Friday, March 23, 2012

Inspiration through time and against all odds

hand woven medicine man rug.
natural dyes and Navajo churro handspun yarn were used


When I was browsing around for bits and pieces to make that Steampunk yarn I showed you last week, I came across some boxes that I hadn’t opened for years. You know how it goes.
From a very young age, from as long as I can remember there were fases of being some where for a bit and then moving to the next town, state or even other country. Weven when I was older, I had that gene in me: working as a medical anthropologist and moving from one project to the next, in wonderfull far away and magical countries. The living out of boxes or suitcases comes as a second nature although I have settled down now, in the most gorgeous spot I call home.
As I said, browsing through these treasured boxes that went with us over seas, over mountains , through states and to different countries even continents , through unsettling, even horrific wartimes, these little boxes have gone with my family everywhere. Not that they would be classified as treasures or worth a lot of money by any bank standards. but to me they are special. Very special. These little boxes are filled with amazing memories and inspiring things my grandfather and my mother made. I may have told you way , way back, that I have never known my grandfather, but he is an absolute source of inspiration to me. I feel that he is closer to me than the other grandparents I have had the privilege to know. And it is because these little beautiful pieces of art he left our family with and the stories that I was told.
My grandfather was special. As a Native American from the proud Menominee Nation, he had fought in the first world war, met my grandmother , stayed, raised a family far away from his home and made the most amazing things with his hands. He never had any proper engineering education or art school or any of those things, but when I run my hands over his many exquisite carvings or his sketchbook, his drawings and beautifully crafted illustrated letters, they are totally and utterly inspiring.
He drew, carved and made amazing things. My mother told me about so many things he made, that were lost, but the little things that could travel, survived and keep inspiring me to create. Waewaenen! Thank you! Grandfather.

the little red riding hood broche given to my mum, he carved out of an ivory billiard ball


the other side of the billiard ball he carved a dancing ballerina for my grandmother

his drawing of his past: Menominee chief Reginald Oshkosh

Grandmother Charlotte, drawn by my grandfather Theo

The little things survive. They keep on being an inspiration to me. Little things make Life special and are so important. So every time that you are crafting, making things, even when they say it is “just”craft, believe in the little things you create. They can and will be the source of inspiration for many !


By the way, apparently there is going to be a Sydney Royal Show Special in the Sunday Telegraph Sunday with bunnies, and info on our world record attempt . So if you can get your hand on it please have a read and look what is going to happen at the Royal Easter Show !

Anyway, without keeping you too long: here is this weeks update! A new blend ! Again ! A gorgeous super fine 18micron merino blended with angora and SILK! Also some super soft mink bunny yarn this week!
Enjoy!


How To Order:
You can email me on ixchel at rabbit dot com dot au or message me on facebook or ravelry where I am Ixchelbunny. I will email you right back with all your order details and payment methods. Any questions? Please don’t hesitate to ask! Always happy to enable.

Thank you so much for your help and support !
(((HUGS)))
Charly

IxCHeL Angorino & Silk Bunny Tops 100+grams AU$22

Ingredients: Superfine merino 18micron 70% , 5% angora, 25% Mulberry silk
Excellent for spinning the most luscious yarns and felts beautifully!


Keshena (he who flies swiftly in Menominee language)

Waewaenen (thanks)

Wolf River

Posoh Nemat (hello friend)

Changeling

Rainbow Bird


IxCHeL Bunny Mink 4 ply , 50+grams +/- 300meters AU$23
The most amazing handspun and hand dyed yarn ever!
Ingredients: Mink 70%, 30% angora
1 skein will do a a scarf ! There are more than one skeins per colour available !

Oshkosh

Thunderbird

Tasman River

Wabus

(In Menominee Indian traditions of North America, Wabus is the Great Hare who originally came from the blood of Nokomis, which her son Flint took. When Wabus grew up he became a man called Manabusch, the great hero and trickster.)

Wolfcub



IxCHeL Club Sign ups for April, May and June 2012 are now Open!

