Inspired Fibershed project at the farmers market with weaving.

Some of the questions I ask the children today was. Do you know how to weave? Would you like to learn how to weave? Do you know what your clothes are made of and where? Do you know where wool comes from? Okay I didn't bombard every child with questions like that but I did ask every child at least one question. I had a couple of experts saying things like" my sisters sweater is made of synthetic materials and you can see how my tee shirt is made if you look real close. That totally impressed me. It did make sense finding out how his mother was a ( clothing and textile designer). Most people that I run across seem to brag about where they got something because it was so cheap or they don't seem to think about the details of where and how something is produced. The fibershed concept has always been a part of my obsessive brain, I have always wondered about things like this, so I love the process of this project. This project appears to be so simple, but I believe it be so important to the brain and an important part of being self reliant.

After figuring out what my project would be ( Weaving and felting) I knew I had to give Kenny (one of my Fibershed buddies)  a visit. I'm excited because he and Judith ( Wooley Egg Farm out Tennessee Valley road in Mill Valley are my new neighbors, my new studio is right down the creek from Their farm, soon I can walk right along side the creek to go for a visit.

Bags of wool back there!

Washing the sheeps wool in a biodagradable Ecover version of Woolite.

As you can see I got the wool nice and clean. Smells so good! Lanolan and earth!

Comparison of dirty ( how you see sheep in the feilds) and then beaudtiful white. The kids loved to feel, pull it apart and smell.

Wanted to do some felting but ended up using kenny's wool that was processed at Yolo Mills and the fabric we dyed in Coreopsis a few weeks before. Built a loom and shuttle out of card board and used household string for the warp. It was a great project. Nothing better than stripes.

Serious work for some kids!

A natural for sure!

Passions there!! big time.

Fibershed and Rowland Ricketts

I realized while walking down this beautiful dirt road in the Nicasio hills on the Marin Carbon Project Land.  Excited to Meet Rowland and ready to begin a day of hardwork to help build Fibersheds Indigo compost floor.  In this Video that I share Rowland talks about the importance of working together. Thats something that I crave in my life. That was one of the key reasons for opening Ambatalia years ago. Looking back I know it was steps towards that dream. I truley believe if you do what you love its not always an easy or clear path but hopefully one day something happens and all of a sudden it makes sense.
I definitely had one of those ah ha moments that day.

      I just ordered 200 Polygonum tinctorium Japanese indigo seeds from the Fibershed Market place. I am married to a gardener but I wouldn't consider myself one. I am about to sign a lease for a new studio 

( crossing my fingers) that happens to be a green house, so I figure I better start growning Indigo as a part of the Fibershed. I'm actually obsessed with it and have been for a long time,  I am so grateful to be a part of this Fibershed community I deffinatly feel a part of something really important and meaningful.  I feel like its an extention of my self.

Go over  to A verb for kleeping warm for a step by step guide of what we did that day.

Nicasio, California

Beautiful Rebecca, with out her we wouldn't be here.

This indigo compost house ( NEDOKO) would never be a reality with out John Wick and Peggy Rathmann.

John built it with Help. We are forever grateful.

 John drops sand over the Gravel.

Every step we all have to get in to press it down( tamp) by walking all over it.

 This is a Japanese tool that helped, can't remember what its called.

Rice hulls are put in ( man those were bouncy little dudes)

 

Ah.... Lunch and what a feast it was! 

Rowland showing us how to separate Indigo seeds.

Every thing kind of blows away while you shake them. 

A few of my favorite local things

My sister Colleen Hennessey's hand thrown everyday ware.  You will be able to find them at Canele's next Atelier in L.A this coming Monday December 18th.

Maria Schoettler's Seasonal Calendar

Japanese indigo seeds/ Lagunitas grown

Fibershed

Felted fibershed bangles by Tisha Thompson

Cardigan knit kit by Heidi Iverson

Fibershed Handwoven Jacob wool throw by Robin Lynde

Another gorgeous peice from Fibershed

by Dyan Ashby

Sid the squid by Fibershed

Beautiful Rag doll by Jess Brown

My dream linen sheets by my freind and mentor Trisha Rose from Rough Linen

If your in to Local color a must have Rebecca Burgess book

Happy holidays to my freinds out there. I hope you can spend time with loved ones and are able to celebrate lifes gifts.
Peace and love to you, Molly

More Fibershed Creations

FIBERSHED

PRETTY SWEET AND COZY

photos by Michael Keefe

FIBERSHED MARKET PLACE OPEN NOW!!!

The Fibershed Market place being open is such a huge deal for me and our community and I believe for people around the world. I contributed a few things ( more to come) . For now a Hand constructed winter tee with overlock seems and hand stitch hems and a smock/ apron both my original designs. Made out of Sally fox organic color grown cotton. If you have not visited the new Fibershed website.... GO NOW  to discover a new world of local fiber, local dye and local artisans. You have never seen anything like it. My model happens to be my best friend that is probably the most gorgeous woman I've ever laid my eyes on (ANNA).

Fibershed in October, Marin County

Indigo and coreopsis on Mt. Barnaby

Yikes! What kind of spider is that? When your picken flower heads all gentle and soft and this pops out!

Lots of good talken about creating a better world together.

Furoshiki at its best

Pretty gorgeous day.