Sunday, September 10, 2017

Magic of Fiber Workshops


                                                                                   



Fiber is a large part of my life. I have been spinning for about twenty years give or take and weaving on and off for about fifteen give or take. I also knit and but don't  crochet. Somehow it never flipped my creative switch like knitting did. I also have done my share of fiber preparation from raising sheep to skirting, washing and processing my own yarn. But as much fun as all those endeavors are one of my two favorite fibery activities is fiber workshops. I also love to demo spinning at events because I firmly believe that we need to pass this craft on to the next generation or be prepared to loose it forever.

I think the commonalities in those two events are what makes them my favorite fiber activities. They are a combination of education and socialization. In one venue we are the educators and in the other we are the students. On August 26th  I had the pleasure of enjoying the company of fourteen other spinners to soak up the knowledge and magic of Stephenie Gaustad in her presentation of Productive Spinners Workshop. Stephenie is half of the dynamic duo of Guastad and Amos.  http://gaustad.blogspot.com/

 When Alden Amos passed the fiber world lost more than a skilled wheel maker and what he left the spinning world could fill volumes. Stephenie is a skilled fiber artist and a top notch teacher who brings brilliance , tricks of the trade , dry humor and magic to her classes. She is also a sweet and gentle soul.  Everyone passionate about fiber should take at least one, two or more of her classes. Well worth your time without question.

These ladies are beaming and their faces reflect the theme of the day "we are here to learn and have a wonderfilled time!" And we did from eight in the morning until five in the afternoon. And everyone of the participants (all of different skill levels) left with more knowledge and tricks of the trade  than they came with. As organizer of this event I was told countless times from these ladies what a great day it was and how they were already looking forward to the next workshop.

Flash forward to September 9th and the Tehema County Historical Society Jubilee. My neighbor Janet and I had the pleasure of being the teachers at this event for the second time. We spun from nine in the morning until two in the afternoon as guest of the Tehema County Spinners and Fiber Arts Group.


 Paula was demonstrating the great wheel aka walking wheel.

Trinna in front of the group banner working on a early 1900 hundred counter balance loom that was restored by Colleen Harvey Arrison a group member.

Trianna again at the loom chatting with young man who was mesmerized with the weaving process. His Dad to the left was once a sheep shearer.  Below what is on Trianna's loom.


I am very excited that we have one more demo day in September . We will once again gather at Arapaho Rose Alpaca's to participate in the nationally celebrated Alpaca Farm Days.


National Alpaca Farm Days

It's Fun and it's FREE!
Saturday, September 30, 2017 10 am - 4 pm
Join us for our 6th annual open house on National Alpaca Farm Days.  We are joining alpaca ranchers across the US and Canada opening our ranch so you can meet the alpacas face to face.  Walk through our pastures and experience the gentle nature of our alpacas.
Bring your camera to take pictures with the alpacas. Learn about the alpaca and the life style directly from your local alpaca ranchers. Watch demonstrations of spinning, weaving and other fiber activities.


Start your holiday shopping early in our boutique where you'll find alpaca apparel and products.

Bring your knitting or crocheting and join us for the afternoon.



4 Comments:

At September 10, 2017 at 4:16 PM , Blogger Rain said...

Hi Goatldi :) I think it's so wonderful that you are keeping this tradition alive. There is NOTHING like that in this area at all, at least nothing I've heard of. I find it fascinating! Keeping the old ways alive is so important, but I fear a lot of them will be lost. In fact, I was discussing hat making with someone today, millinery. This person wanted to learn to make his own fedoras and "prairie" hats. The books available to learn this craft are few and far between!

 
At September 12, 2017 at 2:50 AM , Blogger Leigh said...

Gosh, I didn't realize Alden had passed away. Shows how out of touch I am. People loved his wheels and his big book though.

Your event looks fantastic. Demo spinning used to be a favorite of mine as well. People are so fascinated with the process and you are so right about passing on the skill. Interesting you used to have sheep! I had a llama once and still have a bag of his fleece somewhere,

 
At September 12, 2017 at 8:54 AM , Blogger Goatldi said...

We really need to pass on our passion. No matter what blowed your skirt up so to speak if it is a passion it is worth sharing and there are others out there who are passionate about it too. I believe I have said this before but there is a goat publication and to attract advertisers the editor made this statement and paraphrase "building a business without advertising is like winking in the dark. Only you know that you are doing it." Networking is the key to keeping things alive.

 
At September 12, 2017 at 9:03 AM , Blogger Goatldi said...

Leigh we lost Alden coming on two years . Stephenie smilingly said at the workshop while addressing long draws at the wheel "that sweet man of mine I fell in love with him because of his flawless long draw". 😊 She is such a gentle soul.


I do understand your hiatus from the fiber world as you are in a different season now. I myself did the same thing for about ten years. But several years back it was time for a return.

I have often felt like a jack of all trades but master of none. There are so many things to try and learn.

I think I will enter Heaven complaining loudly "wait Lord I am not finished yet!"

 

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