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Victorian Inspired Textile Commission

January 11, 2011 by Heather Filed Under: Art & Design, Handmade, Inspiration & Education, Organizing Projects 4 Comments


Victorian Inspired Textile Commission

I’m excited to share the latest completed textile commission I delivered to clients on Sunday.   This piece was commissioned to fit into a 2 story entrance area in a home that’s design is influenced by Victorian era elements.  I discussed the colors, size and overall feel that the client wanted.  The chandelier and fabric below are a couple of the main elements of design influence.  I wanted to use the peacock feather motif and the colors from the fabric.

I initially did these sketches to get ideas down and then choose materials.  Over the last 6 months or so I’ve worked at the piece at times knowing clearly what I wanted to do an at other times I let the piece sit while I figured out technical or  creative challenges I needed to solve.

A project like this is so rewarding because it challenges you to step into someone else design aesthetic while remaining true to your personal design style.  I knew that this client liked my weaving’s but without my loom set up currently, I was left to find another medium to work with. 

I choose to work elements of weaving into this piece by using the long hand dyed fringe as a major design component.  I also used a subtle toile fabric as the background and selectively  painted motifs that were inspired by a collection of hand colored etchings the client has.  I used layers of sheer fabric bringing in both color and metallic sheen.  Layers of texture are a common theme in my work and this piece ended up having 3 layers of fabric, 1 layer of fringe, feathers and embellishments including stitching and beading.  They were thrilled, I was thrilled and I was thrilled that they were thrilled!  My husband was thrilled to have our dining room table back available for use!

The Thread Project::One World One Cloth

January 6, 2011 by Heather Filed Under: Art & Design, Inspiration & Education, Textiles & Pattern 3 Comments

The Thread Project

Back in 2001 shortly after 9-11 The Thread Project’s founder, Terry Helwig had the vision to collect and weave together threads for panels representing the seven continents of the world. Her vision was quickly turned into reality when a weaver friend offered to weave one of the first panels and help her to get the word out to find other weavers. I was introduced to Terry through a friend and fellow Thread Project weaver. Shortly after, I met Terry at a Peace Conference in Atlanta, GA, where I was inspired and saw more fully the impact of the project. We heard stories and made them personal connections as we demonstrated and invited attendees to contribute threads and weave sections of one panel for the project. I am grateful I was invited in 2002 to be one of the first of over forty weavers from fourteen countries to contribute to this inspiring global peace-keeping project. I wove one of seven purple warp panels that became the first cloth, “Hope Materializing” (each woven by a different weaver). I was also a “thread ambassador” and coordinated with a local social studies teacher to collect threads from his students. The project was used as a teaching aide for Dave’s class. I then wove these students’ threads along with other threads collected from contributors around the world.

The weft threads came from across the globe. Each thread was a unique and personal contribution which was often sent with personal notes explaining the history of the person’s contribution. There were stories of weddings, lost loved ones, special garments, family tartans, stories that made me laugh, cry and connect with fellow human beings. These ‘yarns’ consisted of just about every imaginable material such as pieces of deadlock, fabric, ribbon, yarn, zippers, rubber tire, lace, and more. As you might imagine, a cloth with a range of materials begins to create a sense of diversity which was one of the beautiful messages of the project.

Each cloth was a different color, with a different title, representing a different message —together all seven signifying the overall message that there can be unity in diversity.

“This fabric of humanity, woven from the bits and pieces of people’s lives, offers a rich and textured experience. The cloths, imbued with a resonance analogous to the great tapestry of life, identify the common thread running through humanity: All people love, hope, dream and hurt.

Some people say our world is hanging by a thread. I say—a thread is all we need.” -Terry Helwig, Founder

I am sharing this now because this year marks the ten-year anniversary of 9-11 and I hope that this project will continue to be a symbol of how such global communities can unite in diversity to encourage tolerance and compassionate communities. Please share stories or follow us on the Facebook page, set up to archive and connect with the many weavers, thread ambassadors, contributors, and supporters of this powerful project.  Please share this project with others and help us to keep the threads connected.

In 2014 Terry’s wish to find a permanent home for the project with an organization that promotes peace was granted. “The Thread Project tapestries were gifted to the World Headquarters of the Community of Christ (WHCC) in Independence, MO. The tapestries have been displayed at WHCC since 2008. Thousands of people viewed the tapestries while touring WHCC’s grounds and Temple of Peace. Persons of all faiths are welcome to the Temple which was dedicated in 1994 to the “pursuit of peace, reconciliation, and healing of the spirit.”

