WeaveCast: A podcast for handweavers

What the Heck Happened to WeaveCast?

2009-02-16T11:18:00.000-08:00

Some of you may have noticed the recent issues with the WeaveCast site going missing. Thank you for getting in touch.

The short answer: It's not you, it was a problem with my server.

I'm in the process of moving to a new server, but it's taking me a while to upload 30+ files at 50 MB each. Please keep checking back to see if the episode you're looking for is available.

I'm hoping that iTunes will auto-magically pick up the server change (it should) but since the inner workings of the iTunes directory are a black box to podcastors, I won't really know until the next time I post an audio file (in the next week or two.) But know that I will be checking to make sure that all seems well there.

Apologies for the service outage. I am working on it, and it should all be sorted out in the next day or so.

Episode 36: Appalachian Weaving

2009-01-28T21:50:00.000-08:00

This episode we chat with Pam Howard, the resident weaver at the John C. Campbell Folk School in Brasstown, NC. We talk about Appalachian weaving traditions, the history of the folk school, Pam's own weaving journey, and a bit of tablet weaving.

Resources (mentioned during the show)

Musical Guests

"Birmingham" by Beth Thornley
"North Carolina" by Divine Maggees

Sponsor

Download Episode 36

Episode 35: Industrial Weaving

2009-01-03T17:50:00.000-08:00

This episode we learn about weaving in industry. We talk to weaver and textile engineer Tom Beaudet about growing up in a New England mill town, and his career in mills that wove garment and industrial fabrics. I talk about the holidays and share my new year's resolutions, weaving and otherwise.

Resources (mentioned during the show)

Tom Beaudet's Website
Madrona Fiber Arts Winter Retreat
Nancy's Blog (new Central-Alabama weaving guild)

Musical Guest
"A Pirate Christmas" by Tom Smith

Sponsor for Episode 35

Download Episode 35: Industrial Weaving

Episode 34: The Other Mary Black

2008-12-17T17:28:00.000-08:00

This episode we focus on the tales of everyday weavers. We interview Mary Black, who learned to weave in the late 1940s, and talk about her life and Temari, we preview lots of new things for weavers online, and finish up with the audio essay, "Many Voices; Light Work" a new idea for the future of WeaveCast.

Resources (mentioned during the show)

Musical Guests

"So, Thanks" by Tom Smith
"Snowball Fight" by TVs Kyle
"Cost Cut Japan" by Reggae Far East

Sponsor for Episode 34

Download Episode 34: The Other Mary Black

Delay of Game...

2008-11-27T03:41:00.000-08:00

Just a quick note to let you know that the November WeaveCast will be delayed, and will come out the first week of December.

I've been working hard on the WeaveZine winter issue for weeks. Yesterday my five-year-old son put his hand on my wrist, looked up at me sincerely, and said, "Mama, please don't work on Thanksgiving."

And right then and there I realized what I'm really thankful for.

So today, instead of audio-editing, we'll be cooking pumpkin pies from scratch, home-made biscotti and mashed potatos. Then we'll head out for a Thanksgiving potluck with friends where there will an "adult" table of long-time friends and a "kids" table of young people that have known each other all their lives.

There will be laughter, and too much food, and I will not be working today.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Episode 33: Interweavings

2008-10-31T21:53:00.000-07:00

This episode we have the pleasure of chatting with Linda Ligon, the founder of Interweave Press, which publishes a host of magazines including Handwoven and Spin-Off, as well as many excellent books on weaving and the fiber arts. We pay tribute to Peter Collingwood. And Cally Booker shares her weaverly adventures in the end essay: "Fruit and Fiber."

Resources (mentioned during the show)

Sponsor for Episode 33

Download Episode 33: Interweavings

Peter Collingwood: 1922-2008

2008-10-10T18:13:00.000-07:00

It is with sadness that I post the news that Peter Collingwood passed away in his workshop yesterday.

The world has lost a great weaver, artist, and innovator.

His spirit lives on in his art and his books. My sympathies go out to his family and friends.

For memorial information, see his website.

Episode 32: Confessions of a Double Weaver

2008-09-30T17:26:00.000-07:00

This episode we catch up with Paul O’Connor, a weaver renowned for his double-weave textiles, I share the excitement of my new loom, and Laura Fry talks about overcoming weaving challenges.

