Greetings everyone; I'm a beginning weaver (and Vavstuga alumna); I just discovered this site and thought I'd check in. I got into weaving several years ago; I'd noticed the wonderful textiles on trips to Norway, where my husband's family is from. A Kromski Harp was soon followed by enrollment at Vavstuga and a Glimakra Standard. We just returned from a trip to Norway this summer...

Comments

Sun, 09/09/2012 - 15:33

Anna Bendiksen

So apropros of all that, I post the top five things I've learned in my first two years of Glimakra ownership. 5. There is a two-hour time difference between here and Montana. 4. An infinite number of jokes can be made using the word "loom" and my husband knows them all. 3. There is absolutely nothing wrong with looking at the used-loom listings on the Glimakra website. I never said I wouldn't see other looms. 2. Yelling "Help! Help!" to an empty house is not an effective means of summoning help. 1. Do not try to put out burning Texsolv with your fingers.

Tue, 09/25/2012 - 04:04

Judith (not verified)

Love your post.  I really adore my Glimakra.  I fondly call it the

Glimonster.  It lives in my living room.  When I'm stressed 

I sit inside it and it fills like having a fort like when you were a kid!

Tue, 09/25/2012 - 14:27

design2weave (not verified)

We have two things in common...I spent 3 weeks in Norway this summer and I own a Glimakra Standard!!!  I love Norway and I love my loom!  I lived in Stjordal, Norway, as an exchange student and returned this summer to see my host family.

p.s.  Anna is right...burning texsolv hurts fingers!

Tue, 09/25/2012 - 15:58

ReedGuy

You toughen up when you get older, with regards to the burning Texsolv. :D :D

Tue, 09/25/2012 - 17:35

kerstinfroberg

Spitting on your fingers helps (or wet them in a glass of water). Do it first, then "fire" the texsolv - and use your wet fingers to shape a point! (useful for treadle cords; less so for other usages)

Tue, 09/25/2012 - 22:31

sally orgren

Okay, I love all things Scandinavian, including my Swedish husband, even if he knows all the "loom" jokes too.

In the course of my weaving journey, I have sought out any books by Malin Selandar and weaving libraries that have a dedicated Scandinavian shelf or two. I have yet to visit Vavstuga, but my two favorite libraries so far are Norma Smayda's Saunderstown Weaving School library (Rhode Island), and the Berta Frey Library at the Handweaving Museum (in Clayton, New York.)

FYI, I own Weave Structures the Swedish Way, The Big Book of Weaving, and have subscribed to VAV for many years in addition to owning some of their books, too.)

I have been to the Minneapolis Textile Center a few years ago and was blown away by the size of their library, but I did not think to check the shelves when I was there. (Considering their location, I suspect they might have an amazing Scandinavian selection too!)

Does it count if I have *friends* who own Glimakras? ;-)

Sally

Wed, 09/26/2012 - 05:40

ReedGuy

What about if you build a Swedish style loom? :)

Sweden is home to more than weaving. I am a forester and we have adopted much of their silvictulture methods here in eastern Canada. Only, we have been only practicing, on any kind of scale, for not much more than 40 years. And still not doing enough. We also have adopted not for profit woodlot cooperatives and associations.

Back to weaving. ;)

Thu, 09/27/2012 - 13:32

Liese (not verified)

In the spirit of your list I would add that the tie ups are times of meditation because it's best not to be thinking of anything else!  I work on 8 shafts with my Big Girl, a standard and enjoy my time inside - no phone, just a mug of tea. I'm a full time weaver but make custom pieces so my warps get changed frequently, fortunately I've come to enjoy the entire process. Now off to threading!

 

Group Audience
Scandinavian Weavers