“Life can have challenges that seem to be trying to crush the soul. Art reminds us that it is simply impossible to destroy the essentials of who you are – an artist, a creator of beautiful things.” – Lori Puente
Before Dave got sick, I still had some dreams I hoped to embark on. One of them was an old affinity and yearning to weave, beautiful handmade fabric, what is often referred to as “essential art”. I’m rather practical and so to venture into a creative pursuit that has practical use, i.e., you can wear it, was particularly appealing to me. I got just a tad waylaid on my “grand plan”. Such is Life.
So, as you may recall from an earlier post on this whole “saga” (see related post), I had found myself in a knitting shop with a “knitter’s loom”, rehabilitated in a nano-second on my original hope. The scarf shown is the last of several scarfs I whipped up for the holidays, for Dave. It was to his specification in width and length. When he opened it up he couldn’t believe that I had made this off my newly purchased Christmas gift from him (the small loom). He said, “Wait. Lori. Do you think you could sell these?” I responded, “Well, that was my plan. Do you like it?” He LOVED IT.
Recently I ventured into the local weaving shop in Sacramento I had been meaning to visit. Its not really a weaving store though. Its really a yarn shop, with some weaving paraphernalia, a loom or two, some cones of yarn, and then classes. I signed up and took a 4 harness table loom class over 3 weeks. Slowly but surely, I’m getting my footing.
The other day as I was talking to Dave about different things concerning my weaving and hope to get an additional Wolf Loom, most weavers have a rigid heddle loom (like my knitter’s loom), a table loom, a wolf loom (small floor loom) and then a big loom. I sighed and said, well, I guess I had better find a job so I can get more into this, when Dave said something shocking, to me anyway. “Lori. Forget the job. Just weave. Get at it, do your research and just do that.” I was on a bit of a high all day.
So I have much work to do, research to garner, website to consider, products to make, marketing, etsy, etc.
Then you know how things sort of come together in ways that are nothing short of miraculous? Well, around the same time Dave is telling be to get to it, and I’m working through it in my head, I get an email from my dear friend whose mother sold me the floor loom back in Maryland. Her mother wants to send me all the rest of her “stash”. Years as an award winning fiber artist, she is moving on. She gave me quite a lot when I bought the loom from her, so I knew this was going to be all her really awesome stuff. I figured I had better call her and discuss as I wasn’t in a position to “buy” it from her, certainly not without some very flexible terms. She was happy to hear from me. She has 3 large bags full so far. Her finest stash. Cashmere, silk, cotton, wool, alpaca, boucle’s, etc. These cones typically range anywhere from $50-$200 and up when you start looking at them online and at festivals. They have often 10,000 yards on them and are for the serious or even casual weaver.
“Well, I would love to have them” I said,” but I just wanted you to know that I’m still not working and I don’t know what you want for them, so….” She cut me off. “No, no, no Lori. I’m giving them to you.” WHAT? Holy Fifth Dimension! I immediately said, “Oh my. Well you have to let me at least pay for the shipping then.” It was exactly what she was looking for, “Yes. That would be perfect. I will get them out to you in a couple weeks and call you when they are shipped.” I said, “Great and I’ll send you a check for the shipping when you know what it is.”
Well, I’m off and running… will keep you posted. So exciting…
It was taken. The ones that are wonderful and even some you wouldn’t imagine others thought were nice are taken by people who anticipate that someone may want it and then you can have it, for $600. It stinks for sure. But TumbleWeft it is and I’ll be happy with that! Thanks Angie.
Lori….I failed to comment on your FB entry yesterday…it wouldn’t let me see other comments and then I failed to go look again! Anyway…just looking at this post…what about “LifeWeaver”. 🙂 Good luck…can’t wait to see the website!!!!
Sounds wonderful. I am so happy for you. I believe very few things in life are just coincidence. BTW we meet with Dr. Tricot tomorrow to go over my test results. I am assuming everything will be good.
Happy weaving, Love, Kris
Lori,
I absolutely cannot wait to hear the details when you get your “stash”! Your enthusiasm for life and your delightfully helpful attitude make it a joy to know you!!
Many blessings…..and keep us posted!!!
Hanna, I love The Secret DVD (extended version) and have been meaning to read “Think and Grow Rich”. I completely agree with everything you said and enjoy setting my postulates and seeing them come to fruition both small and large. Mostly I just try to have FUN with it. Thanks for your support!
This is just another proof that once you set you intention, the universe comes together to help you achieve it. Whether you read “The Secret” or the original “Think and Grow Rich” (my preference) you will realize that it almost always works. On those times when it doesn’t it’s usually because your intention wasn’t set properly.
For example, if you say you don’t want to be fat, you may stay fat because your focus is on fat. But if you set the intention to be healthy, slim, vibrant, etc. you will find the universe comes together to help you with that.
I’m so excited for you. Can’t wait to see the other items you make. Then you can set up an online store and sell it! Woo hoo!
Blessings come to those that give blessings to others….