IxCHeL FIBRE CLUB April, May and June 2012
The subscription is for a period of three months and you will receive one special hand dyed top/roving per month to the value of AU$20 , and as all of you past members know you get tops that are usually around $24 ! so it is a great deal!
All the tops will be hand dyed and will be especially made for the members of Ixchel Fibre Club ! Price to join the Ixchel Fibre Club #13 and receive your special hand dyed top :)) for three months is AU$60 + postage (parcel post or airmail). AND double and triple serves are available !!! So in short:
For Australia :
single serve $60+$18 postage (parcel post)
double serve $120+$24
triple serve $160+$33
For USA + Canada:
single serve AU$60+AU$35 (Airmail)
double serve AU$120+AU$60
For UK,Europe, rest of the world:
Single serve AU$60+AU$38 (airmail)
Double serve AU$120+AU$58
For Asia:
Single serve AU$60+AU$28 (airmail)
Double serve AU$120+AU$39
If you want to receive a fibre surprise every month then join the IXCHEL FIBRE CLUB #13 now. Numbers are strictly limited ! Deadline for signing up for fibre club #13 is end of March! And the first installment is going to be shipped out end of April:)
Payment via direct deposit or credit card. Just PM or email me your details :))

IxCHeL Funky Bunny Batt Club
Here are all the details and just pm me when you have any questions or want to be part of the funky bunny batt club Movement ;-) Welcome to the blingy dark side ;-D
The subscription is for a period of three months and you will receive one special hand dyed funky bunny batt per month to the value of AU$32 or more . The batts will range in weight from 100grams to 150grams with luxury fibres like camel , angora, cashmere, silk, yak, llama even Yak this time !
All the batts will be hand dyed and will be especially made for the members of Ixchel funky bunny Club ! Every month you will receive a HUGE luxury funky bunny batt !
Sign up now and you will receive an Ixchel Hand dyed , super luxurious funky bunny batt for April, May and June 2012 !
Price to join the Ixchel Funky bunny #13 :)) for three months is :
For Australia : $96+$18 postage (parcel post)
For USA + Canada: AU$96+AU$35 (Airmail)
For UK,Europe, rest of the world: AU$96+AU$38 (airmail)
For Asia: AU$96+AU$28 (airmail)
If you want to receive a fibre surprise every month then join the IXCHEL FUNKY BUNNY Batt CLUB#13 now.
Numbers are strictly limited !
Deadline for signing up for the funky bunny batt club #13 is end of march! And the first installment is going to be shipped out end of april :)
Payment via direct deposit or credit card. Just PM or email me

IxCHeL Yarn Club

What is the deal? hmmm it is sooo good and fun and sockaliscious you just will HAVE to join :)
Here are the details:
Every month for three months (april-may and june 2012) you will receive:
enough hand dyed luscious yummy yarn to make a pair of socks; (the hand dyed yarn will be exclusive for the Ixchelbunny SOCK-IT-TO-ME Yarn CLUB and will range from a sockweight yarn or a 3ply or a 4 ply);
Every month a new sock pattern, tips and instructions ! Now is that GOOD or is that GOOD ??! :)
I will even offer a double serve for those of you who like their socks extra long :)
Here is the nitty gritty:
For Australia : single serve $78+$18 postage (parcel post)
double serve $130 (= one skein FREE!!!) +$24
For USA + Canada: single serve AU$78+AU$35 (Airmail)
double serve $130 (= one skein FREE!!!) +AU$49
For UK,Europe, rest of the world:
Single serve AU$78+AU$38 (airmail)
Double serve $130 (= one skein FREE!!!) +AU$57
For Asia: Single serve AU$78+AU$28 (airmail)
Double serve $130 (= one skein FREE!!!) +AU$42
Numbers are strictly limited ! Deadline for signing up for the Ixchelbunny SOCK-IT-TO-ME Yarn CLUB! is end of March.
Payment via direct deposit or credit card. Just PM or email me your details :))
By the way: you don’t HAVE to knit socks if you don’t want to.. the hand dyed yarn is amazingly nice for scarves, cowls, beanies and even tops ! Anything goes :)

IxCHeL Mini skein Club
Every month I will be offering a monthly exclusive IxCHeL mini skein selection for Club members. In that monthly selection there are 10 hand dyed miniskeins that are hand dyed and or hand spun not available anywhere else and awesome to add to your mini skein projects. Once the Monthly mini skein collecction is announced anybody can order as many as there are available and they will receive a nice colourful pack of FOURTEEN miniskeins for $23+post. That is 14 miniskeins for the price of 10 ! Now how can you say no to that??
Here are all the details for the sign ups for the IxCHeL Mini Skein Club:
Here is the nitty gritty:
For Australia : single serve $69+$18 postage (parcel post)
double serve $130 (=even a better deal!) +$24
For USA + Canada: single serve AU$69+AU$35 (Airmail)
double serve $130 (even a better deal!) +AU$49
For UK,Europe, rest of the world:
Single serve AU$69+AU$38 (airmail)
Double serve $130 (even a better deal!)+AU$57
For Asia: Single serve AU$69+AU$28 (airmail)
Double serve $130 (even a better deal!)+AU$42
Numbers are strictly limited ! Deadline for signing up for the IxCHeL Mini Skein Club is end of March.
Payment via direct deposit or credit card. Just PM or email me your details :))


Workshops in May and June :

MAY Classes

Beginner Spinner classes Tuesday May 8th, 15th and 22nd 10am-4pm $150
Learn how to spin in a day ! You will receive a bag filled with fluffy goodies to learn with and the use of a wheel! Different types of fibres will be covered from merino, to Shetland, to rare sheep breeds , angora , mohair, yak and alpaca !
Enjoy the relaxing environment of our little fibre farm and cuddle a bunny on your breaks from spinning. Lunch and drinks provided. Brochures on techniques etc will be handed out as well. Limited places available !

