inspiration

Fallen out of love with weaving?

If you’re feeling uninspired by your weaving lately — or wondering where the passion went, know that you’re not alone. Every creative journey has its ebbs and flows. You’re just not feeling it lately, I get it. But does this mean that you have fallen out of love with weaving?

I want to assure you that it’s very natural to have periods of time where you just don’t feel motivated to weave. For some people it will be a few days long, for others it will be “my loom is in the back of the closet” long!

Taking a break from weaving is absolutely fine and sometimes it’s really necessary. But I feel very sad when someone tells me they are giving up altogether. I feel that, with the right tools, information and motivation, most weavers can reset and get their weaving mojo back.

Today I’m going to take you through a few ideas and mental exercises that may be just what you need to get re-started.

Take a Trip Down Memory Lane

It doesn’t really matter whether you’ve been weaving for a shorter or longer time, these methods apply to all weavers.

I want you to think about the time leading up to, and beginning to weave for the first time. Cast your mind back and consider these questions:

What drew you to weaving in the first place?
What were your first projects like?
What excited you most back then?

Now I want you to write down the words and/or phrases you would use to describe those early feelings. Think of it as a brain dump – you can write whatever emotions you remember feeling at that time, both positive and negative.

I’m going to share my list of words with you as an example, but please use the words that apply best to you.

My Words and Phrases

Happiness, joy, intrigue, fascination, wonder, disbelief, enraptured, amazed, hopeful, confused, frustrated, curious, excitement, immersion, something to look forward to, dreamy.

Now that we have a list, first highlight the words you would consider to be negative. Choose 3 of those words. We’re going to look at those negatives in a different way to turn them into positives:

Felt Then	Positive Outcome
Confused	Learning and understanding, clarity
Frustrated	Patience, learning through further research
Overwhelmed	Slowing down, one step at a time

Now we’ll take a look at the rest of the words and again, choose 3 to work with. This time think about how that positive emotion has contributed to your overall weaving journey, and where it has allowed you to get to.

Felt Then	Where it took me
Fascination	A habit of curiosity and interest
Hopeful	Kept me going when it was hard
Immersion	Allowed to expand my skills

The point of this exercise is to remind you of the positives surrounding your creative journey and to illustrate that even the perceived negatives have a necessary place in learning.

Why Do We Lose Enthusiasm?

There are so many reasons why we might find ourselves at a point of thinking we have fallen out of love with weaving. Some reasons may include:

Repetitiveness leading to boredom

Pressure to be productive or guilt that you’re not using your loom/s

Comparison or perfectionism

Lack of time/energy

Not knowing what to weave next

Poor health or chronic illness

Sometimes you need to go backwards in order to go forwards. That is why we did the exercise of words and emotions, it’s a strong reminder of you as a newbie weaver.

Practical Ideas to Reignite Joy

Here are a few ideas that can help to kickstart a little reset and have you feel that joy for weaving like you used to:

Try a new technique
Make a gift that blesses someone you love
Weave with a child or a friend
Reorganize your yarn stash—rediscover old favourites and donate what you don’t intend to use
Set up your loom just for play—no outcome required. A sample is perfect or maybe an arty wallhanging.
Take a fun quiz to give you a fresh perspective
Watch inspiring weaving videos or documentaries
Join a weaving challenge or class

Student Wisdom

I asked some students of the Online Weaving School to share their own thoughts and advice when it comes to the concept of falling out of love with weaving.

Inga has some great advice about acceptance:

“I know that falling out of love with weaving (or any craft) will happen. I also know the spark will come back, so I try not to sweat it if I’m in a slump. I have everything I need to jump right back in as soon as the spark hits.“

Gai had some wonderful ideas about keeping the spark alive in a small way when you can’t be working on bigger things:

“I had never used a pin loom before, but this loom arrived when I was at the start of a year-long health issue that left me, both physically and mentally, unable to use my RH or inkle looms. This little loom took no effort to warp and weave, and I believe it kept me sane during a very difficult time. I literally made hundreds of 4” squares during this time, beginning with just random squares in any colour wool or cotton that I laid hands on.

The humble pin loom kept me in the creative realm by giving me something new, simple and undemanding to do and, I believe, it inspired me to explore even more on my other looms when I was able to start weaving on them again.“

Katie found that the rediscovery of a special yarn she had purchased as a new weaver, plus discovering another beautiful alpaca yarn to go with it, was the perfect solution to getting out of a weaving rut.

