November with Rebecca Harvey-Browne
05/11/2024
After having the last week off due to it being half term and Rebecca being off with her children I returned to threading up the countermarch to make two lampshades. Rebecca had already tied up the loom so unfortunately I did png get the opportunity to do that. She has said that she will teach me as soon as the Christmas rush is over.
While I was threading up Rebecca was teaching a morning session of basic weaving. I have listened in one time before this and found it so useful just refreshing my memory on all of the key information. Today I helped out a little when any of them had a question. I always enjoy chatting afterwards as I learn a lot.
I then started weaving… was a lot of fun. I had to really keep an eye on threads not lifting as one of the feet didn’t lift up the highest. There were multiple times I would have to go back because it would have skipped slightly. This was time consuming, however, I felt much better once it was done. It was have really frustrated me knowing there were a few mistakes.
07/11/2024
Today I continued weaving. I told myself I needed to be a lot quicker. I do worry I am a little slow when weaving. I think it’s because I am constantly checking the quality etc. I compare myself to how quick Rebecca is, she could have woven what I did in half a day in an hour. I don’t want to be a hinderance as opposed to help!
I finished both lampshades by 11:45. So around 2 1/2 hours for a just over a metre of fabric…
I then had the task of getting yarn wound for the loom kits to be sold at the next few weeks Christmas events.
Rebecca was so pleased with the quality of the cloth and said I had been super productive which was nice to hear.
12/11/2024
Threading up the loom for a commission lampshade. While I was doing this Rebecca was teaching a hand loom workshop. It was so useful listening. I’m trying to learn how to create a smooth sailing workshop so picked up some good tricks.
After this I continued winding samples of yarn for the kits.
14/11/2024
Today my tasks were to get the weaving kits ready and make the baubles. Rebecca and I sat listening to Christmas music and chatted all day while getting the endless list of tasks done. It was really nice just being able to speak for a while. I really really like Rebecca, we just get on so well. I can see myself in her when I am older, we just have very similar views on life and what is important to us.
19/11/2024
Mor bauble making… although quite a monotonous task it’s Ben really fun choosing what colours and patterns go together etc. It’s nice that Rebecca feels as though she can trust me to choose the colour combinations
21/11/2024
Today I travelled to The Maltings in Farnham. Rebecca was there for the Christmas Fair. I was joining her for the second and last day of the event. My task was to weave and speak to potential customers. I felt a lot more confident than last time as I knew the kind of questions I would be asked. I do really enjoy speaking to people at these events, it’s always really interesting hearing people’s experiences with weaving and their creative journey. I also started taking orders and helping with pricing. I felt proud of this as the last time I was at the Maltings I was worried to be left alone in case of a potential customer. Growth! I then stayed an hour later (despite Rebecca saying I really didn’t need to stay) to help pack up the car and transfer everything down the stairs. She was so great fun for my help. I then received a message in the evening saying she has sent me £70. It was very sweet as it’s an unpaid internship.
This event was really successful, it was so nice to see how busy it can be at the Maltings. Definitely a big change from the Festival of craft.
26/11/2024
Today we were prepping for the next event that Rebecca is completing at Guildford Cathedral. I completed some more baubles; took scanes and turned them into balls of wool; then wrapped them into smaller sizes. Today was quite monotonous, however, was useful to get done.
A lady also collected her made to order lampshade today. It was interesting chatting to them. Previously, she had sent a harsh email, asking to change the colours after the fabric had been made up.
Rebecca kindly explained that she had already spent 10 hours on the lampshade, she was happy to remake it for an extra cost of the yarn.
It was interesting to see how you deal with tricky customers. I realised how important it is to sleep on a response. You then don’t become defensive and work with the customer, meaning everyone feels happy in the end.
28/11/2024
More baubles today. The last day I shall be completing this…
I have realised how repetitive some tasks can be, and how little time the creator can actually be doing the things they want to be doing.
For example, weaving. Because there are so many other things to do, it gets pushed to the bottom of the list.