ARTISANAL CLOTHING & ACCESSORIES

Gallery Notes

We are excited to share the Gallery's new website with you. It has been a labor of love, in the works for over a year. As with the new logo, the new website was designed to highlight the strong aesthetic thread weaving through all of the artisanal garments, shawls and accessories we carry. The imagery takes center stage, allowing you to take a closer look at the textures, colors, cuts and shapes.

You can now purchase directly online, or you can continue to call and e-mail us with your order. You can also search by your favorite artists' names.

We are excited to grow with the new website by continuing to add the many pieces we have on our Gallery floor to the online shop, and sharing more stories about the artists we represent.

Please come in, take a look around, and tell us what you think. Above all, we want you to enjoy the Gallery from home or around the world.

WWW.SFWEAVING.COM
As Labor Day weekend begins with the advent of fall, the Gallery is featuring our best-selling collection of YaccoMaricard. This collection of shirts and jackets is designed in Japan, and made in YaccoMaricard's Thailand studio of high quality cotton.

Known for their unique pintuck detail, asymmetrical lines, and great style, these are favorites year-round. The current collection features cotton shirts, cotton/jersey jackets, and jersey shirts and vests in beautiful colors.

Call or e-mail us for guidance on the best fit , style and colors for you today!
New arrivals weekly! The latest include beautiful items from:
Amy Nguyen :: Shibori Jackets, Tunics and Scarves
Deborah Cross :: Crisp Silk Shirts
Akihiko Izukura :: A Perfect Raw Silk Coat
Maggy Pavlou :: Felted Wool Vests and Jackets
Diane Prekup :: Fiber Collage Vests and Jackets
Wallace Sewell :: English Scarves
GGR Designs :: Bold Necklaces
Deborah Zane :: Felted Scarves

 

 

Introducing Gabriela Horvat sculptural organic necklaces and earrings. Designed in Argentina by Gabriela in partnership with her mother, and crafted by women trained in intricate threading, these necklaces of organic silk, wool, linen and cotton fibers are striking. They take on a sculptural look with the organic shapes accented by contrasting beads. Silver or gold hooks finish the piece. In varying lengths - the longer pieces can be knotted to shorten, or left long. They may be wrapped around once, twice or even thrice. We love this new addition, and know you will also!
It has been a lovely month. Folk Art Market took place the second weekend, and that's one of the largest events in Santa Fe. Many of you from out of town come in for this, and we loved seeing you! Our lectures by Edric Ong from Malaysia and Barbara Arlen from Santa Fe were enjoyable and edifying. In fact, Barbara's talk had been mentioned by Mary Charlotte on KSFR, a local radio station, that morning so a large crowd turned out at the Collected Works Bookstore.

Our exhibit of South and Southeast Asian textiles by Edric Ong was a huge hit with some exquisite double ikat shawls, silk shawls with gold microembroidery, and many other textiles.

Darshan Shah's Weaving Studio, Chinalai Modern, and Lou Zeldis pieces were also featured during the Folk Art week exhibition. We still have a few pieces from them on display so stop in the store or online if you're interested in them. 

Later in the month, I was privileged to attend the national Deaf Women United conference in Berkeley and present my journey to becoming the owner of Santa Fe Weaving Gallery. It was a joy to share the experience with other women who are looking for affirming life changes.

Even though our online presence slows down a bit in the summer as things heat up in town and in the Gallery, know that we appreciate each of you and love talking with you when you call or e-mail us. We're always happy to send you pictures of what we have on the floor and help you select pieces.

We continue to procure and curate modern artisanal style that is comfortable and fabulous to wear. And a big part of our legacy is our international artist community - we're proud to support the beautiful work of the special women and men who have the eye and hand to make beautiful garments.

Elise
FOLK ART MARKET WEEK
Gallery Events
July 7-14

This year's Folk Art Market is shaping up to be fabulous, paired with Santa Fe's Summer of Color! The Gallery is proud to host
Edric Ong
and his curated exhibit of
The Textiles of Borneo
July 7-14
Accompanied by displays from Chinalai Modern, Darshan Shah, and a retrospective of Lou Zeldis
 

Lectures on July 10 and 11

Thursday, July 10, 3pm at Collected Works
Edric Ong: Iban Textiles of Malaysian Borneo - the Indian Connection
followed by showing at the Gallery

Friday, July 11, 10am at Collected Works
Barbara Arlen: Psychology of Color - How People Change Their Color Preferences
followed by showing at the Gallery

No registration required. Join us in celebrating the Summer of Color!
Collected Works Bookstore is located two doors south of Santa Fe Weaving Gallery at 202 Galisteo.

