REMINDER

Activities

Second Dyeing Day

A BIG THANKS to President Joan Quigg for planning and hosting

Dyeing Workshop #2.  Everyone had a great time learning the process of using nonfood-based dyes along with a hands-on introduction to card weaving.

Spin-In

Several Guild members attended the Bishop Hill Spin-In.  It was a fun day with a good selection of classes, many quality vendors, and the opportunity to practice spinning and other fiber arts skills with experienced teachers.  Thanks Bishop Hill Fiber Arts Guild for sponsoring this great event.

Alpaca Farm Visit

Five members visited the Autumn Sky Alpaca Farm and were hosted by owner, Sharie Prichard.  They were able to interact with the alpaca and met a two-week old baby (called a chia).   There is one llama that is used as a guard.  The llama will put herself between the herd and any danger.  Sharie is building a separate store on the property where she will sell her fleece and yarn.  She currently sells fingering and sport weight yard at $15.00 a skein. Raw fleece is $15.00 a pound.  Tussah silk, Bombyx Silk or Soy silk can be mixed with the alpaca for an additional $4.00-$5.00 per ounce. Sharie will let us know when she gets prices for coned yarn.

            THANKS to reporter Mary Didesch and host Sharie Prichard

Upcoming Events

Saturday, November 4 at 1:00 PM, members will meet at the home of Lise’ Mundwiller to set up for the Guild sale which will be held there on Sunday, November 5 from 12-5 PM.

Christmas Party

      The December meeting will be our Christmas party and potluck.  This year, our party will be held at the home of Mary Didesch on December 5 at 6:00 PM instead of the usual 7:00 PM time. 

   The annual Silent Auction fundraiser will be held at the party so start thinking about making a basket to be auctioned.  Of course, participation is always optional.

   For our new members:  In the past, we each prepared a basket or other container of items for a silent auction.  Items may have a weaving or fiber theme but may also be food items, books, or self-care items such as lotions, soaps, etc. 

    The funds raised by the auction support future Guild workshops.  One proposal is to invite Heather Winslow back to teach a 2-3 day workshop on the Theo Moorman technique of weaving.

Interesting Web Site

   If you have high speed Internet, check out the web site.  www.theloomybin.com

This web site offers a variety of weaving patterns that can be altered and personalized via computer software available on the site.  Card weaving patterns are included. 

Call for Entries

   The Springfield Area Arts Council is hosting the 6^th Annual Wearable Art Fashion Show and Marketplace on Sunday, March 18, 2007 at the Hilton Hotel in Springfield, Illinois.  This event features originally designed clothing, jewelry, and accessories.  Artists selected for the fashion show may also elect to set up a booth in the Marketplace to sell their work to fashion show attendees and the general public.

The Committee is accepting applications from all interested wearable artists for consideration.  All artists must submit an application and slides or digital images for the Committee to consider.  The images do not necessarily need to be what will be included in the fashion show, but should represent the range of the artist’s work.

There is no charge for participation in the fashion show but there is a $50 fee for a Market place booth.   The Committee must receive applications by December 5, 2006.

    If interested, contact Margo Tennis for forms and more information.

Book Review

The Weaving Roses of Rhode Island. Isadora M. Safner. Interweave Press. 1985.  155 Pages.

Weaver Rose’s “No Name”

Profile Draft

William Henry Harrison Rose (born 1839-died 1913) and his sister, Elsie Maria Babcock Rose (born 1838-died 1926) were born after the industrialzation of weaving early in the 19^th  Century.  Yet, they continued to live, farm, and weave much as their ancestors had done since settling in what is now Rhode Island in the late 17^th  Century.  The author explores not only the rich history of this family but shares a way of life long gone.  Weaver Rose was instrumental in collecting and saving many of the traditional weaving patterns that were being lost with the industrialization of weaving.  He was also instrumental in forming the first American organization for handweavers  called the Colonial Weavers’ Association.   His patterns, often written on scraps of paper, eventually became the basis for the classic book, A Handweaver’s Pattern Book by Marguerite Porter Davison as well as the inspiration for much of the early weaving of Mary Meigs Atwater. 

The Weaving Roses of Rhode Island gives not only a poignant history lesson but contains many of Weaver Roses’ historic patterns and notations.  Book provided by Judy Kimbro.  Thanks Judy.