a little red hen: Yarn Life, Fiber Art

Old stockings

Steve asked in an email, "Still blogging or only Facebook?" Excellent question, of course he would ask.

Short answer, I keep hoping the spirit will become actual. Long one has to do with my expectations of this form when I began in March 2006, the height of enthusiasm for the blog form. Happily joined with peers known as Elderbloggers. Though I did not like the title.

What did I want from it? To connect with other aging women wondering about life after work, women who lived in other cities. Through incredible luck + synchronicity, spouse and I had been able to retire from a too-big house in Baltimore to a right-sized apartment in Manhattan. The move jump-started life as a conceptual artist. Began modestly with an essay, "Composting in Manhattan," written in a weekend writing class. Moved along in various permutations to knitting 150 red wiggler worm interpretations and This Dirt Museum: the Ladies' Room, an installation at Queens Botanical Garden--opened eleven days after 9/11/01.

As blogging receded in popularity among younger people, seemed to offer me less juice. Moved again 2009--last one--Portland, Oregon. Couple of years ago jumped into Facebook primarily to connect with local political scene. Found Amy Meissner, fiber artist in Alaska. Amy along with Steve in D.C. inspired today's post.

In The Final Boxes of Mystery Amy ended her crowdsourcing Inheritance Project. Having discovered her on Facebook midway, I went back to the beginning. Women's stockings led to the image here. Why did I keep for too many, many years discarded hose--mine and my stepmother's? First to use as stuffing for knitted animals for our first child, Rachel--the one who lives in Portland.

But she was born in 1968. Why so long dragged from place to place? To make necklaces for my installation in another century? Truly cannot remember except that I still have this one--think it was pantyhose--copper wire and tube, vintage bead. Have I found the where and the how for walking forward in these dark days?

Posted by a little red hen on February 12, 2017 in APPLIED Feminism, Baltimore, COMPOSTING, Elderblogging, Feminism, New York City, Portland, Oregon, Yarn Life, Fiber Art | Permalink | Comments (2)

Ron Bloom's tapestry fills our life...

Last Friday most of Ron's show came down--tapestries on the walls near the Terwilliger auditorium. Still on display are the eleven in a glass case in the cafe. People keep coming up to him to say they wish the work was still on view.

Our California friends were in town for the opening; Toni Van Horn created this collage. It has everything: Ron giving his lively talk about early influences on his work, Mark Rothko's paintings, for one. And the weaver, Sheila Hicks, whose small weavings he saw at an exhibition in New York before we left. Her big book, "Weaving as Metaphor," filled with images continues to inspire him.

Pat Crown, artist and art historian neighbor, worked to bring about the show and did a lovely intro. Never one to miss a teachable moment, Ron brought unspun yarn and his single-heddle loom. (Talked him out of the spinning wheel.) He wanted visitors to have a sense of the elements of his craft. They could see what a warp looks like--with a tapestry-in-progress.

Event evening was a whirl. Friends we've met in town came--Al and Toni, our hosts in Santa Rosa two years ago. Michael and Sandy and Steve and Mikki from our collective dedication to Portland Playhouse. On to Carolyn Savage's, lives on another floor in our building, put on one of her lovely celebration dinners in Ron's honor.

Our local grandchildren have visited the show. Zach, the 12 year old, admired the salmon. Most people were biased toward the other salmon. One cannot go wrong with this particular fish in Oregon. The one smiling at the camera is Ellie, the 6 year old. Zoe, 9, is paying more attention to the weaving.

Ron has been teaching both girls how to weave. Sometimes I'm support staff. Zoe is especially motivated with her younger sister not far behind.

The beat goes on...more later on his first sale and our continuing yarn discoveries.

Posted by a little red hen on October 27, 2014 in Feminism, Little Red Hens, Portland, Oregon, Yarn Life, Fiber Art | Permalink | Comments (6)

Full Moon tonight...Ron Bloom Tapestry show tomorrow...

Something quite wonderful happens tomorrow. Ron Bloom will have his first show, "Weaving to Tapestry" here in Portland, Oregon, at Terwilliger Plaza where we live.

He began to spin wool on a wheel made of PVC pipe. That was in New York, 2002, after he enjoyed the craft at a weekend at the two-acre Shady Grove Farm in Apex, North Carolina. Judy Tysmans was a patient teacher. My article on his early adventures (including my being butted by a goat--twice--during sheep shearing) appeared in the book, For the Love of Knitting under the title, "The Accidental Spinner, or Husband Discovers Wheel."

