Three Strands Handwovens

When I was in my early twenties and looking for a creative outlet, I took up spinning. I enjoyed it immensely but after a year or two I had an enormous stash of handspun yarns and . . . nothing to do with them. I didn't knit or crochet or do anything involving yarn. Eventually I took a weaving class just so I could justify continuing to spin. After the first class it was all over for me; weaving was officially the path my life had been waiting to take.

Over the years I've learned to knit and crochet and I continue to spin but weaving has remained my true love. I wake up every morning and think, "I get to go to work today!"

I have over 25 years experience creating usable and wearable works of art. My studio is located uptown in the Victorian seaport of Port Townsend, Washington, where I focus on the transformation of fiber to fabric. While spinning, dyeing, and weaving all take place at the studio, my emphasis is primarily on weaving and the exploration of color.

Most recently I have become enthralled with temari, the Japanese art of--of all things--ball-making. These are heirloom quality ornaments created by wrapping successively smaller diameters of string and thread around a core and then adding an embroidered design to the surface. I find it a very satisfying form of recycling as I can use loom waste for the core and much of the wrapping. Traditionally, the Japanese recycled scraps of kimono or rice hulls for the core.

I can be found most Saturdays, April through October, at the Port Townsend Farmers Market ; my garments and temari for the home can be found at Port Townsend Gallery, 715 Water St. I live within sight of the Straits of Juan de Fuca with my husband and numerous offspring.

THREE STRANDS HANDWOVENS

Three Strands textiles for the home are woven from 100% cotton or a linen/cotton combination. A certain percentage of the yarns are purchased or salvaged mill ends, thereby preventing many pounds of fiber and cones from entering landfills every year. Each hand-finished piece is of heirloom quality but sturdy enough to be thrown in the washer and dryer.

Three Strands garments are woven from a combination of cotton, silk, wool, and hemp and often feature handspun, hand-painted yarn. Each piece is hand finished with half-fell seams.

Three Strands Handwovens has a "use it all up" policy. Greeting cards are created from fabric scraps and temari from thrums and waste yarn. Each card and ornament is guaranteed one-of-a-kind.