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Who dun it? Solve the Rya Mystery…

May 8, 2015

At this point, after hanging out in the rya world for 40-something years, I thought I’d seen it all. Then my world is rocked, and I’d like your help to figure out this mystery. After I sent out my last newsletter, I received an email from a woman named Eleanor whose sister has recently passed away leaving an almost untouched rya kit. Perhaps sensing my commitment to keeping the art of rya alive, Eleanor sent me all of her sister’s supplies. There was a graphed design, a threading card, a backing about 2′ wide and 4.5′ long, curved needles, and the most amazingly prepared yarn I’ve ever seen. Who put this kit together? When? What country were they from? Where was their business located? Why have I never seen this style of rya before? Let me show you. . .

Here are the details for anyone who wants to ponder this. The backing is typically Scandinavian with a dark wool thread woven in the weft every ten rows which makes counting the rows easy. What I’ve never seen before is a dark linen thread in the warp woven to help you keep your place as you use the graph paper. Brilliant! Have you ever seen that weaving technique? Tell me if you have. The other interesting thing about the backing is the knotting rows are closer together than in the typical Scandinavian backing. This is definitely going to be a dense rya.

Yet it is the yarn that really took my breath away. Who ever put this kit together had high quality yarns and a skeining machine which could simultaneously blend many yarns together at the same time. They selected various weights of both rya yarn with its rope-like twist and what I believe is dyed linen, and blended 3-6 strands all together on the skein. So when you go to load your needle, you have the blending all right there at your fingertips. I’ve never seen this before. Gorgeous colors too! Who on earth did this?

The threading card has the name Susan Hammal who I imagine is the designer of the pattern, “Earth & Sky” but could be the creative one who did the labor-intensive preparation of the supplies for a whole line of patterns. Does her name ring a bell? Google was no help, so it’s been a while since she did this, I bet. Look at the notes below

Notice the words, “3/4″ & 1 1/2″ pile.” I always teach to cut the loops unevenly, but that is quite a dramatic difference in the pile length. I like it!

Eleanor thought that her sister had purchased the kit in New DSCN7123 Jersey. That is a clue, but still all basic questions unanswered. There was a “ruler” with the kit to ensure that the knots were made at a uniform loop-length. (My grandparents never used the rulers, and neither have I, but many people only make rya with a ruler.)

The curve-tip needles were a surprise to me. A customer once asked me if I carried them, and I had to confess I had never heard of them. I don’t think they are made anywhere on earth right now. Please tell me if you have a source for them? (Sorry, I’m going to keep these.)

While I knotted my recent Fireflower rya kit prototypes, I used the curved tipped needles. I like using them, but the straight tipped ones really work just as well.

The only weird thing is that the graph doesn’t seem to have logical color blendings next to each other. It’s too hard to explain, but at a glance I can see that Eleanor’s sister probably was frustrated by what could be a designer’s error. Maybe you can see on the graph below that color blending #1 (whites) is shown in other areas with the #1 showing which would give no contrast of course and may have been a slip of the pencil when numbering the graph. If only we had a photo of what the finished rya looks like, we could figure out the intended color scheme. (Oh, I may have just figured it out.)I’d love to find the time to piece this puzzle together. What clues can you offer? The red tag says “Norwegian Rya Rugs” but did they come from Norway in this format? Or do you think Susan bought supplies from Norway, then created her own kits? Ah, I can hardly sleep at night.

So I am comforted to know that another artist who went before me was doing the same thing I am working hard everyday to share with you. Her kits were spectacular. I just wish I knew more. The blog here is a great way to share info with one another. Your comment won’t show up immediately, but check back in later to see what others have said. And a final shot of the gorgeous yarns:

Eleanor, thank you so much for sharing!

Melinda

Rya in a Day!

Mar 29, 2015

“Fireflower”

OK, I admit, it is only 12″ x 12″, but that is because I made it for the 12th Anniversary of my favorite art people, the Carroll County Arts Council. The Carroll Arts Center opened the doors to their new home in the old art deco theater at 91 West Main St, Westminster, Maryland 12 years ago. (I was fortunate to be a member of the Board of Directors back when this excitement was taking place!) They are celebrating with an art exhibition where every piece hanging on the wall will be 12″ x 12″ and sell for $144.00. What a bargain! The show is called Footworks and will run from April 16 – June 5. Opening reception is 4/16 from 5:30 – 7:30 PM.

