As I am winding down and closing Curiousweaver studio. Black warps, looms and accessories are no longer available. It has all been difficult personally as these things are for all who venture down this path.
Weaving has been a constant in my life. It has literally saved me at times and always given me something to look forward to, a puzzle, an experiment…a hope. It will continue to do this I’m sure.
I have always wanted others to know of my joy and perhaps see if weaving suits their life or time of life which I think for many people I have encountered it has. This is why SAORI was so wonderful when I encountered it. It is a very invitational and accessible way and approach to weaving. Coming from Japan it is also fascinating for me to learn of a different culture and ways of thinking and doing things.
Weaving has been my education. Through weaving I have encountered many different cultures in the world and many different people. I’ve learnt more about history, politics, philosophy, writing, art and everything else between. As readers here you will know – not all threads and setts are the same!
Covid times allowed lots of time for experimentation and solitude but also changed how my business and needs unfolded. It seems that things have changed in many ways and I have faltered in how I can go forward in the same way. Be assured that I very genuinely wanted to share my love of weaving and extend an offer of more than being a ‘teacher’ to all the weavers I have met and I have met some great humans in person and on the phone through the years. This is the part that makes me happy and yet a little sad!
Through many workshops in the studio and afar I have benefited from others generosity and warm hospitality which I treasure as it is not always a given. Thank you. I particularly remember the Tasmania Handweaving guild workshops, Ashculme Textiles in Wagga, Scone Weavers and Sturt Winter School in Mittagong where I delivered wonderful weeks of utter immersion into creative weaving. Sadly Sturt is also closing in these challenging times.
I can’t say that this is the beginning of a ‘new, creative, innovative‘ move on my part. Or that I am excited about what comes next! Because I don’t know. I know it will involve art, music, our natural environment and more introspection with threads and puzzles along the way. But it will be lonelier without the friendly interaction and friendship of other weavers and those who wonder at what the thread can do.
The general retail business will close at the end of April. I will continue Curiousweaver as a working weaving studio and will offer occasional limited edition SAORI warps and other dyed warps for weavers. Thank you for your understanding and past support.
The support videos ( for loom customers) for threading the loom will be available until 1 June. The two registered SAORI studios in Victoria will be able to assist you with SAORI product sales.