Wonderful weaving

Weaving friendships

Hazel Holloway discovers a contemporary style of Japanese weaving in Bangor.

With a stunning backdrop of the Menai Strait and the second-longest pier in Wales, Bangor, accessible from anywhere in the UK, is a must-see place to visit for 2023. And not too far from the station, there is a small studio specialising in a contemporary style of Japanese

weaving – SAORImor. It’s the perfect pastime to start the New Year, get started with a new craft, and meet new people. Rosie Green is the owner and a registered Saori instructor and authorised dealer. Rosie has a calmness about her, but her enthusiasm and passion for her craft seeps through. The first thing she does is ‘put the

kettle on’ and gets to know you a little. She is the perfect teacher.

So, what is Saori weaving? Saori was the brainchild of one person in 1970: the textile artist and weaver Misao Jo in Japan. She was 57 when she first

discovered this art form and continued creating until she passed away at the grand old age of 104 in 2018. She is survived by her sons, one of whom, Kenzo Jo, continues her art form. In Zen vocabulary, Saori combines two words, “Sai,”

meaning everything has its own individual dignity, and “ori”, meaning weaving. It has no rules or restrictions and is designed to be accessible to all.

Since college, where Rosie gained a BA Honours in Textile and Fashion and became a licentiate of the Society of Designer Craftsmen, she has had various jobs involving craft and artisan textiles. She has shown her work in small exhibitions with the Gwynedd Guild of Spinners, Weavers and Dyers in multiple venues and even had the commission to weave a tapestry for the Welsh TV programme, Bildowcar. This experience and knowledge gave Rosie the confidence to start her studio, SAORImor and become a teacher.

“Teaching Saori is the first time in my life that I truly feel I am doing the right

thing. It brings me great joy and confidence. Seeing the pride and satisfaction

Saori gives everyone taking a class in my studio and knowing their happiness will be shared with their friends makes my heart smile,” says Rosie.

Rosie spent time in Japan on a study tour organised by a

studio run by Mihoko, who lives in America. She spent time with a Saori family who helped her become a registered studio in Wales, a wonderful experience. She travelled around and met with various Saori weavers learning as much as possible. Luckily for Rosie, Mihoko, from Japan, made her first

introduction to the country much more accessible than doing it alone.

Growing and going strong

Weaving is experiencing a resurgence in the UK. And with only five registered Saori studios throughout the country,

one in North Wales, the movement is starting to grow in strength. Each business is run by a different person, but all are developing close and supportive friendships. Saori is all about connecting the community and sharing and inspiring everyone in each group, which is shared worldwide in a network of registered studios.

Rosie explained that weaving is becoming more popular because more people question where cloth comes from and want to make their own garments, including scarves, bags, banners, tops, jackets and trousers.

Redefining imperfection

It’s an easy process of sliding the threader from one side to the other, pulling back on the lever to push the yarn in place before switching pedals and sliding the threader back to the other side of the warp, repeating the process to grow the weave.

The more confident you get you can add patterns by

threading different colours at varying lengths through the warp. Beginners can weave truly stunning tapestries from the beginning. There is no such thing as a mistake in Saori

The Philosophy of Saori:

1. To consider the differences between machines and people 2. Be bold and adventurous 3. Look out through eyes that shine 4. Inspire one another, and everyone in the group

weaving. You just go with the flow. Every work includes rough

and smooth textures, clumpy fabric, and ragged edges – all unpolished beauties. Of course, the better you get, the more control you gain.

Something for everyone

Saori classes involve everyone – an experienced boy of ten may coach a woman beginning at 60. It does not discriminate regardless of age, experience, or physical and intellectual capabilities; all individuals can enjoy this type of weaving.

So, what are you waiting for? Get in touch with Rosie at SAORImor. She does a two-hour taster class with immediate and inspiring results. And who knows, if you carry on by the end of the year, you could wear that stunning poncho you created or have all your Christmas presents ready for December. Of course, coffee and cake are always good after a session with your newfound friends. n

Hazel Holloway is a freelance writer and photographer. She spent 18 years living in Western Australia where she worked on a community newspaper. She is now just about to move to North Wales. Hazel is still writing, taking pictures and walking as often as she can along the beautiful Welsh coastline. She loves spending time with her husband, grown-up children (when they’re around) and her two rescue dogs Missy and Hector. www.hazelholloway.me

As funeral directors in Llandudno, North Wales Chris Lord-Brown and Jonathen Harty have over fifty years of combined experience. Serving both local and neighbouring communities, their expertise and knowledge combined with their extensive contacts have led to numerous families entrusting them to arrange and conduct the funeral services of their loved ones.

Together they run Lord-Brown & Harty Ltd. This independent, privately owned and professionally qualified funeral directors and monumental masons is situated in the heart of Llandudno on the North Wales coast.

They are proud member of The National Association of Funeral Directors (NAFD), undergo regular inspections of premises and paperwork to ensure compliance, and abide by the NAFD's Code of Practice.

CHRIS LORD-BROWN B.Ed(Hons) DipFD

chris@lbandh.co.uk JONATHEN HARTY B.Ed(Hons) DipHE FRAS

jonathen@lbandh.co.uk