Musical Guests

“Lost but not Forgotten” by Beeblebrox
“Air India” by Electrobuddha
“Start Again” by The Fabulous Hats

Sponsor for Episode 32

Download Episode 32: Confessions of a Double Weaver

Episode 31: Complicated Weavers

2008-09-14T12:48:00.000-07:00

This episode WeaveCast goes to the Complex Weavers Seminar, which followed right after Convergence, we interview the enormously talented Peter Collingwood, and I talk about my post-Conference struggles with an affliction that strikes down many a weaver: Loom Lust.

Listener Poll

Resources

Musical Guest
"Complex Tactics" by Ben Base

Sponsor for Episode 31

Download Episode 31: Complicated Weavers

Episode 30: Converging Weavers

2008-07-31T01:49:00.000-07:00

WeaveCast goes to Convergence 2008! Every two years the Handweaver's Guild of America puts on Convergence, a weaving conference that draws weavers from around the world. We bring you an audio glimpse of the Convergence experience, hear from many different weavers, and talk to loom manufacturers about a subject near and dear to all weaver's hearts: looms!

Resources (mentioned during the show)

Handweaver's Guild of America

Afghans for Afghans Flickr Pictures

Wanted Movie Review

AVL Looms

Schacht Spindle Co.

Toika

Leclerc Looms

Glimakra

Fireside Fiberarts (interview on Episode 25)

Ashford

Louet

Musical Guest
Terri England with "Tones of the Tropics"

Sponsor for Episode 30

Download Episode 30: Converging Weavers

Episode 29: Spinning for Weaving

2008-06-22T15:09:00.000-07:00

This episode we interview Judith MacKenzie McCuin about spinning for weaving, get an update on the Afghans for Afghans shawl project, learn about a new weaving currency, and I describe my own forays into weaving with my handspun.

Resources (mentioned during the show)

Flickr Site of Shawls woven by WeaveCast listeners
Afghans for Afghans: Rectangle Shawl Project
A New Yarn (Seattle's non-profit yarn shop)
Weaving Coin by Ken Young (email him)
Palette generator
Arachne Guild
Cherri Hankins's how-to videos on YouTube
Teach Yourself Visually Handspinning by Judith MacKenzie McCuin
The Intentional Spinner: A Holistic Approach to Making Yarn by Judith MacKenzie McCuin
Chasing Rainbows

Musical Guests

Etrangers “Mind Spin”
Clare Downing “Spinning Wheel”
Jon Caspi “Spin – a song for children…of all ages”

Download Episode 29: Spinning for Weaving

Episode 28: Designing Multishaft Drafts

2008-05-31T21:48:00.000-07:00

This episode we welcome the innovative and talented Bonnie Inouye, a weaver who weaves on multishaft looms to create rich and organic textiles. We review her book “Exploring Multishaft Design.” Our audio essay this episode is from John Sandstrom, “A evening with Penelope.” We also get a report from a very special weaver.

Resources (mentioned during the show)

Musical Guest
Better than Shaft by DJ Black Acid

Sponsor for Episode 28

Download Episode 28: Designing Multishaft Drafts

Episode 27: Singing and Weaving

2008-04-30T19:09:00.000-07:00

Nadine Sanders, "The Singing Weaver," tells us about the Theo Moorman technique, warping on a shoestring, and yes, she sings!. Ann Rubin of Afghans for Afghans invites weavers to help weave shawls for new mothers in Kabul. Ann Hills celebrates the weaving traditions of Pennsylvania in song.

Resources: (mentioned during the show)

Musical Guests:

"The Snitch Knot" by Nadine Sanders
"Silken Dreams" and "Sound of the Loom" by Anne Hills
"Afghan Sands" by Incidental Fusion

Sponsor for Episode 27:

Download Episode 27: Singing and Weaving

Episode 26: Sew Your Weaving

2008-03-31T20:35:00.000-07:00

Do you dream of sewing beautifully fitted and custom garments out of your handwoven fabric? We talk to talented weaver and seamstress, Daryl Lancaster about the particular joys and challenges of sewing with handwoven fabric. In the end essay, "Uniquely Me" I describe my own tentative steps into the world of art-to-wear.

Resources

Musical Guest
"More Than You Seem" by Causeway

Sponsor for Episode 26

Download Episode 26: Sew Your Weaving

Episode 25: Historical Weaving

2008-02-29T19:01:00.000-08:00

When you think of weaving in colonial times, do you imagine a farm wife sitting by the fire, weaving on her home loom? Come learn the truth about weaving in early America from noted weaver and historian, Marje Thompson. Then we talk with Fireside Fiberarts a modern-day loom manufacturer who uses custom wood carvings to bring old-world charm to their looms. In the end essay, “Finishing Matters,” I talk about a little problem I’m having with my weaving, and the reason I envy eighteenth-century weavers.

