Ashford Artist of the Month – Nov 22 – Tammy Bast
This months artist has the best of both worlds – working and encouraging fellow crafters half the time and the other half she spends honing her passion for designing, writing patterns and weaving – what could be better!
I hope you enjoy reading her story.
Kate
NAME: Tammy Bast
BUSINESS NAME: The Rogue Weaver
Who are you, where are you from and what do you do?
I live in Nova Scotia Canada. I work part-time at Gaspereau Valley Fibres, a yarn shop that specializes in natural fibres. Along with helping people find the perfect material for their project, I teach rigid heddle weaving classes. When I’m not working at the store, I am at home weaving and designing new patterns.
What was your background?
My educational background is Social Work, but I have always been crafty. While my kids were young, I stayed home. During that time, I learned to knit and tried to take up spinning with a drop spindle. I got really good at spinning rope, yarn – not so much!
How did you get started on your fibre artist journey?
After I started working at Gaspereau Valley Fibres I was able to purchase a spinning wheel, an Ashford Traveller which I love, and now instead of rope I can spin beautiful soft yarn. At the same time, on a whim, I bought a 32” rigid heddle and discovered I absolutely adore weaving. That loom has seen hundreds of projects over the last 6 years. Over those years I have added a 48” rigid heddle, a 20” knitters loom and a 60” 4 shaft loom.
How did your journey evolve over time?
I began weaving just for myself but with the encouragement of Brenda (owner of Gaspereau Valley Fibres), I started writing my patterns and offering them for sale. To my surprise people wanted them! I then started teaching classes at the store. This year I was able to travel to Alberta to teach. (In case you were wondering, the 20” knitters loom fits easily into a large suitcase along with a week’s worth of clothes for 2). My patterns can also be found in Little Looms Magazine, and I’ve just started designing for Webs Yarn.
What do you do with your creations/art/finished pieces?
There are only so many tea towels that can fit in a drawer and scarves one can wear so most of what I make I sell or gift. This actually frees me to try colours, patterns and fibres that are out of my comfort zone.
Where do you sell it?
I sell my finished items at the store. Sometimes someone will see something on my Instagram page and contact me directly as well. I sell my patterns on my website or my Etsy page.
How do you manage a balanced life as an artist?
I feel like I have the best of both worlds: I get three days a week with people, talking, sharing and encouraging fellow crafters. Then I get 4 days of quiet where I can focus on design, writing and weaving. I get to hang out with my husband, walk along the water and generally enjoy life. But honestly, most of my down time is spent weaving. I listen to podcasts, audiobooks and music. I find it peaceful and calming…even when my project isn’t working as it should.
Where do you draw your inspiration from?
Inspiration comes from everything…a colour combination, a building, a piece of art, the fibre itself. Sometimes from my current weave (what would happen if, I should have done, this would be better if…).
Do you have advice for people just starting out on their fibre journey?
Remember why you do your hobby…for fun, relaxation, self-care. It’s ok to quit a project that isn’t giving you joy.
Use the good yarn. It’s only string. In the grand scheme of things, it’s better to risk the good yarn than to leave it forever on a shelf.
Be kind to yourself. Enjoy the learning process…mistakes aren’t really mistakes; it’s just learning what doesn’t work.
Where will your fibre journey take you in the future?
I think I actually get more enjoyment from teaching others to weave than actually weaving! So I see myself teaching more classes. (Have loom, will travel!)
A personal goal I have is to weave and sew more of my own clothing.