Farewell 2010

December 31, 2010 by Heather Filed Under: Inspiration & Education, Photography, Tips & Resources, Wellness & Mindset 3 Comments

Farewell 2010…it’s been a year of challenges and change and as much as I enjoy rising to a challenge it’s exhausting.  As I reflect on this past year how it began and how it ended are both very different than I ever could have anticipated!  I started the year employed at a relatively creative job, that I was good at and had been doing for over 7 years.  About mid-January that abruptly changed as I decided that I was not inclined to relocate for my former employer.  Okay…now what?

Well, I decided that I would take the year to reflect on where I’ve come over the past decade and to re-assess where I’m headed.  If I was middle aged I might say I was having a mid-life crisis but alas…I am not middle aged and I’m not in a crisis.   I’ve experienced a lot of intense emotions this year.  I’ve been sad, depressed, angry, resentful, ashamed, scared, lost, confused and bitter…Enough!   I spent time reading, traveling, making art, cooking, gardening, volunteering,  talking long hours on the phone with good friends, I had a LOT of FUN and I realized that underneath everything I am an artist at heart, I am an ARTIST!

I am so VERY GRATEFUL for the time I’ve been given this year to do this reflecting, to be spontaneous, to do things that I might not get another chance to do and to try to learn how to just be (I’m not very natural at this but I’m starting to learn)!  I remember watching a TED conference video a couple years ago about a design firm in NYC that closed it’s doors every 7 years and took the year off to re-group, refresh, renew and rest (I can’t find that talk but if you do, please leave a link in the comments).  That’s what this year has been about for me.  For a long time I’ve been going full steam ahead, doing a ton of things outside of work with all my friends and family constantly telling me they were amazed by how much I managed to do and I was CONSTANTLY BUSY. It’s funny, there is something about that perpetual motion that is wonderful but it eventually you have to slow down.  This year I’ve replenished a bit of my depleted energy and reserved some for the years ahead because I’m ready for 2011!  I don’t really do resolutions but I do plan to create a community of creative people around me.

Farewell 2010

This is the first time I am choosing a word for the year.  Thanks to a little exercise that Kim Klassen posted on her blog I was able to discover that my word for 2011 is CLARITY!  I had a few other words in mind but nothing really clicked until I did this exercise and it came to me.  Setting my intention is powerful and I am so excited to start a new year and see more clearly where I am headed.

~I’m wishing each of you a beautiful New Year!

Spotlight::Our American Textile Heritage~Churchill Weavers

December 21, 2010 by Heather Filed Under: Art & Design, Handmade, Inspiration & Education, Textiles & Pattern 1 Comment

Today I’d like to spotlight a part of Our American Textile heritage that I was lucky to be a part of in my early career. Sadly, Churchill Weavers is no longer in business but what I share here illustrates an overview of their generous contribution to the historic roots of textiles and manufacturing in America.

Advertisement showing the front exterior of the Churchill Weavers loomhouse.

Our American Textile heritage Before weaving begins, a warp or vertical the threads of the loom must be made. Weft threads are woven through the warp threads using the loom and shuttle. ca. 1928

Churchill Weaver’s stereocard advertisement, style 15319R.

I’ve had the fortunate opportunity to work for some US textile manufacturing facilities my career, some of which are no longer in existence and some that no longer manufacture in the US.  Starting right out of college I landed a job at one of the oldest and finest Hand weaving mills in the US.  I’m speaking of the late Churchill Weavers of Berea, KY.  Once so valued for their products that the US military spared wool rations so they could weave woolen undergarments for our military men.  It greatly depresses me to see their beautifully woven products now being sold as “rare” on Ebay!  There were a number of factors that went into the final outcome of Churchill’s doors being closed forever but they didn’t go down without a long battle.  Historical textiles from their archives were salvaged and donated to the Kentucky Historical Society.  They have compiled quite an amazing online Archive, accessible to anyone!

Churchill Weaver’s stereocard advertisement, style 15451.

Woven Panel made by Churchill Weavers and Designed by Gerhardt Knodel ca. 1978

One of the valuable lessons I learned working at Churchill is that there is no substitution for learning about business and technical data at a facility that manufactures rather than being miles and oceans away from the products you design.  If you’d like more information on the fascinating history of Churchill, please check out this blog.  A limited selection of baby blankets with original Churchill designs are available here.  I’m proud to share below a few of the items I had a part in designing!

                           Cotton Blanket with Chenille ribbing

Cotton “Basketweave” baby blanket with satin ribbon trim.