Long trips upstate to Countrywool in Hudson, N.Y, provided his first spinning lessons with Claudia Kriniski. When we visited family in Portland, his instructor was Laurie Weinsoft. (Her daughter is now our internist). It was and is a moveable feast.

For a while, Ron focused on spinning for his hats. He purchased a finer, beautifully crafted yew wheel, from Wallace van Eaton at the Eugene, Oregon, Black Sheep Gathering on another visit west. Took it back to NYC. He made, continues to knit his own variations of a button hat. Next, Ron began weaving on a rigid heddle loom; Linda LaBelle was his first and most significant teacher at her studio in Brooklyn, N.Y. Weaver, yarn dyer and writer, Linda now lives in North Carolina, travels the world working with indigenous populations to reclaim their fiber crafts.

Sheila Hicks, the noted fiber artist, catapaulted him further into weaving and tapestry. Hicks' 2006 show, "Weaving as Metaphor," at Bard College moved him deeply. Walking through it many times, he recognized In Hicks' work his direction, experimented with weaving small pieces on 6 x 11" picture frames. Hicks sensibility about her work resonates for Ron: this is tapestry because I call it that.

Tomorrow, eight years later, Ron Bloom continues to explore--colors and a wider palette of yarns, abstract designs, a tenement building, the Brooklyn Bridge, masks. A work in progress.

In awe, I admire his work and believe tonight's full moon is filled with symbolism for my spouse, self-trained, latelife artist.

Posted by a little red hen on September 08, 2014 in Feminism, LIFELONG Learning, New York City, Portland, Oregon, Transformation, Yarn Life, Fiber Art | Permalink | Comments (4)

CRAFTS for protest: make your own IUD

Golly, if it had not been for that awful Supreme Court decision, would we have gone all creative, women. Little advertising at the front, followed by such helpful DIY instructions.

THANK YOU, HOBBY LOBBY!!

Isn't this a good time to pick up those needles and Knit a Condom Amulet? Choose from seven classic patterns developed by talented knitters.

Posted by a little red hen on July 11, 2014 in APPLIED Feminism, Everyday Politics, LIFELONG Learning, Little Red Hens, Safe Sex, Transformation, Yarn Life, Fiber Art | Permalink | Comments (0)

Bread posting--me and Fressen friends

Portland people say, "Oh, this cold weather must seem mild compared to New York." Wrong. Spoiled by months of easy weather, all we want to do is stay inside. Ron works on his tapestries; I try to catch up on writing here.

a little red hen supposed to be about "bread, politics, feminism." Been falling short on the first. Have not been baking often. A sign of aging...do "they" list this as one of "early indicators" of oncoming _________ (fill in blanks). Other old people must also be weary of endless newspaper, magazine articles on the "A" topic. Enough! It's those midlife folks who angst about what they might get--how not recalling yesterday's grocery list alerts them to getting old. When one is already there, no need for concern about "indicators."

Back to bread. Sourdough starter continues to measure up reliably in ways neither politics nor feminism ever will. Made two long loaves (french bread pans from earlier life) of wholewheat sourdough earlier this week. Delicious, small slices--or can be cut otherwise for sandwiches. Even small toasted with Muenster, very good. Why do I not do this more often?

Two reasons--only me and him to eat it and there is so much excellent artisan bread in town like Fressen. Missing from our weekly lunches for a month or so, we stopped by yesterday to hear David's latest story and buy a take-home pastry.

He reported that it was too cold to ride his bike and how glad he was to be wearing Ron's knit hat. We asked about Tessa who worked there and is now at NYU. No word yet; we figured her hat must be a plus there too.

Sad event is that Ron is no longer making hats. He knit 170, for heaven's sake! Then bad pain in wrist. Not going away--even with steroid, PT weekly. Tried to warn him of problems resulting from "production mode" like I did in turning out 150 red wiggler worms at the turn of the century.

His tapestry weaving is beautiful. Others beside me remark on the inventiveness of his imagery. One of my favorites now as cover for my Facebook page. I do envy his latelife creativity--at least take a bit of credit for influencing his dive into yarn via knitting.

** UPDATE: Edgar, creator of his artisan bakery Fressen, and Delilah, his delightful supporter, just married at Fressen. See Facebook for details.

Posted by a little red hen on December 08, 2013 in BREAD, the life, Everyday Politics, Feminism, Food, In and Out, Grandmotherhood Now, LIFELONG Learning, Portland, Oregon, Yarn Life, Fiber Art | Permalink | Comments (7)

Two Knit Condom Amulets: Like & Share

It is a beautifully designed knit garment. The Condom Amulet as Bra.