“I found that, for me, even switching out my choice of fiber could jump start the creative process again!”

Are You Ready to Fall Back in Love With Weaving?

Consider the possibility that you haven’t lost your love for weaving—it’s just waiting for you to notice it again, perhaps from a different angle. The spark is still there and can be reignited.

I hope this article has helped or inspired you to consider ways that you might fall back in love with weaving!

Until next time…

Happy Weaving!

Is Talent or Knowledge More Important? The Real Answer Might Surprise You!

by Kelly 12 Comments

Is talent or knowledge more important? Or is there something else that helps us achieve our goals?

We love to talk about talent.
From a young age, we’re told that some people are “naturally gifted”—as if success in life, art, or work hinges on whether you were lucky enough to be born with a certain spark.

But is talent really the guaranteed key to success?
What about knowledge—what you learn and earn through experience?
Or is there something even more powerful than both?

Here’s the truth: Talent and knowledge both fall short without one essential trait.

And that trait is curiosity.

Talent Sounds Glamorous… But It’s Not Enough

Let’s be honest: talent can feel like a shortcut. When we see someone do something effortlessly—whether it’s painting, singing, coding, or crafting, weaving—it’s tempting to believe they were just born that way.

But talent alone doesn’t build skill. It doesn’t guarantee growth.
In fact, people who rely solely on talent often plateau early. They avoid challenges that might expose their limits, and they may never learn how to push through difficulty.

Talent is a wonderful gift to be given, but on its own it doesn’t necessarily go anywhere. Talent must be driven, challenged and honed.

Knowledge is Powerful, But Passive

On the other side, we have knowledge—something we can all gain over time.
Books, courses, teachers, and life itself give us endless opportunities to learn. And yes, knowledge matters. Deeply.

But knowledge without application? That’s just trivia.
Knowing how something should work doesn’t mean you’ll actually do the work, or that you’ll keep going when it gets hard or boring.

Just like talent, knowledge requires a driving force to be put into action.

So What Really Drives Success?

Curiosity!
It’s the overlooked secret behind talent and hard work.
It’s the thing that gets you started and keeps you going.

Curiosity is what makes you:

Ask questions others aren’t asking
Try something new without fear of failure
Dive deep into a topic or craft without being pushed
Stick with it, not because you “have to” but because you want to know more
Be willing to see out a project and learn from it, even if it’s difficult

It turns learning into a game. Practice into play. Repetition into discovery.

Why Curiosity Beats Both Talent and Knowledge

Let’s break it down:

Trait	Strength	Limitation
Talent	Gives a head start	Fades without effort
Knowledge	Builds understanding	Stagnates without action
Curiosity	Fuels both learning and effort	Leads to progress regardless of starting point

Curiosity is active. It doesn’t wait for perfect timing or permission.
It creates momentum—and momentum is what moves you forward, even when you feel stuck or unsure.

My Experience: How Curiosity Carried Me

In my own creative journey, I’ve had seasons where I felt untalented.
And times when I had no idea what I was doing.
But what I did have was an inner spark—the drive to figure things out. To try. To explore. To keep going, not because I had all the answers, but because I was curious.

That’s what has made the biggest difference.
Not talent. Not perfect knowledge. But the willingness to learn, fail, adjust, and try again.

A curious person sees the barriers, they acknowledge the reasons to not persist, but they brush them aside and forge ahead.

When you’re curious it doesn’t matter how you learn, it just matters that you do.

So many times in my weaving journey I have almost convinced myself that I’m not talented enough, not smart enough, that I’ll never be able to learn this new technique or weave structure.

But that driving force keeps driving me forward, it replaces the lack of talent or knowledge with determination and eventually (sometimes a long time later!) I achieve the goal.

What This Means for You

If you’ve ever thought:

“I’m not talented enough”
“It seems so easy for others”
“I don’t know enough”
“I’m too far behind/ too old to start”

Let me gently challenge you.

Ask yourself instead: “What am I curious about?”
That single question can shift everything.

Because curiosity doesn’t care where you begin. It only cares that you begin.
And that’s where real growth lives—not in being perfect, but in being interested enough to keep going.

Final Thought

Talent may open a door. Knowledge may show you where it leads.
But curiosity? Curiosity gets you to turn the handle and walk through it.

Ready to Explore Your Curiosity?

Download my free 7-Day Creative Exploration Journal Prompter and start following your curiosity—one small step at a time.

