The Weaving News
Tempe, AZ We held our first online class session in beginning Navajo weaving techniques yesterday using WebEx’s Meeting Connection service (that’ll teach them to sell me something with unlimited minutes). You can see the virtual class space in the picture above but it’s a screen shot of a test meeting to protect the privacy…
Tucson, AZ Just a quick post to let you know that the Desert Diamond Casino, owned by the Tohono O’odham tribe, has stepped in to reschedule and sponsor the previously cancelled Southwest Indian Art Fair. Information on the event and artist applications are available by clicking here. Thanks to Mary Weinzirl for letting me know!…
Tempe, AZ Weaver and silversmith Morris Muskett is having a 20% off sale on his jewelry at http://www.morrismuskett.com, but you’ll need to click fast because the sale ends today, January 20th. Morris also wanted to let people know that he will be doing a talk entitled Hozho: Art by Morris Muskett on February 5th at…
Navajo Blankets from the Late Classic Period Old Territorial Indian Arts Gallery 03/04/10 – 03/06/10 Meet Tyrone Campbell, author and noted textile authority, who will be bringing a collection of fine historic Navajo, Pueblo and Rio Grande weavings for sale. Learn the colorful history of weaving in the southwest! Curious about your textile? Free casual…
Tempe, AZ During the 1870’s, Navajo weavers developed a new way of achieving the lightning bolt designs of their famous eye dazzlers. Called a wedge weave, the technique involves weaving diagonal stripes which distort the vertical orientation of the warp threads, creating a scalloped edge. My friends Liz Munk, who uses wedge weave quite a…
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…
Tempe, AZ Navajo Germantowns were woven during two overlapping periods identified as the Late Classic (1865-1880) and Transitional (1868-1895). Both periods are marked by increasing use of commercial materials and adaptation of designs from Rio Grande, Saltillo and other weaving traditions. During both periods, Germantown yarns were sometimes combined with other available weaving materials, most…
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…
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…
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…