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For those who understand French
I was interviewed last October by Radio Canada (the French CBC) concerning the fingerweaving dance, la p’chit dawnse. Have a listen to the interview: http://www.radio-canada.ca/emissions/c_est_ca_la_vie/2009-2010/Reportage.asp?idDoc=104010
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The Pavilion Canadien-Français ran from Aug 3 to 9. Next week, Aug 10 to 17, was the Métis Pavilion. Dressed a bit differently, I gave a similar demonstration, allowing folks the pleasure of making a ‘friendship bracelet’. The project teaches the basics of fingerweaving …. straight out of my book, page 12 & 13.  Carol and Métis fingerweaver students at Folklorama Booksales have been going so well, I’m just about sold out. Fewer than 100 from the original 1200 are left unsold. I’ve ordered another printing, this time doubling the order. This time Friesens will print 2000 copies. The second edition will have ‘perfect binding’ (as opposed to the ‘saddle stitch’ or staple-together-construction of the first edition). Bookstores and libraries tell me that the staple-together binding disappears on the shelf. To be honest, I’ve found this all to be true. I chose the ‘saddle stitch’ wanting the book to lie open on a table while the student is working. I am hoping that the ‘perfect binding’ is perfect enough to allow for both: book will lie open on the table, and will have a spine that is visible on the shelf. Meanwhile I’ve been weaving a one-of-a-kind special order for a special someone. This is a sash and leg ties combo:  Navy blue and gold chevron combo Next week I’ll be in Edmonton, Alberta, giving a workshop for the folks of Fort Edmonton and St Albert. Later in the week I will be priveleged to tour the Southesk Collection in the Royal Alberta Museum.
Evenings you’ll find me at the Edmonton Fringe Festival. Hope youall are enjoying your Summer. Carol Once again I’ve been invited to give fingerweaving demonstrations at two pavilions in the Winnipeg festival, Folklorama. Printed in the local newspaper, the Winnipeg Free Press, reporting on the Pavilion Canadien-français: “CULTURAL HIGH POINT: Sashmaker Carol James and her student show how a ceinture fléchée is made with intricate finger-weaving.” On display at Folklorama you can see the 8 sash samples, made over the past Winter, sponsored by Manitoba Heritage, the St. Boniface General Hospital, and Manitoba Artists in Healthcare.  Fingerweaving demonstration at the Pavilion Canadien-Français Next week I’ll be at the Métis Pavilion. Aug 18-22 I’ll be giving a workshop at Ft Edmonton in Edmonton, Alberta. The BBC is preparing a series on the history of Canada, its history, indigenous cultures and history. Ray Mears is a bushcraft specialist and woodsman. The BBC will be filming an interview with me in early September, Ray Mears learning about fingerweaving. Meantime, I’m working on some sprang neckscarfs.  work to create a scarf, the technique is called sprang, the material is hand dyed, reeled silk July 8 I travelled to Atikokan, Ontario, and Quetico Provincial Park. A lovely place, breathtaking scenery, I was treated to an amazing tour by Val Fraser. Val showed me a sash that had been found in the area, a lovely example of 19th century work.  Val Fraser, Carol, and sash Old Fort William in Thunder Bay was the site of a RendezVous July 9-13 and I was there. The David Thompson Brigade made a spectacular arrival on July 12. Canoe after canoe paddling up to the shore.  David Thompson Brigade Arrival I was honored to meet Professor Kirk Wipper, Founder of the Canadian Canoe Museum. I also had the pleasure of chatting with Barry Wolframe, retired carpenter at Old Fort William, and fingerweaver extraordinaire.  Carol and Barry, sashweavers both I’ve just competed a pair of suspenders for a client who intends to wear them at a Big Event in his life soon.  Special order fingerweaving I have also been corresponding with Steve Pretty of the Braid Society in the UK. We are working on an article to appear in the Braid Society publication ‘Strands’, featuring the technique for the ‘bias weave’ or ‘oblique method’, as well as a biographical piece on Carol James  Sample made using 'biasweave' method The David Thompson Brigade arrived on a beautiful day at the Forks in Winnipeg, June 11, 2008. I was there on the Quai to greet them.  It was a pleasure to speak with these dedicated folk who have paddled from Rocky Mountain House, Alberta, en route to Thunder Bay, Ontario. Still working on those pieces for the Manitoba Museum. I completed weaving the third sample of the Assomption variety. This one is sewn down the middle:  Saturday morning I give a fingerweaving workshop at the Bibliothèque de St-Boniface, the St Boniface public library, then I head out to Convergence 2008.
Sunday, June 29, I will be in the Twin Cities area of Minnesota, Historic Fort Snelling to be exact. I will be demonstrating and teaching fingerweaving. And it’s a booklaunch. During the month of July I will be teaching basic fingerweaving to French teachers at the St Boniface College here in Winnipeg. I’ve been having internet trouble. Ended up having to get a new modum, and the new one seems to have a mind of its own, cutting out at times. Luckily it was working last evening when I received a special e-mail. I initially thought was a hoax. So glad I responded, because I had a lovely chat later in the evening with Ray Mears of the BBC in person in downtown Winnipeg. He’s on a reconnaisance mission for a BBC series on Canada. A most interesting chap. Who knows what tomorrow will bring. The counter on my website now lists 1001 hits! Do you hear the fanfare? Several of us, members of Manitoba Artists in Healthcare, met up today in the St B Atrium. We chatted about our various projects. Shirley took my photo weaving away, now midway on swatch number 7 of 8.  |
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