About Ripins Clothier


Takako Ueki is the owner of Ripins. She is the highly successful owner of Habu Textiles, which procures incredible small mill yarn from Japan.

Takako inherited Ripins Clothier from her close friend and mentor, Yumiko Shibata, who had passed away January 2014. Takako took over the reins and updated the patterns that had been used for many years to make them modern. The fabric is all naturally dyed, and woven in a small mill in Japan. The clothes are also sewn in Japan - impeccable stitchery. This is quality clothing, reminiscent of what our mothers and grandmothers may have sewn in years past for us to wear but updated beautifully for today.

Enjoy the collection, and please call or e-mail us to discuss the best selection for you.

Last week, we unveiled our new logo. I'd like to tell you a little bit more about the vision that I have for the Gallery.

Santa Fe Weaving Gallery was founded in 1976 by four weavers who sold woven goods off their loom in Santa Fe. It was the height of the textile arts movement and the Gallery was a pioneer. 

In 1992, Jill and Barbara came from New York City to take the reins. They infused the Gallery with their creative energy in vibrant colors and patterns, and they scoured the world to bring many of our current artists to you. 

When I stepped in last year as the current owner, I saw a rich legacy with a purpose that is so very relevant in today's world. You care deeply about beautiful garments that are made by small studio artists and designers, and you care about the handicraft of the cloth. So do I. Our clothes are modern in the sense that they are designed for today's woman - some with new technology, some with innovative materials - and always with a deep appreciation for the rich heritage of the handmade cloth.

I have a vision of framing the modern artisanal cloth, in all its color and texture and pattern, and allowing it to stand out against the lighter feel and logo of the refreshed Gallery. I love color and pattern and texture - and I want the work of our artists to take center stage in the Gallery space (both physically and virtually). Earlier this year, we lightened the space with gallery-white walls. Our storefront is being refreshed with new paint and signage. Come and visit!

As I explained in last week's email, the new logo is a nod to the chevron pattern of the woven cloth, while revealing the handmade nature. It is a stamp of the Gallery's legacy and its future.

Thank you for your patronage and enthusiastic support of our Gallery and all of our artists over the years! We are excited for the journey ahead with you. We love hearing from you, be sure to drop us a line and tell us what you think of the new logo and direction.

With gratitude,
Elise

Unveiling...Santa Fe Weaving Gallery's new logo

and our new website is coming soon!


This new logo was crafted with the legacy of the Gallery in mind. It evokes the woven cloth. The chevron pattern is one of the oldest designs in art and it carries in beauty today.

The Gallery continues to represent small-studio artisans and designers that innovate the cloth to create clothes that are modern and artisanal.
Fong's pieces are sewn with the most impeccable craftsmanship and of the highest quality rare Chinese silks that are hand-dyed and hand-lacquered. Many of her pieces drape beautifully on all women. You will reach for her pieces over and over again because they fit well and feel beautiful. Her kimonal jackets are reversible, giving twice as much interest.

Please join us in wishing our store manager Melissa bon voyage as she returns to California! We will miss her.
Nymphe, Edelle and Calliope will continue to serve all of you with their knowledge and impeccable style.

 

Diane and her husband Mark hand dye and then stamp their own prints, using handmade stamps, in their Florida studio. Yet another layer to Diane's creativity!

Wendy Kowynia of Steamboat Springs, Colorado is an award-winning textile artist and her creations are always eagerly anticipated here at Santa Fe Weaving Gallery!

Woven of the softest bamboo, linen, rayon, silk and - in some cases - accented with incredible pine paper yarn from Japan, these pieces are eminently wearable and pleasing to the eye. They have a clean and modern aesthetic while honoring the woven and shibori traditions.
New collections for Spring and Summer 2015 are starting to arrive weekly at the Gallery and we love it! The first few arrivals from Barbara Wells, Xioayan Lin, Sophie Finzi, and Designs by SoniA are sure to delight you with their lightweight and sheer looks.

