The Woolgatherer

www.thsg.org

February 2021 Volume XLVII, No.6

President’s Message Lura Moore Another great general meeting – enthusiastic attendees, show and share, Guild updates and a very enjoyable speaker. Many members were not in attendance, but Caryn and our wonderful “tech” team have already posted the meeting and speaker on our You Tube Library. With all of us still hunkered down, watching some of these videos is a great way to stay connected. Also, per a member’s suggestions, you will no longer have to go to the website for the General Meeting’s Link. I will e-mail it to each member via “the Blast” the weekend before the meeting (the 3rd Wednesday of each month - please mark your calendars!!!) I have had the pleasure of talking with our former president, Mary Alice Wagner. She had “disappeared” even before her term ended because of our Covid shutdown starting last March. She had excruciating pain - day and night, due to a deteriorated muscle and rotator cuff in her right shoulder She had to wait out Covid hospital restrictions until earlier this month. Now I am THRILLED to announce that she has had major shoulder surgery that has relieved 90% of her pain and she is going forward every day. I know cards and notes would brighten her days. We have some MAJOR NEWS: Dunbar will be coming under a professional management team this summer. This does not bode well for our pricey, but manageable rent. For many reasons which we have shared with members this past year, we have decided to move from Dunbar when our lease ends at the end of February. We have secured an excellent location for our monthly meetings – when it is safe to meet again. Meanwhile, we will move our library, tables, chairs, bookcases and remaining contents of the “book room” at Dunbar to another storage unit at Ina Road Storage. Several Board members will be “culling out” the current library contents and a plan is evolving to allow us to access library resources while stored. Watch for announcements offering some books and magazines to members. For those wishing to assist in packing up, please contact me at [email protected] and stay tuned for more updates. Here’s to a much better 2021 ! - stay safe and get your vaccine. Hugs to all! Lura

What is Catchafire? A company that matches volunteer professionals with non-profit organizations How did THSG get a one year membership? A membership grant from the Community Foundation for Southern Arizona (CFSAZ) How does it work? THSG decides on projects to be completed with a volunteer who works with our team providing the expertise needed to complete the project How many projects can we work on? UNLIMITED!!!

What kind of projects are we working on now? Strategic Planning Vision Statement (posted on the THSG website) fulfillment Goal setting Virtual Technology Training Video filming, editing, live streaming, etc. Website review/maintenance/enhancement

Technology Assessment Unified technology systems and cyber-security Accounting best practices Communication with membership/general public Branding/Identity Update Exploration Leadership Training

Who can help with the projects for the Guild? ALL GUILD MEMBERS!!! (and we need your help!)

Will you help THSG take advantage of this opportunity? Is there an area of interest to you? Have an idea that isn’t listed? Want more information? Please email thsg-Catchafire.org Current Committee Members: Diane Bull Judith Shangold Lita Doesken Caryn Stedman Vicki France Cathy Thompson Mary Ann Oldham Maddie Tsurusaki Can we add your name to this list? Please email thsg-Catchafire.org Membership Update for February, 2021 2

Maddie Tsurusaki

We’ve had an active month here at Membership. Welcome to two completely new members: Karen Mallin from Minnesota and Marcia Kerl from all the way out in Oro Valley. And welcome back to Gretchen Morgan, Bin Davis, Carol Lee, and Lyn Hart. Cool. So glad to have your continued support. You folks put us up to 174 current members.

Because I've decided to take the Guild Historian position next year, the Membership Committee Chair is an open position, now. The Membership position is a voting member of the THSG Governing Board and is responsible for maintaining the member roster, helping folks with password problems, and updating mailing lists. August, September and October are the busy months. A basic familiarity with Excel would be helpful but is certainly not necessary to perform these duties; there is an extensive manual outlining each procedure, and there are three former membership chairs floating around the Guild to help answer any questions. The position formally begins July 1st. If you are interested, contact me, Maddie Tsurusaki, at [email protected]. Call for Volunteers

And as stated above by Maddie, we need a Membership Chair for 2021-2022. Maddie has organized the process and has written a detailed procedures description. If you know Maddie, you know what we mean by thorough! The position is busy for about 3 months at renewal time and then it is housekeeping for address changes, queries, etc. And, of course, Maddie will be available to train the new Chair and assist in the transition. Please contact Diane Bull at [email protected] if you are interested.

