reeds and other things
life is slowly returning to normal
one of the last show items that wasn’t picked up has now gone home
the fairy’s fishing rod (Dierama) is happy to get some water
finished spinning the 2 ply silk – warp for a future project
I spin in the evening when I’m too tired to think
slowly working on my bamboo reed
the cord is tied in a half-hitch
the knot worked on opposite sides of the top and bottom posts (running vertically)
the end piece is inserted after each thin slat and hammered gently
can you see the tiny grooves cut out to accommodate the cord?
the turn of the half-hitch alternates between each thin bamboo slat
see the difference?
two successive knots create a lark’s head knot
after each individual knot, once they are snugged up tightly and in a neat, straight row
gently hammer in place
I covered my hammer with felt and cotton
unfortunately I was a little heavy-handed and my end piece has split
oops, now what?
5 1/2 inches ( 14 cm.)
approximately 22 slots per inch
I was trying for 24 epi but the size of the cord determines the spacing
pulling the cord tightly between each slat I now have a nasty cut on my index finger
will wait a few days to continue – until all the cord is used
can’t wait to see how long my reed will be
I didn’t find any books at the conference that I either didn’t have or was interested in
so I ordered Stitched Shibori by Jane Callender
ordered from Book Depository in England
they ship for free, it arrived in two days from Toronto, excellent service
I took a workshop from Jane at Maiwa, her work is stunning
wasn’t quite so impressed with her teaching methods
my blog written immediately after the workshop can be seen here
(it is the comments that are interesting)
the book is packed with information, diagrams and pictures
as I haven’t had time to read it I can’t give a review or recommendation – yet
approximately 8 feet tall, the fishing rods sway in the breeze
difficult to photograph
onesmallstitch.wordpress.com 
Hi Jean,
I’m in Melbourne …. I extended my trip to Australia. Good to see the reed materialize. I’ll cut bamboo again this autumn and give the workshop another shot. I hope to give the entire workshop from reedbuidling to making the rest of a loom and actually set one up and weave.
Hope all is good.
Big hug,
Bryan
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Bryan – Hope the Hokusai exhibition was wonderful. I’ve just taken the weaving off the table loom, the reed worked perfectly. I want another one. The first time I went to a workshop I was hoping we would weave on a backstrap loom (didn’t know I’d be the only weaver!). So, if you are planning on making backstrap looms put me on the list – make it quick, I’m not getting any younger. Too hot here to hug anyone, Vancouver has air quality warnings from all the fires burning in the Kootenays.
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Dear Jean, my friend Velma, told me about you and your work. Wondering about your comment when you said you took a workshop from Jane and wasn’t impressed with her teaching methods. I’ve often thought about taking a class. Could you share more w/me? info@christinemauersberger.com
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Christine – I’ve sent you an email.
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I also would like to know about your experience with Jane. She is teaching at Penland in the spring and I was thinking of attending.
I love your blog, you are such an inspiiration. Gretchen ghuggett@aol.com
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Gretchen – without knowing what your level of experience with shibori is I would suggest reading the book. it is very detailed and covers different techniques. The illustrations and pictures are excellent.
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For @Gretchen Huggett. I purchased her book and it is amazingly detailed. I am looking forward to digging in.
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cmauers – we received very comprehensive notes at the workshop and many are exactly as in the book with a great deal more information on dyes etc.
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Enjoying the process of making your own reed. One of those repetitive activities that is so satisfying.
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Alice -I will never pick up a reed again without giving it all the respect it deserves.
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This is more like it–back to your own explorations and creations! Making your own reed–what a commitment!
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Kerry – it was so thoughtful of Bryan to bring an extra set of supplies for me as I couldn’t take the class. We didn’t have much time for a private lesson so I hope I’m doing it right. It is very satisfying to make such a basic piece of equipment, can’t wait to weave with it.
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Maybe your end piece didn’t split because of hammering. It could have been because the slit in the end (where the cord goes through and knots) split up to your carved notch. I had this happen before I started the second reed. I determined it was better to actually use a saw to make that slit (as far away from carved notches as possible) and make more space for the thick yarn to prevent splitting. The part that broke off I had to repair with glue. I threaded the end of the cord through the “X” and glued it to secure instead of the traditional “slit/knot”. Oh, this sounds complicated! Of course I could be way off since I can’t tell from your pictures. Perhaps after finishing the reed, you can remove that piece, repair it, or replace it with a new one?
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Kristin – thanks for the help, I think you are right. I have another piece of bamboo Bryan left that I’m using to do the hammering and have glued and clamped the original. Good idea to secure through the X and glue. I figured I could always visit Bryan and get another piece – ha ha! So happy to have net you, now I can put a face to the comment.
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