ʘ Click here to get the printable journal sent to your inbox.

You’ll also get occasional emails with tips, inspiration, and behind-the-scenes from my creative world.

Now I’d love to hear from you:
Have you ever followed your curiosity into something unexpected or life-changing?
What’s something you’ve always wanted to explore, even if you’re not “naturally good” at it?

So, what has your experience been? Has curiosity played a big role in your life? Or has something else been your driving force?

Let me know in the comments, I love to hear from you and share experiences!

Until next time…

Happy Weaving!

What is a weaver? (Hint: It’s About More Than Making Cloth)

by Kelly 7 Comments

When you think of a weaver, what comes to mind? Someone sitting at a loom, throwing the shuttle back and forth, quietly creating cloth from yarn? That’s true—but it’s only the beginning.

After years immersed in the world of weaving—teaching, learning, and connecting with thousands of weavers—I’ve come to realize that being a weaver is as much about who you are as what you make.

I’ve been pondering the question “What is a weaver?” Does weaving shape who we are or do we shape the way we weave?

Here are my thoughts on the heart of a weaver:

A Weaver Is Generous

Weavers are givers. You’ll rarely meet a weaver who hasn’t gifted their handmade creations to friends, family, neighbors, or total strangers. Whether it’s a handwoven tea towel, a scarf, or something as intricate as a baby blanket, their joy is in the giving.

But the generosity doesn’t stop with finished pieces. Many weavers freely share their time, knowledge, and experience with others. It’s a craft rooted in community.

Many weavers are involved in charitable organisations. They may weave tiny blankets for babies born early, or weave prayer shawls as part of their church ministry. Some will weave and sell items so they can then donate to their favourite charities.

A Weaver Is Curious

Weavers love to learn. Whether it’s trying a new technique, exploring color combinations, or diving into historical weave structures, curiosity is a common thread.

Weaving is full of possibilities, and a weaver is always asking, “What if?” “Can I bend that rule?” “What will happen if I change this?”

A Weaver Is Patient

Weaving takes time. A lot of time.

Warping the loom, threading heddles, sleying the reed, fixing mistakes—it all requires focus and patience. Many weavers spend long hours in solitude, and it shows in their calm, centered presence. The process itself often becomes a form of quiet meditation.

If you consider yourself and impatient person, does that mean that weaving won’t suit you? Of course not! Weaving will help you develop patience naturally as you work to achieve your goals.

A Weaver Is a Problem Solver

Tangled warp? Uneven tension? A threading error discovered ten inches into your cloth?

Weavers are skilled at troubleshooting and adapting. The craft naturally develops resilience and creativity. A weaver rarely gives up—they pause, reflect, and try again.

If a weaver cannot figure something out they strive to find out more. Online communities have been a wonderful support for many weavers.

A Weaver Is Willing to Share

The weaving community is one of the most open and supportive I’ve ever known.

Whether online or in person, weavers are always ready to lend a hand, offer advice, or cheer you on. Ask a question in a weaving group, and you’ll get answers, encouragement, and maybe even a photo tutorial or links to further resources!

A Weaver Is Passionate

Once weaving grabs your heart, it doesn’t let go.

Weavers are deeply connected to their craft. Yarn, texture, structure—it’s more than just a hobby. Many weavers describe it as a lifelong journey of discovery, challenge, and joy.

So… What Is a Weaver?

A weaver is someone who turns threads into cloth—but more than that, a weaver is:

A generous spirit
A curious mind
A patient soul
A creative problem solver
A passionate maker
A thoughtful giver
And a valuable part of a rich, global community

If you’re just starting your weaving journey, welcome. You’re joining a long line of extraordinary makers who don’t just weave cloth—they weave meaning, kindness, and connection into everything they create.

To put it really simply, weavers make the world a better place ❤️

Want to Join the Weaving Community?

If this post resonates with you, you might already be a weaver at heart. Browse my Youtube channel, sign up for a class, or subscribe to my newsletter for inspiration, patterns, and tips sent straight to your inbox.

Until next time…

Happy Weaving!

Feeling Stuck? 5 Quick 10-Minute Fixes to Break Through Your Weaving Plateau

by Kelly Leave a Comment

Have you ever sat down at your loom and just… stared at it?

You want to weave. You love weaving. But nothing’s sparking your creativity, and everything feels like too much effort.