Statistics for KNIT A CONDOM AMULET, my other blog, reveal this underwear with its artfully attached condom holder to be THE ONE most viewed. Looks challenging to make but is basically two triangles. Lisa Daehlin's separate Breast Pouch, requires a little more skill but can be used as both inner and outerwear--and holds up to five condoms.

Next most popular choice is her famous dishcloth adapted by Kay Gardiner for the Ballband Keychain Amulet.

Ball band amulet

December One, 2013. World AIDS Day again. Locally Oregon/Washington has
targeted the individual in their "one person at a time" campaign, wants community groups to do more in the challenge: raising awareness about HIV prevention.

Portland media were facinated by "yarn bombing" of public sculptures last week. Earlier in the century, it was known as "guerrilla or graffiti knitting" Mayor Charlier Hales applauded the practice (unvieling ceremony).

Too intense for my own good, I disappointed an enthusiastic friend with my comment that there were better ways to expend many yards of fiber. "What would that be?" Now I have an answer, Sandy.

Worldwide KNIT IN PUBLIC DAY happens Saturday, June 14, 2014. PDX Knitterati, my earliest link to the Portland knit world, could give me input on finding the energy behind this latest crafting extravaganza. Would these folks pick up their needles and their crochet hooks to teach others how to Knit A Condom Amulet--in public around town? Stay tuned.

Posted by a little red hen on November 30, 2013 in APPLIED Feminism, Everyday Politics, Knit A Condom Amulet, Little Red Hens, Safe Sex, Yarn Life, Fiber Art | Permalink | Comments (5)

Mushroom Grotto, Homage to Fungi and Ecovative

Many months ago, in June, I put together this homage to the mushroom. Its wall are made from Ecovative heralded here (earlier post) as a newly-invented substitute for styrofoam. This view is from above.

Ever since I began making objects, people ask me the same question. How long did it take? Whether it was a ceremonial neckpiece or worm composting, I was always at a loss to measure my--or the worms' creative timeline. With the Mushroom Grotto, I answer: a two-day workshop plus a few hours at home.

Shelly Caldwell, Portland Assemblage Artist, was an indefatigble instructor for "Making a Shell Grotto" at Collage, on Alberta Street. She was fine with Ecovative**for the walls rather than styrofoam, patient with my quandries about paints and other new materials--two sizes glue guns a challenge.

The beginning of my grotto, homage to mushroom transformation and possibilities yet unexplored. Size: 13.5 x 10 x 8 inches.

Once finished off with three mushroom prints, where to put it? Near one of Nick Bloom's ceramic clocks. A certain sychronicity in funkiness.

**Last month Ecovative named winner of Buckminster Fuller Institute challenge for bold, innovative socially-responsible design.

Posted by a little red hen on November 11, 2013 in Feminism, LIFELONG Learning, Portland, Oregon, Transformation, Yarn Life, Fiber Art | Permalink | Comments (4)

Dance with me...on the upper west side

New to Facebook, there are discoveries to be made. One of the best is discovery of what Friends like. My New York City friend, Lisa Daehlin, opera singer and knitter par excellence, who created for my other blog the lacy, pink Bra & Breast Pouch Condom Amulet (the one that gets the most hits on that site), sent me back to the City.

Found at her link to Clowns ex Machina. Reminded me of outdoor lunches and dinners we shared at cafes along Broadway.

Many other pleasures from the Clowns. In another YouTube the famous ballerina, Natalia Makarova, also in costume, describes onstage disasters. Charming and funny. Impressive that a performer of her stature could laugh at herself with such delight.

Posted by a little red hen on October 26, 2013 in APPLIED Feminism, Knit A Condom Amulet, New York City, Safe Sex, Yarn Life, Fiber Art | Permalink | Comments (5)

Oh! Becoming 80 years = serious aging

Been a bit rocky since August birthday. Teeth issues mentioned then have been my companion since--painless in the new modern way but energy depleting. And some other inconveniences like a hip that hurts sometimes.

In between there have been good times in this swell little town with very nice people, reasonably-priced restaurants, and many, many delightful farmers' markets. Theatre equal to off-Broadway. And yet, old lady New Yorker, I will never really get the zeitgeist of Portland and/or Oregon.

Explains my particular gratitude for Fressen Artisan Bakery's cafe, still our go-to spot since I wrote about it HERE and took some grief about its name from commenters. Takes a certain kind of person, usually like me from elsewhere, to appreciate it for more than its glorious bread, cakes, and cabbage rolls.

