Center Hours:
Monday-Thursday : 9am-9pm
Friday: 9am-5pm
The Center is open during performances and events scheduled on
Saturdays and Sundays.
2880 Mountain Road, Glen Allen 23060
info@artsglenallen.com
804-261-ARTS (2787)
Jan 19 Mon Spinning Yarns from the Spinning Wheel http://www.visarts.org 6:30 - 9:00 4 week session 1812 W. Main St. 804.353.0094
Jan 24 Hand-felted Scarves http://www.visarts.org 10 am - 4:00 pm One day workshop 1812 W. Main St. 804.353.0094
Jan 31 Sew Much Fun http://www.artsglenallen.com One day, Parent child workshop 10am-4pm
Feb 7 Spinning yarns from the spinning wheel 10 - 4pm http://www.bayschool-arts.com Sponsored one-day workshop by VMFA Statewide Partnership
Feb 4 Wed Wed. night Weaving Stillman Studio (Far West End) 6:00 pm - 8:30 Weekly 3800 Stillman Pkwy
Feb 10,17,24 & 3/3 Learn to Sew Cherri Hankins Studio 6:00 pm - 8:30 (804) 687-0543 Stillman Studio (Far West End)
Feb 12 Thurs Learn to Weave on Floor Loom http://www.visarts.org 6:30 - 9:00 pm 4 week session 1812 W. Main St 804.353.0094
Feb 14 Hat Felting http://www.artsglenallen.org 10am-4pm One day workshop
Feb 14 EEEEKKKKKK Double booked Rug felting http://www.bayschool-arts.com
10 - 4 One day workshop
Feb 21 Weekend of Rigid Heddle Weaving Workshop 3800 Stillman Pkwy, Richmond,va 23233 Sat. 9-4 & 6:30 - 9:00, Sunday 1-5 pm 804.687.0543
Feb 28 Hand Felted hats http://www.visarts.org
10 am - 4 pm One Day Workshop
Mar 6, 13, 20, 27 Tapestry Weaving The Art Center in Orange (VA)
10 am - noon Fridays (540) 672-7311
Mar 6, 13, 20, 27 Spinning Yarn from the Spinning Wheel The Art Center in Orange (VA)
12:30 - 2:30 Fridays (540) 672-7311
Mar 6, 13, 20, 27 Friday afternoon Fiber Funshop The Art Center in Orange (VA)
4 - 6:00 Fridays (540) 672-7311
March 7,8 Learn to Weave in a Weekend 3800 Stillman Pkwy; Richmond, VA 23233
Sat. 9-4 & 6:30 - 9:00, Sunday 1-5pm Cherri Hankins Studio (804) 687-0543
Mar 21 Felted Vessles http://www.visarts.org
10 am - 4 pm One day workshop
March 28 Felted Vessels http://www.artsglenallen.org
10 am - 4 pm One day workshop
April 3 Intro to Weaving (rigid heddle class) http://www.bayschool-arts.com
10 am - 4 pm One day Workshop
April 18 Weaving for My Walls http://www.artsglenallen.org
10 am - 4 pm One day workshop
April 24 Rigid Heddle Weaving http://www.visarts.org
10 am - 4 pm One day workshop
May 2,3 Learn to Weave in a Weekend 3800 Stillman Pkwy, Richmond, VA 23233
Saturday 9am-4pm, 6:30 pm - 9:00pm, Sunday 1:00 pm - 5pm Cherri Hankins Studio
June 7 - 12 An Immersion in Weaving 3800 Stillman Pkwy, Richmond, VA 23233
40 hours of instruction and 20 hours of open studio time in one week! Cherri Hankins Studio 804.687.0543
June 14 - 21 Spinning yarn from the Spinning Wheel http://www.touchstonecrafts.com/
Daily An immersion spinning experience for adults in Wharton Furnace, PA
June 21 - 27 Weaving at Touchstone http://www.touchstonecrafts.com/
Daily An immersion weaving experience for adults in Wharton Furnace, PA
July 11 & 12 Weekend Rigid Heddle Weaving Workshop 3800 Stillman Pkwy, Ricmond, VA 23233
Sat. 9-4 & 6:30 - 9:00, Sunday 1-5 pm Cherri Hankins Studio 804.687.0543
August 9-14 An Immersion in Weaving 3800 Stillman Pkwy, Richmond, VA 2323340 hours of instruction and 20 hours of open studio time in one week! Cherri Hankins Studio 804.687.0543
August 15 & 16 Learn to Weave in a Weekend 3800 Stillman Pkwy, Richmond, VA 23233
Saturday 9am-4pm, 6:30 pm - 9:00pm, Sunday 1:00 pm - 5pm Cherri Hankins Studio 804.687.0543
August 23 Rigid Heddle weaving http://www.touchstonecrafts.com/
Daily An emmersion weaving experience for adults in Wharton Furnace, PA
