Corvallis Handweavers and Spinners Guild February 2013 meeting

Please join us for the February meeting of the Corvallis Handweaver's and Spinner's Guild, Saturday, February 23, 10am-noon at the Market of Choice meeting room (upstairs over the deli), 922 NW Circle, Corvallis.  We’ll be previewing the beautiful braiding of kumihimo, in anticipation of the upcoming workshop on March 9th and 10th.  (There is still room available in the workshop.  Cost is $50 for non-guild members, $40 for CHSG members, plus material and equipment rental fees. Please contact Barbara Wythes if you are interested in attending.  Bwythes@hotmail.com)

For this Saturday’s meeting, bring your “show and share” items, news of upcoming events, your current projects, etc.  Hope to see you there!

Kumihimo – Introduction to Braiding on the Marudai (beginners) with Rosalie Neilson

Exciting Upcoming Workshop

Mark your calendar for the following workshop with Rosalie Neilson.  We are excited that our guild was given a grant from WeGO to help bring someone for a workshop and after many years of talking about it, we are finally able to get one with Rosalie.  Rosalie has spent years studying kumihimo, the wonderful Japanese form of braiding cords.  While many of us do make similar cords on a small disc, the chance to work on the traditional Japanese Marudai does not come about very often.  We are very happy to have this opportunity and thank Weaving Guilds of Oregon for the grant. 

Workshop Information

Kumihimo – Introduction to Braiding on the Marudai (beginners) with Rosalie Neilson

March 9-10

9:00-5:00

Market of Choice in Corvallis.  (922 Northwest Circle Boulevard #110  Corvallis)  Will will be meeting upstairs, above the deli area.  There is an elevator.

Cost: $50 plus equipment rental and materials (Corvallis Handweaver's and Spinner's Guild members get a $10 discount)

Send $30 deposit check to Barbara Wythes, 7685 NE Todd Drive, Corvallis, OR 97330 

Using traditional Japanese equipment – marudai (a round braiding stand) and tama (weighted spools) -- learn how to make a variety of braids suitable for decorative cording and jewelry.  Using Japanese synthetic fibers which replicate the feel and luster of silk, participants will learn how to set up the braiding stand to create a wide variety of interlacements for 8-element braids -- round, square, flat, and oval in shapes. Two colors will be used for the braid to show different color and weave effects. The workshop will also include a history of Japan through the eyes of a braider showing historical and current trends in Japanese braiding.

Required Equipment: Marudai, 8 weighted spools, counterweight (use a bit less than 50% of the combined weight of eight spools); chopstick or other appropriate stick. Participants may bring their own equipment or rent a marudai and tama from instructor for an additional $10. (Rosalie has enough stands and bobbins for ten people.)

Prerequisites:  None

Materials fee:  Package of synthetic silk =$20-25 (depending on new price list ) plus handouts (print handouts will run approx $5 to $6).

Participants will have the opportunity to purchase packages of synthetic silk following the workshop.

Additional equipment:  Bring pillowcase, notebook and kneeling pillow (if you want to experience braiding in the traditional manner on knees). Otherwise, marudai will be placed on a table for appropriate braiding height.

Newport Guild Spin-In

Boy howdy did we have fun this weekend! The guild in Newport has grown their annual spin-in to about 130 spinners attending and about 16 vendors all in a lovely big building at the fairground. It was all day Saturday and they plan to do it again next year. So far it's just been advertised kinda word-of-mouth. If I find out about it in time, I'll try to get the info to all of you for next year. If anyone has connections to Newport, it's a worthwhile event to get on your calendar.

Hi folks!

I hope everyone had happy holidays. I am slowly coming back into Guild mode after the time off. I taught quite a few people how to make the needlefelted brooches. Some great snowmen, Dala Horses, gingerbread men, and even fish were made. It was a fun, easy project to share with everyone.

Nanyuki Spinners and Weavers

I wanted to get this for everyone to see. As I mentioned at the Christmas party last night, I will be sending some rovings to these folks next week. Please let me know if you have wool, rovings , knitting needles, or other items to donate. I will send out another box when I return in early May. Thanks Sue for your offer of washed wool. I am in conversations with this group and will let you all know as I hear more back from them. By the way... fun party last night.

Check out this website. www.spinnersandweavers.org They have some interesting rugs for sale.

Bonnie

What are you finishing for Christmas??