Standards Committee

The Standards Committee is not meeting until further notice. Note: Jury Application Forms can be found in the Members Area of our website, at the bottom of the page, under "Standards Study Group Criteria." We will be updating that information as circumstances dictate.

Philanthropy

Each May TH&SG provides donations to selected not-for-profit organizations whose mission is arts related. February is the deadline for guild members to submit applications on behalf of such organizations for consideration. Application forms may be found on the TH&SG website in the Members Area. Completed applications should be sent to Jane Gilbreath as directed on the form by the end of February. Sunshine

Mary Ann Oldham is our Sunshine committee of one! Mary Ann lives in Ajo which makes Zoom commuting a cinch. So what does the Sunshine Committee do you might ask? It strives to bring a bit of brightness into the day of members who may need encouragement and support through a difficult situation. On the behalf of the Guild, Mary Ann forwards a handmade card, signed by the Guild, to the member or the member’s family. All information is held confidential by the Committee unless otherwise requested by the recipient. Any member, who is aware of a need, is requested to notify Mary Ann at [email protected]. Now more than ever it is so important for us to stay connected with one another. Isolation in the age of a pandemic is a risk factor for depression and other conditions. Let your Guild be a support during times of need.

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Tucson Handweavers and Spinners Guild Board Members and Appointees 2020/2021 Officers: President: Lura Moore [email protected] Co-President: Open 1st Vice President: Diane Bull [email protected] 2nd Vice President: Caryn Stedman [email protected] Secretary: Cynthia McDaniel [email protected] Treasurer: Cathy Thompson [email protected] Standards Chair: Sarah Sammons [email protected] Committee Members: Joyce Boyle [email protected] Lindy Brigham [email protected] Janet Davis [email protected] Linda Dewey [email protected] Donna Fischer [email protected] Mary Alice Wagner [email protected] Appointees: Arizona Federation: Ed Koharik [email protected] Electronic Media Chair: Lita Doesken [email protected] Facebook: Lita Doesken [email protected] Ravelry: Diana Manning [email protected] : Helen Kennedy [email protected] Historian: Maddie Tsurusaki [email protected] Hospitality: Judith Austen [email protected] Librarian: Adrienne Prince [email protected] Meet and Greet: Maddie Tsurusaki [email protected] Membership: Maddie Tsurusaki [email protected] Newsletter Editor: Mickey Pennington [email protected] Outreach: Susan Rondeau [email protected] Philanthropy: Jane Gilbreath [email protected] Sales Event: Lura Moore, Judith Shangold [email protected]

Sunshine: Mary Ann Oldham [email protected] Update Editor: Susan Oates [email protected] Workshops: Cathy Thompson [email protected]

Study Group Coordinators: The study group coordinators and their contact information are listed in the meeting announcements for the respective study groups and can be found in Calendar for THSG Events as well as online at thsg.org

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Calendar of THSG Events

Note: The Dye Study Group is not meeting in February. The Business Building Study Group and the Study Group are on hiatus due to limited sales opportunities secondary to Covid 19 for the former and lack of a leader for the latter.

Wednesday, February 3, 2021

Felt Study Group will meet virtually 10-12PM. Until the all clear with COVID-19 the Felt Study Group will meet on-line via Google MEET. I will send out a link via email each month 1-2 days before our scheduled date. Just click on the link I send in the email. It should take you right to our meeting room. If you have any problems please feel free to call me! Before our next meet date, I’ll send you an email with a link so you can practice with me! We all have different comfort levels with technology. 520-404-9616 Susan T We are scheduled to meet the first Wednesday of each month at 10:00a.m. on-line until further notice. www.spiritedhandsstudio.com

Wednesday, February 3, 2021, 10:00 - 12:00. Will send link to the MEET the day before.