Since publishing the Rigid Heddle Loom review, I have woven on/with the Kromski Fiddle, and the Harp, and wanted to update the review, with these looms. I also want to say that I read recently that some floor loom weavers consider rigid heddle looms to be ‘toys’. Well, they are fun, they are small, they generally provide a quick weave, so my rigid heddle looms are my toys. My floor looms are my toys, and my tapestry loom is my toy. My work is my play. And I do a LOT of it. Don’t worry about what others think. How much fun are you having?
OK, to review the looms:
Beka. It’s a a simple loom. I like the Beka because it’s an inexpensive way to have rigid heddle looms to take from art center to art center without renting a larger vehicle. They are lightweight, and graceful looking. These looms assemble in less than 5 minutes. The ratchet brake is fairly secure, but the end of the 2 beams screw into the side supports, and (Dislikes) these tend to tighten themselves so the warp doesn’t advance without working with them every time. The block that holds the rigid heddle up, or down, is just that, a block of wood, as a result, the heddle slips off a good deal. I also don’t find it comfortable as a lap loom. I just doesn’t rest well against the table, and if tilted, the rigid heddle is even less likely to stay in the up or down position. If you have the money for a better loom, don’t spend your money here. This loom should cost approx $110 for a 20″, and $127 for a 24′ . Included equipment are 2 stick shuttles, a pickup stick, and a threading hook. Be aware: No warping device is included!
Schacht rigid heddle looms Schacht is an ok lap loom. Again, it’s very rudimentary, streamline, and graceful looking. It’s very light weight, and easy to travel with. I like the Schacht for the same reason I liked the Beka. I also like the fact that Schacht notches the block that holds the rigid heddle up, or down. As you know, anything with the Schacht name is not “economy” priced. I dislike it because it is rather an economy loom,by design, yet at nearly twice the price of the Beka. The warp brake is tightened by screwing the block on the back beam, which allows slippage, leading to frustration in my classes. So between the price, and the slippage, I don’t use Schacht. It comes with a clamp, warping peg, stick shuttle, and threading hook. Generally, these looms cost approx $180 for a 20″ loom, and $200 for a 25″ loom.
Kromski Harp is a lovely loom. I didn’t plan on liking either Kromski because the hinged loom seems like a rather silly idea to me. LIkes:The rigid heddle loom is already so much smaller than other looms, why hinge it. Yet one of my students who travels a lot said, “simple, to fly with it”. Yes, it would travel better in that small state. I began liking the loom as soon as I finished putting it together. The wood is finished. The various supports are turned wood, or otherwise decorative, there is a system with the loom to assist in threading, the loom comes with a nice heddle/reed hook, a DVD, clear instructions, a pretty rigid heddle, clear assembly instructions, warping devices and shuttles. It’s a good deal. I got the 16″ for $189, which is a good price for a package that includes everything you need. Dislikes: I didn’t like the density of the reed, but that’s because I’m so fond of the Leclercs, which come with a more widely sett reed. I’m concerned the hinge will come loose. I can’t figure out how to carry the loom, as the hooks come unhooked when the loom is folded. You pretty much have to buy a carry bag to keep the stuff together (good thing they sell one). I have enjoyed it in the few days I’ve had it. It is the only rigid heddle loom that I’ve bought to teach on that just beckoned me to use after class. I will buy more of these if this holds up. It’s actually a good buy.
