The best part of the trip to Houston was, as expected, meeting glorious Glennis, the Shibori Girl and her friends. I splurged on two of her silk scarves:
Through Glennis, I also met Katrina, a very talented garment sewer and silk specialist. Both Glennis and Katrina had been on a textile trip to Japan, and had great stories of ducking out for authentic Japanese food, and befriending indigo dyers -- read more on Glennis's blog. I also met Jennifer, who sells vintage textiles and had vintage sari ribbon, but sadly I didn't get back to her booth to buy. I also met some terrific art quilters who work with Quilting Arts magazine -- Judy Coates Perez is someone I've admired; she paints beautiful fabric pieces and does stitched metal. I met Sheree from Sheree's Alchemy, a talented designer/sewer and proponent of organic fabrics. I joined SAQA.
These meetings were the lovely gifts of what was otherwise a strange event and trying travel. I also got a fantastic surprise gift in the mail from awesome Jane -- a vast supply of shisha mirrors, both round and square. I've got some stitching to do.
Back home, I spent the rest of the week back at work and buying my new(er) car, which, when it was all said and done, turned out very well. I bought the car from incredibly nice, honest people, had a totally helpful and kind loan person at the credit union, and feel like I got lucky in an economy where people are keeping their good used cars. Used-car-buying may be a road normally littered with giant potholes and unscrupulous characters, but once I found a good car for me, everything happened with integrity and grace.
Now I'm having a very yin day, recovering. Two weeks without yoga or belly dance had me in knots and feeling large (not in a good way), so I unkinked myself with a long session this morning. I am to be Princess Leia for a party next week; I normally don't engage in Halloween activities, but this is for my favorite 7-year-old, and I can't say no; so there is some guerilla costuming to do.
It feels like things will settle down soon, as shorter days arrive, and I can blog more and create more. I'm not sure these days if I'm blogging as a writer who loves textiles, as a global textile explorer, as an artist, or all of the above. I think it's all of these things, though perhaps I'd be better off focusing more.
I'm also pondering what to do with 130,000 frequent flyer miles. I can go anywhere in the world! Trouble is, I don't have a big cash supply for hotels, etc. I'm afraid if I wait too long the airlines will dismantle/devalue the whole program. So where do I want to go? Where DON'T I want to go? I've not been to Paris, Bali, Hawaii, India, Vancouver, or Japan. I love London, and there are great exhibits at the museums in New York City right now. If anyone needs a house-sitter or has a rental for the holidays, let me know.
At least for today, it feels like a big, beautiful world, full of textiles and culture, music and love, and possibilities.
glad you met glennis and ended up with some of her silk. awsome eh?
i'll check around with some new york city folks for the holiday time....
Posted by: jude | October 24, 2009 at 06:46 PM
would this be a solution for a few nights accommodation... http://artmoney.org/travel
Posted by: Tricia | October 25, 2009 at 02:50 AM
sounds like the world is your oyster via the FF miles-cool! you know you always have a place to lay your head in LA- but my advice is to go exotic! Great time in Houston-glad the scarves are beloved-thanks again!
Posted by: glennis | October 28, 2009 at 05:43 PM
HI Laine
You may be interested in the following website in your quest for Japanese influences
fits in with the slow cloth theme as well.
Posted by: Dijanne | November 02, 2009 at 01:06 PM