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Volume 42 Issue 1 http://wrspinweave.org/ Page 1
Western Reserve Spinners & Weavers Since 1975
Member of the Handweavers Guild of America
Special points of
interest:
2017 Meetings and Pro-
grams
SIG(s)
Upcoming Conferences
Anniversary Reimburse-
ment Program
Inside this issue:
Letter From Our
President
1
SIGs 2-4
Anniversary 5-6
Upcoming Events 6
ROC Day 7
Contact Info
9
Happy New Year to All!!
Did you ever notice that almost every time someone shows off something they have created,
they are rather quick to point out the errors they feel have been made? I’ve even heard the
professionals do this! Next to my loom, I have a sign with a quote that I found on a garment
tag, and thought it applied perfectly to my weaving:
The weaving irregularities and shade variations are characteristic of the fabric and in no way to be
taken as defects.
My creations are far from perfect, but they are one-of-a-kind and I enjoyed (most of) the pro-
cesses. So, I try not to point out the imperfections, but this is a hard habit to break. I find
myself falling back on this quote in many areas of my life: work, daily chores, etc., and it helps
give permission to not be a perfectionist. But this quote guides me most in my creative en-
deavors, and I invite all of you will take it to heart as you learn and create this year.
Our first meeting is February 28th, and I hope that you are looking forward to it as much as I
am! The creations for Bobbie’s President’s Challenge, to “do something with fiber that you
have never done before”, will be shown off. This is a great opportunity to see the talents of
so many Guild members, and be inspired for your own future projects. If you haven’t finished
your project, there is still time…. Additionally, the 2017 Program Committee has planned
some fun activities so we can all get to know each other a little better. For me, this incorpo-
rates two of the things that I like best about our guild: inspiration and camaraderie with new
friends that share a common interest!
At this same meeting, you will also hear the details of the President’s Challenge for this com-
ing year…. I will keep you in suspense ‘til then.
I look forward to working with all of you this year, and helping bring us all together for our
WRSW Guild Mission “…to teach, promote the arts of spinning, weaving, dying and related
fiber arts.” The Guild has given me so much inspiration, knowledge and confidence to do
more, and I hope it will do the same for you with the upcoming programs, Special Interest
Groups and other activities that are planned this year.
May you all have a Happy, Healthy and Creative New Year! I look forward to seeing you on
the 28th! JoEllen Salkin, President
Welcome All Our New Members Please say “hi” and introduce yourself at the next meeting!
Andrea Baker Sue Kroll Shannon Spargur Jennifer Roland
Ellen Morrison Linda Bouck Jackie Gresser Nancy Gearhart
Page 2 Western Reserve Spinners & Weavers
Special Interest Groups (aka SIGs) Special Interest Groups (SIGs) provide supplementary areas of specialized, focused studies for Western Reserve
Spinners & Weavers guild members. SIGs are not a replacement for our guild’s general meetings.
Weaving SIG
Contact person: Susan Conover 440-346-5702 or [email protected]
We’re now in the sign-up phase for the 2017 Weaving
SIG, which is geared for table loom or floor loom
weavers who own their own equipment.
If you are interested in participating in the 2017 Weav-
ing SIG contact Susan Conover, facilitator, to RSVP
your interest at [email protected] or
440/346-5702.
The 2017 Weaving SIG meetings will be held at Susan Conover’s home studio in Parkman on the
following dates:
Sunday, February 12th Weaving with Wool, Nancy Curtiss, moderator, 2-4pm
Saturday, February 25th Refresher Day from 9am-4:30pm. Bring a sack lunch and plan to
wind warp, beam your portable loom or peruse Susan’s extensive
library. Limited enrollment is 8 students.
Sunday, April 9th Weaving with Tencel, Jean Brietzman, moderator, 2-4pm
Sunday, September 17th Weaving with Silk, Nora Eason, moderator, 2-4pm
Sunday, November 5th Weaving with Rayon Chenille, Susan Conover, moderator, 2-4pm
Rigid Heddle Weaving SIG Contact person: Linda Christopher 440/781-2046 or [email protected]
Thanks to everyone who braved the warm January Sun-
day to make our first Rigid Heddle SIG meeting a suc-
cess! With 14 guild members in attendance, we ex-
changed introductions followed by a short discussion
on our future direction. We had a warping demo and
some ladies got in some hands-on weaving.
