It’s All About the Rugs
The Brilliance of the Navajo Germantowns: Part II
Tempe, AZ I didn’t say which Sunday I would do the next installment on the Germantowns did I? This time of year offers more than it’s fair share of distractions and writing articles fell by the wayside somewhere between the recipe box and the post office. But, it’s Sunday again and I’ve got some…
Read MoreThe Brilliance of the Navajo Germantowns
Tempe, AZ The Germantown period, which lasted from 1864 until about 1915, represents one of the most vibrantly creative eras in the history of Navajo weaving. The very existence of these textiles is a testimony to the perseverance and will to survive of the Navajo people. Although commercial yarns had been available to the Navajos…
Read MoreAn Alice Van Winkle Thompson Weaving on The Loom
Tempe, AZ Alice Van Winkle Thompson and her daughter-in-law Glenda are approaching completion of the Ganado Red rug in the picture above. It is woven with Brown Sheep yarn that’s been re-spun so that it’s more tightly twisted for better design definition. Alice and Glenda have chosen colors that are just a little different from…
Read MoreNew Mini-Bags in the Weaving in Beauty Mercantile
Tempe, AZ There are two new bags in the Mercantile as of this afternoon. I purchased these at the Pueblo Grande auction last month, but haven’t had a chance to add them to the store until today. One bag is by Emily Malone and it’s the first ever bag done in the Spider Rock design. …
Read MoreThe Dyer’s Picnic: Cochineal, Indigo and Madder
Mesa, AZ Last Saturday, I did my semi-annual dye class for the Fiber Factory in Mesa. We take a full day and use cochineal, indigo, madder and osage orange. Since this combination includes all of the primary colors, theoretically we can derive any color on the color wheel. Although both indigo and cochineal were used…
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