Variations, Adaptations and Iterations

Because I love the design process so much, I don't choose to make copies of my designs.
I insist on creating a one-of-a-kind piece for my larger items like guitar straps and sashes.
Smaller things like key fobs or bookmarks may be created in multiples to use the loom's weaving length to my advantage, however.

So, while I don't make copies of a design, I might make a similar one. This is usually because someone asks for it or I fell in love with the design or colors. Do you do this, too?

It happens sometimes that a customer sees a piece that I've made and asks for one like it. I say "I can make you a similar one, but I intentionally don't ever make two exactly alike."

And sometimes, I just like a pattern or color combination so much that I decide to do a variation on it using the same pattern in different colors, or using the same colors in a different pattern. Below are some recent examples.

These two straps share the same colors in the same sequence. But do you see how I shifted the colored bar?
The strap on the left became a purse strap, while the one on the right became a guitar strap. 

This strap was made to go with a Pimentel Southwestern Guitar and reflect the turquoise and mother-of-pearl inlay.
It went to the guitar's owner, but then someone else asked for a similar one. It is shown in the photo below. 

The addition of the turquoise line on both sides of the central pattern area made the design pop a bit more. I also used a darker shade of brown, one of my favorite yarn colors. 

You can see the Pimentel Southwestern Guitar in this previous post. It accompanied me to the White House in July. Below is a closeup of the inlay work on the fretboard. 

Similar, are these three "Southwestern Diamonds" shown below. 

The design on the left came first. I liked it, so decided to try some other color combinations. Click on the photo to enlarge it. 

After making this wrist strap, I decided that I loved the color combination so much that I should use it again. Next came the guitar strap shown below. The guitar strap is twice the width of the wrist strap, so I created borders to add width. The central pattern is the same. 

In my book, "In Celebration of Plain Weave: Color & Design Inspiration for Inkle Weavers"

 I talk about how to take a design you like and make it narrower or wider, 

and how to switch up the colors in a design. 

These two are just off the loom this week. The colors make me think of popsicles. Juicy! 

Belts and Buckles

Inkle bands make great belts! But traditional belt buckles are not the best to use on your woven bands. They are hard on the fabric as you poke the metal tongue through your woven web.

Over the years, I  have found some nice alternatives. 

Please click on the photos to make them larger if you want to see better detail. 

This is what I use most often. I have been calling it a T-buckle because of the shape of the one end. However, the company I purchase them from now calls it a cinch buckle. Since I get asked this question often, here's my source: Ohio Travel Bag. They have so much hardware! Because they are a wholesaler, they have partnered with an affilliate to provide smaller quantities at retail. Here's the link: https://hardwareelf.com/

Recently, I was asked to make a copy of this belt which is worn by a TV character. 

The show is called "Stranger Things" and the character, "Eleven".  The belt is 1 1/2" wide and this nifty buckle was also purchased from Ohio Travel Bag. 

Using two D-rings or O-rings is an easy solution. The one below uses D-rings and is 1 1/2" wide. 

This beautiful Navajo silver and turquoise belt buckle was purchased a few years back at Ortega's Weaving Shop in Chimayo, New Mexico. I've used it on a western style leather belt, but decided that I wanted to use it on a woven belt. 

(You can see me wearing it in the last post when I went to the White House.) 

I asked Mike of Stone Canyon Leather in Albuquerque to make me a leather piece for the front

 of the belt to accommodate the buckle. He stitched the woven band between two pieces of leather. 

It worked great! 

I have done something similar in the past by taking apart thrift store belts and re-using the leather piece at the front. I simply cut the stitching, opened up the two layers of leather, removed the webbing and replaced it with my own woven belt. 

I stitched by hand using the existing holes in the leather. This belt was made for my oldest daughter about 25 years ago when she was in the local 4H club. 

I also  have a number of sashes which I wear. They are woven extra long and tie together. 

No hardwared needed!

The photo below is of one of my hemp collection sashes that I'm adding to my Etsy shop here.

Weaver Guitar Straps Goes to the White House!

We get so many sales calls at our house, that I really have come to expect that every time the phone rings it's another one. However, sometimes, there is a caller on the other end with a welcome message. I'm glad that I answered cheerfully when a representative of the White House called to invite me to the 3rd Annual Made in America Product Showcase on July 15th at the White House in Washington, D.C. 

Each year, they invite one business from each of the 50 states, and this year they chose 

Weaver Guitar Straps to represent New Mexico!!!

I accepted the invitation and was accompanied by my husband, Rick. 

We dressed so that no one had any doubts where we were from.

Vice President, Mike Pence, walked through the showcase and visited with us.

Did you know that he plays guitar? 

Our table had lots of color! 

We borrowed a beautiful Pimentel Southwestern Guitar from Pimentel & Sons in Albuquerque to add to our display. They hand-build every guitar using an assortment of woods. The inlay work is all hand-cut in house and stunning! Check out the gallery on their website! Pimentel & Sons

I wove a strap which echoed the turquoise and mother-of-pearl hand-cut inlay work. It's woven on the horizontal bar background. I really like the way that it turned out! 

The guitar was a lovely addition to our table. Since George Washington was standing by, I offered to let him play!

The showcase had many visitors, however, it was not open to the public for security reasons.

Secretary of Transportation, Elaine Chao, visited with us. She was curious about how the loom worked. Unfortunately, there was not much room for me to sit next to the table and demo like I do at most events. 

 We enjoyed talking to some of the other business owners. There were businesses large and small represented. A few were names that you might recognize like Buck Knives from Idaho, McIlhenny Company (makers of Tabasco Sauce) from Louisiana, and Airstream Trailers from Ohio. I'm really honored that they chose me to represent New Mexico! It was an honor! 

New Mexico Fiber Crawl

Once again, I'll be participating in the annual New Mexico Fiber Crawl!!

This great state-wide event is brought to you by the Española Valley Fiber Arts Center. 

In it's third year now, it covers even more communities and sites than ever.

"Join in our three-day 2019 New Mexico Fiber Crawl, Friday, May 17, through Sunday, May 19, to celebrate New Mexico’s rich fiber arts heritage and the people who make wonderful fiber creations. The New Mexico Fiber Crawl is an opportunity to explore fiber studios and farms, experience fiber demonstrations, attend special gallery and museum events, win prizes, and visit fiber arts shops. 

Whether you are a fiber enthusiast, a visitor, a friend or a collector, the 2019 New Mexico Fiber Crawl is a great way to discover and enjoy the world of fiber arts in Northern New Mexico. You’ll meet the weavers, knitters, spinners, felters, embroiderers and new media artists who are sharing their love of the fiber arts at this event. Plus, you’ll have a great time!"

You can find me on Saturday and Sunday at Vortex Yarns in Taos!

It's located at 218A Paseo del Pueblo Norte. Phone (575) 758-1241.

I'll have copies of my new book as well as straps, belts and other colorful things! 

To learn more about all the sites and events happening this weekend, find the printable map and schedule here: http://www.nmfibercrawl.org/sites-and-events