Art Yarns Saturday May 26th and Tuesday May 29th 10am-4pm $150Make art yarns, dive into the world of creative yarns! Learn how to make the nip n tuck, coils, slubs, core spinning and adding fancy extras!
Lunch and drinks provided. Bring your own fluff or additions or dive into our shop to get your supply. Every student will receive a bag of surprise goodies to work with aas well.

JUNE CLASSES
Wire Core Spinning Saturday June 2nd 10am-4pm $150
Learn how to use jewellery wire in your spinning to make fibre sculptures , baskets, wearable art and more. !
Its an amazingly nice way to make adventurous, multi functional yarn !
Handouts , lunch and drinks will be provided a dn a bag of goodies, wire core and fluff to play with !

Plying Adventures Tuesday June 5th 10-3pm $100
Learn how to ply a balanced yarn, Navajo ply, flower power ply or do fancy boucle! Lots of new adventurous yarns !
Every student will be given a bag of goodies and lunch and drinks will be provided as well.

Tailspinning yarn Saturday 9th of June 10am-4pm $150
Learn the spinning technique in a day. You can create your own tailspun super soft mohair curls (fibre provided!) or even angora ! anything goes! It’s exciting to create yarn like this ! aand now is your chance to learn!
Every student will be given a bag of goodies and lunch and drinks will be provided as well.

Flower Power Art Yarns and Fancy Additions Tuesday June 19th 10-4pm $150Learn how to make art yarns with your handspun that look like little flowers or beehives ! and how to add little bits and pieces, feathers, bling and more to your yarn to make it extra special !
Your imagination is the limit !
Every student will be given a bag of goodies and lunch and drinks will be provided as well.

To reserve a spot in any of these classes, email me or message me on Ravelry. I will send you all the details. It’s going to be FUN !

Dates to Remember:
Bunny Spin in at the Ixchel Fibre Farm (11am-4pm)
Every Third Saturday and every fourth Thursday of the month!
Saturday April 21st, 11am-4pmBring a plate to share your wheel or spindle, knitting or crochet, yourself and a smile and have a fun day out amongst bunnies and friends ! Please contact me to secure a spot ! Bunny food like cabbage, bok choi or broccoli is always welcome as well ! : the bunnies will cuddle you more for it ;D

Thursday April 26th, 11am – 4pm

April 9th, Sydney Royal Show
THE Angora Bunny Event of the year!!
Back to Back Bunny World Record
Join the fun and what better way to do it than visit all the Easter bunnies at the Royal Easter Show! Promoting the angora rabbits in Australia for the very first time ! and how ! More information on the Royal Sydney show website !

April 16th
Flower Power Spin in
Grand Valley Spinner & Weavers

Tapscott-Milbourne centre, Cambridge road, Motrose (melways ref 52 C5)
10am-4pm
It is going to be heaps of fun with lots of new fibres and yarns !!! and lot sof spinning

April 28th
Mini Wool Show of the Hand knitters Guild
Time and place to be confirmed later.
I am preparing heaps of new yarns for that event that will be amazing !!!!!

The Bendigo Sheep and Wool Show 2012
Friday 20th-Sunday 22nd of July
I will be in the Flower (bunny) shed again this year with heaps of new fluffy stuff and in full bunny regalia
This year it is even going to BIGGER and more HUGE than ever !!!
Join me in the fun !
The woolcraft schedule is published and the IxCHeL Fibre farm is sponsoring a catergory this year in the handspun yarn classes in Natural Animal Fibres class 23 and 24 !!! We feel it is very important to get the word out . Angora fibre and cashmere and mohair and alpaca and baby camel is amazing to spin, felt, weave, embellish and crochet with! Start planning and working on your entry for the show and get your art work out there for everybody tot admire and win prizes !! yeah ! What could be better eh?
Check out the website here for more details : www.sheepshow.com and for questions relating to the woolcraft schedule and ore contact Dot Vallence at Dotv5 at optusnet dot com dot au

Contact me on Ravelry where I am Ixchelbunny, message me on facebook or email me on Ixchelbunny@yahoo.com.au or ixchel@rabbit.com.au


RABBIT ON !
((hugs))
Charly

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