Susan Thompson 520-404-9616 [email protected] www.spiritedhandsstudio Thursday, February 4, 2021

Braids, Beads and Beyond Study Group will be meeting over Zoom from 1-3pm. . We will be receiving instruction on how to create a beaded basket on Zoom. We will be sharing projects over the video link. If you have other items to share, we'd love to see them! If you would like to be added to the mailing list for this group to get the Zoom link, please contact Vikki Carpenter or Lynn Ruggles [email protected]

Tuesday, February 9, 2021

Rug Weavers Study Group next meeting will be Tuesday, January 12 at 10:00 a.m. in a Zoom format. Any members who have interest in attending the meetings or other questions should contact Shelley Chase Olsen at [email protected]. The Zoom link will be sent out approximately a week before the meeting via email to the group.

The focus for the group for this year will be "Just Get it Done" aka "It's About Time". It can be a project that has been unfinished for a long time; using up languishing stash; a fiber, fabric or weave structure you've been meaning to try for a long time, etc. We thought it seemed an appropriate topic for a year such as we've had with the pandemic and the need to meet virtually.

Wednesday, February 10, 2021

Board Meeting The Board will meet via Zoom at 9:30. If you have anything for the Board agenda please submit to [email protected] for consideration.

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Friday, February 12, 2021

Porrey Cross Study Group will meet at 10 a.m. via Zoom to discuss this year's study project, which is the weave structure called Huck Lace. We will also have a general discussion on such questions as what resources we tend to use when considering a new project and the looms we own and use - or don't use. If you have questions and/or need the Zoom link, contact Mary Ann Oldham [email protected] Saturday, February 13, 2021

Tapestry Study Group will meet at 9:30. We will meet again through a Zoom meeting format. The Zoom meeting information will be sent out before the meeting to those on the regular Tapestry email list. Please contact Donna Andersen at [email protected] if you are interested in joining this meeting and are not on the regular email meeting notification.

We will continue discussion and progress on our study group project for the coming year. Looking forward to catching up with each other and sharing work, activities, etc

Wednesday, February 17, 2021

General Meeting will be held via Zoom at 9:30 AM. A brief business meeting will be followed by Show and Share. You may RSVP to attend this virtual meeting by going to the website. The Zoom code will be provided to attendees via a Blast sent to the membership the weekend prior to the meeting. You won’t want to miss this meeting!

Our February Guest Speaker is Ruth Manning. Ruth agreed to be the guest speaker even though the workshop, Cupcakes Tapestry, has been canceled.

Saturday, February 20, 2021

Spinning Study Group Beginners and others are welcome to come at 10 am and stay all day if they wish. I do understand if anyone cannot be here. I totally understand and I hope all of you are well. The Study Group will continue with cotton. We will be meeting as usual at 1 pm. Our topic will be continuing ginning cotton. Bring your hand carders, spindles, any other ideas. I hope to see you there. Contact Jill Holbrook [email protected] for additional information.

Friday, February 26, 2021

Wearable Art Study Group will meet via Zoom at 10 AM. Lyle Rayfield, an accomplished jewelry artist, will talk about “The Magic of Metal Clay.” We will get a brief overview of the metal clay process and how it can be applied to creating a variety of hand crafted accessories for wearable art. The focus will be on creating a unique array of buttons, with a sneak peek on hand crafted shawl and scarf pins.

Contact Miriam Otte [email protected] for the Zoom link for the Wearable Arts Study Group. The meeting has been set up as a recurring event. It will be held on the fourth Friday of the month except November and December b/c of the holidays. The link will be the same for the entire Guild year. Please keep the link in a safe folder so you can access for each meeting.

