Karen Mittleider bought Larissa Blake's Spider Rock rug at the Friends of Hubbell Native American Art Auction on the second day of our class.

Window Rock, AZ Our spring weaving class and tour is off to a great start.  We went to the Crownpoint Rug Auction on the first evening and we spend the next day at the Friends of Hubbell Native American Arts auction in Ganado.  We came back to Window Rock with several rugs (including the stunning Spider Rock rug that you see above) and other treasures after a full day at the auction.   After seeing well over 400 rugs, our class started their own warps in Window Rock yesterday morning.  You can see Deb Fjetland with her completed warp bundle below.  Deb is a first time weaver, so she on a real adventure.

Deb Fjetland holds her completed warp bundle

Today, we visited R.B. Burnham and Company to stock up on their yarns, which are custom spun for Navajo weaving and to visit with traders Bruce and Virginia Burnham and their daughter Sheri, who is in the process of becoming a fifth generation trader.  After our stop at Burnham’s, we went to class instructor Jennie Slick’s home where she demonstrated weaving for us.  She is completing a 3’x5′ Burntwater patterned rug that was commissioned by one of her clients.  You can see her below with Mary Mathiowetz, who is one of the eight students participating in the class.

Mary Mathiowetz watches Jennie demonstrate weaving techniques

It’s getting late, so I’ll write more tomorrow and post some pictures of the pieces that the students are working on.

Hagoshíí (so long for now)

Mary Walker