Learning Freeform Weaving

I am not a weaver but I am enjoying this free form activity using vines and roots from my garden. I have finally found a use for the ivy that tries to grow up my trees and he convolvulus (bindweed roots that infest the garden, especially where I have mulched.

It does take some time to forage, strip and dry the plant material before I can use it but it must be dried so it doesn’t shrink and distort the finished product. I feel very connected to both nature and the artisans who came before and practices a similar craft for practical reasons whereas mine is purely artistic in nature. I can understand that as they wove they began to think about adding pattern or other materials to the work to produce something that was unique to them. It is a fascinating journey and as I am very motivated in using botanicals in my art work it fits in just fine. I want to try weaving some straight convolvulus roots also - just to see how it comes together.