We have a new granddaughter due the 20th of December and I just finished this little seamless sweater and hat for her. The pattern is a fun one: Carole Barenys has it on-line. The yarn is little scraps of Cormo that I spun for samples, etc. I had quite a collection of bits and ends and this was the perfect project for them. Now on to other Christmas projects! Happy Holidays to all. Linda

On the Wheel

I have recently been spinning again. I was the lucky recipient of some hand-dyed fiber from Sue Chadwick at last year's Guild Holiday Party. It spun up to a lustrous, soft yarn. The fiber was from her sheep, and just lovely to work with.

Sharing at the October Meeting

Here are a couple of the projects that were shared at CHSG October meeting:



Thick and thin yarn by Sue Chadwick.



Hand-dyed weaving by a guild member.

Meeting Time!

November Guild Meeting
Monday, November 24 at 7:00
the Basement of The Art Center
7th and Madison, Corvallis

Holiday Party
Monday, December 8 at 6:30
Barbara Wythes' House

The November meeting will be a hands on meeting, with a felt ornament project led by Pat Spark and a window star project led by Angie Purviance. The November meetings are always a great time.

At the Holiday Party we will have a gift exchange, please bring a fiber themed gift (either homemade or bought) valued at no more than $5. Snacks will be welcome, as well. Barbara Wythes has graciously offered to hostess this year's party.

"Pacific Waves"

I'm proud to say that my Wire weaving "Pacific Waves" is at the Florence Events Center juried show, and received an "Honorable Mention". So excited about my first juried wire piece!

What to do on a rainy autumn day

All of my piano and guitar students cancelled or changed their lessons this afternoon, so it's been a grubby clothes day for sure. I'm trying to put the bonus afternoon to good use, so while the autumn leaves are blowing around the farm, I put the dyepot on and have a couple of lovely reds to add to orange and forest green for a batch of autumn colors which will be processed into roving. Meantime, a colored Coopworth lamb fleece that I washed to overdye kinda wanted to felt instead, so I've been sitting by the window hand-picking it. I don't dare dye it, but will add it as is into the autumn mix. Next dye day will be doing a variety of blues to variegate with a light silver fleece -- mmmm, my favorite colors!

This is my very first blog post as someone no longer 63 years old! Had a fabulous Birthday this weekend with lots of family, time to spin, and even shop at Goodwill. Everyone took home one of the trial-run kitchen towels I wove on my new-to-me LeClerc 4-harness loom. I think I got all the tension and advancing issues worked out and I'm ready to try another set of towels to be sure before something more wonderful goes on. Meantime, I'm working to finish a baby quilt for my new granddaughter due in December. Recently finished a pair of kilt hose from some of our own Cormo wool processed to yarn. The pattern is Highland Schottische Kilt Hose from Nancy Bush's Folk Socks. They're too hot for summertime, but great when the winter wind blows up your kilt!

Winterlight Holiday Gift Show

Just a note to remind everyone about the Gift show at the Corvallis Art Center.
Lucky Art Center members get to preview (and get a discount) on November 7th 5:30-8pm. Everyone else gets to go starting November 8th.
This is a great way to support the Art Center where the Weaver's and Spinners Guild hold their meetings.

Convergence 2010

The decision has been made to hold Convergence 2010 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Thought you'd all like to know as early as possible.

Upcoming Fiber Events - November/ October 2008

This post will be updated as more events are added.

CHSG meeting Monday, October 27 at 7pm. Meetings are held in the Basement of The Art Center at 7th and Madison, Corvallis. We will be watching a video on Tartans and choosing partners for our annual Inspiration Project.

The Portland Handweavers Guild is holding an upcoming sale:
November 7, from 10 am to 8 pm - There will be a “Gala Evening” from 6 pm to 8 pm
Nov. 8, from 10 am to 7 pm
Nov. 9, from 10 am to 5 pm.
The sale will be held at the Pendleton Woolen Mill Store at 8500 SE McLoughlin Blvd. in Portland. There will be live music as well as spinning and weaving demonstrations.

2009 ANWG Conference: Spokane - May 28-May 31, 2009 - Post-conference workshops: June 1-3, 2009 Gonzaga University, Spokane, WA

Workshops in the Woods - 2009 - Camp Myrtlewood in Myrtle Point, OR. Please see http://workshopsinthewoods.com for details . Registration opens Nov. 1, 2008

Upcoming Workshops & classes at the Eugene Textile Center:

Igniting the Creative Spark - Jason Pollen. October 29-November 2, Wednesday-Sunday from 10AM-4PM
Indigo Dyeing– Drop In - Nov 7&21, Dec 5&19, Fridays from 1-5PM. Cost: $15/session
2 Day Learn to Weave - December 13&14 Saturday & Sunday from 10AM-4PM. Cost: $120 + materials fee
Beginning Weaving - November 5, 12, 19, December 3, Wednesdays from 1-4PM. Cost: $120 + materials fee
Blockprinting - November 10&12 Monday & Wednesday from 6-9PM. Cost: $60 + $20 materials fee
Weaving Draft & Design - November 10, Monday from 10AM-12PM. Cost: $30
Beginning Spinning - November 8, Saturday from 10AM-3PM. Cost : $50 + $10 materials fee