Now for you rya-curious folks (or rya experienced folks) here is what I did. I hemmed an acrylic rya backing to 12″; no problem. Then I did something I have never done before. I cut the backing vertically to 12″. I’ve always told people not to do that because it would compromise the strength of the rug, but, hey, this is only a 12″ piece. No one is going to walk on it. So I zig-zag stitched the edge a few times, and it was a perfect 12″ x 12″ piece.

Then with a laundry marker I drew the rough image of concentric “flower bloom” lines [Theresa Nkonde’s interpretation] or “nebula explosion lines” [Marge Simmons’ interpretation]. By 9 AM I had the drawing complete. I had no intention of working on it all day. I gathered a few small partial skeins of random “hot” colors and started knotting at the lower left corner. My intention was to work for a half hour or so blending the darker colors to the yellow-hot center adlibbing all the way.

I had yarn orders to fill, I had a book to write, a dog that needed a walk, and a lasagna to make before supper; but throughout the day I kept going back to this little rya just to see how “one more row” would change its appearance.

I was addicted, I admit, so I worked feverishly off and on all day. Why did I use the acrylic backing you ask (instead of wool)? For one thing, I have a lot of it, and it is the least expensive backing I have. Also, it is white which makes drawing images on it a cinch, and while it is not really a floor-worthy backing, it is great for a wall-hanging or work of art. And for the first time, I used 4 strands of yarn on the needle instead of 3 to really give it a rich solid feel. And finally for you really perceptive folks, you might be wondering how it would fit as a 12×12 piece of art when the pile clearly extends beyond the 12×12 backing. You are so observant! As I knotted, I pulled the knots just tight enough to bring the width to 11.5 ” and the pile extends out the extra width to make it a perfect 12×12.

Well, you guessed it, before the sun set, it was complete, and I love it. So HOT! I realize I could do the same backing preparation for others and gather similar yarns in small amounts (in some cases just a few strands of certain colors.) So this will be a high priority for me to make available for others. I’ll come up with a few color schemes, too. Stay tuned–or if you can’t wait, just ask me to make a kit for you. The acrylic backing is really 27 inches wide. I might suggest keeping it that width so it doesn’t have to be cut. The over all look would be almost the same. Just wait and see what I come up with as an offering for those of you who really like this piece. I call it FIREFLOWER.

Watch it GROW in time-lapsed video–a one day rya. Click below for a silent 30-second show.

Has anyone else tried drawing a pattern on a backing? How did it work for you? It sure makes for a fast knotting project. Feel free to offer comments below. Your comment won’t appear immediately, but soon after you post, it will be shared. Thanks for reading along with me.

Spotlight on Angie Michal and her First Rya Rug

Mar 13, 2015

I’m a sucker for a furry friend on a rya rug. Pets find them irresistible.

I like to feature other artists now and then. It gives me something fun to post, without too much work on my part. Angie from Coral Gables, Florida contacted me in the first week of January this year wanting to make a rya rug. She had a vision and I helped her by sending her digital images of yarn colors to see what would work best for her. She did a “custom order” in my Etsy shop of backing and yarn, and the new needle holder, and with no more help from me she created this amazing FIRST rya project! Here’s Angie’s story:

Thanks Melinda!

First and foremost I want to thank YOU for your enthusiasm and your willingness to help and share.

I got a subscription to Juxtapoz (an art magazine) as a Christmas gift. The first issue I received featured two or three interviews of artists alongside their work. I enjoyed these ‘talks’ very much – I’m very interested in understanding where a work of art comes from and how it comes to be. It was in one of these interviews that rya rugs were mentioned and, since I knew nothing about rya rugs, I went to Google to find out. I came across your name and video and got hooked immediately.

Look at Angie’s set up. See her colored graph paper on the left? Her colors all tagged with numbers to correspond with her graph. And notice the brand new needle holder constructed by my husband in my grandfather’s design. This woman is set to go!

Here is an encaustic wax piece of Angies. Exciting medium to play with!