Kromski Fiddle is a cheaper alternative if you want a Kromski, but don’t want a hinged loom. It’s a comfortable loom to use. I got the 16″ version for about $130. It comes with the hook, a warping peg, shuttles, and assembly instructions, as well as that cool system for holding the apron rod to make warping easier. It is simpler to assemble than the harp. Dislikes: The wood is unfinished. It does not come with use instructions, or a DVD. The heddle is very closely sett, and Too bad. I will use both the Kromski looms again. Very good loom. I would pay more, and be more likely to buy this again, as well as recommend it if it were finished wood, and if it came with some use instructions. Overall, it’s a very good loom.
Ashford has a nice looking loom. It’s a lot like the harp without the warping board attached. I thought I was really going to like it. It looks rather modern with it’s colorful ratchets and it’s wonderful instruction booklet. Another nice thing about this loom, is that the craftsmanship is quality. The looms are soundly constructed, finished nicely, and fairly well designed. The very best feature of the Ashford Rigid Heddle looms, is the clear, instruction manual that accompanies the looms. A full color instruction booklet that is nearly failsafe is priceless for self-taught beginners. This is a wonderful feature! For some reason, however, I find the ratchet/dog system failed me several times, and winding on the warp is not a simple task, because the loom doesn’t have a crank on the warp beam. All of the above mentioned looms are simple in design, and structurally should make very good lap looms. I found this one is the best lap loom. It rests easily on the table, and the heddle stays firmly in place when the warp is sufficiently tight.The 24″ runs about 165.00 and it comes with 2 stick shuttles, 2 threading hooks, a clamp, and the precious INSTRUCTIONS!
Leclerc Bergere is a tabletop rigid heddle loom. It has metal ratchets, and dogs, handles to wind the warp on, and the rigid heddle securely rests in the notched “castle post”. It’s a more complex design than the aforementioned rigid heddle looms in that it is raised off the table by legs, and has a castle type device for the heddle, rather than simply a support block. It comes with a styrene boat shuttle, 2, 28″ long stick shuttles, metal lea sticks, a set of 2 warping blocks (each has 2 pegs for creating a cross in your warp), and warp sticks with cord. As you can see, this is a loom, and if you want to learn the entire process of warping, this is a great place to start. You get a lot of equipment for a weaving studio, and a very good table top rigid heddle loom. I really like this loom. It’s good for me because as an instructor who travels to art centers(that don’t own looms) to teach, I can take a loom that I can actually teach the entire process of dressing a loom on, and it translates to the student’s floor loom also, because the loom is designed to be dressed back to front like a floor loom. The rigid heddle rests firmly in the notches, and there is a ‘rest’ position for threading it. it travels well with the loom warped by simply putting rubber bands around the joint where the rigid heddle rests in the castle post. It comes with a very clear, though instruction booklet that will easily get a beginner started with the loom, and with some elemental tapestry techniques. However, what I don’t like, is that it is not graceful and complact. It doesn’t have a simple design, and really isn’t a lap loom. Also, although I like Leclerc looms a lot, the craftsmanship on the older Leclerc looms is better. The craftsmanship on the loom is rudimentary. At just $165, this 24″ loom stands head and shoulders above the others for my purposes. (best overall rigid heddle loom in this review)
