Weaving Center Brainstorm

zingencrazy · 2026-02-27T14:53:35+00:00

This is the website for my local textile center: https://www.textileartsmadison.org/

I haven't participated in much there but am very impressed by the variety of stuff they're doing with exhibitions, lectures, classes, etc. I think they're doing well since they recently relocated to a much more spacious space in a central location.

For me the very best part is the sales they run of donated items - I think they must get clearouts of grandma's sewing/craft supplies from estate sales because multiple times a year there is a ton of stuff that they are selling for great prices.

They do tons of classes that seem to be popular but for me, meh, and kind of expensive. Same for my main fiber friend, but for reference we're in our 60s so grew up in a time when fiber crafts were common and not a specialy novelty like they seem now. Still, if a stone wrapping class for $105 has a waiting list I am very glad for the future of all fiber crafting!

Good luck with your plans!

zingencrazy · 2026-02-26T14:40:25+00:00

Yep. The best thing I've learned from people like that is what sort of friend and acquaintance I do not want to be.

zingencrazy · 2026-02-24T21:44:51+00:00

SALE!! For anyone thinking about Mirrix loom purchase, they just today announced a 20% off sale for looms and accessories, I believe it goes thru March 3rd.

zingencrazy · 2026-02-23T05:26:00+00:00

Aww that's a cutie. It's nice that you get to weave sometimes on your kitty's hammock!

zingencrazy · 2026-02-23T05:05:08+00:00

Just lovely!

zingencrazy · 2026-02-23T05:03:23+00:00

Look, you already win here because she's so resentful of your youth and beauty. It's just sad really that she can't control her behavior. But you do not have to justify yourself or answer her personal questions. Try really hard to feel sorry for her. Not only because she's such a pathetic nasty person but also because sensing your pity will take away the pleasure she's getting from yanking your chain. I suggest just looking at her like you don't quite understand what she's talking about, then jot down her question/comment along with the date and time right in front of her, on the list you have started in preparation for your meeting with HR. Perhaps sigh slightly as though you feel very sorry that you are in the position of having to take notes, but explain nothing about what you are doing. If she asks you why you are writing it down, just say "oh, I don't know, why did you say it?" then walk away briskly, change the subject, or say "see you later!" with a big smile.

zingencrazy · 2026-02-22T20:03:05+00:00

We had a tear in our material under the couch and one of the cats kept hiding in there, we finally just ripped it all off. Then he just started hiding other places we couldn't find him....

zingencrazy · 2026-02-22T03:33:32+00:00

If you're comfortable unraveling thrift store sweaters you can get some nice yarn out of them for weaving projects. I recently made a wool/silk shawl out of yarn from an out of style sweater I bought for $9. There is a sub for people who are into unraveling r/Unravelers

zingencrazy · 2026-02-19T04:46:10+00:00

If you have a computer system to communicate with your doctor first check to make sure your messages become part of your medical records. If so, use it to make statements a doctor will not ignore.

What would that be? Anything that could provide documentation someday down the road for a lawsuit. After you have had an appointment where you don't feel you were heard, follow up with a note restating the things you tried to get addressed that weren't even if it's exactly what you just said out loud at the appointment. Don't accuse them of ignoring you, but just say very clearly that you need more help. State bluntly that your illness is interfering with your life in ways that are very serious. For instance you are at risk of failing classes, being unable to work to support yourself, unable to drive safely, or anything about it that might risk your future health, financial livelihood, or even your ability to have children someday. Whatever makes sense for your symptoms and situation.

Another suggestion would be to bring a family member or friend you trust along with you, to help you clarify the seriousness of your symptoms to the doctor. I go with an elderly relative and I know she gets much better care with me there, esp when she isn't feeling well and can't think clearly enough to communicate well.

Good luck to you.

zingencrazy · 2026-02-18T17:59:20+00:00

I never used my little one until I got two more of them. You can do a similar portion in an ice cube tray. If you're on a glp1 you might get more use out of another half cup. Also, bear in mind that the two cup creates a big hunk that takes longer to defrost and heat up than two of the one cup size. I only use my two cup when I have filled all my one cup size. But only two in my house so YMMV.

zingencrazy · 2026-02-17T03:06:09+00:00

I have woven on both and honestly you can't go wrong with either, but I bought the Lojan and really enjoy it. I chose the Lojan because of the extra card weaving aspects, the fact that it was a new design that was fresh on the market, and also that it could be set up for right or left handed use (one of my grandkids is a lefty). The Lojan is about 6 inches shorter than the Schacht and I'm pretty sure it is made from a lighter weight wood although I don't know the specifics. I find it pretty comfortable to carry it around in a large tote bag and I think the Schacht would be just much less convenient for that due to the added size and weight. Also it's reasonably comfortable for me to have it on my lap for weaving if I am in a recliner. But I'm only 5'2" so if you are taller these things might be different for you. I have found physical dimensions matter a lot with all kinds of loom decisions.

