Takadai April 2023

Takadai weaving on the diagonal is fascinating. Each group of threads on a bobbin acts as a warp and, in turn, a weft. The rhythm of creating the shed with the hand, casting a bobbin through, and beating by hand is soothing, as is the gentle clacking of the bobbins (in contrast with loom noises). This is the first time I’ve used 9-pin komas, which separate the bobbins, instead of the more common 6-pin komas. I have to be very careful creating the shed when the threads are closer together. This is a 2/2 twill, 73 bobbins, and will be part of another mixed media piece.

Meanwhile, at the end of this month, Salem will lose one of its institutions, Cooke Stationery Company, established in 1935. It’s one of those classic stationery/office supply stores that are an endangered species. When I go in, I always have the feeling that I want one of each – so many wonderful things. When I learned the sad news, I asked about this chest of 18 drawers that was along the pencil and pen wall. It now has a new home in my studio. Careful consideration is going into what the drawers will hold. I told the Cooke owners that I promise to give it a good home.