The studio in Greymouth has been filled-up with the equipment and items from Shetland and now it is being slowly emptied as things go to their new homes.
Last weekend the studio was stuffed with loom parts and computers and warping mills and books; all the paraphernalia that goes into weaving. This week the small studio loom has been assembled, and the other looms are in the upstairs studio waiting to be installed. The window display now has the Shetland Tweed upholstered chairs in it, along with cones of Shetland wool that came across in the shipment. It is still a little chaotic but gradually the space is starting to take shape.
The studio is now divided into four areas; a sampling and production space, an admin area with a desk and a meeting table, a design area with computers and software for creating printed fabrics, and finally, a workshop area. The latter is currently filled with the industrial loom parts but once those go to their new home, this is where weaving and textile workshops will be held.
It is still some weeks away until the studio can officially open. It is exciting though to have everything in one place and to have all the equipment that is needed to make woven cloths again. A new logo is being designed at the moment and plans are underway for starting to teach in the Southern winter.
The photographs below show the progress from the arrival of the shipment last Tuesday to the end of this week when the studio is beginning to look like a usable space again.
Thank you to all who sent in messages of support and congratulations. It is a good feeling, knowing that soon there will be a textile space in Māwhera Greymouth for creative people to come together to share ideas and make beautiful things!
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