Whatever they were, the reality has blown them right out of the water. This has been one of the most extraordinary weeks of my life. For the past week I've been weaving 10 hours a day; and when I wasn't weaving, I've been eating like royalty, devouring books from the weaving library, examining hundreds of examples of woven Scandinavian pieces, or falling exhausted into bed.
I must first start with Becky. If there were a professional league of weavers (or potential elves), Becky Ashenden would be a first round draft pick. Not only is she an amazing teacher, she is also full of good humor and curiosity. Case in point:
ME: "Uh oh Becky, I found a mistake in my warping."
HER: "A mistake? What kind of mistake? OHHHHHH! I LOVE this one! This is a great one!"
Never before have I seen someone so happy about my errors! She's not enthusiastic, she's ENTHUSIASTIC.
My fellow weavers were a diverse bunch. There were novices (like me, but also someone who has never in her life touched a loom) as well as accomplished weavers here. We all seem to be having a grand time. Most of us are staying at Vavstuga, which can house 6 people above the studio in a neat little living space. It's a bit loud up here but I wouldn't want to stay anywhere else. The studio and living quarters have an amazing view of the Deerfield River, and we are nestled among several artists studios (careful with the checkbook!) and neighbor to the Bridge of Flowers -- an old trolley bridge transformed into a garden. We are eating amazing Swedish meals -- starting the day with cheeses, yogurt, granola, fresh fruit, and hard boiled eggs and ending with salad, bread, a hot dish, and homemade dessert.The living space is packed with handwovens -- rugs, overshot coverlets, napkins, and a different tablecloth every day.
The dining area (made up with another amazing handwoven) looking ou the Deerfield River and Bridge of Flowers. |
The amazing Bridge of Flowers at dawn. |
"Squid towels" in the bathroom. I'll be making these cool towels sometime soon! |
Examples of Becky's handwovens. |
Yet more examples. They just never stopped coming. |
Now to the important part: what I came home with:
My finished products (they just need to be hemmed):
I also left with a bunch of items for my stash; cottolin (actually Bockens Nialin), tow linen in a few color, and some cotton for napkins. I was tempted by many weaving tools, but I didn't want to buy things if I had a serviceable tool already. They have very nice sleying hooks, for example, but I already have a perfectly good one. Those shuttles, on the other hand . . . .
I'm also leaving with my head spinning from all the directions I could go from here. I'm not much of a homeware weaver, but I think I will be in the future. The logo of Vavstuga has three words in it that I think really reflect what goes on in the school: Tradition, Creativity, and Technique. All of these qualities will be on my mind over the next few months as I process my stay at Vavstuga -- I'm so glad I went!