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Erin Braaains!-John 🧟‍♀️

@eebeejay.bsky.social
2.1K followers 1.1K following 492 posts

Writer, science communicator, maker/mender. I like to spin yarns.

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Erin Braaains!-John 🧟‍♀️ @eebeejay.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
Hey Vancouver have you seen this bird? I saw it at Trillium Park near the new Saint Paul’s on Sunday and it is the first Clark’s Nutcracker seen in Vancouver since 1995. Send photos, time and location to Melissa Hafting: bcbirdalert.blogspot.com/p/vancouver-...
Clark’s Nutcracker perched on a chain link fence. It has a black beak, black eyes, light grey head and dark grey to black wingsClark’s Nutcracker perched on a concrete brick in an inflatable pink wading pond. It has a black beak, black eyes, light grey head and dark grey to black wings
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Erin Braaains!-John 🧟‍♀️ @eebeejay.bsky.social · 06/09/2026
Yesterday was a very offline day making a dry leaf indigo vat with the class I’ve been teaching. Flavonoid extraction took forever with a slooow burner but we finally got there! #textiles #dyeing How it started / how it’s going:
Crushed dry leaf indigo in a fine mesh laundry bag in a deep stock potIndigo vat ready to dye with. Note the foamy blueish, metallic oxidized indigo on top. That’s how I you know it’s working but all that needs to be removed before dyeing
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Erin Braaains!-John 🧟‍♀️ @eebeejay.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
My whiteboard is ready. #MinCup26
A whiteboard with the 2026 Mineral Cup bracket drawn on it. The starting matches are, in chronological order in pairs from top to bottom alternating from left to right each match: azurite versus smithsonite, erythrite versus skutterudite, sphalerite versus anorthite, bournonite versus vesuvianite, cuprite versus orpiment, quartz versus asagiite, monazite-(Ce) versus andalusite, stichtite versus talc, hafnon versus putnisite, pyromorphite versus gypsum, calcite versus julienite, pyrrhotite versus cylindrite, arsenopyrite versus halite, riebeckite versus gadolinite-(Y), chrysocolla versus xocolatlite, and cassiterite versus graphite.
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Erin Braaains!-John 🧟‍♀️ @eebeejay.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
Stopped by the garden after work. Sheila made a lantern.
Sheila is adding fairy lights to a ball she’s woven with willow branches Finished lantern on a long bendy willow stick. Kind of reminds me of an anglerfish
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Erin Braaains!-John 🧟‍♀️ @eebeejay.bsky.social · 23/08/2026
Spent the morning in Richmond harvesting safflower on a friend’s farm. My fingers are yellow and smell sweet and floral.
A bumblebee with fully loaded saddlebags of pollen perched on a safflower bloom held in a friend’s hand. Safflowers look like thistles: onion shaped with a shock of muppet hair, but in safflower the hair is orange to red, rather than purple.
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Erin Braaains!-John 🧟‍♀️ @eebeejay.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
Also saw a Cooper’s hawk. More like heard the Cooper’s hawk, but here’s a bad picture to confirm that it exists in a tree at 21st and Columbia. Evening walks are great.
A fir tree with a whitish smudge on it that is a Cooper’s hawk
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Erin Braaains!-John 🧟‍♀️ @eebeejay.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
I like triangle dude. He always has time for me.
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Erin Braaains!-John 🧟‍♀️ @eebeejay.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
No one will ever change my mind about this.
The classic Drake meme with Drake sunning Castle Fun Park and approving of Dinotown, because seriously, Dinotown was the best.
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Erin Braaains!-John 🧟‍♀️ @eebeejay.bsky.social · 04/08/2026
Toasting my grandma Eileen’s memory with her second favourite beverage. (Lonesome Charlie isn’t available anymore. A bit surprised Baby Duck is.)
A green bottle of Baby Duck wine beside a wine glass with pink fizzy wine.
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Erin Braaains!-John 🧟‍♀️ @eebeejay.bsky.social · 03/08/2026
Peppy family portrait with a few of his cuttings.
