Monday, April 28, 2008


Ok, I finally have something for sale! It's only four items so far but within the next week I'll have some silk and flax dyed with sandalwood and cabbage!
Phew! Spinning and dyeing your own yarn takes so long. It always seems that there's not enough time in the day. So it was really nice to take a break and visit the farm where my mother-in-law grew up in Willows, Ca.





We discovered a library in one of their many old garages filled with HUNDREDS of books. And what did my mother-in-law say? Take whatever you want. We were like kids in a candy store. Books on boat making, book binding, old crochet and knitting books, lace books, loom and wheel construction books, jewelry making, sewing! It was amazing. It seems I married into a family after my own heart.







Tuesday, April 8, 2008

Intro:
Working my tail off over the past month is starting to pay off. Soon I will have finish products ready to sell and I can't wait to see them. One of the things I learned about myself in art school was how much I enjoyed finishing something. I love to just sit and stare at it, criticizing and glorifying every minute detail.


Chapter One:
"She says she's a slave to the details"

Hi. My name's Ruthie and this is my blog. I pursue many interests including but not limited to: knitting, spinning, sewing, baking, gardening, music, bicycles, and photography. I'm an art school dropout. I realize now that this is because I have a hard time just focusing on one thing.

Currently my energy has been invested in spinning and dyeing. I am pretty obsessed with learning how things are made and trying to make them better, more healthy for the environment (including for us humanoids), and more like something I would buy.
I am right in the midst of creating handspun, hand dyed yarns. I buy fibers from healthy, cruelty-free environments and all my natural dyes come from a fair-trade company.



Tussah silk is gathered after the silkworm has emerged from the cocoon.








A sportweight silk hank ready to be dyed.












Three hanks of merino ready to be dyed.








More fleece waiting to be combed.















mmm m mmm. Powdered Indigo extract.





So keep dropping by and check out my etsy shop. I should have some items for sale within the next couple of weeks.

rootandleaf