Pantone has announced Marsala is the 2015 Color of the Year. As Leatrice Eiseman, Executive Director of the Pantone Color Institute, describes: Marsala enriches our mind, body and soul, exuding confidence and stability. Marsala is a subtly seductive shade, one that draws us in to its embracing warmth.

A few years ago I picked up a book at the library that was all about your personal associations with color. In it, the author asked me to recall my first memories of color, describe the meaning of various colors, and to identify the roots of history with my favorite shades. It was an interesting exercise as it increased my awareness of my favorite colors - which, frankly, I wasn't entirely proud of because they are pink and blue - girly shades that I didn't think were befitting a strong woman. This book brought me back to my grandmother's robin blue bedroom and helped me change my association with pink and blue from young and immature to strong and soft, shades to carry with empowerment.

Color is more powerful than many of us know. If we delve into our personal meanings, we'll find that we associate certain colors with certain traits. In examining those, you may uncover a new layer of yourself and come to appreciate color in the world differently.

If I can rediscover that book I found in the library, I will share the title here!

Marsala is a beautiful, rich, deep tone that is universally flattering, much like indigo is. We will be exploring Marsala in the Gallery over the coming year, bringing it in where it enhances our pieces and our women.

What is your first memory of your favorite color?

Elise

OPENING TODAY
Maggy Pavlou Trunk Show
Thursday - Monday, December 4 - 8 (closed Sunday), 10am - 5pm
Meet Maggy at the Gallery today and tomorrow

For her new collection of jackets and vests, Maggy has layered a knitted base and woven fleece onto felted wool fibers to create beautifully textured jackets. She also has created lightweight felted wool and silk vests.

Maggy has masterfully mixed up classic and neutral colors with shots of hot colors for a subtle yet distinctive look. And her collars always cap the pieces in style!

Melissa and I are eagerly anticipating seeing our East Coast clients at the Washington, D.C. trunk show! We will be at The Melrose Georgetown on November 14 and 15 (Friday and Saturday). Some special pieces are in store for the show, as well as some favorite designs. There will also be plenty of scarves and accessories for all your holiday gift shopping.

Speaking of scarves, a common conversation in the Gallery is whether one can ever have too many scarves. My personal opinion is no - that's just not possible. Scarves really can make or break an outfit, or change the look completely. Scarves add warmth when you need it, or accentuate a feature. Scarves add beautiful color and texture that you couldn't have in other wardrobe pieces.

In a conversation with weaver Wendy Kowynia recently, she talked about how having a very defined space that is limited by the size of the loom can really allow creativity to come to the forefront. A scarf is a relatively small piece of the wardrobe but so rich in possibility with colors, textures, finishes, materials, edging.

A great piece of advice from Jill, former owner extraordinaire, is to regularly bring out your scarf collection and select a few that you specifically want to wear for the coming weeks or months and keep those out. Put the others away for the duration. Rotating your collection that way will freshen your appreciation of each scarf, allow you to divest of those that don't delight you anymore, and see where a new scarf would be welcome.

I know what I'll be doing this weekend.

Elise

A friend of mine recently told me she was nearly done with her holiday shopping. Every year, the first friend to say that, or the first holiday decorations landing in the store, always takes me by surprise. How did another year fly by so quickly, and why am I never ready?

Well, this year I can say that I'm more ready than in past years! The Gallery has an exciting raft of jewelry, scarves, and special pieces ordered and those will begin arriving soon. Some of them are tagged for the Washington, D.C. trunk show November 14-15, and many others will be in the Gallery for your holiday shopping.

It's cold outside here in northern New Mexico but it's not quite cold enough to turn on the heat. These days, I love nothing more than snuggling up in a warm sweater or wool jacket. Can never have enough of those.

Stay warm - and stylish! As Lauren Hutton said, "Fashion is what you're offered four times a year by designers. And style is what you choose."

Elise

THIS WEEK:: October 13-18 

An Indigo Invitational :: Indigo pieces specially created for Santa Fe Weaving Gallery by a few of our artists - Maggy Pavlou, Diane Prekup, Wendy Kowynia, Phyllis Christensen, Doshi, Holly Badgley, Judith Content, Marlene Bolotsky

View the collection online or visit us at the Gallery, open 10am - 6pm Monday - Saturday 

Special thanks to Catherine Legrand for curating last week's A Week of Indigo exhibit, and to Jill Heppenheimer for making it all happen! We're delighted that the Indigo celebration continues this week.

