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Beginning Weaving Classes Near Me

Are you searching for a colourful afternoon of artistry and craft?

Travelling the islands of coastal BC is an inspiration to your inner artist. The rich colours and whimsical weather patterns are a muse to local artists.Locals love to capture this ever-changing landscape through a variety of mediums. 

Weaving is an enjoyable craft that beginners and artists of any aptitude can venture into easily. With the help of a guide and a ready-set loom, you can create your own hand-made souvenir. 

SAORI Weaving Workshops on Salt Spring Island are a natural vacation activity. Our studio in the woods is a great place to get quiet and hear the inspiration from within. Explore weaving as a meditation or as a fun group social activity. The SAORI tools, yarns, warps, books, equipment are here for you to try and SAORI handwovens to inspire your new or next project.

Contact us today to book a Beginner Weaving Workshop on Salt Spring Island: 

  • Private Lessons: Weave something beautiful to take home with you in a 2-hour class, whether you have woven before or not.  A few simple instructions will get you started. There are endless possibilities to explore. Visit our bookings page.
  • Group Lessons: Designed for families, friends, vacation activity, business/corporate team building, inquire for a custom workshop. 

Honeysuckle Cottage B&B
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Changes coming to the SAORI Salt Spring Studio!

As of November this year, my teaching studio will be moved into Honeysuckle Cottage! This means there will be more space for weaving, a sewing room, a bathroom and full kitchen. We will still be in the woods, with a beautiful deck to enjoy.

Honeysuckle Cottage B&B

Honeysuckle Cottage – soon to be the SAORI Salt Spring Studio space

The current studio space on the property will be converted into a SAORI “store” where you will find an array of warps, yarns, books, equipment and woven items for sale on display. You’ll also be able to try out the “specialty” looms in the store including the WX90 (a 36” SAORI loom), a 4-harness loom and the Piccolo loom.

For those coming on retreat (which of course I will still be hosting) there is a B&B next door to us at Bloom Organic (at the Blue Horse Gallery) with 2 different suites available. The neighbour on the other side is Bird’s Hill Cottage and their B&B will accommodate up to 5 people. Both are a short walk from the studio, so you’ll still be able to wander over to the studio anytime. As with all my retreats the studio will be open early and late (8 am  to 8 pm) for extra weaving time.

Other accommodations in the area include Angel Cottage, Magnolia Petal, Quarrystone Inn, Soul Reflection B&B and many more. You can also find many listings and availability on the accommodations website at www.saltspringaccommodation.ca.

I’m looking forward to this new adventure and to seeing you here on the island!

 

To book a workshop or retreat, please have a look at my calendar here and information on classes and retreats.

(See my entire Autumn 2018 newsletter here).

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Loom Dancer Weaving Odysseys – August 2015

What an amazing two weeks!

It started with Karen coming early to spend some time on retreat and learning more about SAORI weaving and assisting with preparation for the workshops.

The first day is a tour of Salt Spring Island – my studio, Ewetopia Farm, the Gulf Islands Spinning Mill and then Seaside Kitchen for lunch.

Ewetopia Farm

Gulf Islands Spinning Mill

Then it’s off to the wineries, the brewery, Salt Spring Cheese, the Bread Lady, etc. for a real ‘Taste of Salt Spring’.

On Friday, the weaving began … it continued right through until Monday afternoon with a break on Saturday for a visit to the Salt Spring Saturday Market.

The people, the weaving, the enthusiasm and creativity of both groups was outstanding. Definitely one of the highlights of my year!

Both tours were sold out with 10 people in each, plus Cari & Karen, so we had full studios…

The studio at Harbour House

The studio at Mineral Springs Resort

On the final day, Lynn Jones came over to share some of her clothing designs. A fashion show gave new inspiration as we also demoed how to create the origami-style clothes.

 

We looked at patterns from the books. Kenzo-san always says the writing may be Japanese, but the pictures are in English 🙂 So we took some examples and did paper folding to help understand how the cloth is folded, cut and sewn.

 

The finales were spectacular!

