Two years ago, I took part in a tapestry postcard exchange through the American Tapestry Alliance. The theme was Here and (T)here. We were randomly paired with another partner and given ample time to get to know one another (through email exchanges) then design, weave, and send the postcard through the US mail service. 

There were guidelines to follow; a specific size, advice on how to finish off the tapestry, and suggested materials for backing. It was very well thought out and organized by Dorothy Clews.

I admit that initially, I signed up for the project because I was hoping to get to know- and maybe even find a connection - with another committed tapestry weaver.  I knew very few at that point. That didn’t really happen, but I learned a lot through the experience.

I spent a lot of time thinking through the design. Not knowing much about my partner’s  “There”,  I finally decided to focus on my “Here”. Here being the view from my studio.

Then I spent a lot more time weaving the postcard - 3 times! You can see each iteration on the post, embarrassing as they may be.

It was a very important little weaving for me.

Because that’s when I fell in love with the Soumak technique.

I’d been using Soumak in my small tree roots weavings up to that time, but this little tapestry forced me to think about other forms. (Which, as you probably already know, lead me to a deep dive into the Many Faces of Soumak!)

Soumak is what I finally relied on to make those little circles of color.

Well, ATA is doing it again. 

And I’ve just signed up for the 2021 postcard exchange: heARTscapes.

Are you in ATA? 

Signing on for the exchange?

Maybe we’ll be partners!