You’re not alone. Every weaver hits a plateau now and then. Sometimes it’s not enough time or decision fatigue. Maybe it’s a busy time in your life and the creative energy is lacking. Or maybe you just feel a little bored with the whole thing!

The good news? You don’t need to overhaul your whole setup, buy new equipment or start a huge new project to get inspired again.

Here are five quick, low-pressure ideas that take just 10 minutes—but can completely shift your mindset and help you fall back in love with weaving.

1. Switch Up Your Yarn or Color Combo

Sometimes all it takes to reignite your excitement is a little color play. Spend 10 minutes digging through your stash and pull out 3–5 yarns you wouldn’t usually use together—bold contrasts, unexpected textures, or that one skein you’ve been “saving.”

Lay them out, snap a photo, or warp up a quick sample. A fresh palette can open up a whole new direction.

Tip: Look for color inspirations – they are everywhere! In nature, manmade objects, you will even see color when you close your eyes 😀 Try taking inspiration from the color wheel and explore some basic color theory.

2. Test a New Weave Structure (On a small scale)

Trying something new doesn’t have to mean committing to a large project. Choose a weave structure or technique you’ve been curious about—like waffle weave, finger controlled techniques, or krokbragd—and do a tiny sample on a new or leftover warp.

Ten minutes of experimentation can be just the spark you need.

Tip- For small project ideas, check out this list.

3. Weave a Just-for-Fun Project

Give yourself permission to weave just because. A mini coaster, mug rug, or bookmark can be finished quickly and without pressure—and often leads to surprising bursts of creativity.

Don’t overthink it. Choose whatever yarns catch your eye, and just go.

Tip- If you’re time poor, check out the principles of the 10 Minute Rule and see if it’s something that could be beneficial in your life.

4. Refresh Your Creative Space

It may sound simple, but cleaning up your weaving space has a powerful mental effect. In just 10 minutes you can:

Clear away old yarn scraps and tools, sweep or vacuum the floor
Do a brief declutter or put things away to create a sense of space
Add a plant, vase of flowers, photo, or anything that makes you smile

Weaving is as much about mindset as it is about materials—and a tidy, inviting space can make all the difference. A cluttered room makes a cluttered mind!

5. Revisit a Favorite Pattern — But Change One Thing

Remember that pattern or project you loved making? Try it again—but switch up one element. Change the colors, yarn weight, or sett. Add stripes. Try a different finishing technique.

Familiar patterns offer a safe, low-stress way to explore something with a new twist.

Need inspiration? Browse my Pattern Store or check out some student work to see how they made the patterns their own.

*The Stepping Up Scarf PDF Pattern for rigid heddle weavers*

Feeling stuck doesn’t mean you’re doing anything wrong—it just means your creative brain needs a reset. These 10-minute changes aren’t just about weaving differently; they’re about rediscovering why you love weaving in the first place.

So pick one today. Set aside a little time. And let the joy come back in!

Which fix do you plan to implement in your weaving life? Let me know down in the comments 👇

Until next time…

Happy Weaving!

Lost your creative mojo? Read this!

by Kelly 10 Comments

Every creative person experiences a loss of mojo at some point.

You know that feeling when you really want to be creative but you either can’t figure out what to do, or you simply don’t have the mental or physical energy to begin?

Thankfully there are some concrete steps you can take to make your way out of this uninspiring headspace and regain that creative mojo.

Here are the tips that always get me back on track:

HEALTH FIRST

An absolute essential is to take stock of your current overall health status. Have you been looking after yourself physically and mentally? Are you getting adequate sleep? Is your loss of mojo a result of over tiredness? If you have a chronic illness are you getting correct treatment or doing all the things you know you should be doing to avoid flare ups?

Although it’s not something that you can necessarily get on top of right away, it’s something that needs your attention first. If you have been neglecting any aspect of your health, start taking steps right now to improve that situation!

MESS IS STRESS

Cleaning up your creative space when you’re lacking energy may not sound like the best advice, but for me this is one of the best ways for me to feel inspired again.

I find that a cluttered space can also make me feel cluttered mentally, which is stifling to creativity. I never regret having a good old fashioned clean up as it allows me start afresh and start to feel like so much is possible again!

Another side benefit of cleaning up your space is you often rediscover lost materials, ideas or even partially started projects. Sorting these things will help you to prioritise and decide on what to do next. Sometimes that will be working on a project to get it finished and sometimes it could be more ideal that you get your creativity flowing again by starting something brand new.