We are saddened to learn of the passing of another dear friend and colleague, weaver Rose Fernandez, this week.  Rose was a talented weaver who had just come to weaving in the last 10 years of her life. But her passion for the craft was huge, and her heart, bigger. Our small circle of Santa Fe Weaving Gallery friends, collectors and colleagues is less for having lost her but greater for having known and supported her in her artistic endeavors.


Gratefully, Jill and Barbara, former stewards of SFWG

Catherine Legrand has brought in a beautiful collection of Indigo pieces from around the world and the exhibit opens today. The collection is rounded out by other pieces brought in by Jill Heppenheimer.

Join us in the Gallery today at 4pm for the reception and Catherine's book signing of "Indigo: The Colour That Changed the World."

Tomorrow (Tuesday, October 7), Catherine will be giving a talk at the Wheelwright Museum Library on Museum Hill at 4pm. Afterwards, we will screen "Blue Alchemy" by NM filmmaker Mary Lance. The evening will conclude by 6:15pm.

The Gallery is open daily from 10am to 6pm, and this exhibit will run through Saturday, October 11. An invitational showing of Indigo pieces by some of the Gallery's artists will open next week, October 13-18.

Some of the Indigo pieces from the exhibit are also available online, and we will add pieces through the week.

As we gear up for A Week of Indigo, I've been reading up on the significance of indigo. Indigo is probably the most universally flattering color so it's no wonder that it has been an important color in many cultures around the world. It is also one of the oldest dyes used in textiles, with its roots in India. The indigo plant, which is soaked and fermented, is where natural indigo comes from - and it can be mixed with other substances to produce different shades, including purple. 

The color resonates deeply for many of us - and it's been said to be the color of the Third Eye, linked to intuition and mysticism. 

Catherine Legrand, our guest curator, has spent over 20 years traveling and researching indigo and ethnic textiles. We're delighted to have her at the Gallery, displaying indigo pieces from around the world and giving a talk about her work. She is also the author of "Indigo: The Colour That Changed the World" and she will be signing books at the Gallery on Monday, October 6 at 4pm. 

Also on display will be other indigo pieces brought by Jill Heppenheimer. Most of the pieces will be available for sale and we will post images here on the website. 

We hope that you'll join us on Tuesday, October 7, when Catherine gives her talk at the Wheelwright Museum Library at 4pm, and stay on for the screening of "Blue Alchemy" - a documentary about Indigo by New Mexico filmmaker Mary Lance. Santa Fe Weaving Gallery makes a cameo appearance in that film! 

The first exhibit will run Monday, October 6 through Saturday, October 11. Then - it doesn't end there! - we will have an invitational showing of indigo pieces specially made by some of the Gallery's artists the week of October 13-18. 

Please join us in the gallery and online to view what will be an exciting and beautiful collection of Indigo. 

Elise

Fall may have just arrived, but at the Gallery we are already thinking about Spring 2015! This week is Fashion Week in New York City, and this weekend will see several fashion shows for the trade. Melissa and I will be jetting over to take in a couple of shows, preview Spring collections and place orders. We look forward to meeting many of our designers and discovering new ones.

As you know, Santa Fe Weaving Gallery originated with handwoven fiber arts and that will always remain a cornerstone of the Gallery. Over the years, we expanded to include other innovative cloth from small-studio artisans around the world. Handweaving is a very laborious process that is expensive in time, energy and resources. The Gallery has kept up with changes and advances as designers and weavers have adopted new techniques and technologies to create beautiful fabric and clothing.

One such innovative designer is Margo Selby. She combines handweaving and drawing with computer design programs to produce gorgeous fabrics, many of them on Jacquard looms. Santa Fe Weaving Gallery will have a trunk show of Margo Selby jackets and scarves September 25-29, in the gallery and online.

Also, watch your mailbox (physical or virtual) for the Indigo Show postcard and details. The event is October 6-11. Be sure you are on our email list by signing up here.

Elise

The air has changed - have you noticed? There's just a hint of crispness and a slight cooling down. Fall is coming and not a moment too soon!