Leclerc Penelope II is a rigid heddle tapestry loom. It is weaves 22.5″ and works as an upright double rigid heddle loom. It can be used with a single rigid heddle, but comes equipped with 2. The craftsmanship is very good on this loom, the beams are braked with metal ratchets and dogs, the beams also have cranks for easy beaming of the warp. As the loom is designed to be used vertically, the rigid heddle supports are designed to hold the heddles securely in this position. The loom is designed to be warped with lea sticks, and in a ‘back to front’ fashion. Again, this makes it a wonderful pre-cursor to a floor loom, if that is the direction the weaver is headed. This loom gives very good tension on the warp, and is comfortable for a variety of tapestry techniques for tapestry, but is not an efficient loom as a substitute for plain weave, or pattern weaving quickly because of it’s upright position. I’m very impressed with this loom. It comes with tapestry bobbins, metal lea sticks, 2 warping blocks, which have 2 pegs each, for creating a cross in your warp, heddle hook, and 2 long stick shuttles. Now, for the downside, it also comes with an instruction booklet that has instructions for the Penelope, but not the Penelope II. As of the date of this review, I had not been able to get instructions from the company on how to use the 2nd rigid heddle with the loom, as the instructions are for a single rigid heddle design. Thanks to Schacht for the clear instructions on how to thread a 2 heddle rigid heddle loom. What do I not like about this loom? As I mentioned, it’s not for someone who wants to ‘crank out’ rigid heddle work. Other than that, I can’t come up with a single thing I don’t like. It’s definitely a rigid heddle loom for the tapestry weave, or a weaver who wants to do 4 harness work on a rigid heddle loom. . At $235, this loom is a bargain. (I own 5 of them, and am getting ready to order 3 more… mostly for teaching, but occassionally, for some ‘me’ time).Excellent loom
I won’t go ‘partisan’ on you. But let’s be a part of the solution. Support Americans. This year, instead of buying cheap stuff or expensive stuff in department stores for holiday gifts, give American made quality fine craft and fine art items. Support America by recognizing quality in your own country. Don’t go out and buy cheap Wally Market stuff, actually spend a little extra, pay cash, so you aren’t sinking yourself deeper in debt, and buy a fine American made quilt, or afghan, or handwoven throw. Buy pots from the local potter, prints from the local photographer, and scarves from the local felter. Don’t look for cheap, junk. That supports poor craftsmanship. Actually spend what you can, and be a part of the solution by keeping your money local.
Be aware that wool, alpaca, and other local fiber producing animals are not harmed in the harvest of their fiber, and it is a renewable resource. Buy items made from easily, readily and locally re-newable resources.
When I was at one of the ‘gourmet’ grocery stores the other day, my kids and I were tastin gelato, and the attendant giving us samples kept saying,” This is locally produce from Maryland, from Pennsylvania, from Georgia…..” We are in Richmond, Virginia, so our ‘locally grown produce is from Richmond, and the surrounding counties. If it took more than 5 gallons of gas to get it to me, it’s not local. Thanks.
If you agree with this, cut and paste the above message on your blog, in your e-mails, and at your workspace. We need to be a part of American as a sustainable economy. Again, buy locally. Buy nationally. Buy Quality.
Teri got back with me about all the fun things Fireweed Alpacas is involved with in the near future. Here is a list of some of the upcoming fun:
State Fair of Virginia
Saturday, September 27 9 am – 9 pm
National Alpaca OPEN HOUSE
Sunday, September 28, 12 pm – 5 pm
2280 Camelback Road
Maidens, VA 23012
(804) 556-2526
fireweed@boone.net
www.fireweed-alpacas.com
4th Annual Taste of Goochland
Tuesday, October 14
5 – 8 pm
Boy Scouts of America
1723 Maidens Road (this is actually on our property! See you there)
Teri is having the open house in Maidens, and it’s a great opportunity to see the alpacas in their home environment. The “Taste of Goochland” is an opportunity to come out and see what Goochland County has to offer. It’s a large # of Goochland businesses reaching out to the community to introduce themselves. It was great last year. Fireweed Alpacas did participate and drew a great deal of attention with their crias and adult alpacas. There is much more information coming from Fireweed, and an opportunity that my local fiber friends will LOVE! We can participate with shearing day, and earn fiber to boot.