Once you start cleaning you may not feel like stopping. Perhaps you will come up with a new layout or more ways to organise your creative stuff for the future too.

RESOURCES FOR INSPIRATION

Inspiration is actually everywhere, we just don’t always see it.

When I’m lacking mojo I love to flip through some of my favourite books. It can remind me of ideas I’ve already had or weaving drafts I’ve been wanting to try, or it can give me an idea for a new project.

It can be helpful to search on Pinterest and grab some new pins for your inspiration boards.

Youtube is an amazing resource for learning and inspiration where you can find almost anything you want to learn. Did you know that I have almost 400 videos on my weaving channel now? I also have a second channel, Providence Ridge that is a great source of inspiration.

Premium Membership

Access to full class library for one annual fee. All prices are in US dollars

1926 students enrolled

Last updated Feb 4th, 2026

Select a Pricing Plan

Premium Annual Membership $165/year

Buy now

You can find more online inspiration in the form of podcasts, Facebook groups and other online communities. When you have a membership with the Online Weaving School you gain access to a wonderful members only group.

GO AWAY

Here is another idea that seems counterproductive but actually works – get away from your familiar surroundings for a little while!

You know what they say, absence makes the heart grow fonder. By removing yourself from what you’re accustomed to seeing and doing you can come back to it with fresh eyes and a new appreciation.

Not only that, but often you will find new inspirations in a different setting. Whether it’s a nature hike, a visit to the beach, a road trip, visiting galleries or so much more, you can be inspired by nature or things you don’t see everyday.

TRY SOMETHING NEW

Perhaps you’re feeling bogged down by your craft. How about trying something new? I have done this frequently over the years and what I have discovered is that, rather than take me away from my main craft (in my case – weaving!) the more skills you learn the more you can contribute to that chosen craft.

And if you do try something new and feel that is the right time for you to move away from what you have been doing into this new endeavour, that is also a good thing. As an artist/craftist/maker we often feel compelled to be creative and to use our hands to make things. We don’t need to restrict ourselves in this and there are so many ways to achieve artistic expression.

I hope this article has been helpful to you!

Until next time…

Happy Weaving!

Why weaving is more important than ever!

by Kelly 2 Comments

I made a video on this topic during the height of the 2020/21 pandemic, and although it was very relevant to the time period and experience we were all undergoing, it is still very relevant today.

I was inspired to talk about this by watercolour artist, Angela Fehr – a fellow Teachable creator. Although I spend very little time doing watercolour painting these days (thanks to weaving kind of taking over my life!) I am still very inspired by her emails and encouragement.

When certain world events come to the forefront (and we have certainly seen a variety of world events in the past 2 years!) it would be easy to say that something like weaving – a hobby for many of us, a career for some, is not all that important in the grand scheme of things.

I have to disagree by saying that it’s more important than ever. I’m going to talk about the reasons why.

Weaving is a skill

In difficult times, I think it’s those of us who are skilled with our hands and knowledgeable about our craft who will find it easier to be useful. Currently, those of us who sell our woven pieces do so at a luxury level. Our items are priced high, they are unique and special. But, in a time of shortages, recession, or actual depression, the ability to make cloth from yarn could become a valuable and tradable commodity.

In the event of a depression, where no one really has any money, trading or bartering handwoven items could really help your situation.

I’m not saying that I think we’re headed for global financial collapse, but I’m realistic to know that things can change very quickly, and it’s interesting to at least consider ideas for preparedness.

2. Weaving is beautiful

The first thing that attracted me to weaving was the possibility of creating such beautiful items with my hands and some tools. To use beautiful, natural and often locally produced yarns to make unique pieces. To me, weaving is like a beautiful piece of art, it adds something to the world that wasn’t there before, and that has an impact.

In a world that is, on many fronts, increasingly ugly and hostile (been on Facebook lately?) I feel wonderful about quietly sitting at my looms, lovingly preparing warps and projects, and then sharing them with the world.

We can help to bring happiness to others through gifting, selling or otherwise sharing our work and we have the additional joy of being able to help others look through a window into the weaving world. Some of those will be so enamoured by what they see that they too will want to be a part of it. What a privilege to be in a position to share such a gift!

For many of us, the lockdowns allowed us to get to work, weaving beautiful things for others. I wonder if you’ve seen my free projects I put out during that time, in hopes that weavers would bless others by weaving for them?