I am a stay at home mom. I have four kids, our oldest is in college and our youngest is 7 years old. I trained as an architect and practiced until our first child was born but I’ve always wanted to be able to express myself in other ways too. I like to be able to work on my projects in the little gaps that I get between all the other things that happen in a busy household. I worked for a while with soft pastels and I feel very comfortable with the medium. I recently tried encaustic wax and I love the smell of the wax, looking for interesting papers to use, applying colors in different layers and adding texture. My pastels are more representational and detailed whilst the encaustic wax allows me to just play.

When I first thought of what my rya rug would look like, I thought of colors – bright colors. I had an image of blues and greens, perhaps because we live near the sea, with a bright ball of fire on one end. You were a big help when we started communicating – you ‘got’ my thoughts and helped put the colors together. I think the whole thing happened because you were there straight away. And not long after I placed the order my package had arrived!

I went to work on that Saturday as I waited for my teenage son to return home one evening. I feel there are two distinct phases in my experience of rya making. The design process, the choosing of colors and picturing what it’s going to look like is full of energy, going back and forth, standing up and looking at it from far and then coming up close and splashing some more color here or there…

I love to see the process of planning color arrangements. Here, I bet Angie was trying to visualize the finished rya by laying hanks of yarn on the bare backing.

The actual making of the rya, for me at least, was like meditating. Knot after knot you keep completing rows and that is the perfect balance between switching off and being just barely present. If I had a busy day I would excuse myself, sit at my desk and make a few knots and I was good to go. It was like magic for my soul!

I am happy to say that I am working on a sketch for the next rug! Can’t wait! This one, I think, will be more geometrical. I am looking at Bridget Riley for a project that I am helping my daughter’s art teacher with and perhaps I’ll let that inspire me…

Thank you for letting me share! ~ Angie

Angie, Thank YOU for sharing. You are very inspiring and your rya is spectacular. have you named it? Do you know where it will hang or lie? Comments from others are always welcome. Feel free to dialogue with Angie here. Cheers, to all! melinda

My Art Published in a Book!

Mar 3, 2015

Hot off the press

Nothing brings out the dancing little girl in me like opening a package containing a book with my artwork published. I just did that happy dance this afternoon when I tore open the box sent by Mark Sullivan, Director of the Art History Program at Villanova University. He had contacted me several years ago explaining that he was writing this book, Picturing Thoreau — Henry David Thoreau in American Visual Culture about the many images we have of Henry David Thoreau and how people have viewed him over the years. He asked if I would be willing to share my 2003 linocut print with him as an illustration for his book. Sure, why not? (I’m a closet exhibitionist, remember?)

You see? Here’s proof!

I haven’t had a chance to read it yet, but I’ve had a great time flipping through and looking at the pictures. (That is how I usually read a book.) But I will definitely take the time to really read about Thoreau who has had a terrific influence on my life.

I think most of you are familiar with my linocut. (How many of you wear the shirt with pride?) What? You don’t have a Thoreau shirt? Well, we can fix that: To my etsy shop. (Sorry, Henry.)

How many of you recall the Byrdcall Blog I did back in 2012 when I shared how my Brookie in Color had been featured in a book. Check it out if you missed that one. It really is a treat for me to “be published” without doing the publishing work. For the past year and I have I have been focusing on little else than writing my Rya Rug-Making book, and I now know how much work it is to write a book. Kudos to Mark Sullivan for bringing a huge endeavor to fruition. And thanks for making my day!

If you are as crazy about Thoreau as I am (or as Mark Sullivan is) and you want to get a copy for your Thoreau Library, Click here for details.

Now back to my own book-writing…… Feel free to comment below.

Cheers, Melinda

New Feature: Rya Artist Spotlight on Judy Nelson-Moore

Feb 1, 2015

I generally share info about what’s happening in the studio or how I do a certain art technique, or fun art shows coming up. This month I want to share with you someone who has amazed me beyond words. Judy Nelson-Moore, an accomplished ceramics artist from Santa Fe, had never made a rya rug in her life, but contacted me with an email that started: “After seeing your website, reading your blog and email news, buying a rya backing, and ordering rya yarn samples, I almost feel like I know you! I hope you will not mind if I send you pictures of the entry rug I plan to make using the backing I bought from you and ask your advice about the yarn.” Thus began the a relationship across the states, of one artist with another. Judy shared with me her technique for graphing her design with the help of her extensive computer know-how. Graphing with the help of a computer had been something I’d been trying to figure out for months! She applied logic and figured it out. She went on to say, “Unfortunately, the ease of doing the designs was almost a liability. I have about 200 images in my “rya” folder. It has taken me far too long to decide, but I finally have the selected design.” The design she chose was full of blended shades which could be daunting to most beginners, but I had no doubt she could do it. She made a graph overlay and plotted out her course. Next she had to select colors to make this design come to life. Since she had the sample color card in hand, she selected lots of colors. I am always happy to help a designer by cutting skeins so they don’t have to buy more than they need just for small areas or highlights.