WRSW Weaving SIG members who attended
the November 2016 meeting
The library gave us a nice large and brightly lit
room to work in.
Volume 42 Issue 1 Page 3
Rigid Heddle cont.
If you are interested in participating in the 2017 Rigid Heddle SIG you will need to contact co-facilitator
Linda Christopher at 440/781-2046 or [email protected] to RSVP your interest.
The next two meetings will be held at the Solon branch of the Cuyahoga Country Public library from
2-4pm on the following dates:
Sunday, March 12th
Sunday, May 7th
Focus on Felt SIG Contact person: Jan Gibson 440-255-0045 or [email protected]
We meet the first Tuesday of
the month at 11 am. Bring
what you are working on or
participate in the group pro-
ject if there is one.
Our December meeting was our annual Christmas Luncheon where we swapped felted ornaments,
There was an ice storm the morning of our January meeting, so attendance was small.
I set up a bowl with fruit on a black background as a still life. We used merino fleece that was donated
to the guild and each person needle felted their interpretation of the scene. Everyone enjoyed the exer-
cise. We watched the DVD "Gentle Threads" (about felting), as some hadn’t seen it before, and enjoyed
a bowl of hot chilli with crackers and homemade jam that Cindy brought.
Some of our newest members were in-
troduced to our Guild in the Rigid
Heddle Workshop last September.
We have a variety of weaving skill
levels in our SIG, from beginner to
more experienced.
Events of Interest
Pittsburgh Knit & Crochet March 24-26 Pittsburgh, PA http://pghknitandcrochet.com/
BSSG Market Day & Fiber Fair March 25 http://www.blackswampspinnersguild.org
Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival May 6-7 Friendship, MD http://sheepandwool.org/
Great Lakes Fiber Show May 27-28 Wooster, OH http://www.greatlakesfibershow.com
MidWest Weavers Conference June 1-17 Indianapolis, IN http://www.midwestweavers.org/
MLH 2017 Conference and Workshops June 2-7 Holland, MI http://www.mlhguild.org/
MAFA 2017 July 20 – 23, 2017 Millersville University, PA. http://www.mafa-conference-2017.org/
Eastern Great Lakes Fiber Conference October 6-9 Chautauqua Institute, NY http://eglfc.org/
Sheep & Wool Festival October 21-22 Rhinebeck, NY http://sheepandwool.com/
Page 4 Western Reserve Spinners & Weavers
Spinning SIG Contact person: Nancy Curtiss 330-995-3811 or [email protected]
2016 was a stellar year for the Spinning Special Interest Group. We learned how to use our wheels as
the tools that they are meant to be, to process wool fleece from right off the sheep to the finished
skein, and how to look at our yarn critically for competitions – which has the delightful by-product of helping us to create uniform, stable skeins for any size project we want to attempt.
We’re now in the sign-up phase for the 2017 Spinning SIG, which is geared for spinners who, at the
minimum, are able to spin a continuous thread. (If you wish to learn how to spin, we can suggest both
formal and informal opportunities in the NE Ohio area.)
If you are interested in participating in the 2017 Spinning SIG contact Nancy Curtiss, facilitator, to
RSVP your interest at [email protected].
The 2017 Spinning SIG meetings will run from 10am-12pm on the following dates:
Saturday, March 4th Alpaca: From Fleece to Yarn
Saturday, June 10th Working with Combs and the Worsted Draw
Saturday, August 5th Spinning Cotton with the Supported Long Draw
Saturday, October 14th Spinning Wool with the Long Draw
Daryl Lancaster will be teaching a two day workshop, “Jumpstart Vest,” October 21-22.
Go to the website for additional information.
http://wrspinweave.org/workshop-with-daryl-lancaster-this-fall/
Page 5 Western Reserve Spinners & Weavers
Weavers
Traditional Rep Weave 1
As my WRSW Anniversary Reimbursement, I recently participated in Susan Conover’s Traditional Rep
Weave 1 class at Conover Workshops. The three days of instruction provided the students an oppor-
tunity to practice several patterns of Rep weave, which has its origins in the Swedish Ripsmatta weave.
