Celebrate Earth Day Month with Satu Nisu, a textile artist from Finland!
Her original woven works have brought the concept of "森林浴 shinrinyoku" (forest bathing in Japanese).
Satu is known for her unique interior design textiles made by hand weaving in her country and this is her debut in the US. Loop of the Loom - DUMBO is displaying three textile tapestries during the Art in DUMBO and DUMBO Open Studios events, as well as throughout the month of Earth Day. Satu's textile arts echo the subtle whisper of trees. Experience the beauty and creativity of Satu's weaving journey firsthand!
She finds her passion and inspiration in the diverse nature of Finland, especially in the forests.
About the artist:
Satu's story is one of unexpected discovery and determination. Initially drawn to interior design, she stumbled into the world of textiles by accident. What sets Satu's weaving apart is not just her technical skill, but also her keen eye for design and her ability to infuse each masterpiece with a unique perspective. Her textiles blend traditional craftsmanship with modern design, creating a unique attraction that tells the story of Finnish nature, passion, and artistry beyond just fabric.
Satu's studio is located in the Eastern part of Finland, in a city called Kuopio.
This exhibition is participation in the Art in Dumbo Open Studios on April 13 and 14, organized by @art_dumbo + @dumbo_brooklyn.
The Open Studios is a fantastic art tour that happens around the neighborhood in DUMBO where you can discover and connect with over 140 artists and art organizations - and yes, we're one of them! Be sure to come along and enjoy the show!
Loop of the Loom invites you to "Cloth of Time", a one-month event delving deep into the connection between ancient dyes, cloth, and humans.
Yutaka Obuchi, one of the world's few Bengala dye craftsmen and artists, will be invited from Japan to New York to hold five workshops including a lecture and exhibition of his work.
“My daily work is making pigments.
From the soil, I dye cloth, with the colors I've created.
Everyday I grind with care,
with mortar and pestle
till the particles are fine,
imaging as I work how they will intertwine with the fibers.
With fire produces various color through changes in temperature
This is the way of Bengala.
Yellow, orange, vermilion, red, burnt sienna…
When dyeing, I move my hands gently, vibrating the particles of soil tenderly.
Sometimes, I must knead with vigor, entwining the dye with fibers, a delicate embrace.
Working with hand is a dialogue with the materials.
With a gentle touch, the colors respond with grace,
With a troubled mind, the colors won't find their place.
Each day, I seek a tranquil mind,
as difficult as that may be.
What I hold dear is that I give my all in everything I do.
Embracing the wisdom from our ancestors,
Beyond mere fashion, beyond mere business,
Our ancestors crafted cloth for their children and loved ones,
dyeing and weaving by hand.
What humans devote to their craft is beautiful and brimming with life.
Tying, binding, folding, tapping, and dyeing the cloth.
The layers of processes absorb into the cloth creating a cloth of time, a cloth with soul.
From Japanese traditional skills to the ancient handcrafts of the world,
I embrace the spirit of the beautiful hand made which is disappearing.
To you and our children, I pass this textile art.
Marking new times, together, with our hands.”
Yutaka Obuchi
Prior Nuno felting experience is not a requirement, for a craft enthusiastic like you you'll pick it up in no time! If you have already tried freestyle Nuno felting, this workshop is a great way to develop your skills and repertoire
Unlike stitching, felting creates layers that are seamless and translucent, creating a kaleidoscope of color. Using the raw fibers and a silk chiffon base, we will take advantage of the entanglement and shrinking properties of the wool. The result is a reversible and lightweight textured scarf.
Material costs included: Choose from silk chiffon fabrics in a variety of colors, merino wool fibers, lame fibers, tools and supplies
“Take to spinning (to find peace of mind). The music of the wheel will be as balm to your soul. I believe that the yarn we spin is capable of mending the broken warp and weft of our life…” – Mahatma Gandhi
On September 22nd, we invite a guest from The New School - Parsons, Preeti Gopinath to join in the circle and talk about Gandhi and hand spinning, the principle of self-reliance, the philosophy of khadi, and the role it played in the nonviolent Indian independence movement.
“Take to spinning (to find peace of mind). The music of the wheel will be as balm to your soul. I believe that the yarn we spin is capable of mending the broken warp and weft of our life…” – Mahatma Gandhi
“Take to spinning (to find peace of mind). The music of the wheel will be as balm to your soul. I believe that the yarn we spin is capable of mending the broken warp and weft of our life…” – Mahatma Gandhi
“Take to spinning (to find peace of mind). The music of the wheel will be as balm to your soul. I believe that the yarn we spin is capable of mending the broken warp and weft of our life…” – Mahatma Gandhi
macramé workshop
with Monika Lachne
at Loop of the Loom - DUMBO
We invite a macrame artist from Costa Rica to have a special workshop this spring something that we want to learn and is one of the items we definitely want this summer. Hosted by macrame weaving expert, Monika Lachner, you will create a macrame hanging chair from scratch, learning two of the basic knots in macrame. Also, basic concepts of calibration, how to start a project, macrame basic concepts, etc. This is a day-long project, so be prepared for some serious Macrame-ing!