A wall of glossy peperomia foliage in the middle of the kitchen
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Erin Braaains!-John 🧟‍♀️ @eebeejay.bsky.social · 03/08/2026
This is Peppy. Mom propagated him from a leaf in the mid 70s. Went through a gangly phase on the kitchen windowsill in this current house but seems pretty happy on the kitchen island. Still in original pot.
A glossy green peperomia plant in a retro earthenware pot
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Erin Braaains!-John 🧟‍♀️ @eebeejay.bsky.social · 03/08/2026
Bestest boy.
A big floofy grey lynx point cat laying on the floor
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Erin Braaains!-John 🧟‍♀️ @eebeejay.bsky.social · 06/07/2026
Got tired of this hole in my shoulder so I’m fixing it. #visiblemending
Beginning of a mend in progress. We’re fixing a hole and some threadbare sections of a grey knitted cardigan with dark blue thread in duplicate stitch Mend in progress. We’re fixing a hole and some threadbare sections of a grey knitted cardigan with dark blue thread in duplicate stitch. The blue duplicate stitch section is now a solid block and a couple loose stitches are being held by a skinny knitting needle.
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Erin Braaains!-John 🧟‍♀️ @eebeejay.bsky.social · 19/06/2026
Bonne journée! Rita the B&B dog has never been fed in her life. The guest from Gatineau reliably informs us that Hydro Quebec lands are full of nudists. The lady from Perth asks what they do in the winter. Ski, of course.
A black French bulldog with grey face whiskers stands expectantly underneath a dining room table
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Erin Braaains!-John 🧟‍♀️ @eebeejay.bsky.social · 09/06/2026
The number of lanyards you need to access the Convocation media area is getting ridiculous these days so I added extra lanyards.
Me in fair isle cardigan and many multicoloured lanyards
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Erin Braaains!-John 🧟‍♀️ @eebeejay.bsky.social · 05/06/2026
They are nice. One of them is pretty cute but really likes to get in the way.
A young brown tabby cat with white paws laying on a sidewalk
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Erin Braaains!-John 🧟‍♀️ @eebeejay.bsky.social · 24/05/2026
The indigo:
Lots of little indigo seedlings in black square pots
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Erin Braaains!-John 🧟‍♀️ @eebeejay.bsky.social · 24/05/2026
Sampling. Going to add some indigo but the indigo needs to grow first. Nothing goes quickly over here.
A felted piece of wool in various shades of grey.
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Erin Braaains!-John 🧟‍♀️ @eebeejay.bsky.social · 24/05/2026
Going for a lapel kind of situation here.
My hand folding over a corner of my cut out patten piece to demonstrate a lapel
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Erin Braaains!-John 🧟‍♀️ @eebeejay.bsky.social · 23/05/2026
The world is falling apart. Time to make a felted vest! Drafted some comically large pattern pieces that are 33+% larger than the finished measurements.
A massive pattern piece for my vest. Three people sitting at a table for scaleAmy Walker wearing a stripy jumpsuit and rolling a tube containing some felt samples
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Erin Braaains!-John 🧟‍♀️ @eebeejay.bsky.social · 18/05/2026
No time for brim today so we’re going to leave it here. #weaving
Me modelling an unfinished hat-like object
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Erin Braaains!-John 🧟‍♀️ @eebeejay.bsky.social · 17/05/2026
Materials are getting too dry so I’m breaking for lunch while everything soaks in a bucket for a while. #weaving
Hat in progress modelled by yours truly. The crown is pretty much done but the sides look kind of like a veil of choppy straw hair
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Erin Braaains!-John 🧟‍♀️ @eebeejay.bsky.social · 17/05/2026
Round two! #weaving
The crown pinned to a hat block and turned on its side with a damp towel draped around it.
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Erin Braaains!-John 🧟‍♀️ @eebeejay.bsky.social · 17/05/2026
How about some progress shots? I’m done for the day now. Will work on it some more tomorrow. #weaving
The inside of the woven square with some diagonal strips to provide bracing for the inside of the crownThe outside of the woven square with daylilies twined along the outer edgeThe crown pinned to a hat block and turned on its side with a damp towel draped around it.
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Erin Braaains!-John 🧟‍♀️ @eebeejay.bsky.social · 16/05/2026
I wanted to do twill but my brain just doesn’t want to twill today. Work’s been a lot lately.