Using alternating thick and thin weft, “ribs” are created. The warp completely covers the weft. This
type of weaving is useful for rugs and upholstery and all Rep patterns are reversible.
We were able to start weaving immediately since Susan had five looms
warped with different rep patterns. The patterns included Brunch Towel (6
shafts and 6 treadles), Sparse and Dense Mat (6 shafts and 6 treadles),
Coasters (4 shafts and 4 treadles), Precious Pink Runner (8 shafts and 8
treadles), Lavender Runner (4 shafts and 4 treadles). We took turns weav-
ing on each loom and had plenty of time to produce nice-sized pieces to
take home and finish. Susan provided a very complete handout package so
we could set up Rep patterns on our own looms at home.
Like any good class, we picked up general weaving tips that are useful. For instance, when turning the hems over on reversible patterns, one end is
turned up and the other down. That way there is no noticeable front or
back to the piece.
Susan’s class was very enjoyable.
She was always available to an-
swer the many questions we had
and provide advice about tech-
nique. It was especially satisfying
to spend three days learning a
specific weaving technique and
practicing on several patterns.
Respectfully submitted by Cindy Kolacz
Volume 42 Issue 1 Pag e 5
Paying It Forward … the WRSW Anniversary Reimbursement Program
Beginner Tapestry Workshop March 25, 10-4 Kirtland Library
Here’s a chance to experiment with a new technique for only $20 (members)/$30 (non-members).
Guild member Bobbie Shafer is an accomplished tapestry and hand weaver and will teach you the
basics for tapestry weaving. There’s a few openings left, so sign up today!
For more information go to our website. http://wrspinweave.org/beginners-tapestry-workshop/
Western Reserve Spinners & Weavers
Since 1975
Page 6 Western Reserve Spinners & Weavers
2017 Anniversary Reimbursement Update
Congratulations to the following members who have reached milestone anniversaries with the guild, and
are eligible during 2017 to participate in our Reimbursement program. Details for the program are listed
under the members section of our website. Eligibility is based upon active participation in the guild: yearly
consecutive dues payments for the start of January, attending meetings, volunteering for demos and/or
guild leadership opportunities as able, participation in guild workshops as able.
35 years 1982 Jamie Fish
25 years 1992 Uarda Taylor
20 years 1997 Lisa Davis
10 years 2007 Deb Henry
2007 Cheryl Laufer
5 Years 2012 Hoffman Family
2012 Diane Watson
2012 Patti Zebrowski
Please note that these awards are not transferrable to another year. Completion of reimbursement re-quirements must be postmarked to a member of the Anniversary Reimbursement Committee for valida-
tion and remuneration. Program requirements and information have been emailed to each eligible recipi-
ent.
Respectfully submitted by the Anniversary Reimbursement Committee:
Nancy Curtiss, chairperson
Nora Eason
Rebecca Steinback
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
There are many ways to volunteer with the WRSW Guild as we grow and strengthen our organi-
zation. If you have a skill, talent and/or some time to share, please consider signing up for oppor-
tunities in any of the following areas. These volunteer experiences are really quite enjoyable as
you create opportunities and make new friends with similar interests. More details will be available
at the February 28th meeting:
Programs & Workshops, chaired by VP Nancy Curtis
[email protected] 330.995.3811
Show, chaired by Linda Christopher [email protected] 440.781.2046
Publicity, chaired by Sheri Gittinger [email protected] 440.585.0237
Volume 42 Issue 1 Page 7
Holiday Luncheon and ROC Day
On January 7 we met at the Willoughby Hills Community Center to
celebrate our Holiday Luncheon with a wonderful pot luck, and Roc Day.
There was more than just spinning going on!
It was a
wonderful day
Thank you to
everyone who
helped co-
ordinate this
event
Page 8 Western Reserve Spinners & Weavers
One Stop Shopping!
