“Firecrow” designed and woven by Kathy Litchfield

I’m in my second month of master weaving classes at the Hill Institute in Northampton and am enjoying learning many new intricate weave structures as well as little tips and tricks I’m integrating into my work on a daily basis. Here is a photo of the crow “pick-up” weave I designed recently. So much fun!

I would love to see you at an upcoming holiday show too:

Nov 10-11: Open Studios & Holiday Sale, Art & Industry Building, Florence, MA

Nov. 17-18: Craft Westport, Staples High School, Westport, CT

Dec. 1-2: Amherst Artisans Holiday Show, Lord Jeffrey Inn, Amherst, MA

Also Dec. 1-2: Northampton Winter Craft Fair, Northampton High School, MA

Dec. 7-9: Marlborough Holiday Fine Art & Craft Show, Royal Plaza Trade Center, Marlborough, MA

Ring in the joy of the season with a new scarf or shawl — also perfect for holiday gift giving. Thanks so much and I hope to see you soon!

My husband and I enjoy the view atop the Continental Divide in Colorado on my 40th birthday in July.

Trail in late July.

Even the long 13-mile hiking days were so worthwhile! The views were amazing, as the sun was a-blazing, by the waterfalls and rivers of the Weminuche Wilderness north and east of Durango, CO.

I am weaving a series of scarves and shawls based upon the beauty of the forests, meadows, wildflowers, snowy peaks and glacier lakes we experienced. These will be part of my “Story Scarves” and “Story Shawls” that I’ll debut at shows this fall. (Watch also for “Cascade Creek Camping” scarves, inspired by the downpouring rain as we set up camp one evening!)

The Berkshires Art Festival is in just two weeks – Aug. 24-26 at Ski Butternut in Great Barrington. I’d love to see you there!

Before I start “winding the warp” for a weaving project, I’ve usually had a dream or a vision of what I want to create. Sometimes inspired by a walk in the woods or a great run

tall wooden yarn rack in my studio

along a river, I notice things outside and then want to translate them into a woven piece, choosing colors that symbolize my experience. I keep a tall yarn rack in my studio with the yarns color-coordinated.When I spin it around I can see the many shades of a certain color to choose from. While reds, oranges and golds usually symbolize fire, I often choose colors based on the emotions associated with them such as blues for peaceful, calm feelings; bright pink for excitement; or turquoise blue for transformation.

Every project is unique; every woven piece an expression of something I want to share.

Story Shawl woven to celebrate the life of a beloved feline.

Gearing up for the shows this season is fun and exciting! I’ve purchased an iPhone so I can accept credit cards at my booths using “square”  and be better in touch with customers and friends; added two mannequin ladies to model my work; and have redesigned my entire booth display.

Weaving new creations from my heart, while thinking about the people who will embrace them, brings me such joy. Each new handwoven design is an expression of a situation or environment I love and I’m always so pleased to find that others do, too.

Weaving can be a solitary process – first planning the colors and design, winding the warp, dressing the loom, getting the tension just right, weaving the piece, finishing its ends, washing/drying and finally photographing it – but it’s a process I cherish.

Watch this blog for more info on the process of weaving, with photos, coming soon!

And, please visit the “Events” page of this website for show dates and locations where you can visit Firecrow Handwovens in 2012.

Handwoven Magazine, page 10, Jan/Feb 2012 issue, features my guild, the Weavers of Western Mass, and a photograph of me demonstrating weaving at the Loomis Village exhibit we had in June of 2011. Photo coming soon. Thanks, Handwoven!

THANK YOU TO HOLIDAY CUSTOMERS

Special thanks to everyone who has purchased my handwoven scarves, shawls and decorative cloths as holiday gifts for their loved ones! I’ve sold almost my entire inventory this fall and am psyched to begin new creative processes for 2012.

Old Deerfield Show a Success – Nov. 18-20, West Springfield

The Old Deerfield Christmas Sampler was a fun weekend full of holiday festivities and lots of beautiful handmade crafts. Here’s a photo of my booth. Thanks to everyone who came out to support me and Firecrow Handwovens, and may you enjoy this wonderful holiday season!

Montague Reporter Photo

Weaver Kathy Litchfield was featured on the front page of the Montague Reporter newspaper in September, following the Gill Arts & Crafts Festival weekend. Story coming soon!