Kristin Carey
Kristin Carey
I have made Madeline Island my home
with my husband William Tibble for the past 12 years.
My interest in weaving began during
my time studying Fashion Design at the University of WI Madison, where I took
courses in weaving. After graduation I spent 4 years in my first ‘real job’. This consisted of designing children’s
wear. After leaving this uninspiring position, I found myself moving to Madeline
Island. After living on the island
for some time, I discovered the Woods Hall Craft Shop. Woods Hall is a long
standing weaving co-op on the island.
Its purpose, for close to 50 years, was to give island residents a community
space to create crafts, one of them being hand-woven rugs.
From these crafts came an avenue to sell ones work during the summer months. This tradition is still alive and well
today.
Ten years later, I am still going
strong weaving hand-woven rugs of all sizes. I currently work out of my private
studio. At the moment
I have two looms, which I do the majority of my weaving on. One being a 8 harness 60' Cranbrook loom and a smaller 2
harness Union loom. Although I do
sell the majority of my work at Woods Hall, most of my rugs are done exclusively
at my studio at home on the island.
My own studio has allowed me to explore challenging ideas that only come from
stepping ‘out of the box’ so to speak.
I am in total control of the entire design of each rug from warp design to weft
placement. As an artist, I enjoy
the creative process of seeing the idea in my head, sketching out my weaving
draft, and then taking the idea to a finished design.
My art background came from a BS
degree in Environment/Textile/Design from the Univ. of WI-Madison.
In conjunction with that I spent 1 year studying at the acclaimed Fashion
Institute of Technology in New York City.
Weaving is a far cry from Fashion Design but it gives me an outlet to express my
fascination with color, pattern, and repeat.
My rugs are predominately a weaving style referred to as Log Cabin or Rep
Weaving. Although I do weave in other formats
this style seems to be what I find the most exciting and challenging. The pattern & color ideas are endless.
My work has been shown at local
galleries and can be seen at the Woods Hall Craft Shop located on Madeline
Island. In 2001, in collaboration
with fellow weaver Kimberly Jones, I was granted a WI Arts Board Artist Grant
sponsored by The La Pointe Center. This grant let us explore “The Principles of
Color Theory’ through the medium of weaving.
As you look at my work, you will see
my bold use of color. I generally weave in cotton to create these looks because of
its ability to hold color well and it is available in so many hues. Many
of my rugs may be seen at
also be seen at the
Superior Artists
Gallery
in Washburn, WI.
Most of my weaving is created during the winter months. This allows me to concentrate on my other passion. Horses. I run a small horse farm called Hippophile Farm. There I teach children and adults the Principles of Horsemanship. Weaving keeps me busy in the winter, while the horses take up my time in the summer. It’s the perfect combination for a dream come true.
"Colorplay Weft Faced
Wool on Linen"
Wall Hanging
"Red Arrow-Log Cabin"
A 90" by 48" 100% Cotton Rug
Kris working in her studio.