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A Journey in Wheat Weaving

on August 15, 2023

Piece that Debbie learned from.

A shopping trip to St. Jacobs started Debbie Yarnell on her 25+ year journey in wheat weaving.

A shop in the silo at St. Jacobs featured an artist that wove wheat. After talking to Daniel Kramer and looking at his work prompted Debbie questioning him as to whether he did workshops. He called a few months later and her formal training began. Daniel was an excellent instructor teaching many basics to get us started. After purchasing a couple of books and some wheat she was off and weaving.

Debbie’s Version

It was only after Debbie joined an international association of wheat weavers that she actually had anyone to weave with after attending their annual conference in Wichita, Kansas. She met many talented women and learned many new techniques from them. Amazing.

It always makes Debbie feel like a superstar when she can get through a project and be really happy with the end result, even if it is just from looking at someone else’s photograph. Attached are photos of her friend’s photograph and her (left) attempt at copying the piece.

In categories Artists, braiding, wheat weaver with no comments

Willow Bark

By Station Gallery

on August 1, 2023

with no comments

Willow Bark

Sandi McNeil has often read that willow bark was suitable for basket weaving, but she could never find any willow that was large enough to peel. That changed last spring when she discovered a clump of willow growing by her pond. Sh knew it was willow as they were growing jumbo pussy willows!

Sandi waited until the end of July to cut the willow trees down. She cut the branches off until she had a small trunk about 5 feet long. Using an awl, she lifted the bark off the thick end of the trunk and started to pull upward. The bark peeled easily with only a few knot holes and no stickiness. It was similar in colour to cedar, but had a different texture. It was thinner than was expected so she did not try to separate the inner and outer bark.

She cut the bark into long strips of weavers and coiled them up to dry. As they dried, she noticed the edges were curling. This indicates shrinkage is going on. There is no way to tell what bark is going to have a shrinkage factor. The shrinkage however, does not prevent the bark from being used, and it gives Sandi another option for colour and texture in her repertoire of natural materials.

In categories Artists, braiding, wall hangings, weaving with no comments

Crocheting with wire

By Station Gallery

on July 18, 2022

Instead of crocheting with yarn, Janet uses fine gauge wire to construct intricate and wearable art. She often uses natural gemstones mixed with freshwater pearls, crystals, and glass beads. All beading components are lead and nickel free. The combinations of pairings are endless, making each piece truly unique. A broken string of Grandma’s pearls can begin a new life as a bracelet or a newly designed crochet wire necklace.

Crochet necklace with amethyst and apatite

In categories Artists, braiding, jewellery

The Art of Kumihimo – Marilyn Clayton

By Station Gallery

on July 10, 2019

with 1 comment

Marilyn Clayton works predominantly with gemstones and uses various methods of wrapping, weaving and connecting the jewellery she makes.

Marilyn likes to have the stones and beads she is working with dictate the medium used. Kumihimo is a versatile system of weaving using cording, thread, wire, etc alone or using beads. Marilyn is seen working the kumihimo in sterling silver and rose gold filled wire to make a flat braided bracelet to go with the ametrine necklace, also pictured.

Here are some pictures of various applications for kumi. The possibilities are endless.

Drop by the gallery and see how it’s done!

Marilyn will be in the gallery next on the 13th & 14th of July.