Written and photographed by Koa Kalish As Mary Diaz works at her loom, it’s not clear if she’s the one weaving or if it’s the large ornate spider on her arm that is weaving her. “Weaving is a great metaphor for my life, “Mary says. “To me, the spider humbly embodies the beauty in the […]
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Disease as a Driver For Change: Reflections Through the Lens of Ecology
Natural systems provide us the road-map for making sense of these confusing and befuddling times; they support us in seeing what is important to do right now and what our next steps could look like Sheltering in place and social distancing is distilled as a critical form of collective intelligence Ecosystems are a model for […]
Read More5 Ways You Can Strengthen Our Fibershed While Sheltering in Place
By Jess Daniels It’s clear that our economy is shifting. A chasm has formed and it’s uprooting so many systems that have been dysfunctional for far too long — systems that harm human and ecological health. Fashion and material culture are part and parcel of those systems. We see that the industry that clothes us, […]
Read MoreStaying Connected and Supporting Our Fibershed Amid Coronavirus
In times like this, our emotions and concerns can point us toward what we most value: the health and resilience of our community. Since receiving the social distancing and shelter in place directives here in Northern California, the Fibershed team has been working to shift gears and support our community from soil to soil. Wherever […]
Read MoreStitching Texture and Connection with Carol Lee Shanks
Written and photographed by Koa Kalish Carol Lee Shanks has been creating unique sculptural clothing and wearable art since 1983. She curates thoughtful and intimate spaces for people to enter her world within her studio and showroom by appointment, or whenever she debuts a new collection. In a two-story building on a quiet road in […]
Read MoreNative Plants for Textiles: 3 Bast Fibers to Know Beyond Hemp and Flax
Bast fibers have been highly regarded for beautiful, durable textiles throughout history and into the modern era. As part of our ongoing Bast Fiber Research effort, Fibershed engaged mechanical engineer Nicholas Wenner to connect with bast fiber growers, researchers, processors, and artisans to better understand the state of soil-to-soil systems for these unique plants. In […]
Read MoreExploring the Tactility of Color with BioHue
Written and photographed by Sarah Lillegard. Mid-morning light comes through a window in Judi Pettite’s studio, casting a glow on the boxes of fabric and paintings in progress. Pinned to one of the walls is an installation of dyed coffee filters, the grid of them making a spectrum of color. With a closer look, each […]
Read MoreWeaving Hemp into the Northern California Fibershed
Bast fibers have been highly regarded for beautiful, durable textiles throughout history and into the modern era. Over the past year, Fibershed’s Lead Process Engineer Nicholas Wenner has been connecting with bast fiber growers, researchers, processors, and artisans to better understand the state of soil to soil systems for these unique plants. This series examines […]
Read MoreNorth Carolina Field Notes: 2019 Hemp Grow and Harvest
One Acre Exchange supports the development of an agricultural economy centering the sustainability of farmers, workers, and the planet. In North Carolina and beyond, we support farmers and artisans in the growth and development of industrial hemp because of its tremendous potential to revitalize local economies and regenerate the environment. The focal objectives in 2019 […]
Read MoreFlax in West Coast Fibersheds: Updates from Field to Mill
Bast fibers have been highly regarded for beautiful, durable textiles throughout history and into the modern era. Over the past year, Fibershed’s Lead Process Engineer Nicholas Wenner has been connecting with bast fiber growers, researchers, processors, and artisans to better understand the state of soil to soil systems for these unique plants. This series examines […]
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