Stay tuned.
Cherri
In order to do this, I want to preface it by saying the Harp is not reviewed. So if you are looking for that review, you won’t read the whole post looking for it. The rigid heddle looms I have used and am familiar with are the Beka, Leclerc Bergere, Leclerc Penelope II, Schacht, and Ashford.
The simplest is the Beka. It’s a very rudimentary loom. It’s a very simple design, inexpensive and easy to assemble. I like the Beka because it’s an inexpensive way to have rigid heddle looms to take from art center to art center without renting a larger vehicle. They are lightweight, and graceful looking. If you have never used any other type of loom, or any other rigid heddle loom, you may be satisfied for a while. They are too rudimentary for me to use for long. As a result, I don’t use them for the art centers anymore. The block that holds the rigid heddle up, or down, is just that, a block of wood, as a result, the heddle slips off a good deal. I also don’t find it comfortable as a lap loom. I just doesn’t rest well against the table, and if tilted, the rigid heddle is even less likely to stay in the up or down position. If you have the money for a better loom, don’t spend your money here. This loom should cost approx $110 for a 20″, and $127 for a 24′ . Included equipment are 2 stick shuttles, a pickup stick, and a threading hook. Be aware: No warping device is included!
Schacht rigid heddle looms Schacht is an ok lap loom. Again, it’s very rudimentary, streamline, and graceful looking. It’s very light weight, and easy to travel with. I like the Schacht for the same reason I liked the Beka. I also like the fact that Schact notches the block that holds the rigid heddle up, or down. As you know, anything with the Schacht name is not “economy” priced. I dislike it because it is rather an economy loom,by design, yet at nearly twice the price of the Beka. The warp brake is tightened by screwing the block on the back beam, which allows slippage, leading to frustration in my classes. So between the price, and the slippage, I don’t use Schacht. It comes with a clamp, warping peg, stick shuttle, and threading hook. Generally, these looms cost approx $180 for a 20″ loom, and $200 for a 25″ loom.
Ashford has a nice looking loom. It’s a lot like the harp without the warping board attached. I thought I was really going to like it. It looks rather modern with it’s colorful ratchets and it’s wonderful instruction booklet. Another nice thing about this loom, is that the craftsmanship is quality. The looms are soundly constructed, finished nicely, and fairly well designed. The very best feature of the Ashford Rigid Heddle looms, is the clear, instruction manual that accompanies the looms. A full color instruction booklet that is nearly failsafe is priceless for self-taught beginners. This is a wonderful feature! For some reason, however, I find the ratchet/dog system failed me several times, and winding on the warp is not a simple task, because the loom doesn’t have a crank on the warp beam. All of the above mentioned looms are simple in design, and structurally should make very good lap looms. I found this one is the best lap loom. It rests easily on the table, and the heddle stays firmly in place when the warp is sufficiently tight.The 24″ runs about 165.00 and it comes with 2 stick shuttles, 2 threading hooks, a clamp, and the precious INSTRUCTIONS!
