One day : Christabel Balfour - weaver
Location : Bethnal Green, London, UK
Profession / passion : Weaver
Website : www.christabelbalfour.com
Instagram : @christabelbalfour
A text, song or film that everyone should experience : The song Branscombe by Wovoka Gentle
One Day is an ongoing project sparked by the Covid-19. In the days of isolation we would like to focus on what we do best; bringing people together. Read more about the project here.
We will be posting one new day of someones life every day until we run out of contributors. See our instagram stories to experience these peoples One Day in action.
What is the story behind your profession/ passion?
I started weaving as a young child, among other things like painting and drawing. Over the years weaving slowly nudged itself to the forefront of my creative life and now it’s what I do full time.
How has the current situation affected how you work?
A lot of cancelled workshops. But I’m currently self-isolating in the studio which is quite nice.
What is the most inspiring text you read recently?
At the moment I’m reading “Antifragile : How to Live in a World We Don’t Understand” by Nassim Nicholas Taleb. He’s an expert on unpredictable events, so it’s a good book to read at a time like this.
Define what beauty means to you.
Something that is just enough- no more, no less. Something with nothing to prove.
Your best trait?
I don’t give up easily. People think I’m patient because weaving is so slow but really I’m just stubborn.
What traits do you treasure in other people?
Thoughtfulness and the ability to really listen and observe.
Who do you miss?
My family’s dog!
How was your spiritual and religious upbringing and how did it shape you?
My dad is a vicar so I grew up in the church, and over the years have slowly figured out my own relationship to it all.
I feel like my faith gives me permission to be wildly optimistic and always hopeful, even in dark times.
When was the last time you learned something new and what was it?
I learnt how to make an espresso at Benk + Bo! Thanks so much Jasmin for teaching me!
If you were forced to sit still for one month straight without pursuing your current profession, how would you spend your time?
This sounds like torture! But I’d get a lot of reading done. Maybe I’d write a novel?
Live in the same house or move to a different country every month for the next ten years?
Live in the same house!!! I have six huge looms, I’m not moving anywhere any time soon.
Lastly, how do wish to see this current situation have a positive impact on our lives?
I hope we start to prioritise sustainability at every level- in our lifestyles, our finances and how we take care of the earth and each-other.