February 2016

OLYMPIA WEAVERS GUILD Newsletter

Guild Meeting President’s Notes February 19, 2016 South Bay Fire Station 83 5046 Boston Harbor Rd. NE, Oly 9:00 Library open January’s always catches me off guard, seeming to be swept up in the hurly-burly of the Christmas holiday. But February’s New Year, as it 9:45 Business meeting is celebrated among many people in the northern hemisphere, seems to fit 11:00 Showcase nicely. And we get to enjoy many observations, from the Year of the 12:00 Lunch Monkey in the Chinese , to the Aztec New Year, to Imbolc 12:30 Program: “Sheep to in the old Celtic calendar. Shawl,” everything you ever In Ireland, February starts with the celebration of Imbolc, or St Brigid’s wanted to know abvout the Sheep Day, an observation of the very start of spring. One of the lovely ways the observant mark this holiday is with a weaving of reeds into a Saint to Shawl competition and our Brigid’s Cross. This was one of the few items I brought back for myself guild’s participation; presented by when I spent a couple couple months in Ireland a few years ago, and I Marjorie Erickson and Tamie learned how to make the crosses myself.. Herridge Here in Western Washington, we don’t have the proper reeds to make the Please read the article about the same cross as in coastal Ireland, but we have just about the same seasons: Sheep to Shawl process on page cold, rainy, and potentially stormy. But we also enjoy the 3 of this newsletter. promise of a bit more sunlight each day and the just emerging flower bulbs. If you have never tried your hand at Thanks to Nancy Berger, Linda this simple weaving craft, I encourage you to try it using Hanson and Carol Murphy for whatever you have at hand: grass, reed, or paper: http:// bringing refreshments. fisheaters.com/stbrigidscross.html And a happy New Year to you. — Sarah Nopp

Membership Please welcome the following new members and add their information to your yearbook: Leslie Lingley (360) 456-1335 7815 Kerbaugh St. NE Olympia 98516 [email protected] Newsletter editor: Mike & Pam Faber (206) 920-6567 16212 62nd. Ave Ct E Puyallup 98375 Carol Murphy [email protected] Call 360-491-7678 or e-mail Leigh Gates (360) 789-5624 PO Box 2512 Olympia 98506 [email protected] [email protected] Next deadline: 4, 2016 Olympia Weavers Guild MINUTES OF GUILD MEETING OF JANUARY 15, 2016

