summer, so we’ll see how far I get. I am getting better at taking one baby step at a time.

For this SDF Anniversary, I wish to celebrate each and every person who is willing to read this, just because I know you care enough to. And I thank you for sticking with me! I know sometimes I’m a bit scattered and overwhelmed. It means the world to me, how much love and support I receive from you all.