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Cordage and the inner capitalist--an exchange of views

8/4/2020

 
Picture
Like so many things,
​it began simply enough.
Our sidewalk was blocked--
the narrow passageway
between an exuberant grape 
and clump of coppiced willow 
had become a tunnel--
nay, an obstacle course--
and needed clearing.
Picture
Not that I'm not a fan
of mysterious, woodsy passages
along city sidewalks,
but to render ours impassible
to anyone in a wheelchair
pushing a stroller,
or getting from here to there
without the dreaded internal combustion engine,
is unconscionable.
​
So after a brief thanks for the enthusiasm
of this magical and self-sufficient shrub,
out came the secateurs,
and soon enough the bed
​of our ancient pickup
was full of leafy stalks.
Picture
It's a great truck --a patient and irreplaceable 1985 Nissan that starts every time, despite its rare outings
Ordinarily, most of the willow shoots
get cut in mid-winter and live their second lives
as figurative willow sculptures 
or oversized shapes.
(they seem willing enough though there is no way to be sure).
The fruits of summer sidewalk brushing, however,
generally go straight to the community 
yard waste recycling  drop off--
at least once there is a full load
which can take all summer
​cuz who wants to drive?
Picture
Anyway, this time, as I dragged over
an armload of branches
​ 
I suddenly remembered
that
 basket weavers often gather
willow bark in the spring and summer.
Was it too late?
Nothing to lose by trying.
And OH!
Instant bliss!
The bark peeled off 
in elegant and satisfying sheets.
Picture
What to do with them?
First and easiest thing 
was to coil them up to set them aside,
then get back to the project at hand
in the studio. 
But-- what if I peeled off the outer bark?
Would that be hard?
Well no!
Indeed,  it was as delicious
as the initial peeling.
And when I scraped each willow wand
with the edge of a palette knife 
or handy oyster shell before peeling
(as per a  Sally Pointer bramble cordage video),
it got even better.


Then new options arose --
-leave in the wide sheets?
-split into narrow strips for cordage?
-twist now, or let dry and re-wet?  
​Why not try them all!
The air was so dry
the thin strips were almost crisp 
​in no time it all.
And the willow seemed willing enough --
indeed, the dance between
my hands,
the willow bark,
and the part of my brain
that loves more than anything
to have thrilling material adventures,
grew as sexy as a tango.
Picture
And this is where the inner capitalists showed up.
First:
"​This is NOT what you were planning to do today, Sarah."
Picture
Then:
"If this IS what you're doing,
because, duh, you've been out here all morning
without noticing how bloody hot it is getting,
how exactly are you going to make use of this
and is it related in any way to your goals
whatever they might be
because I sure can't tell
though as a distinctly non-essential worker
in times like these
it would behoove you 
​to justify your existence somehow."
Picture
yummy madder red cloth from last week's warp
"And in case you forgot, 
you have some excellent
and significantly faster projects
already underway
that are going to turn into
useful and important things
that might actually lead somewhere.
And dont' try to tell me 
you're going to write about this
on your blog because..
..."
Picture
Picture
And so on.
You probably get the picture.
No need to quote it all
because the point is that this time,
instead of rebelling against this voice,
or trusting that it has
 my best interests at heart
and is only trying to keep me safe
(as it insists),
I actively encouraged it. 
"Ooooh -- tell me more!"
I cooed, as green willowy curls
fell to the deck beside me.  
"Tell me ALL about 
 how I should conduct myself?"
Picture
And here's what it wanted me to do:
-make things that were faster (ie produce more stuff)
-make thing that would make money,
(whatever those might be),
-at the very least go watch more videos,
so if I had to do weird shit
I'd at least do them the right way
and at the same time
contribute myself as fodder
 for the attention economy
and maybe develop a craving
for an unnecessary plastic object
I never knew existed while I was about it
(perhaps a purpose built willow bark peeler...).
Picture
It's then that it became clear
that this voice was not really mine.
The tone was wrong
And so was the language.
Though my voice,
does want me to stick with projects,
it is generally because
it is immersion that I crave and adore,
passion that has proved to improve everything,
slowing down, opening up
and falling in love with the materials and work

that leads to the making of magical objects
that I'm thrilled and proud
to sell/share with other people.