So once Judy gave me her yarn request, I piled it on the studio table and send her a photo to be sure the pile matched her vision of her rya. The yarn was all Lundgren yarn (my grandparents’) and the backing from Finland if I’m not mistaken. With the yarn in her hands, she was able to more accurately chart out her progress. She created needle threading combinations and a color chart for herself. Everyone does this differently and it is great fun for me to see how she chose to keep her vision on track. In essence, this is comparable to the painter’s palette where countless color combinations can be created. (Other rya artists, how do you create your color combinations?)

At just beyond the halfway point these are some of the most subtle blendings I’ve ever seen in a rya. (And I’ve seen a lot of ryas!) Look at the strands of yarn on the margins–her way of knowing when to change colors. She followed the graph very closely up to this point she tells me.

I can only imagine that half way into the rug, she began to feel like the “captain of the ship” and details of the graph become less important than the feel of blending colors.

A few days ago, I received another email and more photos from Judy. It read, “Melinda, I finished the Rya Rug I had started knotting in September. In retrospect, it doesn’t seem so very long, but it has seemed like a long time during the making! Thank you for being there when I decided to make this rug…couldn’t have done it without you! I really love the finished rug. My husband thinks we should hang it on the wall instead of putting it on the floor where our three cats will probably adopt it, but I am fixated on putting it in the entry to replace my grandmother’s rug. “

What do you think, friends? On the floor or on the wall?

Your choice, Judy. On the wall, it will always look as beautiful as it does today. On the floor, it will still be beautiful, but will gradually show signs of living and household activities. In this photo, the rya is a great focal point in your hallway gallery. I think if your three cats have any say in the matter, it will stay on the floor.

I am often asked if I find satisfaction working on the computer so much, cyber-connecting with people who I may never meet…such an impersonal way to conduct business. NOT! Most of my rya connections are with people who live very far from me. But with connections like I’ve made with Judy, I can honestly say that I am more than thrilled with life as it is. Once my how-to rya book is published, I will be able to get out more, meet people, teach classes. I am really looking forward to that.

Would you like to learn more about Judy Nelson-Moore? You might even see in her ceramics works designs similar the the rya design she brought forth. Take a look at her website to see her other works. http://judynelsonmoore.com/. I think I would like to see her add on to her Dancing Mud Studio an area called Judy Dances With Wool!

In Judy’s first email to me, she had just selected her design from many she had created. Here is another of her designs that I really liked and hope it becomes her next reference for rya #2.

Wouldn’t you just love to see this in wool? I have already put the bug in her ear that she may have requests for designing assistance from others. We’ll see. Go, Judy, Go!

PS Judy recently wrote about her experience with the rya project from her perspective. It has a lot more detail and background info. Take a look for “the rest of the story.” http://judynelsonmoore.com/category/other-media/

The Yarn Guys Come to Byrdcall Studio

Jan 15, 2015

Three Yarn Geeks: Me, Dennis Rinkenberger, and Jeffrey Wall in Byrdcall Studio

One year ago this month, I found The Yarn Guys. They are the exclusive distributors in North America for the Rauma Wool Factory in Norway which has been producing excellent wool yarns since 1927. Anyway, I found The Yarn Guys in Illinois in pursuit of the best rya rug yarn available to supplement my rya yarn supplies. It is spun of fleece from the indigenous Spaelsau sheep of Norway, a tough and hardy breed.

Gorgeous natural grays

I have been gradually buying more and more ryegarn (rya yarn) colors from them as well as awesome heavy wool backings. It has been years since I’ve seen natural grays in rya yarn… Look at the mixed fibers in these skeins. And the dyed yarn is gorgeous, too.