Luxurious Golden Wheat Chenille thick and thin throw blanket

I knew when I graduated from college in 1998 with a degree in Fibers (textile design) that it would not be an easy career choice.  I headed ambitiously into the profession knowing that the beginning of the end (as I had come to understand it) was already in sight.  Shortly after graduating I started seeing the full effects of the “global” market’s influence (and NAFTA) on the textile industry.  First, the mills began to run shorter shifts, sell off machinery and start to outsource manufacturing to foreign mills.  Within the first 5 years of my career, I had gone from designing for high-end luxury goods manufactured in the USA to designing mass produced goods being imported.  I had a hard time with the ethics of this but I needed to stay employed and by then I was beginning to see my friends design jobs being eliminated as their companies not only shut down manufacturing facilities but started to hire

First, the mills began to run shorter shifts, sell off machinery and start to outsource manufacturing to foreign mills.  Within the first 5 years of my career, I had gone from designing for high-end luxury goods manufactured in the USA to designing mass produced goods being imported.  I had a hard time with the ethics of this but I needed to stay employed and by then I was beginning to see my friends design jobs being eliminated as their companies not only shut down manufacturing facilities but started to hire off-site designers and design studios in other countries. I started to see another trend that was quite maddening.  Before I say more this observation is not singularly in regards to the textile industry.

I started to see another trend that was quite maddening.  Before I say more, this observation is not singularly in regards to the textile industry.  It is the misinformed “American way” to throw something way when it’s broken (or just worn out)! So often we don’t bother trying to fix it because it seems far easier and cheaper to just start all over.  This is maddening!  Can’t we honor those who have invested so much time and energy to make something beautiful and special?

I  am speaking directly about both historic companies and industries disappearing as well as individual makers. We often loose the wisdom of the old ways completely and then find a renewed interest once the individuals who carry this wisdom are all but gone. I will say that the first part of my career in textiles was dedicated to spending as much time around manufacturing and these “wisdom keepers” as possible. I also agree that sometimes new life needs to be blown in but there is often so much we can learn from these establishments.

It was about this time (early 21st cent-Y2K-current) I really became aware of the “Indy craft”-now also called the Makers movement.  I started seeing all sorts of crafters, makers and designers pop up on the www.  In response to this, I also saw a few new kinds of manufacturing facilities in the US who were responding to the needs of these independent makers.  I’m speaking of textile print on demand (such as Spoonflower and others) and weaving mills in particular but I’m sure there are lots of other examples by now.  This is encouraging to me on the one hand but also frustrating because we have already lost many older manufacturers.  I often think that if the generation gap had found a way to communicate with one another some very unique solutions could have come about and kept some companies afloat. 

There are some companies in the industry who did respond in this manner and I see them now as established and valued but also aware of new and upcoming trends.  My request to you is this; if you are a maker, manufacturer, lover of all things handmade and you are working in the US please consider the source of your purchase and support our US heritage of manufacturing. We can’t bring back these historic and iconic facilities but we can learn so much from them by informing ourselves and making the most of our purchases now and in the future.

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Release old Dreams~and Make way for new Dreams

December 16, 2010 by Heather Filed Under: Inspiration & Education, Photography, Productivity, Wellness & Mindset 3 Comments

While having a conversation with a friend about my goals for my new business, I had one of those moments of clarity and knew I had a choice to Release old dreams (to make way for new ones)!  I thought about what my dreams for my business had always been (since graduating from SCAD) but I realized that my old dream didn’t exactly align with what it is that I am doing and want to be doing now.

In this moment I was able to see that it’s okay to release old dreams and expectations. In fact, we have to do this in order to make room for new dreams.

I’m all for de-cluttering and getting rid of things in my life that don’t serve me anymore but thoughts, expectations, and dreams need to be treated in the same manner as actual, physical things!

It can be kind of sad to release your old dreams but please realize that those dreams have served you well.  They have motivated you, given you something to strive towards and they have helped shape the direction of your new dreams.
So today I invite you to release those old dreams that no longer serve you.  Go ahead, write them down, seal them in an envelope and send them off!

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Field Trip Friday! National Museum of the American Indian

December 3, 2010 by Heather Filed Under: Art & Design, Inspiration & Education 2 Comments

From time to time I love to include a “Field trip Friday” because we all need a little inspiration and I especially love to share inspiration!  There are so many wonderful cultural and creative opportunities at the museums, galleries, and gardens in the DC metro area.