Contact Laura Tanzer for additional information [email protected] 6

Newsletter: The deadline for Study Group submissions and all other items for the next Woolgatherer is high noon on Friday, February 19, 2021, at high noon! Email as a Word document in Arial, font size 10 to [email protected]. If submissions don’t arrive or arrive after deadline, the only meeting information that will appear is the name and email of the study group for information. It is greatly appreciated when submissions come in earlier than deadline! THSG’s Ravelry Group

Our group now has over 100 members!! This helpful online community is home to 8 million knitting, , spinning, dyeing and enthusiasts worldwide. It’s a place where we can find patterns, research , follow a designer, or join in on projects, even in the middle of the night.

If you currently are a member of Ravelry: Simply navigate to “Groups” from the tab on top of the page and either search by name or by location—and then join. Please stop by our “Welcome” discussion thread and say hello. If you are not currently a member of Ravelry: Join-up! http://www.ravelry.com

If you have any questions contact our Ravelry moderators Diana & Helen via our group page https://www.ravelry.com/groups/tucson-handweavers-and-spinners-guild

Workshops

THSG workshops fulfill a primary mission of our Guild: continuous learning about our arts and crafts. To that end, the Board offers individual grants of up to $250 for continued education. To receive a grant, you must be a fully paid member for one year, and you may not have had a grant in the past three years. You are not limited to taking our workshops, but if you have your eye on a particular workshop, think about applying for a grant. The only requirement is that you share your experience in some way with the rest of the Guild. Applications are available on the website in the Member Handbook under Forms. If you have additional questions, contact the Continuing Education Coordinator. .NB: If a workshop fills, a waiting list will be started. Workshop info will be posted as the future becomes more certain.

The Tucson Handweavers and Spinners Guild is committed to the safety of our members during all events. To that end, we are following the guidelines the CDC has published for community organizations (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019- ncov/community/organizations/community-based.html) as we plan our workshops for 2020-2021.

Participation will be limited. All participants and instructors will be asked to comply with social distancing, sanitization and face covering guidelines.

We will ensure that the meeting space is sanitized prior to the event. Participants will not share equipment or supplies and will bring their own beverages and meals. We will contact participants with any guidelines that are specific to the workshop as the circumstances arise. Please note that as conditions change, we may be forced to cancel a workshop on short notice. 7

March 11-12, 2021

Braiding on the Marudai

Instructor: Rosalie Neilson Date: March 11-12, 2021 Location: Dunbar Center, Room 206 Time: 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Cost: member $145 non-member $175 Materials Fee: : $10 equipment rental if needed, $20 synthetic silk payable to instructor in cash on first day of class Level: Beginning and above. Maximum # of students: 15

Please direct any questions to Cathy at [email protected]

Bring your marudai and weighted spools (tama). This workshop will introduce eight element Kumihimo using synthetic silk. Learn the basic interlacements for round, square, and flat braids, and how the placement of color on the Marudai affects the design of the braid. Braids in the sampler include Yotsu Gumi, Maru Genji, Edo Yatsu Gumi (with its variations of repeating steps two and three times), and Hira Kara Gumi. Resources for braid designs include the handout and the books The Twenty- Four Interlacements of Edo Yatsu Gumi and The Thirty-Seven Interlacements of Hira Kara Gumi. For those without equipment, the marudai and tama can be rented from instructor. A color chart will be sent to participants upon registration for selecting two colors of synthetic silk.

Equipment: Marudai and 8 tama – beginning level counterweight bag with 45% of combined weight of tama. Other supplies: chopstick, , tape measure, calculator.

About the Instructor: Rosalie Neilson loves using color and geometric design in her and kumihimo braiding. She was featured in a 2-hour DVD by Interweave Press called Rep Weave. Her curiosity about unique patterns 8

lead her to develop the 1,024 4-block symmetric motifs, in addition to the 1,157 unique 2-color patterns for the kumihimo braid structure Kongō Gumi. She recently published her kumihimo designs in the book Kongō Gumi: A Cacophony of Spots – Coils – Zags – Lines. And her most recent book, An Exaltation of Blocks, with a toolkit of design pages and transparent overlays for exploring symmetric block design, has just been released and is now available.