So it came as quite a nice surprise to get an email from Jeffrey Wall of The Yarn Guys yesterday saying that he and Dennis Rinkenberger–the other Yarn Guy–were heading to a yarn show in New York City and heck, Baltimore is nearly along the way from northwest Illinois, so why not stop by my studio, bring me some Rauma Rya kit catalogs and check out my studio. We had a great morning together “talking shop.”

Look at this luscious spectrum of colors!

Why is this so exciting to me? Well, how many people do I come across in real-life-time who even know what rya (rye) is, much less work with the yarns everyday? So much of my day is on the computer emailing and responding to rya questions, which–don’t get me wrong–I enjoy very much, but face to face with other humans who live and breath this stuff is exhilarating. One of the most exciting things that I learned is that I am the only supplier in the USA at this time for the Rauma rya backings! That is very cool. And I am totally sold on the quality. I think that I will soon be on my way to adapting my “hundreds of designs” to fit the Rauma backings. The other cool thing about meeting these guys today is the fact that they are just learning about rya rug-making now, and I’m hoping that they left feeling like the possibilities are endless…which they are.

… And later in the day, the floor loom that my grandfather, William E. Lundgren, made half a century ago came back home to me today… but that is another story for another day.

Love ya! Melinda

Last Minute Shopping Made Easy

Dec 17, 2014

Yes, I know, I never post “ads,” but I was so happy with how these Great Blue Heron linocut printed shirts came out, I just had to show them off to you. And while I’m showing them off, why not give you a chance to grab one (or two) for a gift. The ink is dry and they are ready to mail. You can ask for custom orders at this point, but they won’t be done by Christmas. These in the pictures below are ready to go today… first requested, first served.

Normally my black ink shirts are $25 for short-sleeves and $30 for long-sleeves. The Great Blue Heron is my only two-block process which takes and extra day of printing, so they cost $5 more. But I think you’ll agree they are worth it. If you want one, email me right away at byrdcallstudio@gmail.com and tell me which style, size and color you want. You will get the actual shirt in the photo (unless someone requests it before you.) I’ll send you an online safe credit card invoice from Propay.com and that just takes a minute. Then the shirt(s) go in the mail. If you are requesting from Maryland, I must add 6% tax, and if I’m mailing it as opposed to you picking it up, I’ll add $4.00. OK, here are the available shirts:

Men’s (Unisex) Short-sleeve:

Ladies Short-sleeve:

Ladies Long-sleeve:

and for Youth/Child Sizes:

And in case you are wondering, I have hundreds of other shirts in other designs, but if your brain is as frazzled as mine, I thought you might benefit from a simple one-design choice. And, it’s a lot more fun to get a hand-printed gift from a local artist, than a Walmart special. Try to relax and breathe. (Actually, that advice was for me.) Happy Holidays to you all!

Open Studio: Old Friends, New Friends, Cookies, and Mead

Dec 9, 2014

Having a good time gathering gifts for friends while sipping on cider and home made mead.

The first week-end in December brings the Carroll County Artists Studio Tour. Nearly a dozen local artists open their studios to the public to visit, purchase gifts, and learn about the various arts being creating in our community. This was my fourth year as a participating artist. We had about 50 visitors Saturday and about 30 on Sunday.

I like Open Studio because I don’t have to pack bins and load the van, nor unload and set up at a satellite location. All I really have to do is “clean house” (studio), make things visually accessible, and bake cookies. Since so many of you asked, here is the recipe for the most popular cookie on the plate: Swiss Cinnamon Crisps. I added sliced almonds on top of mine in the egg wash. (I’ve got to make more , since you all ate mine.) 😉

Gypsy, my studio Lab Assistant, curls up in my chair during a quiet moment

Can you still buy shirts or yarn before the holidays? Yes. I still have lots of shirts (hand-printed and silk-screened) which I can mail in plenty of time for the holidays. If you are nearby, we can arrange a drop-in visit. Email me at byrdcallstudio@gmail.com or call 410-549-4889. Or check out my “buy-it-now” shop at Byrdcall on Etsy. And here is a very special offer just for you blog readers. If you order anything I offer on Etsy before Jan.31, 2015, use the discount code BYRDCALLBLOGREADER when you check-out and 10% will be deducted from your purchase. (That will definitely defray any postage charged.) But, mum’s the word–this is a special just for you.