The Gallery is ready to welcome fall with our new arrivals from Katie Mawson, Sarah Pacini, Sophie Finzi, Xiaoyan Lin, Joyce Wilkerson, and Diane Prekup -- with more arriving throughout the fall. And we are back to our main hours of 10am - 6pm, Monday - Saturday.

We expect to bring back one or two artists that have not produced work for Santa Fe Weaving Gallery in a while, and we hope to introduce you to one or two new artists that will excite you!

For now, as you entertain thoughts of the upcoming fall and winter events, holidays, shorter days, warmer food and company - ease yourself into the richer and cozier clothes the Gallery has to offer.

More information will be coming soon about the October Indigo events at the Gallery, as well as the Washington, D.C. trunk show and other trunks shows at the Gallery. If you are not already on our e-mail list, you can sign up here receive the latest updates.

As always, call or e-mail us if you see things that delight you on the website! We love hearing from you.

Elise and Melissa, Nymphe and Edelle

Last weekend was the International Folk Art Market in Santa Fe and, as you know, we hosted a series of events for our Gallery collectors and friends. It was a deeply enriching week filled with artist talks, meeting our collectors and friends, touring other galleries, going to the actual Folk Art Market, selecting some wonderful new pieces for Santa Fe Weaving Gallery, and more.

We heard some great and enriching talks from Edric Ong, Lee and Dhani Chinalai, Deborah Rael-Buckley, and Barbara Arlen, on their craft and on trends. Our group also toured a few other galleries and heard more artists and collectors talk. It was enjoyable and stimulating.

The Market itself was a dazzling exhibition of the best of folk art. The tents and grounds were beautifully decorated with garlands and lights, the booths were very well organized, and filled to the brim with colors, patterns, textures. It was such a delight to take it all in. I have already marked the artists I will visit again next year, and I look forward to getting to know more of the other artisans as well. The Market is remarkably easy to navigate and enjoy, given that there were 170 artists from 60 countries.

We are privileged to have many long-time friends of the gallery that come specially for Folk Art Market week. This group has been meeting every year for a number of years now, and each year new friends are added to the mix. It's a special group of art and jewelry enthusiasts that makes the Santa Fe Weaving Gallery so much fun - and meaningful. I hope you'll join us next year!

Elise

Begins Wednesday, July 9, 2014: PLEASE JOIN US!

July 9, Wednesday 3pm: Exhibition and talk with Edric Ong, artist, architect, and Consultant to UNESCO on Heritage, Architectural Conservation and Crafts. He is curating a show, expressly for Santa Fe Weaving Gallery, of his own shibori natural dye textiles wood-block printed silks, kalamkari Tree of Life shawls and scarves, and Thai/Indonesian textiles, not available at the Market. The talk will take place at Collected Works Bookstore, courtesy of Dorothy Massey and Mary Wolf. Then, we will join Edric at Santa Fe Weaving Gallery, around the corner, to see his show, which will open July 8th.

July 10, 9:15am Thursday, morning talk at Collected Works Bookstore with Vichai and Lee Chinalai, and Somporn Intaraprayong, Thailand. Lee will be presenting her acclaimed talk on Li people (Meifu Li) head cloths of China. We will then go around the corner to Santa Fe Weaving Gallery for a preview of Somporn’s indigo pieces.

The Chinalais will tell us about their adoption of a school in Thailand. A portion of their sales goes toward their work with the children.

11:15 am, back at Collected Works: We will have a presentation by Taos artist, Deborah Rael-Buckley. Deborah is a ceramic and mixed media “narrative” sculptor from Taos, whose work is a “balanced combination of architecturally-informed shapes, layered archetypal imagery, and detailed graphic surfaces rich in color and texture. Her work seeks to tell a story of contained memory through a series of figure and chair-based forms layered with what she terms ‘the taxonomy of memory’: the layering of personal, cultural, historical and biological imagery.” Museums and private collectors, all over the US, have collected her work.

July 11, Friday- Gallery “Walk-About”; the following galleries have agreed to showcase special collections and give 30 minute talks for our group and the public to “walk about” and hear.

