We're thrilled to welcome Dayna Fisk-Williams to our Tierra Wools staff! A former Tierra Wools weaving student herself, Dayna will be joining us this summer as a weaving instructor. We recently sat down with Dayna to learn about how she got into weaving and what inspires her to create.
Tell us a little bit about how you became a weaver.
I am a “maker.” I have been a maker my whole life. As a tween and teenager I taught myself to sew, created huge macrame wall hangings, tried stained glass, printmaking and just about anything I could figure out on my own. In college I took a Native American Arts class and I built a full size upright Navajo loom and wove about 2 feet of a rug for my final project. This first experience with weaving was completely self taught and very crude, but I loved it. After college I became a school teacher and suddenly I had no time for “making” anymore. When I retired from teaching afer 25 years and moved to Los Ojos, I was very excited to try my hand at weaving again. Only this time I was lucky to live near Tierra Wools and learn from real weavers on real looms. And I felt at home the minute I began weaving my first Rio Grande rug.
What’s your favorite part about weaving?
I love being part of the tradition of Rio Grande weaving on a walking loom using Navajo churro wool. I love making something that is unique to me. I love the challenge of creating a design on paper and working to make it become a reality on the loom.
What projects are you currently working on?
I am testing ways to make my weavings easier to hang as “art.” I want to help people realize that weavings are just as beautiful as an oil painting on a wall. I have made two practice pieces so far. One is a traditional sampler of basic techniques and the other is small tapestry.
Where do you find inspiration for your work?
My weaving is very geometric, so I see designs everywhere in the world around me. I use patterns I see in fences, rooftops, rock formations, bricks patterns, feathers and more.
Do you have any other crafting hobbies besides weaving?
Currently, my main work is all weaving. In addition to Rio Grande weaving, I weave lightweight fabrics from cotton, silk, and bamboo and I design unique clothing and sew my lightweight handmade fabrics into garments and accessories.
What’s next for you as a weaver?
Teaching weaving at Tierra Wools will be my next challenge. I am a teacher by trade and I love weaving, so I have high hopes that teaching weaving will be a wonderful experience for both and my students and me.
Learn more about Dayna and her work on her website, fringeweaving.com, where you’ll find more delightful, inspirational photos of her work.