Wash Your Hands Towels Free Project

The Heart Scarf Free Project

3. The world can be crazy

Am I right?! Things have been noisy and unstable for some time, and there always seems to be something new happening. Amidst all this, many are searching for more peace, less stress. How can weaving help bring peace to our lives?

Purpose

I have been in touch with a great deal of new weavers in the past couple of years. Many of them had been wanting to explore weaving for years (some for most of their lives!) but never had the opportunity. Weaving requires focus, patience, often research for a new project or technique. It can take us away from what is happening externally, at least to some degree, and shift from things we can’t control to something we can. It makes us feel like we are doing something positive and useful.

The research, planning, calculations and sourcing of materials that occurs with every new project is very directed and purposeful. All of these processes can be so calming in turbulent times, and that brings me to my next point.

4. Weaving contributes to our own wellbeing

Weaving is an avenue to express our creativity. I firmly believe that everyone is, and in some respects, needs to be creative. This makes complete sense to me, as we are created in God’s image and likeness (Genesis 1:26-27), and God is VERY creative!

It also contributes to our wellbeing through a sense of accomplishment. How rewarding, and amazing it is to take yarn and turn it into something wonderful. It can take a lot of practice, learning and hard work to accomplish weaving goals, but every time we complete a project successfully, we prove to ourselves that we are capable.

Weaving can be very relaxing. The methodical and repetitive actions allow us to get into a “zone” and just enjoy what we’re doing.

5. You are in control

I touched on this a little back at point 3, but now I will expand further. How many things that happen in our lives do we have control over? We can’t prevent war, certain sicknesses, hard times, beyond hoping and praying. But in weaving, we get to make decisions, plan colours and patterns, and predict the outcome.

The project is yours, and that can be quite empowering!

6. Inspiring others

Inspiration is contagious, and although we might not always feel positive and happy, when we share our passions and interests with others, we ignite something that can take off and have a huge impact. When you inspire another person or people, that will often come back to you in waves.

You never really know the impact you could have on a fellow human by inspiring them. It’s not just about inspiring to take up weaving, it’s so much more than that. For someone who has lost hope and feels like giving up on life, to see somebody else living life with joy and passion and being more than willing to pass that on to others, could make all the difference and shift their focus completely.

One of the reasons I think suicide is so tragic is that I can’t help but wonder whether one more day, or a chance encounter, or a new interest could have changed that person’s mind. I’m not trying to oversimplify the tragedy of suicide, I’m well aware of the very complex factors involved – but I know for certain, that one more day can make all the difference.

7. Connection

Even the most introverted of us (👋) can benefit from connection with others. The easiest way to do this is by sharing a common interest. It can be so much fun to share your projects, have discussions and just chat to other like minded folks and be part of a community.

Thanks to the internet, we can connect to others without having to leave home if we don’t want to, or if it’s not possible. Facebook groups are a great way to interact, or if you want more involvement you may want to join private communities. When you purchase a membership to my Online Weaving School, you also gain access to the private member’s group, which is not just a great learning tool, but also a fantastic support network.

If you would like to watch the original video, here it is:

Until next time…

Happy Weaving!

My biggest ever mistake in weaving

by Kelly 29 Comments

Quite a few years ago now, we bought our first family DSLR camera. I loved photography when I was in high school and spent as much time doing it as I was allowed. I think one thing I loved about it was it was the only subject in which I felt free and unrestricted.

I could take one of the school’s SLR (pre- digital days!) cameras home when I wanted. I was given access to the school dark room in my spare time, and thankfully, my parents paid the bills for the photo paper and chemicals without grumbling.

*This post contains affiliate links. For further information, please see my disclosure policy.

So, getting our first entry level DSLR was like reliving a bit of that favourable part of my teenage life. It wasn’t long before I decided I wanted to take a course to learn the camera inside out. I enrolled in an online course, which was quite an investment for our single income family at the time, and started learning.

I became completely engrossed. I lived and breathed photography for the best part of a year. I loved the assignment challenges and started making my own challenges. Thankfully, I had 4 beautiful children who were my willing subjects. I started to dream up themes for photos. I made costumes, visited beautiful locations and used interesting props.

So, what does all this have to do with weaving?

Well, I was already a weaver when I started the photography course. But I was in a “not so positive place” with it. I was trying to learn new and interesting techniques, but it was really hard. I was putting pressure on myself to make perfect, Instagram worthy pieces that I just wasn’t ready to undertake.

