Vida Nueva and Fiber Rhythm Craft & Design

The 2013 ANWG NW Weavers Conference Marketplace Mall will be June 20-22, Carver Gym, Western Washington Univeristy, Bellingham, WA.  During the next few weeks we will be featuring some of our outstanding merchants on our blog.

This week we are featuring our Marketplace Mall merchant  --Vida Nueva and Fiber Rhythm Craft & Design.

Vida Nueva Women’s Weaving Cooperative

Vida Nueva is a group of Zapotec women from Teotitlán del Valle, an indigenous Mexican community in Oaxaca with centuries of weaving history. Their patterns and techniques have been passed from generation to generation, and each tapete (rug/weaving) expresses their culture. The area was known for cotton textiles before the Spanish introduced wool and large wooden looms. 

At first only men were permitted to weave, but since the era of intense migration women have also become highly skilled weavers. Despite their numerous creative, social, and political contributions, it is still difficult for women to gain equal respect and recognition. Therefore, in 1996 this women’s cooperative was formed to provide economic opportunities, serve the community with environmental and social projects, and preserve Zapotec heritage.

Despite a very labor intensive daily life and many religious and community responsibilities, each member finds regular time to weave on her own loom at home. Members gather, grow and use native plants and insects to create natural dyes. They buy raw wool from nearby towns and wash, card, spin and dye it, boiling it in large vats over a wood fire, working together to share the cost and lighten the load.

Designs are generally based on ancient patterns depicting forces of nature, animals or geometric forms that represent such concepts as liberty, protection, continuity, strength.

Ginny Darvill helps Vida Nueva by buying at full fair price and selling at cost in the Northwest. She is happy to host them at the conference.
 

 

Fiber Rhythm Crafts & Design

Fiber Rhythm Craft & Design is the creative outlet of Dawn Seymour, knitwear designer and owner. Dawn discovered her love of Bamboo yarn while working on her TKGA Master Knitter sweater. In 2006, Bamboo yarn was found mainly as a cone yarn and wasn't widely available. To work the project Dawn purchased six 20-oz cones of the yarn. Even after doubling, most of the yarn remained for 5 out of the 6 colors. It begged the question, “Why can't you buy just the amount you need?”

That is when the custom cone was conceived.  

Custom cones are purchased by the ounce. We wind off just that amount of yarn onto cardboard cones or cores. You save money. Custom cones are offered in Bambu 7 and Bambu 12 and have been very popular with hand weavers.

Another popular item is Retroglo, a reflective tape yarn that is manufactured by Metlon Corporation (it is a 3m product). It consists of thousands of tiny glass beads glued onto a nylon strip and comes in three widths. Use it to add a safety element to your project. 

We won't have our winding equipment at ANWG, but will have cones “as is” for weight at the booth or will take orders for smaller amounts to be delivered after the show. (Free shipping over $25.)

For pre-show orders, please contact us at info@fiberrhythm.com and we will make every attempt to accommodate! 

Visit us online and at booth 29 and have a great conference!

The public is invited to shop during all Marketplace Mall open hours.  The Marketplace Mall open hours will be  Thursday, June 20 - 12 noon—6 p.m.,  Friday, June 21 - 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday, June 22 - 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.