A progress shot of my hat. Multiple long strips of cattail woven in plain weave and the corners of the woven square are secured with clothespins.
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Erin Braaains!-John 🧟‍♀️ @eebeejay.bsky.social · 16/05/2026
Happy long weekend! I’m making a hat. #weaving
Several thin strips of cattail reeds woven together into a grid
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Erin Braaains!-John 🧟‍♀️ @eebeejay.bsky.social · 09/05/2026
Drop in to Trillium Park for a cup of tea and I can help you mend your stuff!
Distro Disco Mobile Free Store 
Trillium Park 600 National Ave
Saturday, May 9, 11am-2pm
Blankets, lights, toiletries, clothing, camping gear PPE, harm reduction supplies
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Erin Braaains!-John 🧟‍♀️ @eebeejay.bsky.social · 05/05/2026
I made this willow basket, and I love all the quote replies!
A woven willow basket with a shoulder strap
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Erin Braaains!-John 🧟‍♀️ @eebeejay.bsky.social · 04/05/2026
Lunchtime @everyheron.bsky.social
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Erin Braaains!-John 🧟‍♀️ @eebeejay.bsky.social · 22/04/2026
Neverending basket of bits and pieces. I’m loving the hops. I need to get my hands on more hops vines! #WIPWednesday
Image of a woven melon (semi-circular) basket with gods-eye lashing and concentric half circles of woven materials in a variety of colours
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Erin Braaains!-John 🧟‍♀️ @eebeejay.bsky.social · 09/04/2026
Indie bookstore appreciation post: Paper Hound has the best bookmarks.
A dog-eared dog bookmark peeking out of a book and giving me the side-eye
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Erin Braaains!-John 🧟‍♀️ @eebeejay.bsky.social · 06/04/2026
Brushed enough hair off the cats to spin a yard of 2 ply yarn today
Zamira, a floofy seal point cat sitting on a table by a window A spiral of grey spun cat hair yarn The same grey cat hair yarn wrapped around my fingers
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Erin Braaains!-John 🧟‍♀️ @eebeejay.bsky.social · 05/04/2026
It’s a Beanster miracle! All beans have been located.
Two parents pose with a bucket full of beans
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Erin Braaains!-John 🧟‍♀️ @eebeejay.bsky.social · 05/04/2026
Must be time for a Beanster egg hunt!
Mom finding beans in the garden Mom finding a can of beans in the treeDad finding beans in a bushMom finding beans in the garden with some expert help from a boy with a bunny ear toque
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Erin Braaains!-John 🧟‍♀️ @eebeejay.bsky.social · 05/04/2026
Uh oh! I think some rabbit left some beans in the garden again!
A bag of split peas with an Easter egg attached sitting out in the garden 
A bag of coffee beans with an Easter egg attached sitting out in the garden A can of chickpeas sitting in the crotch of a treeA bag of who beans with an Easter egg attached sitting in the branches of a bush
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Erin Braaains!-John 🧟‍♀️ @eebeejay.bsky.social · 05/04/2026
Moment of calm before the kid arrives.
Mom smiling and sitting on the couch wearing a purple housecoat wearing glasses and reading a book. She is surrounded by three adoring floofy cats
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Erin Braaains!-John 🧟‍♀️ @eebeejay.bsky.social · 05/04/2026
New skytrain line is going to have amazing views of Mt. Baker. I’m excited to ride it.
New skytrain tracks under construction
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Erin Braaains!-John 🧟‍♀️ @eebeejay.bsky.social · 04/04/2026
Morning with this cursèd project.
Weaving project in progress. It has a red and white log cabin pattern and there is a wooden boat shuttle sitting on top of the fabric loaded with red cotton thread.
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Erin Braaains!-John 🧟‍♀️ @eebeejay.bsky.social · 19/03/2026
I'm reading at Open Space Gallery in Victoria this Sunday to celebrate World Water Day and the launch of Sublime: Poems for Vanishing Ice. openspace.ca/arts/all-pro...
