I'm finding myself using weaving as art therapy today. I'll be upfront and say that I have not actually studied or gotten any professional art therapy myself. I'm simply talking about weaving to lift my spirits, if there is anything more to proper art therapy I should probably look into that! :) The last month has taken 2 members of our family. The first our 6 year old niece in a tragic accident. Then just 2 days ago we suddenly discovered that my dog Lily, who has been my companion for nearly 10 years, had not one, but multiple tumors on her lungs. Lily has seemed the picture of health all her life. The only medicine I can remember having to give her was when she got an infected nail when she was 3 years old! She has likely been suffering from this condition for a number of years, but there were no outside signs. Even though I know deciding to let her go was the best thing I could do for her, it has been very hard. But I don't want this discussion to be about that decision. I would like this discussion to be about our love of weaving and how the joy it gives us helps us heal! So if you have used weaving as therapy after a loss, injury, etc. and you feel comfortable doing so, pease share your experience here!

Comments

Sat, 07/01/2017 - 00:53

Artistry

yes, Erica, weaving can be many things while doing it. Sometimes. It's challenging, exciting, frustrating, I find it's being in the present most of tthe time. Some people aliken weaving to almost a zen experience . I don't feel that too often:),staying in the present while working is so thearaputic !i think something about the tactile sensations and frequent decision making ( especially tapestry) helps me keep in the present . weaving/ designing/dyeing/painting/ drawing does help me a great deal. The creative process is a place to safely express thoughts and feelings and also to explore them. The executing of the projects is almost like a dance in a floor loom weaving, throw, change, beat, over and over. That is soothing.

i do find weaving thearaputic. 

The best to you,   Cathie

Sun, 07/02/2017 - 00:57

Missus T.

Hi Erica J.,

Weaving is the ultimate therapy for me because all of the small steps that I take in doing it provide so many opportunities to "win."  Doing a knot right is a "win," even-ing out a shed is a "win," troubleshooting a tie-up is a "win."  On a day in which terrible things happen, all of these small affirmations are priceless to me.  Even if I'm choked up about something, at least I can even out the score with my weaving "wins."  They counteract my losses.  Of course talking about troubles may be helpful, but running off to be weaverly by myself is supremely consoling balsam which produces beauty.  Transmutation!  I would be lost without it.  And on happier days, in the quiet of weaving, hands happily busy, I swear that I can commune with what or whom is lost.

Tue, 07/04/2017 - 01:31

Joanne Hall

As well as weaving yourself, it is also rewarding and comforting to help a beginner get started. You have done a lot of this and so you already know that it is very satisfying. And, since one usually weaves alone, helping another to weave also gives you company, which is important. WAatching someone really enjoy themselves with weaving is something that I enjoy.

Joanne

Tue, 07/04/2017 - 22:56

Oregon Weaver

I completely agree with everyone. My family thinks I'm nuts, but weaving allows me to be completely present and mindful of what I'm creating. Plus, in our electronic world, I find it so therapeutic to step away from the technical and into the basics of weaving. Kathryn
Wed, 07/05/2017 - 19:08

sally orgren

mentally, physically and creatively, all at the same time. There are very few things that can do that.
Wed, 07/05/2017 - 19:51

the.warped.knitter

I also recently lost a dog to a cancer diagnosis and weaving really helped me grieve. It's so calming and meditative, and I could really think about her the entire time I was working on the project I dedicated to her memory -- a houndstooth wrap.

Thu, 07/06/2017 - 13:35

ricatlga

My start with weaving on a floor loom was because my wife said I needed some time away. Job stress made me not a nice person to be around. A week at John C. Campbell and I came back with a sampler, scarf, and table runner and a new avocation. In the years following, because I worked from home, I could step away for a while, and work at the loom. It did not matter what I was doing, winding warp, warping, threading, sleying, weaving. It was all good. It continues to inspire as I've moved from doing a project out of a magazine to modifying or designing from scratch. At Robyn Spady's lace workshop this Spring, she said it was possible on 4-shaft Atwater-Bronson to interleave horizontal and vertical next to each other (without showing us how), I worked out the pattern. I have just finished a new table runner for my wife with that knowledge.

