Now that I am home for at least a few days it is time to get working! I arrived home to two giant boxes of alpaca yarn that has been made for me at a great Michigan yarn mill called Stonehedge Fiber Mill. They have created beautiful sport and fingering weight 100% alpaca yarn in white, beige, fawn and black. I have ended up with a whopping 61 pounds of it! I am imaginging all of the great products that are going to be created in the very near future.
Imagine that each of these cones has about 2 pounds of yarn on it. It should keep me busy for quite a while.
In addition to finally having my own yarn processed I also had the opportunity to locate a source of silk yarn in Bangalore. Shortly before returning to the US I paid a visit to my 'silk man' and purchased a few goodies. The combination of soft alpaca and shiny silk is a great mix that I use often. My silk purchases will surely not go to waste! I am considering creating a few alpaca/silk weaving kits - If interested send me an email at mvwaling@gmail.com.
Beaded and sequined silk - I have a few ideas for this already. It won't sit in the studio for long!
A few of the colors I purchased. I was trying my best to find colors compatable with my natural colored alpaca.
A shot of all my new silk
This is a multi color single. I'll find some use for it eventually!
On our last night in Bangalore Mungala came over and put henna on our hands. She then helped us dress in our saris and fixed our hair in Indian style. We had a mother/daughter portrait taken at the photo studio. I didn't get pictures of us when we were all dressed up so I will have to wait until my mother brings the pictures to me August 1st!
After visiting Delhi we took the train to Jaipur. I really liked this city. There were amazing sights to see, great shopping, elephant rides and camels! To view my photojournal click here: Facebook Your Photos - jaipur
Our stay in Delhi. I was ill and it was 115 degrees outside so the photos aren't the greatest. I took many shots of the countryside and people from the train that goes fron Delhi to Jaipur.
I began my adult life studying to be an architect. After a few years doing architectural design I became an illustrator for Detroit Diesel. This lead to a position as a systems administrator for our grop at DDC. In 1998 I married my husband, Victor. I was luck enough to have the opportunity to stay home with my kids after we married. Although I was at home I wasn't idle - in 2000 we purchased 2 alpacas. This lead to a new career as a textile designer who specailizes in items made with alpaca fleece. At the moment I am back in school at Cleary College finishing up a bachelors degree in computer science. I am considering a masters degree after that!