Studio

Over the years, I have visited weaving communities in Southeast Asia and the American Southwest. During my travels, I explored my passion for tribal weaving patterns and weaving equipment particular to nomadic and semi-nomadic cultures. And in nomadic fashion, my studio has journeyed with me from Canada to California and Thailand.

My studio is equipped with several frame looms, backstrap looms (Guatemalan and Karen) and a Louët Spring parallel countermarch loom. One of my treasured loom was built by Mark Deschinny, a Navajo artisan from the Window Rock, Arizona area.

Students are provided with drop spindles to create side selvedges (optional and recommended for more advanced projects), churro wool, warp and tools (battens, forks).

The studio has an extensive library of books on weaving, with an emphasis on nomadic and semi-nomadic tribal weaving methods. A collection of tribal textiles from my travels to various parts of Asia and the Southwest are also available for students to examine. These textiles illustrate various weaving techniques from the Southwest’s Four Corners, Bali, Nepal, Thailand, Myanmar, China, Laos and Cambodia.

There is always work in progress in the studio, whether it is spinning selvedge cord, winding warp, dressing a loom or weaving a project. During classroom breaks, students are encouraged to discuss special interests and international weaving workshop opportunities.