For details please see http://www.eugenetextilecenter.com/classes.html

Upcoming Workshops & classes at Fine Fiber Press in Albany:

Nov. 8. Laminated (Nuno) Felted Wool and Silk Scarf. Make a white scarf and then dye it if you'd like. Fine silk is a beautiful fabric to use with merino wool to create a uniquely textured scarf with felt lamination technique (the technique where wool fibers are felted onto a woven or knitted fabric). All materials included. $40 9:00-4:00 (NOTE: class limited to 4 students.)
Nov. 15. Needlefelted Holiday Table Runner or Neck Scarf. Needle felt holiday motifs onto a cloth base to make a table runner or neck scarf. Learn to blend colors in wool fiber and to apply them to the base using a felting needle. All materials included.$40.00 12:00-4:00
Nov. 23. Needle Felted Holiday Ornament Make a wonderful holiday ornament that can be worn as a brooch or hung from your mantle or tree. All materials included.$20 1:00-3:00.
Dec. 2. Dyeing Silk Scarf Workshop. We will dye a China silk neck scarf using special dyes developed for animal fibers such as wool and silk. We will be dyeing using a multi-colored process to create a unique mottled effect on the veils. These make terrific holiday gifts. Materials for one scarf included. Others available for purchase. $20 6:00-9:00
Dec. 4. Dyeing Silk Dance Veil Workshop. We will dye silk dance veils in either 35 x 108 inch or 45 x 108 inch sizes. The veils are made of 5mm silk habotai (China silk.) The fabric floats beautifully when you're dancing! We will be dyeing using a multi-colored process to create a unique mottled effect on the veils. Or, if you don't want to use it for dancing, it would make a lovely shawl. Materials for one veil included. Others available for purchase. $40 6:00-10:00 Depending on the number of participants, people will be scheduled during the 4 hours to make best use of the 3 hot plates we have for dyeing.

For details see http://members.peak.org/~spark/spark.html

Upcoming Workshops & classes at the OSU Craft Center:

Learn to Sew Workshop - Two Saturdays, November 8 & 22 from 1- 4:00
Weaving - Oct. 14 to Dec. 2 Tuesdays from 6:30-9 FBR- 24 Sue Chadwick Class Fee: $40
Intro. To Spinning: Four Sundays Nov. 2, 9, 16 & 30 from 1-4pm FBR-39 Shilah Merrill Class Fee: $30 (+Membership or Day Pass)

For details please see http://osumu.org/craft_classes.htm

Upcoming Workshops & classes at Fiber Nooks and Crannies

Intro to Fair Isle..."The Fake Isle Hat" - Oct 28 & Nov 4 at 1-3 p.m. Cost: $35.00
The Side View of Socks - Oct 29 from 6-8pm & Nov 12 from 6-9 p.m. Cost: $35.00
Top Down Sweaters - Nov 8, 22, & Dec 6 from 1-3 p.m. Cost: $45.00

For details please see http://fncyarn.com/newslett.html

Opportunites

FIBRES WEST - March 20th & 21st, 2009, AgRec Building on the Abbotsford Exhibition Park Grounds. A call is currently out to all interested vendors (spinning, weaving, knitting, felting, equipment, fibre animals etc..) to join us for this great opportunity to showcase our fibre businesses. There will be a vendor marketplace, artisan display, lecture/demos, historical and unusual equipment display and door prizes. Please contact Brenda Alexander at Penelope Fibre Arts (778)292-1282 for a Vendor Registration Form.

The Montana Weavers and Spinners Guild (MAWS) is now accepting proposals from weaving teachers for their conference to be held in Billings on June 16-20, 2010. The format will be a 2 day pre-conference workshop on Wednesday and Thursday. During the conference we will run both ½ day and 1 day workshops/seminars. Proposals are needed for beginner, intermediate, and advanced level weavers, and related fiber arts.
For more information, and to submit proposals, contact Amy Email. Deadline for proposals is November 15, 2008

Fall Festival Demonstration

The guild was asked to participate at the Children's area of the Fall Festival. Pat Spark and I (Angie Purviance) strung up a warp between 2 trees for children to weave on using rag strips.



Weaving instructions were purposely light to allow children to experiment.



Though the end result was in no way structurally sound, everyone seemed to have fun creating it. There was a steady stream of children throughout the day.