Calling All Angels
Dec. 29, 2014
I did it! I finished my very
first hand spun art yarn for Module One’s Journey to the Golden Fleece. Art
yarn is a one of a kind hand spun yarn textured thick and thin with uniquely
chosen materials added. Materials can be anything that inspires the artist,
beads, jewels, lace, locks, feathers etc.
In this Module, we were asked to
reflect on “The Call to Adventure.” The concept was to recognize the
point in my life when I was given notice that everything was going to change. I
wasn’t sure where to begin with this thought process. Did it mean the
recent or the distant changes of the past? Did this mean when I
discovered my love for the fiber arts or did this mean when I started my
artistic journey?
I decided that my questions would be
answered throughout this process and it was time to move onto my first weaving
adventure. We were asked to gather our supplies and identify techniques to
complete the spinning task. This was very difficult for me. I have
never spun my own yarn before and I chose to begin with a drop spindle. This
was a challenge! I just could not get the drop spindle I was using to work for
me. I watched every YouTube video available and studied so many tutorials
and how-to’s I lost count. They all made it look so easy and relaxing.
So far on this fiber journey I have set out on I have taught myself many
weaving techniques plus I have even set up my four harness Purrington Loom
using YouTube videos. All of it seemed quite easy but this spinning thing
just wasn’t working. I was beginning to hate the drop spindle and even
tossed it across the room once. Accidently of course!!!
Now, usually when I work in my
studio I feel that I have a special assistant. Actually that’s not true;
I have come to realize that, I am the assistant and I just do what my intuition
tells me. For example, when sewing, my favorite mantra is “sing to
me, Baby!” and the fabric will do what it is supposed to do. So yesterday
while
in my studio holding the drop spindle in my hands, shaking it and asking “what
is wrong with you?” a song started playing on my IPhone. It was
Calling All Angels, sung by Katie Lang and Jane Siberry. At that
moment I realized that I was not trusting my guides to help me with this
difficult task. I had been looking at my chosen fibers and additives of
crystals, angels, and mythical charms for weeks. Then, hearing this song
and thinking of what my Grandmother used to say to me “Kate, just wing it”, I
starting humming along and spinning the spindle and all of a sudden my hands
and fingers were just working together and the yarn started to form.
I’ve chosen to leave the
roving white because I am a so called virgin in the world of spinning. The
materials I added are sparkling crystals that represent the spirits around me
that guide me each day. I have also attached hand wrapped angel beads. So
you guessed it the name of this yarn is “Calling All Angels”. I have a
long way to go to learn this form of art but at least I took the first step.
So we shall see where this journey will take me.
Module Two….. “The Road of Trials”
-Kate