To Register by MAIL, download and fill out the following form: Workshop Registration & Cancelation You may also register online at thsg.org. March18-20, 2021 Nuno Scarves Workshop Methods/Techniques to Create Variegated Textures in Fabrics

Instructor: Renate Maile-Moskowitz Date: March 18-20, 2021 Location: Tanque Verde Lutheran Church Time: 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Cost: member $275; non-member $315 Materials Fee: Varies depending upon project participant selects: The Window Scarf or Nuno tufted TISSUE Scarf: $30; Cellular Grid vs. Cellular Stretch Kit Fee: TBA (Contract instructor to indicate which you prefer) Fees payable to instructor in cash on first day of class Level: Intermediate – advanced Maximum # of students: 15

Please direct any questions to Cathy at [email protected]

The workshop will expose participants to methods and techniques to create variegated textures in fabrics including Shibori degumming, or Burn-out and Devoré techniques, to accomplish raised, 3D textural effects in ones felt that help mimic the rich and complicated textures of your desert surroundings. Additional techniques to achieve very light weight felt that could be worn 9

in our arid climate will include various Nuno felted projects – that could all create lightweight scarves, cowls or felt pieces.

About: Renate Maile-Moskowitz’s artistic background, in short, is multi-cultural, multi- disciplinary, versatile, and crosses many boundaries. She was born, raised, and trained in Germany in just about every textile tradition available at the time, including the nearly extinct techniques of felt making, silk and sericulture production, plant dyeing, lace- and papermaking.

To Register by MAIL, download and fill out the following form: Workshop Registration & Cancelation

To Register ONLINE, go to thsg.org

April 22-23, 2021

Basket Weaving Workshop

CANCELED

April 8, 2017-August 4, 2022 Woven Through Time: American Treasures of Native Basketry and Arizona State Museum, Tucson, Arizona

This new permanent exhibit will celebrate the region's ancient and abiding fiber-weaving traditions by featuring millennia-old objects to modern-day masterpieces. Contemporary Native voices will enrich discussions of materials and technologies and bring to life the many functions basketry has served and continues to serve. This exhibit is presented by OneAZ Credit Union. With more than 35,000 specimens, the ASM collection includes not only baskets, but sandals, mats, cradleboards, cordage, and other technologically similar items representative e of every indigenous basket-making culture in North America, dating from 8,000 years ago to the present. It is the largest and most comprehensive collection of its kind in the world.

Fort Lewis College, Durango CO

The fall 2020 IWC newsletter is now available. It contains important information about the 2021 conference, including when registration opens, the registration process and the class information. You can access the newsletter at: Fall 2020 Newsletter You can also access the newsletter on the web site: Newsletter Workshop information can also be found on this page: WorkshopsWe hope to you in 2021! www.intermountainweavers.org

Due to the Covid19 pandemic and the uncertainty generated by it no other listings are being provided based on the assumption they too are cancelled until further notice. Please refer to the Weekly and the website both of which have extensive listings of Events of Interest. 10

Tucson Handweavers and Spinners Guild Treasurer’s Report

December 31, 2020 Beginning Balance Income Expenses Ending Balance General Checking $ 9,284.27 $ 130.00 $ 2,150.60 $ 7,263.67 Petty Cash $ 100.00 $ 100.00 PayPal $ 324.97 $ 2,448.94 $ 2,260.00 $ 513.91 Savings $ 14,368.56 $ 0.11 $ 14,368.67 Money Market $ 10,911.92 $ 0.18 $ 10,912.10 Ending Cash Balance $ 34,989.72 $ 2,579.23 $ 4,410.60 $ 33,158.35 Deposits (Lease deposit) 1,377.00 1,377.00 $ 36,366.72 $ 2,579.23 $ 4,410.60 $ 34,535.35

Checking account analysis Current balance 4,625.67 Estimated expense for remainder of fiscal year (6,000.00) Subtotal (1,374.33) Minimum balance required in checking 5,000.00 Amount to keep in checking 6,500.00

