Cross Village Fiber finds

Yesterday we piled into the minivan and drove up to Cross Village to check out the much-talked-about new Cross Village Rug works, a self-sustaining Artisan community focus on weaving and hooking rugs. Fleece is bought from local farmers, processed at Stonehedege Fiber Mill in East Jordan, Michigan, dyed in the shop with eco-friendly dyes and then woven or hooked by local apprentices. About four huge 60" Cranbrook counter-march looms anchor the weaving room. In the back studio are therug hooking frames. The map shown here is a commission and is about five feet in diameter. Very impressive. The basket of yarn is ready for that canvas. My favorite rug hooking canvas is the little house pen and watercolor commission. It reminds me of Tasha Tudor's style. She, herself, was a spinner and weaver.

Just around the corner from Rug Works is the Three Pines Gallery where Joann Condino has her fiber studio on one side and her husband has his ceramic studio on the other. Joanne is a master dyer and is amazing with indigo. She has a full schedule of art workshops through out the year.

I am near the end of my visit to Northern Michigan this year, but can hardly wait for a longer stay in 2010 so I can spend more time with these talented people