I published this yesterday, but found it seems not to have published after all! So here it is now.
Tuesday's Textiles and Tea was probably better suited as a podcast, nice spinner and weaver and teacher, Michaela McIntosh, chatting interestingly about other weavers, with few slides, but here they are.
She's holding up the scarf she's wearing, which she wove. Behind her is a favorite loom, but the wall tapestry is one she bought in South Africa as an inspiration, and aspiration, piece.
She also made some good points about giving handmade items. She's had the experience of spinning and weaving a piece as gift, to have it go unappreciated as "homemade"! She cautions only to give to people who know what they're getting. So it turns out there's a weave worthy category of people, as well as the knit worthy well known to knitters.
The episode was low-key, but I still felt like a bit of spinning after I saw her basket of yarn, so there's that, now that the Izzies are on their way and there's no immediate knitting. I'm still musing about the weaving of the skirt. I'm thinking of converting the panels, too, to another use.
Yesterday I baked as planned, half and half chickpea and AP flour, walnuts and cranberries. The chickpea flour adds a lot of protein, as well as a nice golden color.
That poetry anthology could be useful as a gift foe someone here, assuming that I can remember.
ReplyDeleteYou can check back in here!
DeleteI can't imagine not appreciating something someone made just for me. I'm pleased there were no more cosmic jokes!
ReplyDeleteA lot of people don't understand the work and focus and caring that goes into hand making a present. Those who do are worthy.
DeleteWhat is chickpea flour, do you make it from chickpeas or buy as it? JanF
ReplyDeleteI had tried grinding the dry chickpeas, but couldn't get it finer than meal. So I bought this from Bob's Red Mill, very finely ground.
DeleteI do love that poem! One of my favorites, honestly.
ReplyDeleteI have to tell you- I checked all day yesterday to see if you had posted. I was worried!
I thought I had! On my tablet it showed as published, on my phone, no, and I guess the phone won! I kept checking wondering why you hadn't commented, were you okay!
DeleteHave been so stung by the 'homemade equals cheapskate' reaction in the past that I rarely make things as gifts now - generally only in response to a request for a particular item. I have seen somewhere some personalized labels for handmade goods that point out the hours skill love and effort that went into the making (humorously) and paused... before moving right along.
ReplyDeleteI give strictly to people who need what I make, and know what they're getting. And to little kids who love Izzy dolls, don't care where they came from! When you're largely in the company of fiber people, it's hard to remember there are other people, maybe even among your relatives.
DeleteChickpea flour for a protein boost in baked goods -- fab idea! I'm going to look into it too.
ReplyDeleteIt's a very nice fine flour, probably best with another flour for gluten.
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ReplyDeleteThe colorful yarn looks lovely in the basket!
Most people I know, highly appreciate handmade items, particularly if the item is a gift.
You know good people!
DeleteOh, I remember reading those Millay poems. "A Few Figs From Thistles," I think was the book title...? I used to love her poetry in college but haven't read any for a while.
ReplyDeleteThis may be the only one of her poems I'm familiar with. I should read more.
DeleteI have never used chickpea flour. Hmmm…thanks for this, Boud.
ReplyDeleteI've used it in baked goods, to bind fritters, and other ways. I like it a lot.
DeleteAt no age should you put things off. Follow your bliss everyday I say because tomorrow is never promised
ReplyDeleteI agree, and grew up in a culture which taught the willing postponement of gratification. I now think that's a load of malarkey.
DeleteI've always been fascinating by weaving. I love the idea of the chickpea flour. I might even bake! We never ever know how many years, days, or minutes we have left. So it's a good idea to never put things off... unless it's out of pure idleness. We're allowed that every now and then.
ReplyDeleteI'm more along the lines of what? I did that yesterday! You might call it decisive. Or hasty, depending on results.
Deletegood for you. hope the visit went well a little girl is sleeping on me so cannot type much.
ReplyDeleteDear Mercy is making her mark!
DeleteThe poem struck a chord with me. I look forward to seeing more.
ReplyDeleteI'll bear that in mind.
DeleteI know both knit worthy and weave worthy. Thanks for the chuckle.
ReplyDeleteI've also run into spin worthy and not. Not was the lady who asked if she could hire me to spin for her!
DeleteThat's funny, people that are worthy of handmade.
ReplyDeleteWhen you know, you know!
DeleteAt least by providing my handknits to charities I’m not plagued by the ‘will they like it’ thoughts. Although I’ve had some recent disappointments with requests recently . A big no to them now.
ReplyDeleteYes, lesson learned!
DeleteMy mother and stepdad were like that; anything hand crafted was responded to with an unenthusiastic "oh," no matter how much time I'd spent on it and how nice it looked. My dad and stepmom, on the other hand, only wanted handmade gifts (I know because my dad even told me one time :). They were a joy to create for.
ReplyDeleteI used to do a lot of spinning demonstrating at historical events. Some people would pick up a hand dyed, handspun, handknit scarf and toss it aside saying, "I can get that at walmart.' My mind would scream after them 'NO YOU CAN'T!' But I kept my words to myself.
Really nice tradition about the book! Is it for your born-day birthday or another notable event? If belated birthday sentiments are appropriate, you've got 'em!
I've heard that Walmart type of comment. Oh well.
DeleteBirthday is yet to come, and wishes are gratefully received, thank you. Yes, the book is like a journal for nonjournalers in a way, a daily quiet time for focused thinking. I decided not to wait to start on the "right" day, just plunge in when it arrived.
The handmade gift thing is the main reason I wrote that piece for MDK last year. Hurt feelings - over gifts! - can last for years. Life is short, and so many pitfalls can be easily avoided.
ReplyDeleteYes, you did a cooperative thing where it wasn't a surprise, and the receiver had input. Great idea. I've done that with a couple of items I've made for Handsome Son. He chose the colors, style, I executed it. He uses them quite happily.
DeleteThe maker would also find out *immediately* - well before even beginning a project - whether a handmade gift was going to be cherished.
DeleteExactly! I thought that was an important underlying part of the first chat about it. You'll know!
DeleteAh, the age-old 'handmade' vs. 'homemade' dilemma. Only another creative person would grasp the difference. I've learned over the years to not get bent out of shape over whether a person uses, or appreciates, something I've made. I do my best and then bless it on the way to wherever it ends up, no hard feelings no matter what happens.
ReplyDeleteAs long as they're not insulting about it, yes, that's a way to go.
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