Contemporary Japanese Weaving: SAORI

Instructor: Chiaki O'Brien, SAORI Certified Instructor; former instructor at SAORI head office in Japan

Create a delightful hand-made gift for yourself or a loved one as you enjoy a relaxing weaving experience. SAORI weaving is a gentle, mindful and meditative process which emphasizes improvisation and creative expression. This contemporary weaving method, founded in Japan in 1968, literally means "weaving with individual dignity." It is a meditative art form where the weaver finds themselves completely absorbed and fully immersed into the weaving in front of them. Use a simple foot powered SAORI loom, perfect for beginners!

• Break free of rules and regulations employed in traditional weaving.
• There are no mistakes in this style of weaving.
• As you create, opportunities, discoveries, and techniques are shared with the group.
• Complete your own unique textile, perhaps a scarf, table runner or wall hanging.

All supplies will be provided to make and bring home a completed weaving.

Bring from home (optional): Any personal items you may wish to be woven into the work, such as handspun yarn, strips of fabric, feathers, or sticks.

Instructor Bio: Chiaki O'Brien is a SAORI Leader Committee Certificate holder. She completed a year-long SAORI course in 2001 and worked at the SAORI head school in Japan before relocating to Minnesota in 2004. Chiaki is an artist-in-residence at schools, teaches at assisted living centers, and events like Shepherd's Harvest and the Midwest Weavers Conference. In 2012, she received a Jerome Fiber Artist Project Grant to study "Bengala Dyeing" in Japan, which she now teaches. Chiaki believes SAORI Weaving showed her the joy of creating with her hands and shares that joy with others in Minnesota. Chiaki operates Studio FUN in Bloomington, MN and distributes SAORI Weaving and Bengala Dye products.