Today I’m sharing some of my favorite pieces from the permanent exhibit at the National Museum of the American Indian.  This museum has gorgeous, organic architecture and the landscaping uses Native American plants that in most cases are not only beautiful but are functional, either as food, medicine or some other purpose (for example corn husks or other plant fibers).

The museums permanent exhibits are broken down into “Our Universe”, “Our People” and “Our Lives”.  These three spaces explore many aspects of American Indian heritage, culture, philosophy and past and current lifestyle.  This is the sort of museum that has a wide range of information and can be quite overwhelming (in my opinion) to explore and I find it easiest to take it in bits or go to explore something specific on exhibit.

National Museum of the American IndianAbove are examples of some of the incredible bead work both traditional and contemporary and below are arrowheads and the back side of the “gold” exhibit (I love the patterns created by these groupings).


Below are some amazing examples of feathered head-dresses and Day of the Dead skulls as well as the quirky contemporary mask made of utensils and of course I had to include an Ikat weaving.

On several occasions I’ve gone and spent time wandering through each exhibit and each time I drift over to whatever draws my attention to learn a bit more. I like this spontaneous approach to exploring museums, rather than trying to see everything. For example, did you know that some of the Caribbean islands have American Indian heritage?  Did you know that Mohawk Indians were the main steel workers that built the World Trade Center and are rebuilding the new ones?  This museum explores American Indians from all the “America’s” and the definition is broad and fascinating!  I hope you get a chance to go in person but until then maybe this virtual field trip will serve to give you a little more insight as to what this “New” Smithsonian museum has to offer.  The museum website has extensive information available such as the Online Exhibits as well as PDF catalogs you can download of the temporary exhibits, check it out.


There is also a great temporary exhibit on display through next August called “Vantage Point” which is a collection of contemporary art by Native American Indians; even more beautiful work there!  One last note, this museum has an extensive gift shop and the museum “cafeteria” has had rave reviews so I hope to have a bite to eat there on my next visit.

Related Articles

  • ‘Vantage Point: The Contemporary Native Art Collection’ Opens Sept. 25 at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, DC (prnewswire.com)
  • Art Review: In American Indian Museum, Beauty and Culture Now Entwine (nytimes.com)

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Textile “Out-takes”

November 30, 2010 by Heather Filed Under: Art & Design, Handmade 3 Comments

Today I’m sharing a Textile “Out-takes”  for an art piece I have been commissioned to make. This client really loves my weaving’s but since I don’t currently have a loom set up I had to come up with an alternate idea.  Below I’ve used a neutral cotton thread and threaded it through a reed to space it evenly the full width of my finished piece.

Next, I’ve painted the “warp” with dyes to match the decor and colors that my clients have requested.  This process is similar to warp painted ikat which is usually done after a warp has been threaded onto a loom but before it’s been woven.  In this case, I wasn’t working with a loom so I threaded the reed and secured it to a surface and painted the threads without tension.  This allowed for a painterly effect but wouldn’t be ideal for very precise image/color placement.

These “fringe” will become one layer in the finished piece.

Below are layers of block printed and metallic silk organza and hand painted cotton toile fabric (back layer) that will go behind the fringe. The finished piece will have 4-5 “layers” of textiles.

I haven’t decided if I will be using the blue layer and I have a couple other tricks up my sleeve but in all, I’m pleased with my progress and soon, it will be finished and ready to present to my client!

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Daily Gratitude Journal and Morning Pages

November 25, 2010 by Heather Filed Under: Inspiration & Education, Tips & Resources, Wellness & Mindset 1 Comment

About 2 years ago I started a Daily Gratitude Journal and Morning Pages as I was reading The Artist Way.  After I had filled the journal below I incorporated the practice of recording at least a few things I’m grateful for into my daily “morning pages” journal.

Daily Gratitude Journal and Morning Pages

This practice has helped keep me grounded through a year that has been filled with un-anticipated highs and lows.  Starting every day by realizing and giving voice to the things that I am grateful for really puts life in perspective.  Some days it’s a lot easier than others but just forcing yourself to take a little time to reflect on what you are grateful for is such a wonderful practice.

So, on this Thanksgiving day when we American’s traditionally stop to give thanks; I’d like to share some of the things I am truly grateful for.

~My family who are all in good health and are finding happiness and prosperity in ways that constantly amaze me.

~Challenging myself to learn new things and get started on some of those things I’ve always wanted to do.

~The love of my husband and three furry fuzzy sweet kitties.