Leclerc Bergere is a tabletop rigid heddle loom. It has metal ratchets, and dogs, handles to wind the warp on, and the rigid heddle securely rests in the notched “castle post”. It’s a more complex design than the aforementioned rigid heddle looms in that it is raised off the table by legs, and has a castle type device for the heddle, rather than simply a support block. It comes with a styrene boat shuttle, 2, 28″ long stick shuttles, metal lea sticks, a set of 2 warping blocks (each has 2 pegs for creating a cross in your warp), and warp sticks with cord. As you can see, this is a loom, and if you want to learn the entire process of warping, this is a great place to start. You get a lot of equipment for a weaving studio, and a very good table top rigid heddle loom. I really like this loom. It’s good for me because as an instructor who travels to art centers(that don’t own looms) to teach, I can take a loom that I can actually teach the entire process of dressing a loom on, and it translates to the student’s floor loom also, because the loom is designed to be dressed back to front like a floor loom. The rigid heddle rests firmly in the notches, and there is a ‘rest’ position for threading it. it travels well with the loom warped by simply putting rubber bands around the joint where the rigid heddle rests in the castle post. It comes with a very clear, though instruction booklet that will easily get a beginner started with the loom, and with some elemental tapestry techniques. However, what I don’t like, is that it is not graceful and complact. It doesn’t have a simple design, and really isn’t a lap loom. Also, although I like Leclerc looms a lot, the craftsmanship on the older Leclerc looms is better. The craftsmanship on the loom is rudimentary. At just $165, this 24″ loom stands head and shoulders above the others for my purposes. (best overall rigid heddle loom in this review)
Leclerc Penelope II is a rigid heddle tapestry loom. It is weaves 22.5″ and works as an upright double rigid heddle loom. It can be used with a single rigid heddle, but comes equipped with 2. The craftsmanship is very good on this loom, the beams are braked with metal ratchets and dogs, the beams also have cranks for easy beaming of the warp. As the loom is designed to be used vertically, the rigid heddle supports are designed to hold the heddles securely in this position. The loom is designed to be warped with lea sticks, and in a ‘back to front’ fashion. Again, this makes it a wonderful pre-cursor to a floor loom, if that is the direction the weaver is headed. This loom gives very good tension on the warp, and is comfortable for a variety of tapestry techniques for tapestry, but is not an efficient loom as a substitute for plain weave, or pattern weaving quickly because of it’s upright position. I’m very impressed with this loom. It comes with tapestry bobbins, metal lea sticks, 2 warping blocks, which have 2 pegs each, for creating a cross in your warp, heddle hook, and 2 long stick shuttles. Now, for the downside, it also comes with an instruction booklet that has instructions for the Penelope, but not the Penelope II. As of the date of this review, I had not been able to get instructions from the company on how to use the 2nd rigid heddle with the loom, as the instructions are for a single rigid heddle design. Thanks to Schacht for the clear instructions on how to thread a 2 heddle rigid heddle loom. What do I not like about this loom? As I mentioned, it’s not for someone who wants to ‘crank out’ rigid heddle work. Other than that, I can’t come up with a single thing I don’t like. It’s definitely a rigid heddle loom for the tapestry weave, or a weaver who wants to do 4 harness work on a rigid heddle loom. . At $235, this loom is a bargain. (I own 5 of them, and am getting ready to order 3 more… mostly for teaching, but occassionally, for some ‘me’ time).Excellent loom
Bye for now.
Cherri
The
Mathews, VA 23109
kimmoore_bsa@verizon.net - director
A lady contacted me today who would like to take a two week weaving intensive in Aug. I can only come up with one week right now, but can do the last week in Aug, and the first week of Sept. I’ll be teaching morning or afternoon, and the alternating spot would be for opening studio work. I don’t think I can set it up for the studio to be open in the evenings, but may be able to work something out. Originally, I thought I could do this at Roseneath, and give the students a key, but am aware that this won’t work.
I would like to see if anyone else is interested in learning to weave in a two week intensive class. In the first week, you will learn to plan your project, dress the loom, and weave a plain weave project. Then, you will dress the loom again, and weave a double weave project. Week two, you will weave a simple reversing twill project, and learn to read a draft, tie-up your loom, and weave a two shuttle weave. Whew, that was a lot. It’s a great opportunity for folks who don’t have time for a weekly class, but really want an immersion into weaving.
Again, the dates would be:
8/25-9/5 2008
Weekends will be open studio time, so you can weave on your own, if you have your (the loom you will be using for class) loom set up. Cost would be $800.00. That’s 400.00/week. It would include 3 hours of instruction/day, and at least 4 hours open studio time/day and loom use on the weekend of the first week. Class would begin at 9 am Monday 8/25.
Please e-mail me if you are interested, or know of someone who is interested. There will be a max of 4 students in the class. maidensweaveratearthlinkdotnet
Thanks,
Cherri