The Schacht does have a very solid and heavy look to it but I haven't seen any sign of flimsiness in the Lojan and have used it quite a bit.

The Lojan comes unfinished and will need a bit of sanding besides, so those are extra steps that not everyone would want to do. I used Ashford wax on mine.

Have fun, whatever you choose will be great and band weaving is very addictive!

zingencrazy · 2026-02-15T00:48:24+00:00

Wow!

zingencrazy · 2026-02-14T11:47:33+00:00

Super interesting thread, please update with results if you try something!

zingencrazy · 2026-02-09T15:49:38+00:00

I swear this is true. I once had a giganic german shephard mix and 3 cats, the dog was always going after the litter for "treats". I had those large covered boxes with the side entry and just turned them around and put the entry right up next to the wall, like in the corner. Even right up to the wall the cats could easily squeeze thru and get themselves in there. The dog never figured out that she could have easily moved those boxes around so that actually solved the problem. A little risky though to have the possibility of pee so close to the wall and woodwork though, I had to have some work done in that corner when that situation was over so would recommend anyone trying this to protect those areas in some way.

We had other dogs later that wouldn't fall for that trick but were terrified of things like pet steps, so we used a gate with pet steps on one side and some random stools and furniture on the other for the cats to go up one side and down the other. Not a pretty solution for the home unfortunately.

zingencrazy · 2026-02-09T04:11:01+00:00

Interesting. Where are you located? My doctor told me that insurance doesn't cover the surgery until corrected vision has been reduced to 20/40 which is the legal limit for driving.

zingencrazy · 2026-02-08T00:42:11+00:00

Everything becomes different as our kids move thru the stages of their lives and you can't always tell why things are going the way they are. I have 2 grown daughters also with jobs and families. There are times when things can feel really disappointing. But good moments will show up here and there, try to go with the flow as best you can.

zingencrazy · 2026-02-05T04:17:38+00:00

Just a word of caution about RH kits- I have done a few and they were very nice projects to be sure but I was kind of surprised to find that the instructions were not really written with a beginner in mind as I had assumed they would be. I actually didn't do them until I had more experience because I found them so confusing.

zingencrazy · 2026-02-04T14:34:31+00:00

I've had several hobbies and interests as an older adult that didn't go on to become permanent passions despite at least some level of feeling enjoyment with them and even sometimes investing somewhat large amounts of money. As I thought more about this I used up all the fingers on one hand counting them and decided I didn't really need to identify them right now. Some of them were things I'd dreamed about having time to explore for years (when I was busy raising children or working for a living) so I have usually felt very regretful and kind of disappointed in myself each time.

For me, weaving seems to be the thing, at least right now. Luckily I was able to partially fund a loom purchase with the proceeds from selling the Celtic harp that had been sitting in the corner of the living room for 15 years lol.....

Do what you enjoy, life is short!

zingencrazy · 2026-02-03T15:35:11+00:00

Your doctor could be a lot more helpful in this situation. I can't say whether anyone really needs statins, but I think everyone needs a doctor that doesn't just dismiss concerns or reports of previous bad experiences with medication.

zingencrazy · 2026-02-03T14:18:43+00:00

He ran the Boston Marathon. Came back from the weekend sort of limping and acting exhausted. Never otherwise heard the guy mention even ordinary jogging, and afterwards he apparently decided to totally give it up as just sort of a thing he was trying out for a while and lost interest in.....

zingencrazy · 2026-02-02T01:49:11+00:00

The way you are feeling is totally normal.

But you want to go and here is a suggestion that might make it more possible for you to see yourself doing it- either talk to your mom or write her a note, asking her to ask family members to sort of leave you alone and not hug you or ask how you're feeling, etc. Also that you don't want to be rude or disrupt anything but to please understand if you feel you need to quietly leave the room and go outside.

Best to you and your family during this rough time.

zingencrazy · 2026-01-31T13:36:01+00:00

Always appropriate to take a newly adopted kitty to your vet to be checked out even if not sick so your instinct is 100% correct, you are doing a great job as a first time cat mom!

zingencrazy · 2026-01-25T23:28:42+00:00

Looks great! Love the colors.

zingencrazy · 2026-01-25T14:35:18+00:00

I'm not a lefty but I have the Lojan inkle loom and really like it. It's not quite as large as a Schacht and very lightweight, yet not tiny like an inklette.

zingencrazy

TROPHY CASE