The meeting was called to order guild has gotten awards for best from the guild will discuss the by Sarah Nopp, President, at the use of color in a prior conference. sheep to shawl process. Boston Harbor Fire Station at 9:45 The guild will not have to Workshop: Marise Person gave A.M. participate in gift bags this year. information on the May Bill Green stated that a correction •Sue Willingham will be offering workshop which is By Summer and clarification to November several classes at the end of and Winter. Instructor will be minutes needed to be made for January and in February. Flyers Jannie Taylor. The class is full at the Towel Competition and are on the table concerning classes. this time (15). A deposit of $63.00 requested that it be referred to as The web site is weaverspalette.com is due by the March meeting. The a Towel Challenge, so that •The Guild presented a gift to deposit can be mailed to Marise. participants would know they are Lana Schneider in recognition of A list of individuals who have able to keep their towels that are her 20-plus years of work at the registered for the workshop was read. made and shown at the June, 2016 Thurston County Fair, Educational Outreach: Erica Plotkin meeting and picnic. Karen Verrill representing our Guild to the and Regine Carey announced that made a motion to accept community and introducing the beginner weaving class will November minutes as corrected, community members to weaving. be at Marjorie Erickson’s house. and Jan Downing seconded the •The next board meeting is in the Class starts February 27-28, 2016. motion. planning stage. Board members The class is spread over three Announcements need to check your calendar for weeks and table looms and •ANWG Grant-The Olympia February and March. Contact equipment may be rented from Weaver’s Guild has received an Sarah with the dates you are the guild. If interested in a June ANWG grant and will do a unable to attend the next board class, contact Erica or Regine. basket. An instructor needs to be meeting. Saturday Group: Betty Marcelynas chosen. Group will meet at Jan •FOR SALE: gave the information that the Green’s house on January 18. Karen Verrill has an eight harness group meets the second Saturday •ANWG conference is coming in Schacht for sale. It is 45” wide and of the month from 9:30-12:00. This 2017.The date is June 26, 2017 in includes bench, raddle, and year the group has planned to do Victoria, B.C. It is a time for guild shuttles. Cost is $1200.00 three projects: kumihimo, inkle members from Alaska, Montana, •Judy Parkins- Her daughter- in- looms and rigid heddle looms. If Canadian Provinces and the law’s father has three alpacas who interested, call Betty. Pacific Northwest to join together are looking for a new home. Membership: Jean Schwartz gave for a time of classes, vendors, Judy has posted information on information that by the end of fashion show, and more. http:// the web site. If interested, please meeting 51 individuals had www.anwgconference2017.com/ call Judy at 360-426-1718. signed in. New members include Lee Gates, Leslie Lingley, Mike The theme for this year’s event is Committee Reports and Pam Faber. Visitors include “Treadle Lightly.” The Felting Group: Gail Trotter asked Gerda Randolph, Lynn de la committee, at this point, consists that the felting group meet today Maza, Karen Haas, and Cheryl of Marjorie Erickson, Marise at lunch if you are interested in Laurenzo. Person, Erica Plotkin, Tamie felting. A type of felting will be Rental Properties: Gail Trotter. A Herridge, Carol Murphy, Sarah chosen today. Nopp, Regine Carey, and Nancy list of properties is on page six of Program: Cathy Belfry announced Berger. Marjorie Erickson the membership booklet. If that the program today will be discussed types of awards given interested in renting equipment, given by Sarah Anderson. For the for a booth at the conference. The contact Gail Trotter. February meeting a few members Minutes, continued Sheep to Shawl Library: Kathy Forsythe announced that the subject Every year the Washington State Fair in Puyallup categories are reversed in the book cabinets due to holds a Sheep-to-Shawl Competition at the Fall Fair. the painting and carpet installation in the room. For Several local Guilds participate, each on a separate • sale items are on the table. date. We work in 6-member team shifts from 10AM Banding group: The banding group will meet on to 10PM. Our Purpose: To weave a shawl st th demonstrating the steps involved in the “fleece to Thursday, the 21 of January and February 25 at shawl” process. 1:00 at Lana Schneider’s place. th Prior to the Fair, we are allowed to spin, dye and Felting group: February 26 at 9:00 at Deborah wind the warp. At the Fair, we demonstrate our craft Naslund’s. to Fair-goers by picking, carding, spinning and Spinner’s group: Deborah Sporseen brought cards to plying the weft, dressing the loom and weaving. sign for Joyce Lloyd and her husband as they are Once all of the shawls have been completed, they’re having some health issues. Please sign before you judged by a certified judge and put on display for the leave. remainder of the Fair. Computer weaving group: Carrie Seachord. Group will Our Guild has been participating in this event for meet after today’s program to look at several many years. For the past 11 years, Tamie Herridge weaving programs and compare them. Upcoming Exhibits and I have teamed up to design the final product. In • The Surface Design Association of Washington is Tapestry group: Lana Schneider. Group needs to meet all, there are probably 25 or more Guild members mounting a juried traveling exhibition and arrange time and date for meetings. who have their hand in its creation each year. and is accepting applications for entries. The theme Refreshments: Regine Carey gave information that Diligent spinners spin the warp yarn from a carefully is “Fiber Fusion” (not to be confused with Erica Plotkin brought blueberry muffins, Jan Green chosen and cleaned fleece. This “singles” yarn from and Regine Carey contributed also. Thanks to all several spinners is then plied. By the time Tamie and the fiber festival of the same name), and they are who contributed to today’s refreshments. I receive the plied yarn for dyeing, there are already open to items including handmade felt, paper, Treasurer’s Report hundreds of hours committed to it. One year at the fabric, clothing, or basketry, embellished or enhanced Terri Standley gave the treasurer’s report: judging, the judge actually asked if the yarn in our by dyeing, stitching, painting, beading, or Checking balance is $8926.96 shawl was all handspun!! When a judge asks this anything else the artist thinks up. Entry deadline is Savings balance is $7067.10 question, you know the yarn is of superior quality. March 20, 2016. Information: https://surfacedesignwa.wordpress.com/fiber- H. Pattison grant fund is $5428.62 We hope you can join us at this month’s program as fusion/ Mailbox we share “The Shawl’s” annual rewarding creative If you have a key to the mailbox, contact Sarah process. If you are a lucky Sheep-to-Shawl winner, • Mood Indigo: Textiles From Around the World. Nopp. please bring and wear your shawl for all to "Honors the unique ability of the color blue to enjoy. — Marjorie Erickson create many moods in cloth." Runs from April 9 - Meeting was adjourned at 10:30 A.M. Oct. 9 at the Asian Art Museum, Tateuchi Respectfully submitted Galleries in Seattle. For all the details go to: http:// Margaret Cook, Secretary UPCOMING EXHIBITIONS www.seattleartmuseum.org/exhibitions • Common Threads: An Overview of Scandinavian • The Braid Society is planning the Third Textiles. The exhibition opened Feb. 3. Banding Together Study Group International Braiding and Narrow Weaves Location: Pacific Lutheran University Gallery, Ingram Date & Time: Feb. 25th at 11:30 Conference to be held from July 24-July 30, 2016 on Hall in Tacoma. Runs through Wed. 3/2/16. More Location: 3244 Long Lake DR SE, Olympia the campus of University of Puget information call 253-535-7580. Sound in Tacoma, WA. The conference is called Bring any banding projects you are working on or • Mood Indigo: Textiles From Around the World. 'Braids, Bands and Beyond Braids', and the cochairs books/patterns to share in Kumihimo, Inkle, Bow, "Honors the unique ability of the color blue to for this conference are Robyn Spady and Giovanna card etc.. create many moods in cloth." Runs from April 9 - Oct. Imperia. For a complete list of classes, Two new techniques to think about doing are a 9 at the Asian Art Museum, Tateuchi Galleries in tutors and events go to the website: http:// diagonal pattern for Makiko Tada’s ribbon scarf and Seattle. For all the details go to: http:// www.braidsociety.com/page-1857717 also ply-splitting. — Gail Trotter www.seattleartmuseum.org/exhibitions TIPS THE TIP JAR Tip BEGINNING WEAVERS CLASSES

