Quirky wonderful loom

My son, Angus Findlay, and I have just co-created a loom and stand that I absolutely love.

copyright Noreen Crone-Findlay www.tottietalkscrafts.com

Last January, I asked Angus to build me a box that I could turn into a loom.

I made the ratchets and pawls from purpleheart wood, cut the ends and sides into the shapes I wanted, made the warp and cloth beams and started painting it.

I loved it, but found it a bit too big to hold in my lap while weaving, and I didn’t have the perfect table to sit it on and weave comfortably.

So, I asked Angus to take some funky old legs that I had bought at a garage sale, and build a stand for the loom.

Woo hoo! I love it! I am enchanted by Angus’ design and how he built such a whimsical and quirky (and VERY solid and sturdy) loom stand.

He intuitively made it just the perfect height for me.

I brought it home and started playing with embellishments.

I cut out some of my favorite wooden shapes to glue on it, and then painted 3 coats of gesso to prime it.

Then, I slowly began the layering on of paint:

Painting was a long slow process, as I applied layers of acrylic paints in thin washes to build up the color shifts.

The screen behind the loom shows how I use this layering technique on other pieces, too.

I was quite surprised when the loom started to lead me in this direction, as I had had a totally different concept

in mind before I started painting.

But, I believe in listening to the piece and allowing it to tell me how it wants to be.

The ‘Dancing Girl’ and ‘Resting Rabbit’ motifs are a theme that I have used for more than 40 years.

They’re just me.

I made the metal image of the Dreaming Lady of Malta with sheet metal, using the repousse technique of pressing and shaping the metal from the back.

Because I work with my dreams and use them as one of the main sources in my art and artisanship, I felt that placing an image of the Beautiful Dreamer was a great metaphor.

and on the stand, I attached another repousse image that I had made at the same time as making the Dreaming Lady.

This is Xchtel, the Mayan Goddess of weaving, with her companion Rabbit.

So, the metaphor and message of these two images is:

Dream weaver. Weaver of Dreams…..

It is just pure bliss to weave on this loom.

Words cannot convey the delight.

I LOVE how my beloved son, and dear friend, Angus, and I created a loom that is so completely US.

I feel blessed.

11 responses to “Quirky wonderful loom”

Becky

July 31, 2015 at 1:23 pm

Noreen,

This posting makes me sit back and think and ponder…and dream…I really like how this loom came together for you and your son. It is beautiful, well-crafted and wow!, parts of dreams….I’m afraid I don’t have words to express this narrative that has opened (just a small bit) a door within me in my own artful journey. Thank you! I truly am enjoying your blog and your journey in creativity.

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- tottietalkscrafts
  
  July 31, 2015 at 1:40 pm
  
  Thank you so much, Becky.
  This loom is truly about the weaving of dreams, so I am really happy that it has inspired you to dream and weave and spin your journey in the soulful, artfilled way that I can feel through your words.
  Enjoy your delicious voyage of discovery!
  And, happy weaving, sweet dreams! 🙂
  
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Gene Black

August 1, 2015 at 5:03 am

Did you make the heddle/reed or did you get it premade?

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- tottietalkscrafts
  
  August 1, 2015 at 8:06 am
  
  Hi Gene,
  The heddle is a double slotted Swedish heddle that I bought from Vavstuga. It has 13 pattern slots.
  
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Quimper Hitty

August 1, 2015 at 7:10 am

You are the box loom magicians. This such a warp of creativity and weft of practicality – a lovely lovely combination and result. How beautiful to weave.

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- tottietalkscrafts
  
  August 1, 2015 at 8:08 am
  
  Thank you so much, Kjerstin! I do love this loom so much. It truly is the stuff that dreams are woven of 🙂
  
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griffonsong

August 1, 2015 at 9:05 am

Blessed indeed! Isn’t it an enormous blessing to have our children reach adulthood and discover we love them and like them as well? This is a beautiful meeting of the gifts of Noreen meeting the gifts of Angus.

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- tottietalkscrafts
  
  August 1, 2015 at 9:21 am
  
  LOL…. I have always liked as well as loved my children, but yes, I do feel very blessed that they are such dear friends. I am profoundly grateful. 🙂
  
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Caroline

August 6, 2015 at 1:07 am

What a Fairy Tale Loom to weave magic on, beautiful!

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- tottietalkscrafts
  
  August 6, 2015 at 9:18 am
  
  Thank you so much, Caroline! It is the most joyful loom that I have ever woven on- it really does make my heart sing!!!!
  
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