I found time over the weekend to weave on my Inkle Loom (which I haven’t done in ages). Here I am making the rya yarn barrettes that I often wear. They have long yarn which I like because it looks like I have mini “dreads” in multi-colors. When I finish making them into barrettes, I’ll post them in my etsy shop. This week as time permits, I’ll bring the etsy shop up to date with listing of the actual sizes and colors of all shirts on hand. [To see the link on etsy Click here.]

I hope you are all finding a little time to breathe and enjoy friends and family during the holiday season. It can be pretty tough when we don’t. I have to keep reminding myself of that.

Cheers! Feel free to add comments below!

A Close-up of the weaving on the Inkle loom. I chose the natural gray wool edge so it will be “believable” mini-dreads in my hair.

Looking for Advice…

Nov 1, 2014

Has anyone out there ever written a book? (Or taken on a huge project with a definite start and finish?) Did you ever get to a point where it became very hard wrap it up and bring it to conclusion? Most of you know that I’ve been working on writing a book sharing all I know about off-loom rya rug making. It’s been in progress for over a year now. I wrote more than half of it in the first two months, now I am just “stuck” and re-editing previously written chapters. Most of it I am really excited about. But other parts I want to rewrite.

I’m having a self-discipline problem. I do all the other studio jobs and tasks before I open my “book file.” I go to the refrigerator and eat when I’m not hungry. I’m turning down social invitations because I want to get my book done, then I do everything but write. I know I have it in me to complete this awesome book, but perhaps I have fear of completion? Any suggestions? Any amateur psychiatrist willing to give free advice? I will be so happy when it is complete. Lots of you folks are anxiously awaiting its publication. Sorry to make you wait so long. I’m going to kick into high gear this fall….just thought among you all, there might be just the words I need to hear for the shot of adrenaline to keep me dashing to the finish-line! If you comment below, it won’t appear instantly, but go ahead and comment and your dialog may be the magic for me. Thanks in advance for your HELP!.

Melinda

Rya Lesson #5 with Bill and Emilie…

Sep 21, 2014

Bill and Emilie learn the rya knotting process for both left-handed and right-handed stitching.

If you have been following the past four rya designing lessons, you can probably sense the joy I felt when the man who asked me to design this rya for him came to my studio in Maryland (from New Jersey) for a lesson and to bring his supplies home with him.

Over a year ago, Bill discovered me on the internet (as many of you have). He had made a rya about 40 years ago and was searching for supplies and the perfect design for his second rya. I helped him search by sending links to web sites with hundreds of rya photos.

Here is the pile gathered for Bill’s rya project: Monet’s Bridge.

Eventually Bill found a painting by Claude Monet of the bridge over the lily pond which had the colors and feel he was looking for. He asked me to develop this design so he could create a rya for a wall-hanging. Since I was getting deep into writing my book on “designing your own rya”, I told him I could, but it would be a while… I just had to get the book done first. Then months later, I learned the lesson so many writers learn…not to rush the writing process. So rather than make him wait many more months, I took on the project and started to do these lessons for you at the same time. I hope some of you have found them to be helpful.

So yesterday, Bill and Emilie and sweet little dachshund, Chance, arrived at Byrdcall Studio to learn (or relearn) the process and everything they will need to do to complete the rug. While I got Bill (left-handed) and Emilie (right-hand) oriented to the knotting process and graph reading, Chance rooted out and consumed all the feral crickets in Byrdcall Studio!

Bill getting more comfortable by the minute with the knotting process.

Bill and Emile are now starting on a new adventure and I am re-committing to getting this book written more now than ever. Writing out these instructions here in the Byrdcall Blog has helped me to formulate some of the techniques I’ll put in the book…and I realized not to start you off with such a complicated design! The rest of my designing lessons will be a piece of cake compared to this one. But I am very proud of the design and confident that Bill and Emilie will have a spectacular 4′ x 6′ rya hanging on the wall within a year.

Simple set-up: a table, chair, and a hanging rack for the yarn.

They are ready to take the supplies home and create their own work space… Simply a table, chair, good lighting, and a hanging rack for the yarn. And off they go!

Thanks for keeping up on the lessons. Bill has promised to send photos of his progress. I promise to get the book done, but not in 2014.

Thank you Bill and Emilie for letting me use your project as my on-line demonstration. It has been FUN.

As always in my blogs, questions and comments are welcome.

Cheers!

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