“Earthy” river
A commission for this beautiful space! The client requested a custom order on a piece I made previously but in different colors. She requested more browns and “earthy” tones to compliment this lovely decor. This piece is made of baby alpaca yarn, handspun custom merino wool, thick and thin merino, roving, as well as a delicate and lacey merino.
Dimensions: Width 26” and Height 50”
Another trip, more inspiration
Big Island of Hawaii, it is as incredible as they say it is. We did some amazing hiking, the views were breathtaking, and I couldn’t get enough of the lava! Did you know there are two types of lava? The rough, rubbly, and often sharp is called A’a; while the smooth, lobed, and ropey is called Pahoehoe. Banyan trees also stole my heart. I am not even mentioning the food! All in all, it was one great adventure.
Landscape and ocean waves inspired commission
I am excited to start this landscape and ocean waves inspired commission. It will have its home in sunny Florida. This piece is a mix of beautiful, high quality yarn including merino wool, cotton rope, corespun alpaca, felted wool, wool roving, and some gorgeous hand-spun art yarn. The customer ordered “organic-looking piece with wave elements,” without fringe and classic rectangle shape.
Dimensions: 40” width and 36” height, about 2’ depth.
Madeline Island
In the Fall, we go “Up North.” It’s a thing here in MN. Fall is truly beautiful. The colors are quite incredible, as are apple doughnuts, corn pits, apple cider, and Fall festivals.
Over the last few years we’ve travelled to Madeline Island with friends. It’s quiet, peaceful, and hypnotic. I admired the trees, rocks, and lichen, which of course brought new tapestry ideas. I like Fall, especially in great company, sharing amazing food, and weaving memories.
First Installation
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And then it was time to install my first commission. I am honored and very excited to have my piece in this beautifully curated home.
Encounter with Magda
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Today I had a privilege of meeting Magdalena Sielicka, an accomplished Polish weaver. This meeting was completely accidental as we came to explore “Zagroda Guciów,” our last stop before leaving Roztocze. I knew there was tapestry art there but did not anticipate at all to meet Magda, see her beautiful work, and studio. She was touched by my reaction seeing all this and we both felt and named an instant emotional connection. She told me about her work, history of weaving in this region of Poland, and the efforts she put in to find and preserve old folk works banned during the Communist regime. Along with her two daughters she continues creating. It was amazing to chat with her and share my own work with her…I am quite touched how weaving has been with me during this trip…I feel even more connected to it even though I’m away from the loom!
Another return
It’s time to take a pause from weaving. I am going home. “Home,” is such a relative term. As an immigrant I have many homes, or perhaps places that feel like home. Poland, however is where my heart is. The attachment to places where I grew up and sensory memories imprinted deep down are not comparable to any other place. As my son would say, “It makes me warm inside.”
Ocean
Every winter I need my ocean fix. Minnesota winters are long, cold, and dark. By February they seem even longer. So I leave.
It’s a privilege, I know. One that I’m deeply grateful for. It’s not the beach but the ocean itself that I find myself longing for.
It’s vastness, the sound of the waves, and all of the unknown that it embodies, all its secrets and life. This piece is inspired by one such trip.
Exploring texture
I have been experimenting a bit lately. Felted yarn has been quite a treat. It’s always such a discovery process to see how the fibers will guide me.
Furry friends
I just have to introduce them! They are Henry and Tola and I love them to pieces!
It is done!
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Here it is! All done! It was quite exciting to hold in mind the beautifully curated home it will hang in.
Ahhh, I do have to complain a bit though! The lack of light in MN during winter is relentless. It’s so hard to take photos reflecting an accurate color palette.
A little warmer
After a recent Spring Break trip to Aruba, I found myself longing for some warmer colors.
“Earthy” colors are probably my favorite ones to work with. They remind me of home, Amber being one of the most popular gem stones.
Anyway, stay tuned I returned with lots of new ideas inspired by Aruba’s turquoise waters! It’s going to get tropical!