Water response(ability)
Poets & artists respond to the beauty & decline of water and ice
Launch of Sublime: Poems for Vanishing Ice and a celebration of Blomer's trilogy of water-focused anthologies. caitlinpress.com
At Open Space March 21-22, 510 Fort Street
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Erin Braaains!-John 🧟‍♀️ @eebeejay.bsky.social · 14/03/2026
It was so much fun presenting work at the UBC Slow Fashion Show at @moaubc.bsky.social last night, especially seeing what friends have made. We’re always talking about process and rarely showing off the end product. Most of the garments go on display at the Hatch Gallery Monday until March 27.
A crowd gathered to watch the fashion show in the Museum of Anthropology Great Hall. Two models passing on the runway wearing Reggie Harold’s Jingle Coaster and Sinew Dresses. The hall is filled with totem poles.
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Erin Braaains!-John 🧟‍♀️ @eebeejay.bsky.social · 08/03/2026
Taking myself offline for most of the rest of the day because I’m on a deadline. I do like how the yoke turned out.
Close up of a sweater yoke including a crescent-shaped red wedge with a black and white pattern radiating out of it.
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Erin Braaains!-John 🧟‍♀️ @eebeejay.bsky.social · 25/02/2026
Space is the place.
Sun Ra Arkestra on stage wearing glittery costumes with the backdrop lit up with orange light.
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Erin Braaains!-John 🧟‍♀️ @eebeejay.bsky.social · 22/02/2026
I am absurdly pleased with how this is going. Contains handspun Metro Vancouver wools. Red is madder grown in East Van. Was going to just do stripes but my friend said it reminded her of her chicken so I’ve made it birdier.
Close up of a sweater I’m knitting with white ribbed neck followed by a crescent-shaped russet red collar and a black and white mosaic pattern Close up of a sweater I’m knitting with white ribbed neck followed by a crescent-shaped russet red collar and a black and white mosaic pattern
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Erin Braaains!-John 🧟‍♀️ @eebeejay.bsky.social · 19/02/2026
More wool prep. More curling.
A fluffy pile of white wool sitting in front of my laptop. The Swiss curler on screen seems to be floating in a wooly cloud
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Erin Braaains!-John 🧟‍♀️ @eebeejay.bsky.social · 18/02/2026
I took a basket weaving course last year and it was great. Outside of the techniques I learned I got to struggle and perservere a bit at something that I wasn't immediately good at, which is a transferrable skill worth practicing. I made some friends and I made the best basket. Recommended.
A willow basket with a leather strap laying on its side with a blue first prize ribbon attached
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Erin Braaains!-John 🧟‍♀️ @eebeejay.bsky.social · 17/02/2026
Luca, a grey floofy cat standing outdoors beside a dead looking garden and a bike tire
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Erin Braaains!-John 🧟‍♀️ @eebeejay.bsky.social · 16/02/2026
I'm a bit quiet here because I was invited to present some work at the Slow Fashion Season show in March and I have about three weeks to turn out a piece that doesn't exist yet. I've only spun approximately 60% of the yarn needed. May post progress shots later. slowfashion.ubc.ca
Slow Fashion Season 2026
Reclaim, Remake, Rebel!
AHVA Gallery Exhibition Feb 25 - March 20
Slow Fashion Show March 12
Symposium March 14
Hatch Gallery Exhibition March 16-27
+ workshops and challenges! Check @slowfashionseason and slowfashionseason.ubc.ca
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Erin Braaains!-John 🧟‍♀️ @eebeejay.bsky.social · 06/02/2026
New strategy for not falling asleep during Friday afternoon class is spinning
A wooden drop spindle loaded up with white wool yarn sitting on my desk beside my laptop
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Erin Braaains!-John 🧟‍♀️ @eebeejay.bsky.social · 29/01/2026
My work whiteboard is all ready for the #SuperbOwl
A whiteboard with text that reads Superb Owl LX. Know your owls! And printed info sheets about owl identification
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Erin Braaains!-John 🧟‍♀️ @eebeejay.bsky.social · 22/01/2026
The bad news is that none of my photos made it to the Global Physics Photowalk finals. The good news is that the ones that did are stunning. Have a look and vote for your favourites! www.interactions.org/photowalk
Six photos of physics facilities from around the world
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