Barbara Schutzgruber – Storyteller & Weaver

Michigan League of Handweavers held their annual conference
in Holland Michigan June 9-14, 2023.
This year’s schedule included keynote speakers, seminars, workshops, guild exhibits,
plus juried exhibits for garments & accessories, fine art and functional art.

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Guild exhibits are always fun, interesting and a great place to get ideas for different ways to exhibit one’s work. This year’s theme was Bridging the Peninsulas with the suggestion of blue as the color palette. My part of the Ann Arbor Fiberarts Guild‘s entry was a table runner Straights of Mackinac inspired by an aerial view of the Straits of Mackinac (connecting Lake Michigan and Lake Huron) and the Mackinac Bridge (a suspension bridge spanning the Straits of Mackinac connecting the Upper and Lower peninsulas of the U.S. state of Michigan. Opened in 1957, the 5 mile/8 kilometer-long bridge is the longest suspension bridge between anchorages in the Western Hemisphere).

Just a few of the guild exhibits:

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I took a seminar by Linda Shevel
Comfortable, Stylish Slow Clothing, Wearable Art, Saori Inspired
The beauty of a person emerges when they are comfortable, natural, and true to self. Beauty in clothing arrives the same way. With fibers, threads and yarn, fabric is hand-woven for clothing that is unforced, pleasant, and enjoyable to wear. In this lecture we’ll discuss the design process, and you’ll see a variety Saori inspired tunics, tops, vests, dresses… participation in the fashion show is not required, but many garments will be available for you to try on if you’d like.

I came away with so many ideas for future projects!

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Dimensional Weaving with Martina Celerin was my choice for a 3 day workshop.
Students will be introduced to a tapestry style of weaving on a simple nail frame loom with pick up sticks (batons). Using reclaimed and recycled materials, many textures and structures will be incorporated and students will work outside of traditional weaving conventions. Participants may want to do some sketches and/or bring weaving ideas, or just let their piece evolve as they are weaving it.

Her work is amazing!!

We wove with multiple strands, mixing yarn types and weaving with non- conventional “yarns”.

We learned the Soumak weave technique, dimensional crochet to make yarn tufts, wrapping techniques for making free standing trees, added reclaimed beads, and experimented with needle felting to create free-standing creatures or objects.

Some people had ideas right from the start as to what they wanted to create.
Others (like me) let their tapestry evolve.

All the tapestries woven were creative and uniquely one-of-a-kind!

It was a great set of days filled with inspiration and creativity
which I will be playing with for many a project!