Artist's Statement         
Alice Cappa is an experienced Artist/Educator focused in Fiber Arts...
* private and public schools  * juried shows  *studio workshops.

Using varied techniques with "loom-shaped wearables" in lightweight, breathable cottons,
she integrates a unique expression of rainbowed color and lace/patterned imagery
into a heritage craft. Working on her "farmette" in the North Florida Panhandle,
she also spins, dyes, and weaves fleece from her sheep. Handspun "art yarns"
express color and texture for demos and itinerant workshops in triangle weaving.
These demos offer presentations for private and public schools, libraries,
special needs groups, birthday field trips or camps.
Often a lamb has accompanied her to visit with students.

With artist residencies in public schools or art centers, plus exhibiting her work
in juried art shows throughout the southeast and beyond, Alice has been developing
various aspects of her fiber arts since 1980. With an MS degree in Art Education, plus
AS in Graphic Design, alternate studio work includes bookarts, photography, graphics and writing.

All these experiences offer "grist for the mill" ... stories, photos, fiber arts and creative connections.

* The Weavings   *  The Writings   *  The Woolies

* The Weavings

Alice's handwoven wraps use an array of dyes and pattern
to fashion a unique expression into a heritage craft.
A favorite technique uses Leno-Lace to define shapes,
such as the marine images of her "Seashawls": shells, seahorse, fish.... Or florals, such as the
"Magnolia" or "Daisy" shawls".
Other favorites are the "Rainbow Shawls", a progression
of gradient shades that shift throughout the
warp and weft in a unique expression of color.

"Loom-shaped" folkstyles offer light-weight,
breatheable cotton tops, ruanas,
and the versatile Quexquemetl capes.
They are sized and shaped on the loom as it is woven,
avoiding excess cutting or sewing when the fabric
is lifted off. Edges are selvedges (not cut),
which will never unravel.

Alice also spins, dyes, and weaves fleece from her sheep.
More below:   *The Woolies

* * * * *
*The "Menu" page links to available styles:
*Check the "Ready" page for those currently available.

My graphic composites use the "old masters" as models, so they can display them appropriately. They are fun and help to "style" each weaving.
a. Mona Lisa wears a shell with angel fish and seashells shaped with leno-lace.
b. Venus wears a cape, dyed with gradient shades in blue/violet/purples.

Commissions available in your style, color, and size.
* See Policies/ Privacy and Commissions, below.

~ Demos, Workshops...available for adults / kids / schools & camps ~      

Harness Weaving vs. Triangle Weaving... what's the difference?
    A harness loom uses a series of pedals to lift or lower a set of harnesses,
which carry the vertical yarns. A shuttle is thrown between these, carrying the horizontal yarns.
This creates the warp and weft of the fabric. Basic "tabby" weave is like a potholder,
each yarn goes over/under the next. Other distinctive patterns give a tactile and visual surface,
such as brocades or lace or tapestry.

    A triangle loom is a frame without harnesses or pedals.
Like a giant potholder (of any size), it allows mixed fibers and textures.
Let your fingers do the sequencing for instant color changes
or adding such embellishments as ribbons, beads, buttons, or tassels.

~
Instruction
    Individual instruction on a harness loom or spinning wheel is available,
however with triangle weaving, group workshops are more fun.
Workshops offer community, shared techniques,
and a re-usable frame to be taken home.
    Adults: Triangle Weaving offers a creative, versatile technique for scarf or shawl,
appropriate for beginners to experienced craft people.
Described on the classes page, also posted are photos
of the many groups from Central Florida to the Panhandle, Atlanta, Baltimore,
and points beyond. For individual instruction on a loom
or spinning wheel, contact by phone or email.
    For kids: Dyed 'N Wool or Just For Schools.
Presentations, camps, homeschools, or birthday groups of all ages.
Though the sheep no longer host groups, I can come to you
bearing demos and supplies appropriate for your age group.
See photos from the many camp or school visits
in the Tallahassee and surrounding areas.
See: camp newsletter

~
    Find more: The Rest Of The Story holds info on processes, terminology,
the studio, and building the sheep cote. Available handouts may include:
, Forage and Dye lists, and Triangle Weaving How-To.

* The Writings         . . . Words, as with yarns... offer color, imagery, and ambience.

 Coming soon, YarnTalk, a fiberarts adventure from the vastly skewed viewpoint of the lambs, in a middle-grade story of craft, color, and adventure. Lulu visits her aunt's farm for the summer to help overcome her anxieties while learning the fiberarts and taking care of SnoBelle, the cheeky lamb who insists on having her own shawl. Lulu learns to weave, to spin, to dye, and also write SnoBelle's story. In a two-in-one story, impertinent SnoBelle explores, hides, taunts her aunts and cousins, while learning about colors and fleece. A work-in-progress, YarnTalk will be hand-illustrated and handbound with handmade papers. Updates on the blog - stay tuned....

Tales From The Summer Hills, is of an enchanted land immersed in folktales for adults. Narratives were inspired by hand-marblings, where swirls of colors and shapes seemed to come alive as characters of a magical locale. Individual marblings are have been framed and-made-paper scrolls. One tale was chosen by WFSU's former "Stories In The Air". Others have won places with TSC's The Eyrind exhibited, while the folktales are illustrated and printed on long hae or TWA's Seven Hills Review.

~ More coming on the Blog ~

My "Rumplestiltskin" pic

~  Commissions/Orders/Shipping  ~  Privace Policy ~

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