Local fiber artist enjoys a spin
By MICHELLE BOSWORTH
Staff writer
Whether she is spinning a yarn or knitting her brow, Deb Brandt finds her work extremely fulfilling.
As a fiber artist, Deb enjoys hand-dying and hand-spinning wool. She then crochets, knits, and weaves her brightly colored yarn into scarves, socks, hats, house-slippers
"All over the world men and women take fiber and make clothing," said Deb. "It gives me a sense of empowerment and creativity."
Deb grew up in Woodburn, Ind., and her fascination with knitting began when she was in grade school.
At the age of 7 or 8, she noticed some girls wearing hand-knitted headbands. Deb wanted some too, so she asked her aunt, Ruth Ann, to teach her to knit.
With her grandma supplying the first pair of knitting needles and her aunt coaching her in the art, Deb soon was creating her own headbands, collars for her cats, and a leash. For years, she worked on simple items like afghans.
Years later, after marrying Mike Brandt, moving to a Kansas farm north-west of Hillsboro, and acquiring three sheep, Deb's interest in spinning wool was born.
For two years she used a spindle to create yarn from her wool while debating the cost effectiveness of buying a spinning wheel. By this time she also was busy with two young daughters: three-year-old Meghan and six-month-old Amelia.
Seeking advice, Deb called Marilyn Jones from Peabody. "You'll never regret getting a spinning wheel," promised Marilyn.
But after buying a spinning wheel, Deb ran into trouble getting it to work for her. She called Dorothy Kerbs who graciously invited Deb and her family over for dinner and a spinning lesson.
"With her help I was able to spin," relates Deb.
One thing led to another. What began with knitting needles in a child's hands has blossomed into a life awed by the wonders of fiber. Deb has tried her hand at knitting, crocheting, weaving, making felt, hand-spinning, and hand-dying various fibers.
Folks give her raw fleece, she buys fibers not available locally on eBay, and a wool cooperative also keeps her supplied with quality rovings.
Ecru in color, rovings are a blend of wool with a high percentage of merino (a soft, fine wool). Deb has created her own niche by tie-dying her rovings in uniquely bright colors and selling them on eBay. Some of her work also is for sale at Nancy's Fashions.
Recently, Deb returned from The Handweavers Guild of Boulders Annual Sale in Colorado where she sold her hand-dyed rovings, hand-spun yarns, and knitted and crocheted hats.
Highlighting the talents of over 100 fiber artists from six states, the HGB show drew people from the globe.
Speaking with admiration and respect for the artists at the show, Deb said, "These people have taken fiber to the level of art!"
Working with fiber is not only a creative outlet for Deb, it also gives her comfort and relaxation.
Several years ago, members of her family in Indiana were experiencing numerous trials. Deb had some scraps of yarn that were too short for anything, but she just couldn't throw them away.
Sitting down with the scraps and a pair of knitting needles, Deb repetitively prayed The Lord's Prayer over her family as she stitched away. The resulting "prayer shawl" warms her heart and holds the chill of Kansas' winter winds at bay.
Citing the relaxing, calming effect it has on her, Deb's favorite fiber-activity is spinning. Marilyn Jones' prediction 20 years ago has proven true for Deb. She never has regretted investing in a spinning wheel.
So strong are Deb's feelings about the benefits of spinning, that she wants to share what she has learned over the years with others.
Deb and Lynn Unruh, owner of NorthShore GuestHouse bed and breakfast, are planning a "Spin In" for women interested in learning the art of spinning. Tentatively planned for April 30, 2005, at Lynn's bed and breakfast, Deb hopes it will be a time to "learn a new skill, laugh, and relax." For more information, call Deb at 1-620-947-1852.
In her own words, Deb conveys what her art means to her: "I love to take a raw fleece that smells of sheep and the earth and turn it into a work of art. I have complete control in every step. I choose the colors, texture, and weight. The finished garment is an expression of my talents. It gives me a sense of empowerment and creativity."
