Weaving in Beauty

Announcing Online Weaving in Beauty Classes in Navajo Techniques

2nd January 2010

Announcing Online Weaving in Beauty Classes in Navajo Techniques

posted in It's All About the Rugs |
Navajo looms

Sampler weavings produced by Weaving in Beauty students

Tempe, AZ Over the past 12 years, Jennie Slick and I have taught over 300 people how to weave the Navajo way, but not everyone who is interested can make the trip to the Southwest or get into one the workshops that we do on the road.   Starting on January 30, I’m going to try doing an online Beginning Navajo Weaving Techniques class.   Participants will need a high speed Internet connection and a headset and microphone in addition to a Navajo style loom, yarn and some tools.   A web camera is helpful, but not necessary.  Cost for this first time effort will be $30 per student to help defray the cost of the virtual classroom.   The class will be held on Sunday afternoons from 3 PM to 5PM Eastern time, 1 PM to 3PM Mountain time and will run for five weeks.  In that time, students should be able to finish a 12″x16″ sampler weaving.  I’ll schedule office hours when students can ask questions through online chat and I’ll also be available via email.   This first session will be limited to eight students.

The curriculum will include

  • warping the loom
  • mounting the warp
  • starting to weave
  • designing on the loom
  • interlock joins
  • turned joins
  • problem solving
  • finishing

We will warp the looms in the first lesson, get the looms set up and start weaving in the second session, work on interlock joins in the third session, try turned joins and diagonals in the fourth session and work on finishing in the last session.  No prior weaving experience is assumed or necessary; you just need to have an open mind and some free time.   Download access to handouts detailing the course content is included in the cost of the class.  I’ll schedule future sessions depending on the results of this class.   If you want to try accessing the virtual classroom to see you you’ll be able to participate, I’ll be glad to arrange that before or after my textile conservation work day on a first come, first served basis.

Quick update on 1/4/2010:  Right now, the class is full. There are a couple of students who aren’t sure that their Internet connections can handle it, so their seats may open up.  Please contact me if you’d like to know if and when the class will be offered again.     Upon registration, you’ll receive a list of materials needed, access to handouts and we’ll schedule a brief meeting to check out the classroom connection.

Hagoshíí (so long for now)

Mary Walker

This entry was posted on Saturday, January 2nd, 2010 at 6:00 am and is filed under It's All About the Rugs. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.

There are currently 7 responses to “Announcing Online Weaving in Beauty Classes in Navajo Techniques”

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  1. 1 On January 2nd, 2010, Paula said:

    Wow! What a cool idea. I will be interested to see how this works out. I will be interested when the advanced class comes up after I have been over for the weaving class and textile tour.
    I’ve become a big fan of your website and look forward greedily to every update. I especially like the way each update offers other entries on a similar topic to read as well. I have a few books about Navajo weaving but they do not show the close up shots that your website shows. It is almost as good as seeing the rugs in the flesh.
    Keep up the good work.

    posted on January 2nd, 2010 at 5:58 pm

  2. 2 On January 2nd, 2010, Sandy Gally said:

    How exciting, Mary. I sure hope it works out because hopefully next year I will have a laptop with a camera.

    Happy New Year!

    posted on January 2nd, 2010 at 6:42 pm

  3. 3 On January 4th, 2010, Barbara said:

    very interested would like details–nervous about on line – will require handholdingLOL

    posted on January 4th, 2010 at 7:25 am

  4. 4 On January 15th, 2010, Julie said:

    I am just beginning t explore spinning and weaving. I have access to a spinning wheel and Navajo Churro wool. If you offer another class, I’d be interested in participating. Are there plans for building the type of loom you mentioned or a vendor you recommend?

    posted on January 15th, 2010 at 8:30 pm

  5. 5 On January 23rd, 2010, Bill said:

    I would be very interested in joining this class,but I don’t have a loom and would like a plan for building one can you help?

    posted on January 23rd, 2010 at 8:15 am

  6. 6 On January 23rd, 2010, Birdsong said:

    What a brave and exciting way to share your knowledge… I have taken many other classes online, and will be interested to hear how teaching something so hands-on, in a virtual manner, works out! Good luck to all, especially you as the teacher.

    posted on January 23rd, 2010 at 10:18 pm

  7. 7 On February 11th, 2010, Marj Dougherty said:

    Mary, an online virtual campus is so exciting for those of us that can’t make your classes due to travel distance.

    posted on February 11th, 2010 at 12:41 pm

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  • Questions and Comments

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    Latest on Fri, 08:36 am

    Jackie Schweitzer: hello, if you happen to have a cancellation for Oct. 2010, i would like to take the spot. if not, probably May 2011. i have a 2nd person coming but he is not a weaver. thanks!

    Mary Walker: Our physical address is protected on the web site but appears on all of our online transactions and invoices. We can provide references from past students if you'd like them. We have provided classes on the Navajo Nation since 2000 and have taught over 500 students. Please contact me via email if you'd like to set up a phone or web conference to discuss a class. Thanks for your interest in learning to weave the Navajo way!

    Mary Ann Polacek: I am interested in signing up for future classes, but dont see contact info to discuss classes beforehand as you require or firsttimers. Also I dont do cyperspace business without a physical address involved when invovling money-waaaay too much internet fraud out there to submit deposits to cyperspace. Please advise how to contact you and engage in synchronous conversation about upcoming classes. Thank you.

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