IN PERSON WORKSHOP
Date: October 14, 2026
Instructor: Laurie Carlson Steger
 
Workshop Description: 
Lighting can make a mood magical.  Certain experiences with light and color reinforce a memory with profound meaning. Optical fiber carries light through an engineered strand for illumination and communication and is a powerful concept for a textile artist to explore. This make and take workshop explains the mechanics of fiber optics and teaches techniques to manipulate fibers using off-loom skills - braiding, twining and simple weaving - to integrate light output. The sample will use plastic optical fiber, monofilament, wire and beads to form a small sculptural shape that becomes a twinkling ornament or night light.
 
Students are requested to bring to class: Exacto knife, clip board or large binder clip, cardboard for working surface, tapestry needle, scissors (not your best ones)
 
Materials/Handouts Fee: $15
Attendee Limit: 12
 
Instructor Bio: 
Laurie Carlson Steger began weaving at a young age. She studied Textile Design at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth and earned a BFA and MFA in Artisanry/Fibers. Her fiber art reflects on concepts of light and natural atmospheres. Her work with fiber optic materials led to consulting in the field of smart textile applications during the1990s. Laurie works on the TC-2 Thread Controller Jacquard loom as well as 4-H and 8-H looms. She has taught workshops/lectures at numerous weaving guilds including New England Weaving Seminar, Textile Society of America, HGA Convergence, Complex Weavers and is the past Dean of Weavers’ Guild of Boston.
She is an exhibiting member of South End Wovens studio in the SoWa (south of Washington St.) artist district of Boston, MA. Laurie lives in South Dartmouth, MA with her husband and two dogs. She also enjoys golf, baking pies and traveling.
Learn more at www.lauriecarlsonsteger.com, Instagram @lightweaver11_laurie_steger