~Reconnecting with old friends (this year was my 20 year HS reunion!) in unexpected ways.  Finding new friends in unexpected places.

~The opportunity to start my own business!

~Understanding that I am not defined by my career, my education, the way I dress or any other solitary thing.

~Knowing that each stage of life is only a chapter in “the book of  life”.

~Time reflect and get to know myself again.

~Sharing the appreciation of local farms & food with others.  I’m truly grateful for the farmers who work so hard to bring us this food.  I’ll be feasting with my family upon a local meal this Thanksgiving.

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Doing what you do best!

October 21, 2010 by Heather Filed Under: Inspiration & Education, Productivity, Wellness & Mindset 1 Comment

Doing what you do best means you will get to do what you are talented at, what you love and what you are passionate about.  But we also have to do things that we are not so good at to grow.

I recently had a discussion with someone about freelance work, being an entrepreneur and trying to determine how to navigate a world that is new to you.

For many creative people the whole experience of navigating the business world can be intimidating and frustrating but please persevere!

I find myself constantly comparing my successes with other people “in my field” and this makes me feel I am constantly falling short.  Right now it is easier than ever to create a self-made “identity” through websites, blogs, Facebook, Twitter etc. but I am finding through my real life interactions with “online” people that it’s the those that are true to themselves and authentic who seem to create a buzz.

When you venture out into the world (ww) are you creating an authentic identity that reflects you?  If so you will begin to draw the type of people you want to work with towards you.  This will allow you to continue to do whatever it is that you do best!

Doing what you do best!Birds Fly, Flowers Bloom, Cheetahs Run…what is it that you do best?  What is it you love to do?  Go out there and do more of it!Save

Are you an Idea or Process person?

September 28, 2010 by Heather Filed Under: Art & Design, Inspiration & Education, Wellness & Mindset Leave a Comment

For some people, creativity is fueled by ideas and for others, it’s all about the process.

Idea or ProcessI definitely fall into the later category of creative.

When I get stuck and I have a vague idea of something all I really have to do to get ideas back in the flow is pick up the materials. By engaging int the process of research, experiment, play and writing or sketching out my ideas, they become more concrete and really take form.

When I am creating something, whether it is a garden design, a photograph, a textile design or a craft it really comes down to process. Take the photo above, I remember assembling all the flowers, all the teal vases, arranging them in just the way I wanted them to be, down to the fallen petals. It might not be a perfect technical or composition, but it speaks to me and may inspire something more later.

It is the process that I enjoy, it’s the process that keeps me making. It’s the process that keeps me interested and marks the time I have spent in a way that feels satisfying to me.

I often begin a project, not sure where I am headed but I don’t have to visualize the end piece to begin working. This in itself can be scary for me and I’ve often been stuck for fear that I would never be able to finish something when I don’t know what “it” will end up being.  This is when I need to remember that I am a process person, not necessarily an idea person (or I should say that my ideas aren’t always as strong as my process).

When I graduated from college I had to put together a portfolio of work but before the portfolio could be assembled I had to decide what my portfolio was going to represent. I choose to skirt the edge of two types of portfolio’s with part being geared towards “industry” and pattern/woven design and the other part was geared towards studio design which encompasses creating the design AND the product. What I really wanted to do was to focus on the Studio portfolio but what I ended up doing was creating a portfolio that would get me a job in the real world. In doing this, I had to sacrifice part of the process stage of creation.

Now, I have a bit more luxury to enjoy the process and not worry about the outcome. I don’t have the pressure of school or clients when I’m creating my art. What this means is that I can have great ideas or so-so ideas but it’s my follow through that will bring these ideas into reality.

When I’m working on an organizing project I am directly involved in the process of creating systems and I usually get to witness their outcome. This was missing for me for many years in my creative career and it’s part of what I love most about organizing projects. 

I was separate from the outcome of the product I designed for almost 10 years. As a CAD textile designer I rarely got to see my designs implemented. Seeing the outcome is a huge part of the process for me. Being so involved in the process of organizing, being hands on and seeing the direct results is a bit part of what I love. I am there to witness the outcome, success or failure (or somewhere in between).

As a textile designer I loved collaborating in the idea stage with the designers (and I think many of them are idea people) and I took ideas and made them work in real life spaces with size and technical limitations.  These limitations were a part of the process that in the end was quite satisfying. I’m grateful that I still have the opportunity to collaborate with every client I work with. Whether my clients can visualize the ideal outcome or not, I’m there to make sure the process works and I try to make it fun along the way!

Are you an Idea or Process person?

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