Resources

Musical Guest
“Colonial Williamsburg” by Tris McCall

Sponsor for Episode 21

Download Episode 25: Historical Weaving

Podcast Anniversary and WeaveZine!

2008-02-13T14:57:00.000-08:00

This is the second anniversary of WeaveCast, and I wanted to do something special to mark the day.

You know how in the Tapestry episode said I was working on a special project, and couldn’t wait to share it with you? Well, the wait is over!

Today is the launch of WeaveZine, an online magazine for handweavers. It’s chock full of articles, projects, and reviews, there’s all kinds of weaving goodness going on.

WeaveZine was something I dreamed up about six months ago, when I realized that there are just some concepts (like how-to articles) that are hard to do over radio. So I’ve been working hard to entice writers, and put together the infrastructure for WeaveZine. And now it’s ready for you!

Check out WeaveZine on the Web at: www.weavezine.com

Where does WeaveCast fit into this? Not to worry, I’m going to keep bringing you all the great interviews and personal weaving stories you’ve come to expect.

WeaveZine just means there’s more online weaving to enjoy.

Happy Valentine’s Day! Happy podcast-iversary!

Thank you for two years of interviews, great shows, and all your support!

—Syne

Download the audio version of this announcement

Episode 24: Tapestry

2008-01-30T05:26:00.001-08:00

Tapestry weaving breaks weaving out of the grid and enables the artist to create pictorial representations in swaths of touchable color. Sarah Swett helps us get our arms around this simple-yet-complex art form, and shares many of her secrets of success. In the final essay, I share lessons I've learned from my attempts to learn tapestry.

Resources

Sarah Swett's website

Kids Weaving: Projects for Kids of All Ages by Sarah Swett

The New Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain by Betty Edwards

Archie Brennan tapestry loom plans

Video interview of tapestry artist Barbara Heller

Tapestry Weaving by Kirsten Glasbrook

Tapestry Weaving: A Comprehensive Study Guide by Nancy Harvey

Tapestry Handbook: The Next Generationby Carol K. Russell

Musical Guest

"Shapeshifter" by Man Bites God

Sponsor for Episode 24

Download Episode 24: Tapestry

Episode 23: Alaskan Weaving

2007-12-30T08:37:00.002-08:00

This episode, WeaveCast goes to Alaska! Come with me behind the scenes to meet the muskox at the Large Animal Research Facility in Fairbanks. Sandy Garbowski, muskox wrangler, tells us about these fascinating animals and how their Qiviut is harvested and processed. We visit A Weaver's Yarn, a weaving store in Fairbanks, Alaska. Then Della Chaney, a weaver of the Tlingit and Haida nations, shares her people’s traditions of weaving ceremonial hats and robes. Finally, we end up the episode, and 2007, with some weaving resolutions for the new year.

Resources (mentioned during the show)

Peter Collingwood's Rug-Weaving Books as PDF Files (scroll down halfway)

Heritage Spinning and Weaving

Large Animal Research Station (LARS)

Online Qiviut Store at LARS

Oomingmak Musk Ox Producers' Co-operative

Arctic Lace: Knitting Projects and Stories Inspired by Alaska's Native Knitters

A Weaver’s Yarn

Alaska Native Heritage Center

Sealaska Heritage Institute

Delia's Winning Hat in Juried Show

The Basketry Studio (sells cedar bark)

Cheryl Samuel’s Home Page

More Alaskan Artist Audio: Raven’s Tail, Chilkat, and Basket Weaving

Musical Guests

"Aurora Borealis" by Technetium™

"Alaska Song" by The Buffali

Sponsor for Episode 23

Download Episode 23: Alaskan Weaving

Episode 22: Knotted-Pile Weaving

2007-12-23T13:28:00.000-08:00

Escape the dreary fall days with visions of brightly painted middle-eastern bazaars. This month we talk about weaving knotted pile rugs. The inspirational Sara Lamb talks about using color in weaving and her latest passion for knotted-pile weaving. We review an instructional video Cut-Pile Rug Weaving with Arlo Duker. In the swatch of the day, I describe learning pile weaving from Judith MacKenzie McCuin. And finally, the ending essay: Weaving fast; weaving slow.