9:00-10:30ish am Casa Nova, Railyard, Natalie Fitz-Gerald will welcome our group for a buffet breakfast, and offer talks on Moroccan textiles and a Mali jewelry/textiles/craft

10:45-11:45 am John Ruddy, focus on recycle weaving and boro textiles from Japan and Taylor A. Dale Fine Tribal Art, focus on New Guinea objects from late 19th century, 129 W. San Francisco Street, 2nd Floor

then break for a quick lunch, and.....

12:45 pm Santa Fe Weaving Gallery: Barbara Arlen, textile designer/consultant. “Color and pattern trends 2014-2015: A Forecast from international fashion and home design shows”

PLEASE JOIN US! FOR CLIENTS OF THE GALLERY AND FRIENDS

Santa Fe Weaving Gallery- Folk Art Market Week

124-1/2 Galisteo Street

Santa Fe NM 87501

I can’t stop thinking of the great artistry that has crossed the threshold of the gallery today, maybe more than most days. Today, I learned that we’ve lost another really talented bright light in the constellation of textile artists: Roselle Abramowitz.

Roselle’s very painterly silk and linen kimono, wraps and shirts have been a hallmark of the gallery’s aesthetic since March of 2001. She was known for her gestural silk painting, for strong color which we loved (influenced as she was by travels all over the world), for the tigers and horses that often danced across her kimono canvas. She passed away due to a stroke earlier this month. We grieve, for we didn’t have enough time with her, and her paintbrush and design work now is silenced.

And as each passing away of a talent and a friend diminishes us, as John Donne would say, we are reminded of other passings: that of Trudie Roberts, exuberant Trudie who was one of the first SFWG artists outside of the Santa Fe founders who showed her trademark rag-woven jackets here. Trudie passed away nearly 18 months ago. And dear, talented Holly Craft, mentee of Judith Content, a shibori artist who combined the freedom of shibori with the rigors of Armani tailoring.

We have artists and clients who are challenged today with life-threatening disease, but carry on, celebrating the artistry of textiles.

While SFWG is engaged primarily in “material culture”, today’s news about Roselle haunts me, but reminds me to say: every involvement with one of our artists is about keeping alive the yearning to create beauty and to share it with an admiring circle.

I remain one of the most admiring of collectors. I will deeply miss conversations with Roselle, Trudie and Holly forever. And am sad that their work will no longer enliven the walls and windows of the gallery.

Jill Heppenheimer

We've been having hot days in northern New Mexico, some days hitting 100 degrees already. But it is June, which can often be the hottest month of the year here. Fortunately, it's a dry heat which means the warmth is lovely and suffuses me with energy. 

As I consider the summer months ahead, I'm excited!

June is the month when people start planning for the Santa Fe Opera opening weekend (June 27-29) and pick out their special event wear. Be on the look out for the new shipments of Cynthia Wayne (already arrived: check out What's New for one of her origami jackets), Amy Nguyen, Deborah Cross, and Laura Hunter. 

July brings us the famed International Folk Art Market. Santa Fe Weaving Gallery will continue to be a vibrant participant, hosting special lectures, tours, and events for our clients and friends. Our little gallery will be overflowing with even more new goods, and people from all over the world sharing our love of textiles. And, Doshi will be doing a trunk show the last weekend in July, which we very much look forward to as she brings new designs in! 

August will see the Santa Fe Indian Art Market, another beautiful market with endless inspirations in colors, textures, and design. 

And there are many other events interspersed, public and private, in gorgeous Santa Fe and northern New Mexico. Come to the gallery this summer and see our special pieces! Melissa, Nymphe and I look forward to seeing you and helping you pick out fresh, light pieces for summer events.   

Elise 

People have been asking me what my vision is for the gallery.

As with so many creations in our lives, I have a vision that started out as a seed of inspiration, an image in my subconscious that is in the process of being translated to images, words, and articulated ideas.

The unfolding process includes meeting our artists (and falling in love with them) and meeting our clients (and learning what artists and pieces make them happy). The gallery is about curating the work of the small studio artists around the world and the beautiful colors, patterns and textures they create. The gallery will always be about that. After all, that’s why I was drawn to this particular place and became the new owner.

The process also means that our team (Melissa, Nymphe, and our wonderful supporting cast) is settling into a new cadence of activities and routines: when and how often we update the website, the ensembles we select and create, the photos we take, the descriptions we write. They will all look and feel a little different. And changes will continue to come as we freshen up the logo and website later this year.