Barbara Blackstone, originally of Minneapolis met me there with her two daughters for a lunch for a thoughtful long lunch--three ages of feminism with plenty to say about the current scene. One of my early Portland-transplant efforts took me to a book club-- novels on aging where Barbara and I met.

Though we each left the group, we encountered each other at intermission for an all-woman group she'd told me about, . She the Aurora Chorus, all-woman group singing a range of music from known to original. She recently left her university position in Communications to write more about her work in Conflict Resolution.

Photo of us was at top taken by Lisa Blackstone visiting from Minneapolis. A videographer and storyteller, she'd produced "Life Changing Art"--several older women talk about latelife artmaking which I'd admired. I told her that it would be intspiratonal to women where I live who are artists--some longterm, others more recent. She sent me a copy!

She described her latest production, "Miss Tibet: Beauty in Exile," a documentary with an odd message...go click on the link. On the right is Laura Reilen, Barbara's local daughter. After a number of years as a cabinet maker, she has switched to a new career doing Swedish, deep tissue, and trigger point massage. Also a talented knitter, wish my photo was a better view of the lovely sweater her sister is wearing.

David, who works at Fressen and shares with me copies of pink paper, The New York Observer, was especially hospitable to the Blackstone crew. (Seen here in one of my aprons from Ocotlan, Mexico, gave him last winter.)

It was a great afternoon. Being with thoughtful women of different ages gets my own thinking challenged, my creativity stimulated. Good to recall when the next body part claims attention. Hello, PT.

Posted by a little red hen on October 16, 2013 in APPLIED Feminism, BREAD, the life, Everyday Politics, Feminism, Food, In and Out, Little Red Hens, Portland, Oregon, Yarn Life, Fiber Art | Permalink | Comments (8)

Ecovative: Mushroom Magic for the planet

Ian Frazier is writer whose work I've followed for some time. Goes back to reading Family. Admired his interweaving of his own family's long history with that of the U.S. Still living in Baltimore in 1994, I read it as we thought about moving back to New York. What was our connection to place? Of many thoughtful comments on Good Reads, I like this:

"frazier's gifts as a writer shine in this climb through his family tree. deadpan, folksy, soulful, urbane...captures the complexities of his family's unique history within the context of our country's history. lots of real people and their small eccentricities. ON THE REZ is another great Frazier book.

"Bags in Trees," Frazier's 2004 New Yorker piece, toward the end of my own intense engagement with kitchen composting advocacy in the Big City, made me sad we had not met. And I was about to leave again. We had so much in common. His heroic effort to solve the plastic-bags-in-trees sin in all five New York boroughs was a crazed match with my own kitchen composting dreams of the late 20th/early 21-century. Like him, I'd had to let go of my mission: to convince high-rise apartment dwellers that sharing their personal space with red wiggler worms would delight.

And then... In the May 20 issue of the New Yorker, Ian Frazier led me to my next chapter in my new romance with--mushrooms. In "Form and Fungus," he asks a provocative question between the title and his name:

Can mushrooms help us get rid of Styrofoam?

Through a number of pages, he tells an amazing tale, true, on how two young students at R.P.I., a rigorous engineering college in upstate New York, took a design class, "Inventor's Studio" and made an important discovery. Turns out that the mycelium, vegtative structure fungi of mushrooms, when added to agricultural waste, processed with the application of heat will produce a substance similar to Styrofoam.

Big difference: Ecovative, as the new product is called, will biodegrade within a month--in contrast with Styrofoam which stays forever. In addition to the wonder of the invention, the entire story resonates with student-teacher interactions that will make anyone feel good about caring instructors, imaginative young people. And Frazier's signature topic: family.

Next I watched Eben Bayer, co-inventor with Gavin McIntyre, describe how it's made on a 2010 TED Talk, "Are Mushrooms the new plastic?" Was very excited, as I always am by environmental transformation.

Reader, I bought it--a boxful of Ecovative... Mushroom Material Sample 3-pack, and Surprise Sample Box, and Material Sample 3-pack. Here is one piece, back and front, 5/8-inch thick, 10 1/8 x 8 1/8 inches. Arrived at the end of May. I had no idea how I'd use it.

Posted by a little red hen on July 27, 2013 in APPLIED Feminism, COMPOSTING, Everyday Politics, Food, In and Out, Transformation, Yarn Life, Fiber Art | Permalink | Comments (4) | TrackBack (0)

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