August 5- 11 at Harbour House

August 12-18 at Mineral Springs Spa

Thanks to each person who came. Please keep in touch – I’d love to see where SAORI takes you. A special thanks to Cari for her vision and organization. Many of the people have been on other tours with Loom Dancer Weaving Odysseys and I can certainly see why. And thanks again to Karen and Lynn for all of their help at the workshop.

Cari Malver, Loom Dancer Weaving Odysseys

Note: Many photos of the weaving can be found on my Facebook page and Instagram account

Happy Weaving,
Terri

My website: www.saorisaltspring.com

And thanks to Rufus – the Loom Dancer mascot 🙂

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SAORI Salt Spring at The Workshop @ Pacifica

 

This past weekend I took 6 new looms over to The Workshop @ Pacifica in Brentwood Bay, Victoria.

 

We have set up a wonderful, waterfront workshop space to be a home for these looms.

The Workshop @ Pacifica in Brentwood Bay

 

I will be offering classes and workshops and we are also working on some drop-in times and loom rentals so that people in the Victoria area can continue on their SAORI weaving journey.

 

Paddling, of course, is also an option at special club member rates. Take some time to paddle at lunch or after your weaving or bring a friend who wants to get out on the water while you weave.

You can also enjoy a paddle

 

The Workshop @ Pacifica is focussing on creativity, health and balance. SAORI weaving will be part of this sharing. I’m so excited!

You can follow The Workshop @ Pacifica on Facebook to see photos, new course offerings and more.

Out on the deck enjoying the sun and water

 

Please see my Workshop page for times and classes.

Registration for all workshops at Pacifica are through me, so please call or email me.

Happy Weaving,
Terri

My website: www.saorisaltspring.com

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Weaving Connections

As many of you know already I had an extended trip to New Zealand recently. It was wonderful to reconnect with family and friends there and also to enjoy some springtime weather while winter was approaching on Salt Spring Island.

 

Another thing that I was able to do while I was in New Zealand was to connect with a few weavers and other textile people.

We ended up unexpectedly going through Ashburton – the home of Ashford – spinning wheels, fibres, rigid heddle looms and more. We were lucky enough to get a personal tour of the factory by Richard Ashford himself! There was also a fibre retreat happening there and I got to stop in and see what they were up to. A great stop…and of course I bought some yarn.

 

I was also introduced here to Black Hills Fibre – beautiful naturally coloured fibres!

Next, we went through Hokitika, home to a Sock Knitting Machine museum and a small mill. We had a bit of a look there, bought some yarn 🙂

We were driving in the Nelson area and came across a weaver’s shop and stopped in for a look. A great collaboration between a woodworker and weaver – Joint Works Studio – in Ruby Bay. I bought a little loom, and a beautiful scarf woven by the late Anne Field (the weaver’s mother!).

 

 

 

Next stop, Nelson – to visit Meg in Nelson – writer of the blog Unravelling! What a treat to meet her – we had a look at her studio and looms, talked about the SAORI philosophy (she had been to a workshop with Kaz in Australia), and had so many laughs 🙂 Thanks Meg – so great to meet you!!

 

We also stopped by WOW – The World of Wearable Art Museum – didn’t have a chance to go through it, but had a look at the shop and the catalogue. Wow indeed, some crazy wearable art!

 

Then on the North Island we visited with Louise Cook – who has just opened the first SAORI studio in New Zealand – WeaveYourself. Back in 2011, I taught a 2-day SAORI workshop at Majacraft (thanks to Glynis & Owen!). Louise was in the class and bought the SAORI loom that I had shipped there for the workshop. After weaving SAORI style for some time, Louise went to Japan to learn more. She has now opened her studio. Welcome to the SAORI Global network Louise!

 

Up on the Coromandel Peninsula we drove past a sign that said “Textiles”. Of course we had to turn around and go back to check out the shop. This shop was the home of Raewyn Penrose – a felter. We talked about felting and weaving and our shared love of textiles and we exchanged cards. By the time I got to my next stop I had an email from Raewyn and her husband Ian. It turns out that they have been talking with Fiona Duthie from Salt Spring about workshops in New Zealand. Small world.