Hours:
10:30am - 5:30pm
The actual workshop time will be 4-5 hours but depends on your skills and pace.
Size:
Chair: 20" wide x 15" height* + fringes + hanging rope
Large hoop: 20” diameter
Small hoop: 15” diameter
Note:
The chair height won’t cover an adult’s back but can easily hold it.
The chair can support up to 260 lbs (120 kg). However, the post or beam that hangs the chair must be sturdy for your safety.
Each person will receive printed instructions before we start the workshop.
Fee: $230 (included all materials)
Cancelation Policies:
100% refunded with 14 or more days’ notice prior to the reservation.
100% refunded as the studio credit only with 13 or fewer days’ notice, but 48 hours prior to the class.
Re-scheduling is possible with a $20 fee per person after 48 hours prior to the class.
No refund, without notification 48 hours prior to the class.
This workshop is a two part workshop. As Kakishibu can be used as a natural dye, paint, varnish - we wanted to give you a taste of some of its versatility!
In the first half of the workshop, we will begin on our washi paper bowl. We will use a small bamboo basket as the base, layering on the kozo and awagami washi papers and using the Kakishibu to paint and seal the vessel. You will be amazed at the different Kakishibu has on different materials.
While drying the washi paper bowl, we will dye a canvas pouch. Kakishibu naturally strengthens fiber and gives it durability, perfect for an everyday pouch. The color also deepens over time, a gift that keeps on giving.
For centuries Kakishibu, a fermented tannin dye derived from persimmons has been used in Japan by local craftsmen for all kinds of utilitarian uses. From fishing nets to the varnish of their houses, Kakishibu is not only versatile but holds many incredible natural properties such as insect repellent and anti-molding.
In the advent of the industrial revolution, the use of Kakishibu started to fade - it has now been discovered by many artisans for its unique tones and interesting characteristics. We love it! And can’t wait to share it with you.
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Fee: $100
Includes materials (shipping cost extra depends on the area we ship to)
* Zoom students will be supplied a 500ml pack of Kakishibu and two kinds of kozo washi paper, and can also use the basket and cloth they have at home. The shipping cost is extra, will be adjusted accordingly.
Cancellation Policy
72 hours prior : fully refundable or credit toward to other class & services
Less than 72 hours ~24 hours prior : 50% credit toward to other class & services
Less than 24 hours prior to no show : Non refundable
This workshop is a two part workshop. As Kakishibu can be used as a natural dye, paint, varnish - we wanted to give you a taste of some of its versatility!
In the first half of the workshop, we will begin on our washi paper bowl. We will use a small bamboo basket as the base, layering on the kozo and awagami washi papers and using the Kakishibu to paint and seal the vessel. You will be amazed at the different Kakishibu has on different materials.
While drying the washi paper bowl, we will dye a canvas pouch. Kakishibu naturally strengthens fiber and gives it durability, perfect for an everyday pouch. The color also deepens over time, a gift that keeps on giving.
For centuries Kakishibu, a fermented tannin dye derived from Persimmons has been used in Japan by local craftsmen for all kinds of utilitarian uses. From fishing nets to the varnish of their houses, Kakishibu is not only versatile but holds many incredible natural properties such as insect repellent and anti-molding.
In the advent of the industrial revolution, the use of Kakishibu started to fade - it has now been discovered by many artisans for its unique tones and interesting characteristics. We love it! And can’t wait to share it with you.
_______________
Fee: $100
Includes materials
Cancellation Policy
72 hours prior : fully refundable or credit toward to other class & services
Less than 72 hours ~24 hours prior : 50% credit toward to other class & services
Less than 24 hours prior to no show : Non refundable
Announcing the gathering workshop for fiber lovers – weavers, knitters, dyers, anyone interested! No sweat Bengala yarn dye method!
Create your own color for yarns or fibers with gorgeous natural Bengala color! Ombre, dip, paint, ikat, tie-dye... there is no end with this easy Bengala dyeing!
Bring your yarn from home*** or choose the beautiful undyed yarns from our shop at the beginning of the workshop.
Friday, Aug 16
Join us between 4:00pm - 7:30pm
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Fee: $70
Material cost (Yarn* + Dye**) is separated by the volume of your yarn.
* Purchase the material yarn at the workshop from our wide selection of merino wool, organic cotton, linen, ramie, silk, roving wool, etc. The price is about $20 per skein. If you'd like to dye for warp threads, please ask us for the preparation.
** The cost of Bengala dye will be charged $10 per 100g(=3.5oz) of yarn.
*** If you'd like to bring yarn from home, please pre-wash beforehand.
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