Available on Etsy !

I was inspired by leap year and having an extra day to take a leap and do something special.  I opened a shop on etsy to sell my weavings.  Etsy really makes it pretty easy to set up a shop but there are lots of steps and things to think about.  I know I'll be learning and making adjustments along the way but wow, it is cool to be part of the etsy community!

So I thought I would show you some of my weavings and tell you about my shop.

The shop name is Steph Michelet, because I just like the personal feel of using my own name.  There are lots of really cute and creative shop names out there though! 

I work at home next to the heater and a big window.  It's so cozy to work where is is warm and light.  I live in Quebec so the heater is pretty much always going.

I currently have two looms.  One for small projects and a custom made giant loom I use for creating large works and diptyques.  I'm working on a huge piece right now and it is so soft, I just want to lie down on it.  But I don't, I promise.

I can't live without being surrounded by yarns and different materials.  I love selecting the yarns and seeing the weaving take form.

I use many types of materials.  If the color and texture draws me in then I'll go for it, even if I am not sure what exactly I will use it for.  I figure the project will present itself and it's best to be prepared.  I love natural fibers but I use synthetics and alternative materials too because there are a lot of amazing things out there and I don't like to limit myself.

I'm inspired by keeping an open heart and mind.  I will see something out of the corner of my eye and begin imagining a woven version of it.  That really excites me and is a big reason I love weaving, I see so much possibility!

Here are some examples of weavings I currently have in my shop on etsy.  I hope you like them.

Kimchi Pancakes

I've been working on and refining this recipe for a while now.  And I don't mind one bit.  I love the chewy tangy sourdough pancake blended with the spicy crunch of the kimchi.

It's simple, but there are a few important things to focus on.  First, the consistency of the batter, you want it to be thin and easy to spread.  If you are using a nonstick skillet, you must lightly oil it for best results.  The hot oil really impacts the cooking process resulting in nicely browned slightly crisp ridges that swirl around raised areas of golden dough.  When done right, these cook quickly and are as beautiful to look at as they are delicious to eat.

Not oiling the pan will result in pale, undercooked pancakes that stick to the pan and are not a joy to work with, they might taste ok but could be slighly undercooked and will lack character and finish.

Ingredients

• 45 g sourdough starter (2 Tablespoons)
• 200 g bread flour (1.5 cups)
• 100 g spelt flour (1 cup)
• 350 g warm water (1 3/4 cup)
• pinch of salt
• 1 cup kimchi

To do

Using an electronic scale, measure the sourdough starter, flour, water and salt in a medium sized mixing bowl.  If you don't have a scale, you can use the measurements I included next to the ingredients.

Stir the ingredients in slow smooth strokes until well combined.  Use immediately or let the dough rest for 4 hours or longer. You can make this up to a day ahead and simply cover and place bowl in the refrigerator and then let it warm up to room temperature before making the pancakes.

Before cooking the pancakes you might need to add some water to get the right consistency.  It depends on the flour you are using.  Start with 2 Tablspoons if you think the batter is too thick.  The goal is to get a nice pourable consistency, such as you would with any pancake batter.

Heat your skillet and have the kimchi next to your work area.

Add some oil to the pan and pour in about 1/4 cup batter and quickly spread it out with the back of a spoon.  Add a thin layer of kimchi on top and press it gently into the batter.  Cook for about 1-3 minutes until it is bubbly on top and golden brown underneath.  It should flip easily.  Flip and cook for another minute on the kimchi side. 

Carefully remove the pancake with a spatula.  It doesn't come off the pan as easily as the first side because of the kimchi so take your time.  Flip your beautiful kimchi pancake onto a plate and start the next one!  These are best eaten warm and disappear fast. 

I made a quick video to show you the process which you can check out here.

Serve with fresh scallions, lime and soy or tamari.  Add a lettuce leaf for crunch and some fresh kimchi for extra spice.

Enjoy!

P.S. if you are interested in a Skype class on how to make your own kimchi please write me at thenourishbowl {at} gmail.com

Weaving workshop recap

Today I taught a basics weaving workshop to a group of wonderful, friendly and amazingly creative women.  They so completely embraced my love of simplicity and possibility and made the day incredibly awesome.

I always provide lots of different yarns so that everyone can find something that speaks to them, and it is fascinating to see what colors and techniques people gravitate towards.  The diversity of the finished projects always blows me away.  Today we added a special twist by providing some gorgeous fabric strips and the results were really beautiful. 

A huge thank you to un moment s.v.p for providing the beautiful space.

Hope to see you at a workshop soon!

Weaving Workshop

I just received word that my weaving workshop is sold out with a waiting list! I'm so excited to meet everyone tomorrow and especially to see what they create.  I really hope they love weaving as much as I do, or at the very least, have a lot of fun, connect with others and learn something cool.