Hand Woven Blankets With Story and Soul
Rhythm and memory methodically intersect,
as my hands and heart weave each of these unique blankets using 100% pure wools.
These artisan blankets are treasured in families across the world,
and will warm and be part of those families stories for generations to come.
JULIE STEPHENSON
Curious, Creative, Living Boldly
Welcome to Julie's Studio Journeys.
My name is Julie; also known as Skeinydipping. :)
I am an adventurous spirit diving into life boldly, curiously, creatively.
I am an artist.
My experiences of journeying the world are the foundation
for my soul-filled artisan heirloom hand-woven blankets.
FROM INSPIRATION
TO DESTINATION
From Thread to Heirloom
Gently Hand Crafted with Intention
Memories of my experiences journeying the world
come to life again in my studio.
I gather beautiful wool to give shape to my memories.
I love the repetition of walking from one end to the other,
warping my rigid heddle loom.
I wind, weight, thread and lash the warp ;
then interlace my memory into the weft.
Weaving. Side to side. Repetitive. Meditative.
My hands work gently and my studio is quiet. No podcasts or music.
Just my thoughts and the sounds of the birds and wind from outside,
and the clunk of the shuttle as I lay it on the table before I bring the heddle back toward me to gently press the pic into the woven fabric.
The new story is end-stitched then released from the loom;
the fringe is knotted.
A careful wash, then to feel the wind to dry.
It's final mark; a unique motif, I hand stitch.
The unique handwoven blanket is then ready for its new destination;
my hope to be a part of another's history and stories.
WEAVING A STORY
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Fabrics for Generations
I've come to learn from the weavers in many cultures,
that their woven fabric holds stories and history;
giving a sense of cultural identity and belonging.
Nothing is woven without meaning.
I've seen fabrics which have been passed down
through generations, still being used in homes.
Often natural dyes are still being used to colour the yarn;
and patterns are often specific to a family, region or ideology.
My hand woven artisan blankets are steeped in this knowledge,
that a handwoven object can be used daily
and still be handed to future generations;
and that woven within it are stories,
and those are my stories. My memories.
My stories are represented through colour
rather than through patterned design.
No colour is without meaning.
No colour is without reference to memory.
My handwoven artisan blankets are artworks which warm.
Warm generations.
Warm hearts when they are gifted or placed lovingly on oneself or another.
CURRENTLY AVAILABLE
BLANKETS
AVAILABILITY
Due to the time required for me to weave and sew each one-of-a-kind item by hand, only a small number of blankets are offered for sale in my shop updates every few months.
Pop your name below and you will be notified when my next blanket series will be available for you to purchase.
