In June I decided that I am no longer going to have my studio in the Casket Arts Building. It was a grand five-year experiment. I enjoyed every minute I was there, but found that I just didn’t choose to go there enough to make it worth keeping the space. My tapestry looms at home remained busy, and I wove less and less on the Toika floor loom at my studio.
By the end of the year, I told my husband, I’ll sell the large floor loom, and keep my eye out for a larger upright tapestry loom to have at home. Something will come up in the next year or two, I thought, and I have other tapestry looms to keep me busy. Here are a few more current studio shots, ones that make me start to waffle on my decision to leave.
Then in July a random Facebook post noted that an upright Glimakra Regina tapestry loom was for sale in Ohio. Right price, wrong location! I wrote the owner and wished her the best of luck in selling it, but if she didn’t, and would consider shipping it to Minnesota, let me know. Her prompt response was, “How about if I drive it half-way, to Iowa?
In a karmic turn of events, a weaving acquaintance wrote to say she heard I might be selling my floor loom. My twelve-harness Toika is exactly the upgrade she needs (up from her four-harness jack loom) to explore a variety of Swedish towel patterns.
“The universe wants you to have that tapestry loom,” my daughter commented.
Making the move home from the studio nudged us in the home improvement direction, starting with refinishing the scuffed-gray wood floors. Which means all the bookcases need to be moved, and all books evaluated. And the walls that haven’t been painted in many years need to be painted. And the ceiling crack needs repair. And we’ll have to have the two adjoining bedroom floors done, which points out the need for painting those rooms too. Kala Exworthy to the rescue, armed with her paint chip fan decks and expert advice on choosing colors!
Oh, things are a mess right now! We drive to Iowa tomorrow for loom pick-up, but odds are it won’t be set up for a while.
Now that is definitely a series of events that is meant to be. Whoot! So fun to see the new studio space come into being and the new loom on its way.
It was really nice to see your studio pictures and lovely hangings on the wall.
It must be a difficult decision to move. I get the abundance of books. I moved from a 3400 sq foot
house to a new 900 sq foot. But found a place for my Glimakra standard right in the middle. Books
are in cases in my garage (it is tight and sturdy and working well) I am super happy with how things are
now! So be hopeful! Love your posts! Cindy
We knew we didn’t want a big house and there was lots of discussion around how much space do two people need. Yeah~ One of the spare bedrooms Is now the textile-related library/IT ‘stuff’/workroom. The other might just get my Gimåkra Standard out of the living room, which has 13.5×8 feet of over-stuffed bookshelves of its own. Makers can fill any space to overflowing and we all seem to be avid readers. Good luck with all the exciting changes!
Ah, the weaving universe is taking good care of you Robbie. Your recounting of the home improvement was one my husband really related to. He calls it the “Give a Mouse a Cookie” issue. Best with your new loom. It is so fortunate to have you as its teller of fiber tales.
In the “Give a Mouse a Cookie” analogy, you also have to give the mouse a checkbook or credit card. I’m keeping track!
Oh, that loom has gone to a good home! I felt it in my bones the first time we communicated about it. She will be used. She will be loved. She will work with you to create wonderful art. So happy it worked out. PS, I loved Iowa!
Thanks for telling us about your travails and all of your hard work. Good luck!