We will continue to represent the artists that the gallery has carried and that you love. As I meet the current and new artists, I will bring what excites me to the gallery and to you – the beautiful clothes, and the ideas and processes behind them. Many pieces from your favorites are coming this summer!

And, as with art creations, I don’t know where this path will lead ultimately – but I’m delighted to be on this journey and there is nowhere else I’d rather be. I hope you’ll come along for the ride. When Santa Fe Weaving Gallery opened in 1976, I’m sure the original founders had no inkling that the gallery would be around in 2014 as a premier gallery of artisan wear representing domestic and international artists, selling to global clients.

I’d love to hear from you – drop me a line at elise@textileaddiction.com to tell me what you love about the gallery, ask me questions, or to arrange a visit – and even include a picture of you in your favorite gallery piece! I look forward to meeting many of you during the upcoming Santa Fe Opera, Folk Art Market, and Indian Art Market events.

Elise

P.S. Note that our store hours will expand to 10 am – 5:30 pm for the month of June, and 10 am – 6 pm starting July 1.

The Diane Prekup trunk show was such a fun weekend! Diane brought some brilliant new pieces - most notably, the Butterfly Jacket which flew out the gallery on the first day. I spent time with Diane and we talked about how this collection was a burst of freshness that was the culmination of the season (Spring) and wanting a fresh new look to bring to our clients. Many of our long-time clients added to their Prekup collections, and some new clients were introduced to the delights of Prekup's fiber art. Diane is a natural in the gallery, explaining her process with a brief slide show on her iPad, and finding the right owner for each piece.

We talked about how - as Diane creates each piece - she has no idea who will end up purchasing the tunic, jacket, vest, or top. But she trusts that each one will find its way to an owner. I find that to be true as well. So many of our gallery's artisan wear pieces are unique and some take longer than others to be matched to the right woman. Some pieces leave the gallery just as soon as they arrive. There's an interesting synergy that happens there.

What I do know is that when a collector puts on a piece that belongs to her, everyone in the room knows immediately. Our eyes soften a bit as we take in the beauty of the clothing on the client. The piece comes alive, and the woman is complemented and flattered in the best way possible for her unique beauty. 

It's our job to seek out the artisan, small studio pieces and match them to our clients and collectors. That's what we love to do.

Elise

There is nothing like slipping into a new piece of clothing or jewelry, not knowing how it will work on you, and finding that it fits you perfectly! That was my experience over and over again, with many of the gallery pieces.

I've delighted in trying on just about every item in the gallery over the past month - what better way is there to appreciate every artist and their creations? And there have been items that I doubted would work on me, only to find that they fit beautifully.

Part of the joy in owning this gallery is looking at a particular piece and envisioning the kind of woman that it will look best on. Some pieces are designed with a very specific woman in mind. At the Chicago trunk show last weekend, we featured a stunningly gorgeous silk event coat by Morihiro Muto in Japan. I coveted it but when I put it on, it was simply overwhelming on my frame. I knew it had to belong to a woman of a certain stature and wondered if she would come to the trunk show.

Within minutes of thinking that thought, the right client walked into the trunk show and claimed it! It was a perfect fit.

And then there are some pieces that work equally well on women of very different shapes and sizes. Some of them don't look like much on the hanger, but really come to life once draped on a woman - taking on her shape, accenting the right areas, and gracefully skimming other areas.

It takes many, many years of experience and many creations for an artist to know how to make the cloth, and design the clothing, in this way. Santa Fe Weaving Gallery really seeks out these artists and works with them to bring their pieces to our clients and collectors.

The other thing that is amazing is some of the stories behind the clothes or the artist. When Takako Ueki of Ripins Clothing was at our gallery earlier this month, she told the story of the new clothing line. Her friend in Kyoto, Japan, owned the store and patterns for the clothes. She died, leaving the store to Takako. Takako was already in yarn and fabric and had no intention of making clothes. But she did - supporting small mills in Japan creating the fabric, and keeping on the seamstresses of the store she inherited. Ripins Clothing is a beautiful line of meticulously crafted clothes that are finished inside and outside, with pieces that flatter many women of different shapes.

What a beautiful story.

Elise

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