Thu, 07/06/2017 - 18:02

Artistry

tapestry sample for larger piece, top panel

Hi Erica, I also designed and wove this tapestry after my Mom passed away. It was a time to think about her and our relationship , her life. This piece is called " Crossing Over" . It's about what I think the journey is after life. I Found it reassuring to explore my thoughts. I had planned for this to be a sample for 2large panels. However once I had the sample done, I felt no need to do the final piece. I had said what I wanted to say:)

Cathie

Fri, 07/07/2017 - 01:02

sandra.eberhar…

I agree wholeheartedly with all of the people who have spoken about the mental therapy of weaving; it is a rhythmic physical activity (I have a studio separate from the house and whatever chaos that has). I have a different take. I had a serious back injury in a warehouse accident and have had back issues since. This was before the modern soft tissue imaging techniques were developed, and I was sent home with pain killers and a wish for good luck. I have a large barn frame loom that was made by a skilled carpenter for someone just my size. If I work on this loom for a few days each week, I have no back problems.
Fri, 07/07/2017 - 01:13

[email protected]

Weaving can balance strength between right and left sides of the body and has a noble history of use to restore function and develop adaptation in occupational therapy.  

Fri, 07/07/2017 - 23:59

Missus T.

fjacobson,

Your post on weaving and OT reminded me that weaving on different looms uses the body in different ways, making it potentially a hobby or profession that is less likely to result in overuse injuries than, say, knitting!  I had to stop knitting for over a year because of overuse, as there is only one way to knit.  There is of course more than one way to weave.  While I was off my knitting I was thrust upon my weaving, and I realized that using a large floor loom recruits different muscles and joints that, say, backstrap or cardweaving.  I like having different projects warped up on my different looms, and find that this increases mental interest as well as helps out the body.  Maybe having an excuse to increase one's supply of weaving appliances also provides the benefits of retail therapy as well!!! 

Susan

Sat, 07/08/2017 - 00:22

[email protected]

Missus T, you are so right!  In my case retail therapy includes workshops. I asked nicely overnight as a long shot about last minute availability of Wendy Jensen's 7/8 (now tomorrow) basket class at Vav Stuga and got the last seat in the class.  The basket is lovely as retail therapy with potential to incorporate my handwoven bands.  I also tell myself that it will build up my hands for seat weaving in Walter Turpening's class at MAFA in two weeks.  The weekend between promises a pure retail therapy shopping trip to NEWS.  Well, it is all cheaper than chiropractic care and physical therapy.

Francine

 

 

 

Sat, 07/08/2017 - 03:26

Missus T.

fjacobson,

Any time you are in the room with other weavers, wood tools, yarn and yes, even baskweaving supplies, you are safe!  Stimulate both the economy and the mind!  See, I'm smiling already.  Weaving is therapy!

Susan

Wed, 07/12/2017 - 18:53

Erica J

Wow, what great perspectives! I am glad this has turned into such an interesting thread!

We go to pick up Lily's ashes tomorrow. Hopefully soon, I can start planning a memorial weaving. She was mainly white with some brendle patches, so perhaps a nice color and weave effect will also be in order.

Love and peace to you all!

Thu, 07/27/2017 - 15:57

Nanefire

I lost my best friend and 24-7 companion of 16 years 4 years ago, a Schnauzer mix, and I still haven't gotten over the loss. I have a small bag of his fur that I saved from his last year during clipping and grooming but have not been able to approach spinning it, the loss has been so keen and so constant and enduring. Spinning doesn't absorb my mind the way weaving does and I have done a lot of weaving the last four years as an escape and a positive focus. Erica J, I feel your loss and wish you all the consolation your loom can offer. It doesn't love you back the same way but it is always there for you, this is what I have found.

Fri, 07/28/2017 - 01:36

sandra.eberhar…

I have been through this tragic event many times, and I think the best therapy is to find a new friend.  Shelters are full of wonderful friends that need a home.  I have human friends that will not own a dog because of the inevitable heartbreak, but I think that they enrich my life so much that I am willing  to befriend, and loose the friend, over and over.

Mon, 07/31/2017 - 18:17

Erica J

Thank you again to everyone! This discussion has been good for me and I hope for you all as well. TAJ has asked for a puppy already. He sasy "I really liked having dogs." We need to wait for our travel schedule to settle down before we can consider that. It's good I have my loom.