Homeschooling, mothering, attempting to supplement our income didn’t leave much time for creative pursuits. Photography fit well, because the children were very often my subjects and were always with me when I was doing it, so it fit well.

As time went on, I wondered whether weaving was really the right thing for me. My rigid heddle loom sat empty month after month. My husband had bought it for me as a gift. I felt guilty that I wasn’t using it.

Most of all, I felt that I wasn’t capable of learning all I wanted to on this loom, and so my motivation lagged completely.

The frustrations that I’d been having with weaving built up in my mind and sat upon my shoulders as a heavy burden. Guilt, annoyance, frustration, lack of motivation – all these negative emotions around weaving were just penned up. I didn’t share this with anyone, and so it went on, and so the loom continued to sit empty.

And this was my biggest mistake.

So, what happened? Well, eventually the novelty of lugging that somewhat heavy camera around, countless hours of making costumes and finding new locations began to wear off. I started to remember what had attracted me to weaving in the first place, and why I felt compelled to make my own cloth. I started to notice beautiful yarns again. Ideas began to bubble up in my mind.

But the most important thing that happened is that I just put a warp on the loom.

I took a step. I don’t remember what it was that I made. Maybe it was just a simple, fun, non committal, explorative weave. Maybe it was something to wear or something for my kids to use in their play house. I really don’t remember, and it doesn’t really matter. The point is that I just did it.

I do still get weaver’s block to this very day, especially when I’m challenging myself to learn something new, but the difference is in how I handle it. I ensure that whenever those negative weaving feeling start creeping back in, I do something about it!

I have many resources that can help you get past the frustrated weaver point and on to weaving beautiful things. Here are a few suggestions:

Keep a weaving journal. Document your projects and how far you’ve come. Add in your future weaving plans, include pictures, colours, snippets of yarn. Use your past projects to build on.

Make a creative space. This is not possible for everyone, but even just a corner of a room, somewhere you can set up your loom and some yarns can help. If you don’t have to lug out all your materials every time you want to weave, you will be more likely to do it.

Make time for regular weaving – even if it’s 15 minutes at a time. You will make progress if you keep at it.

Make a Pinterest board or a mood board for inspiration. This can be as loose or as planned as you like.

Immerse yourself in the weaving community. Join groups (online or face to face), watch Youtube videos, listen to podcasts. These will help keep you motivated and prevent feeling isolated.

Join the Online Weaving School. When you purchase a membership, not only do you get access to the class library full of courses for all different weaving levels, you also receive an invitation to join a wonderful weaving community.

You may also be interested in these relevant videos:

Have you ever felt paralysed in your weaving journey? What helped you out of it? Or, if you are in a rut, what are you going to doing about it? Let me know in the comments below so we can keep the discussion going.

I hope this post inspires you to warp up your loom and get weaving!

Oh, and I do still indulge in photography from time to time, but I must admit that my newer Canon DSLR is used a lot more for filming classes than anything else! The big plus from all my photography practice is that I’m now capable of taking some pretty decent photos of my weaving.

If you’re interested in improving your photography for weaving purposes, check out my Photography for Weavers class. All you need is a phone and some of your hand weaving to get started!

Until next time…

Happy Weaving!

When your life is on hold

by Kelly 32 Comments

Where to start when writing a post like this? It’s not like I’ve ever experienced anything like this before. But that’s the thing that really unites all of humanity at the moment. We’re all in this together and none of us are immune from the possible and real effects of the coronavirus.

Many of us are isolated in our homes, some working from home, others facing the uncertainty of job insecurity. No social meet ups. No extended family meet ups. No popping out to the shops to pick up some milk. It’s a completely different lifestyle to what most of us are accustomed to.

I know that there is some concern about the impact all of this could have on mental health if the isolation has to continue for some time. We don’t know at the moment when it will be safe to resume former activities, we don’t know if we will contract the virus, and if we do, we don’t know how bad it will be. There is so much we just can’t predict or plan for.

In many ways, it feels like life is completely on hold. No planning ahead, no getting ready to go back to work or school or social activities. For now, we just have to BE.

People have been talking about the state of JUST BEING for a long time. Of being present in the moment in whatever we’re doing. To think, be grateful, live slow. In the busy, noisy world of today, that goal can feel unrealistic and unobtainable.

Enter quarantine. And self isolating. And social distancing. Enter 2020 and COVID 19.

What if we completely turned this pandemic thing on it’s head and focused on the positives of what it means for us right now?