Tips of interest from January: As you may know, we offer Beginning Weaver Power Scour was recommended for cleaning fleece. Classes to all members, new or old, who are Look for it at some of our advertisers like http:// interested. Marjorie Erickson is our instructor and the www.paradisefibers.com/unicorn-power-scour.html classes are for 3-1/2 days, spread over a three week and a little tea tree oil cuts grease. period. Our upcoming class in March is full, but we could schedule a class in June, if anyone is interested. For a review of cleaning fiber products see http:// The dates are listed below. The fee is $125.00 per yookiwool.myshopify.com/blogs/yookiwool-blog/ person and Marjorie can take between three and four 17674572-wool-wash-review-unicorn-kookaburra- people. We need three people to make the class a "go" eucalan-soak and can take another person to make it four. It is Adding Sizing to single ply use Xanthin gum For possible to rent equipment from the guild, if you detailed instructions See page 109 of “The Spinner’s don't have a table loom. Book of Yarn Design”, by Sarah Anderson our presenter, available in the OWG Library and the 1. June 4 and 5 or 5 and 6 (9:00am-4:00pm), Timberland Library. 2. June 11 or 12 (9:00am-12:30pm) Looking forward to hearing more TIPs from the 3. June 25 or 26 (9:00am-4:00pm). workshops Sarah Anderson taught. If you are interested or have any questions, please do Thanks go to Marjorie sending out the great pointers not hesitate to contact either Regine Carey 866-0539 for putting writing in your weaving. or Erica Plotkin 360-357-4090 . Other requests came in and are in research. Thanks, Regine and Erica Gail Trotter [email protected]