Grant 17,000.00 Transfer to savings 10,500.00 Leave in checking 6,500.00

Member Spotlight Congratulations to Fran Krakow, an avid knitter and Guild member. Fran enjoys knitting using the technique. A knitted baby blanket with the likeness of our 44th president was recently accepted into his Presidential Museum. Her “Lady Liberty” sweater was also gifted to the Statue of Liberty Museum. Well done Fran! 11

Advertising

The Woolgatherer The Woolgather is published monthly (except in July and August) by the Tucson Handweavers & Spinners Guild, Inc. Deadlines for submissions to the newsletter are noon on the Friday following regular meetings and noon on the Friday following the last Wednesday of August. Submissions are welcome and may be submitted in email or as a Word attachment, all copy ready in Arial font, 10 pt. All submissions go to [email protected]. Members are reminded and encouraged to post items for sale for free in the Arizona Federation Forum [email protected]. Rates and Sizes

Ad size Members Non-members

Black & white 1 issue 5 issues 10 issues 1 issue 5 issues 10 issues

Business card size ad $ 4.50 $ 20.00 $40.00 $ 8.00 $ 38.00 $76.00 2.25” h x 3.75” w

¼ page $ 5.50 $ 25.00 $50.00 $ 10.00 $ 48.00 $96.00 4.75” h x 3.75” w

½ page $ 7.50 $ 35.00 $70.00 $ 15.00 $ 73.00 $146.00 4.75” h x 7.5” w

Pricing available upon request to Full page ads [email protected]

Annual advertisers are allowed a 2 line announcement every month listed under Calendar of Events of Interest at no additional charge.

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Support local businesses which have been hurt by Covid 19. Vicki Konecky (AKA: Grandma) has been a guild member since 2007. We have watched her shop grow and prosper, offering wonderful yarns, tools, and classes. Please support Vicki and “Grandpa” Michael, one of the few remaining independent local suppliers of all things yarnable!

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Have you wanted to learn?

Spinning Cotton Flax Hemp

Wheels Charkha BEGINNING 4 Harness Weaving Inkle loom Rigid Heddle Basic tapestry Private or Semi w/a friend Call or text Joan Ruane at 520-335-4113

Cottonspinning.com [email protected]

Note from your Editor: I moved to Tucson in 1984 from Taos, NM, where I learned to weave. Life got extremely busy when I started my practice at the old Thomas Davis Medical Clinic. My husband threatened to toss my loom if I didn’t get busy using it again. He can be so persuasive! I learned of Joan Ruane and her weaving studio/store/school Spin ‘n Weave located in Many Hands Courtyard and signed up for some refresher classes. Barbara Eychaner was one of my instructors. Thanks to Joan and Barbara and eventually Lynn Silberschlag I got back on track and have been weaving ever since. Coincidentally, Joan, Barbara and Lynn were the 2013 inductees into the Guild’s Treasurers! I feel fortunate to have been taught by all three! I highly recommend taking classes from Joan. She is a wealth of information packed into a tiny frame!

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Glimakra Standard Countermarch Loom 150cm(59") Weaving Width with Bench. 8 harnesses and 10 treadles. 1- size 8 reed. One 25" ski shuttle. I took weaving in college and purchased the Loom new when I got my first "real" job. After that I got married, started in my career, had our son then started my own business. Sadly I never used the loom; I purchased it in 1987. When it was disassembled we labeled the parts and took photographs. It has always been kept in a climate controlled room. Anyone interested should contact me at [email protected] or call/text 847-309- 5254. $3500. Shipping or delivery is not included. The loom is in Ivins, Utah (near St. George) (My calculations for a new loom package would be $6500.) I would also consider an offer.

From your editor: I have never met the seller but here is what she sent after we agreed to the specs on the ad: “Thank you! I looked at your newsletter and you have an awesome guild! If I lived in Tucson I might be tempted to keep my loom. Thanks so much for your assistance.” I’m sure she would have been a valued addition to our Guild! And we wish her much success in selling this pristine Glimakra.