Also, I knew perfectly well
that I would never, EVER use
​ spindle spinning and backstrap weaving
as weapons against myself,

How very very interesting, then.
And what a relief!
Picture
willow bark: freshly peeled on the left, boiled as per the comic above on the right.
If it is not me
trying to 'sabotage myself'
I can carry on with glee
and curiosity--
learning more
 about materials, 
and about those pesky
​and very rude voices.
How else have they been
having their way with me?
I want to know!
And what fun to poke at my brain,
watch it go all scared and protective
and close up like a sea anemone,
then coax it open again
to let in a tide of fresh perspectives
​I never knew existed--
Picture
--thrilling ideas
with which our tricksy
and wildly unpredictable world
is now awash.
Ideas about 
kindness,
​equality
​(in pay as well as health care),

conviviality,
curiosity
community,
​connection
and maybe even
​cordage?
Picture
Darn it -- once again I went off on a tangent.
Thanks as ever for sticking with me --
and for all the marvelous marvelous encouragement
in the comments last week.
​You are the BEST!
Linda Mullins
8/4/2020 01:37:39 pm

You always bring a smile to my day.

Velma Bolyard
8/4/2020 01:47:07 pm

milkweed = deliciousness all around. and all this twining. isn't it great to find people making videos about this stuff?

BARB MORSE
8/4/2020 01:47:57 pm

Was that an Easter Egg for Nanci Griffith's desire to stop at a Woolworth's in London...going to play some Nanci now. Thanks for the "suggestion" and the smiles from another non-essential (aka for me, retired) person.

Sarah
8/4/2020 01:53:05 pm

Why thank you kindly, yes it was! So excited that you noticed.

Shanna Robinson
8/4/2020 05:13:15 pm

Darn it! I missed the Nanci Griffith reference. Where is Love at the Five and Dime?

Sarah
8/4/2020 05:32:09 pm

Yes indeed—that’s it!

Rebecca Mezoff link
8/7/2020 12:02:53 pm

Nanci is the best!! Now I'm humming the Five and Dime song with that twangy voice in my head.

Fiona Hope
8/4/2020 02:10:32 pm

This is a perfect description of the creative/capitalist tension, thank you. Now I want to twist cordage all afternoon.

Barbara Carbajal
8/4/2020 02:43:34 pm

You absolutely inspire me and I LOVE your prose. b

Pru
8/4/2020 02:52:10 pm

You wove something unexpected and gorgeous with your words there, as well as with your willow bark, Swearah! NICE!

Emilia
8/4/2020 03:20:34 pm

Ah, Sarah, how well you put to words the absurdity of this capitalist fixation on producing and profit at all costs! I have been struggling with something similar too. It's all this charade about business as usual and the pressure to produce more, do more, make more money, pay more bills... when all I really feel is this immense need to slow down and breathe, to smell the roses! So my body and my mind are at odds with everything that is going on... I feel frustrated, deeply sad and moved, ferociously enraged... and I am trying really hard to not get depressed and miserable. And I know what works and what's best to take good care of myself and it has everything to do with creating and playing with fibers and engaging with my things and trying to offer a little relief and compassion to others and myself. So yeah, I believe these productivity mantras are not our own voices just an acute symptom of how hard pressed the indoctrination is. Like we need this kind of validation to exist, to be allowed to just simply be.
From another non essential worker... in a world of very essential people,
Emilia

Cheryl Silverblatt
8/4/2020 03:34:54 pm

I got it! Everything is right with the world now that I can look forward to your blog posts in my new in-box. And hooray for staying true to a passion for the materials. I can't think otherwise now, but about what this nettle yarn, or ??? will do. Thanks.

Janine link
8/4/2020 03:43:36 pm

Ahhh. As usual I reach the end of your post alive with the desire to respond, but when I've entered my information and face the empty box I find myself without words that would sing enough to express my appreciation, admiration, and love for you! You've captured the ease being promised by an outer-directed life perfectly.

Bethany Garner link
8/4/2020 03:46:10 pm

Sarah, while my heart beats fast, and excitement grows loudly across my brain as I read through your blogs - I will never understand where the energy, commitment and the drive to success (even when you wonder) come from! I am in love with your enthusiasm and thank you for sharing your adventures through this difficult time! SPIN ahead!!