How many times, as you were rushing off to work in the morning or dragging yourself home at the end of the day, have you wished that you had more time? Have you thought to yourself “if only I had an extra day, I could take the time to learn to…… (fill in the blank)”. Or when you’ve been absolutely run off your feet and wondered why? Why am I doing this? Is this what I was meant for? Then why am I so unhappy?

That hobby that you’ve “always wanted” to get started with. “Maybe when I retire!” you may have joked. Or “I’ll do it once the kids have all left home and I have some time to myself”.

How about now? In this time of major uncertainty, perhaps you feel a bit lost. But maybe it’s time to search and find. Maybe it’s time to discover what God is leading you to – what talents are waiting to be revealed, perhaps even find out what you should really be doing and who you really are.

I’m finding that it’s wonderful time, not just for discovery, but re-discovery as well. I am taking more pleasure and satisfaction in my daily tasks as a homemaker. Baking bread is not just something that I do an have done for a long time anymore, now it’s an important skill that provides my family with food.

Preserving vegetables is something I can take pride in, knowing that my family will have healthy fermented vegetables to eat even if we can’t leave our home to go to the shops.

Our garden has become a major focus as we aim to grow as much of our own food as we can. It’s something that the whole family can work at and reap the rewards and benefits at harvest time. It gives us time out in the fresh air and sunshine too.

I have been thinking for some time how I would like to make soap again, it’s been so long. Now, it happens that you can no longer buy soap, you can however buy ingredients to make soap.

I’ve been writing on this blog since 2008 and if you look back on past posts, many of them are related to simple and frugal living. It’s something I’ve been both striving for and living out for a long time, and something that just makes sense to me. It’s serving us pretty well at the moment!

If you’re interested in reading some of my “posts from the past” related to simple living, I’ll list some here:

The Simple Life

Back to Basics, Frugality revisited

Honey and Oat soap

Cheese and Bacon Scrolls

I have a lot of recipes, all of them are simple and frugal. You can search the “recipes” tab on my blog or type in “bread” or “recipe” in the search bar and you’ll be inundated with posts! I need to do an updated bread blog post, as I make bread in a different, very easy and intuitive way these days.

If you’re looking to learn how to weave, start with my Youtube channel. I promise it will keep you busy for many, many hours!

This has become quite a rambling post, but I guess what I really want to say is: What are you going to do this with this time? How are you going to be different? Are you the person you want to be? The person you were made to be?

Today is the first day of the rest of your life. What will you do with it?

High Hopes

by Kelly 14 Comments

I read a quote recently that really impressed me. I don’t make New year’s resolutions, but the end of the year is a perfect time for a bit of reflection. Homeschooling has finished for the year and I try to take a break from making classes and just be peaceful and restful. With this gear change comes thoughts of what I did well during the year and what I could have done better.

The quote was “Have high hopes and low expectations“.

At first glance, it may seem a little defeatist. But something that 43 years on this earth has taught me is that life is a roller coaster. Many wonderful things happen and there are many, often bitter disappointments.

I don’t think it’s life that needs to change though. I think it’s the way we look at it that needs altering. If we expect that everything will be always rosy, we are kind of like spoiled little brats who never experienced a hardship.

Have you ever visited an impoverished country or area? Do the people go about with gloomy faces? Are they angry at life… or at God? No, they have something that many of us in our wealthier society have lost and forgotten.

They have little.

When you have so little, you appreciate what you do have. And you are grateful for anything extra that comes your way. Your life is simple. You have clothing, shelter and food for today – then you have everything you need and you are thankful. You have hopes that life may improve, but you are content to live simply.

So, I’m making this quote my motto for 2020.

My hopes are high. I hope this year that all of my family are happy and have good health. I hope that my business grows and that I can make my Online Weaving School even better. I hope I get lots of time to weave and learn. I hope that my husband’s back injury may improve. I hope that we can meet all of our financial responsibilities. I hope that we can finally make our move to the country. I hope that we have a great homeschooling year. I hope that my understanding of my faith will increase. I hope that I can love and serve God better than ever before.

And I will try to expect nothing.

There is a big difference between hoping for the best and expecting the best. One makes us joyful – the other miserable. One is a freedom, the other a slavery to our own thoughts and desires.

So tell me friends, is this something that you struggle with too? (oh yes, this is a huge struggle for me!) Share your hopes in the comments below!

Until next time…

Happy Weaving!