Friday, March 26, 2010

Why Blog

It seems like ages since I last wrote. This year has felt so different. Time has moved so rapidly. I am now visiting my 91 year old mother on the East Coast, so I am away from my computer, looms and images. I did bring 15 cashmere sweaters with me (actually I shipped them ahead), so I would have a lovely project to work on with mom.

On the plane (besides sleeping) I thought a lot about Weaving Spirit, where it has taken me and in what direction I want to go. Stepping away from my studio allows me time to reflect. Why did I begin blogging 3 incredibly short years ago? The answer was simple. A woman emailed me and said, "I read about you on Sara Lamb's blog, and I would like to buy a horoscope weaving." Well, I was instantly hooked. 1. Blogging is a selling tool.

For years I had been urging myself to write. 2. Blogging is a good way to flex and strengthen the writing "muscle".

What I discovered, much to my delight is 3. Blogging creates "the spiral of creativity". Rather than taking time away from my loom, blogging seemed to urge me on. I take a picture of what is on the loom, put it up on the blog, and then I would have to race back to the loom to complete the project so that I could take a picture of it and put it on the blog (or at least that is how it was for the first couple years).

Another exciting discovery is that I have been able to not only connect with weavers from around the world, but 4. to act as a source of inspiration to weavers who do not have the luxury of a weaving guild and other weavers close by.

This is as far as I have gotten in my reflecting on "Why Blog?" If I have missed anything, please don't hesitate to remind me.

Oh, I almost forgot! 5. My readers have been a source of inspiration to me, for which I am deeply grateful. (toothy grin)

8 comments:

Trixie Mayhem said...

Have you ever read about morning pages from The Artist's Way? I think you'd find some of what you're describing in there too.

I agree with you, though: connection, recording, resulting clarity. It's such a multiply useful thing.

Cate Rose said...

Keep at it Bonnie. Everything you said, I second. Blogging is the best way I know of to share ourselves and our art with the world.
Have a good trip!

Peg in South Carolina said...

Reflection is a good thing. Thank you. Now, if only my body would let me get back to work so that I have something weaving-related to blog about! I have 1300 more heddles to thread. Can't do it till shoulder is full healed and carpal tunnel syndrome is fully healed. Sigh...........

UniquelymeNana said...

I am so inspired by reading both of your blogs Bonnie. I am a disabled veteran ( I suffered a TBI/tramatic brain injury while serving. I can no longer work but had to keep busy. I started knitting again, then branched out and took to spinning like a duck to water. I've been spinning almost 3 yrs. and will teach my first 2 classes this fall. I purchased a used 4- harness Gilmore loom in May 2009 and warped it. I had my 2- actual learning how to weave lesson on 3/25/10. I love it!!!!!!! On 3/26/10 I went to fabric store and purchased some Sulky "Holoshimmer in a multi color and Sulky Sliver Metallic in Opalescent". Because I love to experiment with different things. Needless to say I am loving the results I am getting on my sample piece. I am weaving a twill with straight 1,2,3,4 heddle threading and love it!! One o my next projects will be to try your horoscope shawl. But I think I would like to try it using a thicker bamboo yarn. Your work is awesome and I am truly inspirec when I see all the beautiful colors that you combine. Thanks so much for sharingyour talents and tips you are truly blessed!

Connie Peterson said...

You blog to inspire the rest of us!!!

tommye said...

I found your blog through a link at Alice Schelin's -- glad I came here!
I share most of your reasons for blogging noted. I've learned a lot about myself and my work through writing and sharing through it. I'm at http://tapestry13.blogspot.com

Dorothy said...

Hi Bonnie, I enjoy your blog.

I like seeing the many different approaches to weaving on many different blogs I read, and I like to write my own blog and be part of some kind of an international weaving community.

Meg said...

We do!