Resources (mentioned during the show)

Musical Guests

Afghan Sands by Incidental Fusion
Christmas Tree Farm by Push Start Wagon
Re-Gifting for the Holidays by The Alice Project

Sponsor for Episode 22

Download Episode 22: Knotted-Pile Weaving

Episode 21: Generous Weaving

2007-11-29T04:05:00.000-08:00

This episode we talk about the ways weavers are using their art to help others. We’ll hear the amazing story of the weaving program at Children’s Hospital in Seattle. I’ll share some thoughts about how twist affects winding a warp, and in today’s essay, Kate Jantz-Koprivnik tells the tale of a simple weaving project that turned into an eleven-day adventure.

Resources (mentioned during the show)

Musical Guest
"Help us do Enough" by The Aphrodisiacs from their album This is a Campaign

Sponsor for Episode 21

Download Episode 21: Generous Weaving

Fundraising Auction Begins!

2007-11-09T00:24:00.000-08:00

The first-ever WeaveCast fundraising auction has begun! You can check out the goodies on the Fundraising Auction page.

The auction ends: November 15th, 10:00 p.m. Pacific Standard Time. So don't delay!

Proceeds of this auction go towards WeaveCast's traveling expenses to Convergence 2008 to report on the proceedings. Convergence is a major weaving conference that only happens every two years, and draws weavers from all over the globe. (ie: There will be many interview opportunities, including international weavers!) Thank you for helping us reach our goals to bring this great event to the WeaveCast audience!

I am using eBay to handle the auction logistics. They're proven and trusted. It's free to register with eBay and bid on items.

Happy Bidding!

Syne Mitchell
Host of WeaveCast
http://www.weavecast.com/

Download Audio Version of the Auction-Launch Announcement

Episode 20: Scottish Weaving

2007-10-31T05:10:00.000-07:00

This episode we explore the rich weaving traditions of Scotland. We journey to the John C. Campbell folk school during Scottish Heritage Week and meet two amazing weavers: Majorie Warren and Barbara Miller. Then we hear the thrilling story of the Kilbarchan project, a research initiative to preserve undocumented historical Scottish weaves. Finally, I share my experiences learning to weave tartans and tweeds.

Resources (mentioned during the show)

Musical Guests

"Old Fashioned Morphine" by Jolie Holland
"Celtic Canadian Cowboy" by Celtic Canadian Cowboy
"Celtic Mystic" by Tigertail
"Drowsy Maggie" by Celtic Stone

Sponsor for Episode 20

Download Episode 20: Scottish Weaving

Episode 19: Weaving Traditions

2007-09-21T22:44:00.000-07:00

Welcome to episode 19 of WeaveCast. This episode we’re talking about weaving traditions, both cultural and personal. We’ll hear from Viridiana Chavez in Oxaca, Mexico talk about Zapotec weaving traditions. Sigrid Piroch tells us about Annie Albers and the Bauhaus movemont, and shares her experiences with Sloviakian textile traditions. Rebekkah of Bowerbird Knits tells how weaving on a bead loom connected her to the tradition of man-made art. In the ending essay, we’ll discuss personal weaving traditions, and why sometimes, it’s good to break them.

Resources (mentioned during the show)

WeaveCast Listener Survey
WeaveCast Fundraising Auction
Lone Star Loom Room (aka Nordic Studio)
Mexican Weaving Retreat
Allegheny River Textile ARTS Studio
The Magic of Handweaving by Sigrid Piroch
Complex Weavers
Bowerbird Knits (Rebekkah's Blog)
Quirky Nomads (Sage's Podcast)

Musical Guests

"Oca la Mujer" by Karisma de Montes
"Czardas" by Blue Jar

Sponsor

Download Episode 19: Weaving Traditions

Episode 18: Weaving Electronics

2007-08-31T12:50:00.000-07:00

This episode, we explore the synthesis of handweaving and electronics. We’ll review an automated pirn winder designed by John Stegmuller, talk with Laura MacCary, an innovative weaver who weaves electronic components that interact with the viewer. Finally, I’ll describe an unexpected lesson learned from weaving on a computer-controlled loom.

Resources (mentioned during the show)

Laura MacCary's Web Page
dorkbot
Talk Stories from Maui, by Wilma Stegmuller
John Stegmuller's Olympic Pirn Winder
Rugs of War
Random Stripe Generator
Arizona Archive of Weaving Books
"Life-Saving Textiles" article in the 3/07 edition of Vävmagasinet

Musical Guest

"Brand New Theremin" and "Unraveled" by Randall Cousins

Download Episode 18: Weaving Electronics

Psst, cool things are happening backstage...

2007-08-12T00:50:00.000-07:00

I'm in Alaska and blogging about the fibery portions of the trip. For a sneak-peek at the content of an upcoming episode (and gratuitous qiviut,) check out WeaveCast: Backstage.

Happy Weaving!

Syne