Update February 11, 2007: Added 4 pics of bag being finished, in Bingorage Studio (below earlier pics).
I started doing some cardweaving with my adult art group, last week; started a few different pieces myself. One of my group members heard me fantasizing out loud about converting knitting needles into large sewing needles for yarn, so she volunteered a couple old pairs. I took them to the studio, cut off the knobs, drilled out the ends and then melted the rough edges with a flame.
The new yarn sewing needles work great.
I'm mixing hemp twine, jute, beads (idea from group), wool and acrylic yarn.
The traditional Ojibwa bags were finger-woven on a stick frame (since the cardboard trees had not been introduced to North America, at the time), using Basswood fibre, Stinging Nettle fibre, Cedar bark, etc.
Pics click to enlarge.
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My artsy fartsy bag photo.
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Native Tech
weaving and cordage page.
This pic shows dried Stinging Nettle stalks and a bag, hand-woven with processed and died nettle fibres.
Click pic for University of Minnesota article, where photo was found.
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Holly brought a couple new members of the family with her, when we moved her back from Ottawa. This is Johnny, the round one. I couldn't find Sage, the little fraidy orange one.
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finger weaving, card weaving, bags, pouches, native art, kitty, cats, ojibway, native tech, woven bags, Bingorage, Broken Vulture Art, blog, pics