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Weaving a Life came
to Kripalu for a week
in October.
Read what students had to say about the experience.
Watch introduction to
Other Faces
Listen to Audio Book excerpt
"Living in the Present Moment" from Other Faces:
Welcome to Weaving a Life!
You don't have to weave to understand Weaving a Life, but you will discover that weaving is a simple art. As an unspoken language of pattern and symbol, weaving unites the human heart and hand. While beginners will learn tapestry techniques, and seasoned weavers find new sculptural dimensions in their work, the essence of the Weaving a Life process is an experience of weaving the fabric of the self. More...
Weaving a Life Weaving Circles
Weaving Circles are groups who gather to weave, on the Journey Loom, the seven Weaving a Life keyforms, elemental forms that lead us on a journey of discovery, learning to integrate what we love with what we do in the world. Weaving Circles also serve in Circle of Service projects. More...
"Working with Susan has been a gift and a joy!" – Weaving Circle Leadership Student
ZATI The Art of Weaving a Life
The new softcover edition of Susan Barrett Merrill's ground-breaking book is in high demand wherever we go. The book is much more than a how-to book on basic tapestry weaving, though it includes much instruction. The Weaving a Life approach is a heart-centered approach to weaving, recognizing weaving as both a means and a metaphor for conscious living.
We have found that people seeking meaning in their lives, spiritual growth, or a deeper connection to their communities, all want more than concepts to understand. We have spoken with people who are hungry for a way to connect to life with their hands, with materials that come direct from the earth, to bring warmth and richness to lives dominated by virtual experience and a culture that feels increasingly confused.
Weaving the Weaving a Life way | The Loom as the Body
Reconnect with the Earth
Weaving a Life's mission is to provide the opportunity for just such reconnection. The Weaving a Life approach is not just conceptual; it brings handwork to a broad audience by providing the simple materials for enriching creative activity. The weaving of the keyforms is itself a process of deepening awareness through connecting the hands and heart in a journey of self-discovery. A fundamental part of the Weaving a Life approach is that the journey can be an outdoor adventure as well: the loom and the techniques are portable, allowing you to bring your work into the woods, to the sea, or to any place that moves and inspires you.
Susan's book is being sold in stores across the US, and has made its way as far as Australia, Central America and Peru. 144 pages of photographs and text introduce the Weaving a Life approach with the concept of keyforms and their meanings. Over 200 photos and illustrations give example and inspiration. Patterns and detailed directions for weaving each of the seven keyforms are provided, including for the first time the secret of weaving the unique Zati mask.
A reader shares her mask story
"Merrill gives us a stunning book...calmly blasting walls between life and art the way Cameron did in The Artist's Way, or Goldberg in Writing Down the Bones. So honestly written, so packed with wisdom..." --Daniela Kuper, author of Hunger and Thirst
More advance praise for ZATI The Art of Weaving a Life from writers, painters and fiber artists
The Weaving a Life Newsletter
The Weaving a Life Newsletter brings you news and photos, links and reflections once a month. Written by Richard Merrill and Susan Barrett Merrill, the newsletter strives to bring you interesting moments in the Weaving a Life experience. Photos from our latest workshops, breaking news about the flora and fauna in our neighborhood (when the columbine is out, where the deer congregate, which birds are singing in the mornings), and links to fiber sites and other places of interest.
Journey Loom
Portable wooden loom with cloth case makes weaving as easy as knitting. Take it anywhere!
ZATI The Art of Weaving a Life
By Susan Barrett Merrill. Softcover. Weaving as means and metaphor for living a conscious life. 144p, color, includes 7 weaving patterns.
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We'll keep you up to date with occasional informative emails with interesting news, a few headlines and links to new developments in Weaving a Life. You may unsubscribe at any time with a single click. Note: Please add weavingweb@weavingalife.com to your address book so our newsletter doesn't fall into your spam folder!