Library News There's been more cleaning in the Panorama Weaving Studio. We are clearing issues of Shuttle, Spindle & Dyepot from the 1970's through the 1990's. Also some Handweaver & Craftsman from the 1950's. Best offer. Viking Wire Weaving or Trichinopoly Chain Please contact Kathy Forsythe at Our March program will be presented by Dee [email protected] Townsend. Dee lives in Shelton and loves working with wire and making handmade jewelry. She will NEW TITLES give us a brief history of trichinopoly and include a Summer & Winter plus : the Best of Handwoven little bit of metallurgy. She will talk about the tools Next steps in weaving : what you never knew you needed needed, demonstrate how it is accomplished and to know by Pattie Graver discuss the possibilities for its use. A thread through time : modern projects from our swatch After the program, there will be an opportunity for archives : in honor of the 75th anniversary of the hands on practice. She will have kits available for Weavers Guild of Minnesota $20 plus tax. Those interested in trying it out will Uniquely felt : dozens of techniques from fulling and also need to bring a few tools from home; wire shaping to nuno and cobweb by Christine White cutters, chain nose pliers, flat nose pliers, round nose As mentioned at the January meeting, the two white pliers and safety glasses. cabinets swapped location when the new rug was I’ll have a sign up sheet so we can get an accurate laid at the fire hall. So the alphabetical subject order count of how many kits she will need to bring. is starting with the second cabinet now. —Cathy Belfry —Kathy Forsythe OWG Point of Sale Application Overview For the first time, the guild will be using a Point of Sale Application for the 2016 Show and Sale. What is it? The OWG Point of Sale Application combines Excel LOOM and Access software in a specifically designed program to facilitate the Show and Sale process, FOR SALE maximize accuracy, minimize errors, streamline verification processes, and provide useful reports for Nilus Leclerc 12 harness (14 treadles) 45" jack loom Guild use. and bench. 2 reeds (8 & 12). Comes with shuttles, extra heddles, lease sticks and harness weights. Generally, how does it work? Good loom for rug weaving and fine cloth. $800.00 Prior to the sale, artists list their items offered for sale on an Excel spreadsheet. This will be done via Contact Jean Schwartz (360) 273-6011 computer unless the artist does not have computer access, in which case a hand–prepared sheet can be used. Fire Department Crab Feed Needs The completed spreadsheet is sent to a designated Donations for Raffle individual who downloads the spreadsheet into an Access database, creating a unique artist number. The North Olympia Fire Dept. (now part of South Tags are generated from the information on the Bay Fire District) is trying to re-establish a raffle as spreadsheet (determined by the artist) and sent to part of their annual crab feed, which will be held in the artist who will print and complete the tags, cut early March. Our members have donated handmade them apart, and attach them to the items offered for sale. articles in past years, as a small thank you for the use As items are sold, the invoice is created of the fire house. If you have an item you think electronically, selecting items from each artist’s list would be suitable for the raffle, please bring it (them) by item number, adding the items sold and to the February guild meeting. It need not be a large calculating sales tax and totals. Two copies of the or expensive item. The Fire Department is grateful invoice are printed immediately. for our participation. - Jan Green One copy is given to the customer. The second is utilized as the guild’s record of the sale, annotated Annual RAGS Show with payment method and customer information Flora Carlile-Kovas will be our OWG program (name, phone number, check number if check is used). speaker in April. If you get a chance go to RAGS Cut tags are attached to the invoice at the time of sale. Wearable Art fund raiser and see her work. Artists will receive, at the end of the sale, a copy of Where: Larson Mercedes-Benz of Tacoma, 1701 their sales, allowing them to verify items on pick-up Alexander Ave. East, Fife of items not sold. RAGS Gala: Thursday, March 10, 6-9 pm, For tickets Artists may “recycle” their spreadsheet, using it to See http://www.ywcapiercecounty.org/wearable- track items from year to year. It will not be art-sale necessary to “retag” items as the system easily Free to public: allows for “skipped” numbers. th th Friday-Saturday, March 11 -12 , 10 am to 6 pm Further instructions will be written for each part of th Sunday, March 13 , 10 am to 4 pm the system—stay tuned. You will be hearing more about the POS Application in the coming months. 3 more felt artists for inspiration: Questions are encouraged and can be addressed to http://zoneonearts.com.au/?s=felting&x=7&y=3 Ardith Hamilton. Felting Study Group - felting books or pictures for inspiration on design or color Date & Time: Feb 26th at 9:00 am We will all share what we have to get you an idea of Location: 6022 Northill Loop SW, Olympia what kinds of kits or tools you might like. Deb Naslund is hosting our first felting study group Check out five of the OWG sponsors that have felting meeting. Please give her an RSVP and let her know if needles/kits: you are coming [email protected] http://harrisville.com/felt/accessories/ http://www.paradisefibers.com/felting/felting- We are going to get started with simple needle tools.html felting either for a greeting card or small ornament. And we will plan the next study group felting http://www.yarn.com/webs-books-patterns-kits- technique and location for Spring. felting/ http://www.yarnbarn-ks.com/For-Felters/ Regine Carey shared with us some of her lovely products/835/ dyed wool for us to use. I have foam and some forms https://halcyonyarn.com/felting/equipment to experiment for shapes. Bring a lunch and if you have them: Dharma Trading has felting needles and a wool - bandaids scarf that could be used to put your needle felt object on. See their technique: - dyed wool, alpaca fiber/yarn you have http://www.dharmatrading.com/home/needle- - pre-felted wool or other to attach your needle felt felted-wool-scarf.html?utm_source=2016_01_02- items featuredtutorial&utm_medium=email&utm_campai - felting needles gn=newsletter - 3 inch or thicker foam (not styrofoam)

Olympia Weavers Guild P.O. Box 11903 Olympia, WA 985-8-1903