Shanna Robinson
8/4/2020 05:14:24 pm

Thanks Sarah, again, for ALL of this!! YOU are the BEST!

Judi Leatherberry
8/4/2020 06:31:43 pm

You always make me smile, if not laugh out loud! You constantly make my day less dreary just be being yourself!!

Sally
8/4/2020 08:39:46 pm

Sarah,
Brave, wise you for recognizing and banishing that bad, scolding, anxiogenic voice. And doubly good for you for holding it up so we could all stick out our individual and collective tongues at it! Hooray for immersion and passion, and for the ability to surface and be dispassionate enough (briefly) to look at it ALL. Thanks!

Patti Kirch
8/4/2020 09:31:26 pm

Brambles and prickles, now I know what brambles are and I do try to avoid prickles. There are so many wonderful adventures you take us on I never knew existed and all I need are gloves, a beater and one dull flexible knife. Love your madder Red woven, your pick up truck and your cool backyard , thank you Sarah💕

Dea Savitzky
8/4/2020 11:41:23 pm

I don't know what I did before your blog became ritual for me. You are a balm, a stimulus, a laugh and pleasure producer...and I am in utter awe as I read and see your genius in everything you do.

Kerstin Neumüller
8/5/2020 12:44:08 am

Finding materials and inspiration to explore them like that is true bliss! Im glad you have it a shot. Bet you would also love working with Lime bast! (And Juniper bast, dont get me started - The scent!)

Sarah
8/8/2020 10:13:42 am

So have you been getting bast fiber as well as heddle wood from the fallen juniper? How marvelous! And I think lime trees are called linden around here though I don’t know what they look like. Will keep my ears and eyes open (even as half the time the thing I’m looking for is in my own back yard.)

Michi Mathias link
8/5/2020 01:56:43 am

I love your drawings, your inventiveness, your beautiful skilled crafting, your thought processes.... just everything about this!

Michi Mathias link
8/5/2020 02:04:22 am

Oh, and I forgot to say... I popped over to the willow sculptures link and am in awe all over again. Especially attracted to the fiddle and banjo duo as I play both of those!

Sarah
8/8/2020 10:04:17 am

Fiddle and Banjo!! How marvelous. 5 string or tenor? I’m an English Concertina gal myself, with totally untried claw hammer banjo fantasies.... also— thank you for the DeAtramentis ink recommendation. I’ve been having a grand time bonding with my fountain pens again.

Denise link
8/5/2020 06:16:06 am

Thank you! I've been struggling with this very conversation recently or should I say always.

Alison
8/5/2020 06:45:21 am

Dear Sarah, as a worn out, essential worker (not a essential as those working directly with Covid patients. I'm only a psychologist) I can honestly say that you are very essential to me. Reading your blog never fails to lift my spirits and make me smile. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

SUSAN E MCDOWELL
8/5/2020 08:01:14 am

Thanks so much, Sarah! As recently non-essential worker, this gave me the language to stop and ponder the voices in my own head. So good to have a reminder to do that!!!! Love that you share. Be well.

Suzanne Griffith
8/5/2020 06:50:10 pm

If I find a willow bark peeler, I will keep it to myself because you don't need it. Nor do I. I need a hazelnut bark peeler ;-)

Sarah
8/8/2020 10:00:12 am

Hazelnut bark?? Another generous source of cordage/basketry material? Must investigate (with or without said imaginary peeler....)

CatherinE link
8/6/2020 12:18:08 pm

Sarah, I love the part where you recognized the voice was not yours, seeing through all the tell-tale tricks. With your inspiration in mind, I aim to get better at that!

Linda C link
8/6/2020 02:35:02 pm

Sarah, No one needs to justify their existence; that is the Gift of Life. The way I see it, your weaving, fiber arts, writing, cartooning are a celebration of life, not a transaction to justify your life. Peace

Susan Roth
8/7/2020 06:29:27 pm

Love these thoughts! (And Sally Pointer is amazing...thanks for pointing me in her direction).


Comments are closed.
    Picture

    ​Sarah C Swett 
    tells stories
    with
    ​ and about

     hand spun yarn. 


    Picture
    Click for info on
    my four selvedge
    warping class
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    ​ Rebecca Mezoff  
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