On returning home, I learned about another SAORI connection that I wanted to share with you. Loop of the Loom in New York has partnered with SAORI Hiroba (a non-profit arm of SAORI in Japan that works a lot with people with disabilities) to launch a Kickstarter campaign. They plan to pair a weaver from Japan with a New York designer to create some unique one-of-a-kind clothing designs. They are still working to reach their goal – I’ve pledged to help – any small amount adds up quickly!

 

I love all these weaving and fibre connections!

And now, back to my home studio, inspired…

Happy Weaving,
Terri

My website: www.saorisaltspring.com

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Loom Dancer

With much anticipation and excitement, the Loom Dancer Weaving Odyssey on Salt Spring is now in full swing. Today is Salt Spring Market day and so all are off for a day of visiting artists and farmers at the market.

We’ve done so much already, starting with a tour of the SAORI Salt Spring studio in the woods…

 

A tour of Ewetopia Farm and Elf Leatherworks…

 

and then off to the Gulf Islands Spinning mill, lunch at Seaside Kitchen and a tour of the wineries, brewery, cheese farms and more. A full day!

I was busy in the afternoon, with Alan, setting up the studio at Harbour House Hotel…

 

Yesterday, the weaving began…

 

And continued through the day. We even had visitors try it out…

 

And the weaving continues Sunday and Monday as well – but here is a small selection of the many beautiful colours and textures so far…

 

 

 

Lots more weaving and photos to come. Stay tuned to my Facebook page and Instagram also…

Happy Weaving,
Terri

My website: www.saorisaltspring.com

 

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SAORI Weaving @ Citizen Clothing

I was invited to share two SAORI workshops at Citizen Clothing in Victoria once again. I loaded up the van with 6 looms, yarn, roving, treasure, chairs, shuttles and all the rest….

and headed to Victoria. On Saturday we had a SAORI Kai at Knotty by Nature (more on that in another post) and then Sunday was the workshop day. Metka brought snacks and we set up for the day…

 

 

Some people had taken my previous class and some hadn’t woven before – but all created some wonderful SAORI weaving. 13 new weavings in all!!

So much inspiration…

 

 

Each one so different. I so love sharing SAORI!!

Thanks again to Metka for organizing the workshop and setting everything up and to Patrick for the use of the great space. And of course to all the weavers who came to play!

Happy Weaving,
Terri

My website: www.saorisaltspring.com

 

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My trip to Japan

Two weeks in Japan! Two weeks of SAORI inspiration! Two weeks with my friend Laura (of SAORI Studio LA)! What a wonderful time I had.

I have been trying for 4 years to get back to Japan and I finally made it. So much fun, so much SAORI – but I wish I could have stayed longer!

Imagine – an anniversary party for SAORI no Mori with over 100 people attending – all wearing SAORI. Wow.

Seeing Misao Jo again – now at 101 years old and many of the Jo families – generations of SAORI weavers. Also meeting other weavers and staff at the studio – all such wonderful, warm and fun people!

 

Learning more about SAORI, weaving, a clothing design class with the master clothing designer Masako and more.

I’ve been posting lots of photos on Instagram and Facebook and have neglected the blog. Apologies!

The Blossom Banner created at the Blossom Festival and finished at the studio has headed off to Hiroshima for SAORI Peace Weave 2014.

I’m now back at home, at my studio and looking forward to a SAORI Kai, SAORI workshops, classes and retreats including the Loom Dancer Weaving Odyssey retreat here in July with 10 people!

I’ll be writing more often – see you soon.

Happy Weaving,
Terri

PS – you can also read my newsletters linked on the right column of this blog or subscribe to them to get them in your eMailbox

My website: www.saorisaltspring.com

 

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Inspiration in Japan

I am currently in Japan for 2 weeks of SAORI inspiration. I will post photos when I’m home, but in the meantime you can see some images on my Facebook page – www.Facebook.com/saorisaltspring. (Note: you don’t have to sign in or be part of FB to see the images.)

Happy weaving
Terri

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