My Week at Shenandoah Creates: Exploring the Art of Paper Weaving

My third week on the road, I had the incredible opportunity to attend a workshop at Shenandoah Create, held at the picturesque Riverbend Ranch. https://www.shenandoahcreates.com/.  The experience was nothing short of magical as I delved deep into the world of paper weaving under the expert guidance of Annetta Kraayeveld. https://annettakraayeveld.com/. From the basics of painting and dyeing paper to crafting intricate shapes, every moment was a learning adventure.

The Basics: Painting and Dyeing Paper

Our journey began with a foundational understanding of materials. We started by painting and dyeing our paper, a process that allowed for a lot of creativity and experimentation. The colors we used were vibrant, and it was fascinating to see how they interacted and blended. We painted watercolor paper and then dyed Krafttext fabric paper.

Cutting and Preparing Strips

Once our papers were dry, the next step was to cut them into strips. This part required precision and patience, ensuring that each strip was of uniform width. Annetta introduced us to an innovative technique using pasta machines to cut the paper strips. This method not only saved time but also ensured consistency in the width of each strip. The quality of the cut significantly impacted the ease of weaving and the final appearance of our baskets.

Weaving a Simple Square Basket

With our strips ready, we moved on to weaving a simple square basket. This foundational exercise was crucial as it introduced us to the basic weaving techniques and the importance of tension and alignment. The repetitive motion of weaving was almost meditative, and it was satisfying to see the basket take shape.

Getting Funky with Shapes

After mastering the square basket, we were encouraged to experiment with different shapes and forms. This was where creativity truly came into play. I tried my hand at various designs, incorporating the vibrant colors and patterns from our dyed strips. One of my favorite creations was a basket that started with several squares for the base but evolved into a more complex and abstract form.

The picture above showcases one of my colorful creations from the workshop. The interplay of blue, red, and yellow stripes creates a dynamic and eye-catching pattern

Final Thoughts

The workshop at Shenandoah Create was a fantastic experience. It not only enhanced my skills as a basket weaver but also provided a wonderful space to experiment and push the boundaries of traditional weaving. Annetta Kraayeveld’s expertise and teaching style made the learning process enjoyable and enriching. I highly recommend this workshop to anyone interested in exploring the art of paper weaving. The skills and creativity you gain are invaluable, and the peaceful setting of Riverbend Ranch only adds to the overall experience. Of course, the people also make this so much fun!  I was able to visit with old friends and make some new friends! The basket-weaving community is filled with so many talented and fun people.

I’m looking forward to incorporating these new techniques into my classes and subscription boxes. If you’re curious about basket weaving, don’t hesitate to reach out. Let’s weave something wonderful together!

Feel free to share your thoughts or ask any questions about my experience at Shenandoah Create!