Tuesday, June 2, 2015

Warp and Woof


I’m sure you remember the warp is the length of the fabric; the threads come up off the back beam of the loom so the shuttle of weft can be passed through the shedd and finish making the cloth. Listening to The Mill on the Floss yesterday, while putting a new warp on the loom (I have no recollection of ever reading that book!), the author referred to the warp and woof of the heroine’s life.


The new warp

I know the word “woof” as part of the stuff that makes up fabric. It has a murky history, seeming to come into the language from many olde sources. I cannot recall when I last read the word. It hasn’t been near as long since I last exhibited at a show, but that’s exactly what Linda and I are doing this Saturday.

I held out the opportunity to Linda a couple of weeks ago.  My ulterior motive was to have part of her booth, but she’s not amiss to selling some rugs, either. So, come Saturday two old weavers will share a booth at a venue I hope will become successful for the young entrepreneur sponsors.

The show is called The Peninsula Flea, modeled after similar affairs in towns much bigger than mine. Boston, New York. My thirteen year old grandson told me that if the Cleveland Flea is referred to as the C Flea, he supposes ours is the P Flea. Ha ha.

The premise of the shows seems to be upcycling, repurposing, clever ideas for old stuff. These new ideas just pass me in a flash. I suppose it’s as trendy as shabby chic was a decade ago. Here’s the link to The Peninsula Flea; you’ll have to smile. Or, as Linda and I once said to each other, waiting for Ann and her friend to be finished browsing an antique store, “Their collectibles are our mother’s junk.”

It’s been twelve years since I mounted an exhibit. I have nothing. Hence my invitation to share Linda’s booth at a show that was not even on her horizon before I told her. Then I told her how we would set it up to accommodate both of us, and then I set out to replace things. Receipts. Coat hangers. Bags. Cash box. What about credit cards? Hopefully in the nick of time I have purchased The Square. It’s supposed to come this week. Like my very first point of sale credit card terminal, I may learn how to use this one at the show.


We have two young women to schlep it all in and back out at the end of the day. And, we have lots of upscaled warp and woof to sell. We’ll see how it goes. Well I hope; I’ve signed up for three weekends.

21 comments:

  1. Good luck! I'd be there if it wasn't so far away.

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  2. I wish you all the best, Joanne! Your header is gorgeous! :)

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  3. Good that you have the "young folk" to carry everything in for you. That will be have the battle not having to do that. Wishing you both much success with it!

    betty

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  4. How wonderful. If I could I would be there in a heart beat to cheer you both on. I will be cheering from here. Good luck - and have fun.

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  5. Best of luck for all three weekends.

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  6. Good luck. I do hope it all goes well for you.

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  7. Hari Om
    Love Mill on the Floss, read it at school, again in my 20s and a third time in my 30s...long overdue another viewing!

    Flea markets are always 'buzzy' places to be - hope you have a few cards ready with your Etsy address too... sometimes folk won't buy on the moment but to be able to follow-up after suits them. ...and yup, it has always been that another man's trash is another's treasure!!! YAM xx

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  8. Fingers are crossed, but you won't need luck.... you have quality. =)

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  9. I use your towels daily. I wear my "chemo" dress frequently. You are a master of the weave.

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  10. Learned a new meaning today of the word “woof”

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  11. I hope you have great success and a lot of fun, Joanne.

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  12. oh Lord, I can't imagine doing a show now. I bailed out of shows as quickly as I could get my commission work business making money. I do want one of your shirts or maybe the jacket. I do need a new all purpose lightweight jacket. anyway, hope you do well. we have the Square and use it once a month at the December open house.

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    1. My square came today. I'm almost afraid to open the box. I can do this.

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  13. Hope it goes well.

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  14. Way back when, I learned from the Ewe Tree that before each show one had to repeat the mantra,"we're open for abundance" and we will be. Without two young girls to do the lifting and carrying, these two old ladies would be sitting on a curb eating pizza and drinking a beer. Maybe we could still do that while the girls do their work.

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  15. Joanne, I am just in awe of weavers. My head would explode with all that. I love textiles though and think your sharing a space will be the perfect solution for you. Can't wait to hear all about it.

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  16. I am in awe of your stamina and talent. Wish I lived east of the Mississippi.

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  17. Best wishes with the event. To me, "woof" is what Franklin says. I have never read The Mill on the Floss.

    Love,
    Janie

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  18. I hope you sell huge amounts and make huge money and feel very gratified by the whole thing.

    And now: I MUST start using "the warp and woof of life." Thank you for sharing that phrase. I read THE MILL ON THE FLOSS a long time ago, but that phrase didn't land with me.

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  19. When we took Home Ec in school, we learned about the warp and weft (rather than woof) so that we would know how to straighten the grain and lay the pattern properly when sewing. You've taken me back :)

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  20. P. S. Good luck on the Flea adventure! You have a young and open mind, Joanne. That Square won't know what hit it!

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