I love fiber shows! They were a veritable fairyland of fiber when I was a newbie spinner and weaver…and they still are! The spin-
nable fiber choices seem endless, as well as the yarn from both branded skeins and indie dyers on the cutting
edge of color. Vendors also carry basic supplies and tools needed to supplement one’s inventory. Old and new equipment is for
sale along with parts and pieces to enhance or fix looms and spinning wheels. Dyes, fibers for surface design, and
sometimes a kit or two for a favorite craft can be found. Fiber shows often have a mix of local and national in-
structors teaching classes for reasonable prices, so you can learn or improve your craft. Now, I find the fiber itself most intriguing as I’ve moved beyond the beginner stages of my skills. There’s such a
variety in different forms--perfect to try new projects and to learn how one type of fiber distinguishes itself from
another. I discovered the fleeces and the mills that can take that fleece and prepare it to the point where I want
to take over. If you’re interested in learning more about where your fiber comes from, there are plenty of farmers present
with their animals or vendors with a particular knowledge of that funky new “frankenfiber” that’s on the market.
And if you’re looking for a unique gift, there are lots of ideas for both fiber and non-fiber recipients. Fiber shows are also excellent ways to get to know the vendors and to create relationships with artisans whose
work you appreciate. Many take orders throughout the year. I find myself looking for business cards if I think that
I may want to place an order in the future. An excellent relationship with a vendor was established this way at a
show for my supply of silk. I always look forward to playing in her giant bags of dyed hankies that she packs just
for me, because we set up a date prior to a fiber show. Start planning your adventure today! Fiber shows begin to post their classes early, and often registration is full by
the weekend of the show so don’t think you can just show up and take a class. In 2016 I visited two shows that I’d heard about, but never attended. What I learned is that each show had its
own individual feel, and everyone is friendly and helpful. I met new guild members and made new friends…and
learned that the fiber connects us like family! Below is a list of Ohio fiber shows, which are perfect for that one or two-day driveable trip. There’s also a few
bus tours that are scheduled in 2017 that may be of interest.
Now get out there and have some fun!
March 25 Black Swamp Market Day, Bowling Green http://bssgmarketday.tripod.com/
May 20 Upper Valley Fiber Fest, Troy (Miami Co.) http://www.uppervalleyfiberfest.org/
May 27 & 28 Great Lakes Fiber Show, Wooster http://www.greatlakesfibershow.com/
June 3 & 4 Mid-Ohio Fiber Fair, Worthington http://www.midohiofiberfair.com/
Sept 16 & 17 Wool Gathering, Yellow Springs http://youngsdairy.com/wool-gathering/
Oct 14 Autumn Fiber Festival, Ashland http://www.autumnfiberfestival.com/
Other dates to put on your calendar: September 23 & 24 – Wool Jamboree & Antique Tractor Show, at Farmpark. This is a new event for them – not
just a reboot of the old Woolfest. There will be some vendors and our guild will be demonstrating, so bring your
wallets!
Bus trip opportunities through Cleveland Metroparks: March 25, 8:30am – 7PM, Pittsburgh Knit & Crochet http://pghknitandcrochet.com/ - The cost will be $85 for
bus, lunch and admission. Spaces available right now, contact Stacey Allen at 216.206.1000 for more information.
October 20-22, New York State Fiber Festival, Rhinebeck http://sheepandwool.com/ - The cost will be $475 for
bus, food and hotel. Phone registration begins on February 9th at 9:30am, contact Stacey Allen at 216.206.1000 for
more information.
Submitted by Nancy Curtiss
WESTERN RESERVE
SPINNERS AND
WEAVERS GUILD
Please submit any
suggestions, ideas,
articles of interest
or pictures to:
Cheryl
Cheryl Laufer,
Newsletter Editor 11232 Bell Rd. Newbury, OH
44065
To become a member of the Western Reserve Spinners and Weavers
Guild, please send the form below with your check to:
Nora Eason, 11483 Robin Wood Lane, Auburn Twp., Ohio, 44023
Individual Membership~ $20.00 Family ~ $25.00
Name ___________________________________________
Address _________________________________________
City, State, Zip ___________________________________
E-mail address ___________________________________
Phone number ____________________________________
The newsletter is available on the Guild website and will be emailed.
Please let us know if you are not able to receive it in this format.
Spin-ins for February and March Starting time is 6 PM, but come when you can and leave when you must.
Contact Person: Lisa Davis [email protected]
Page 9 Volume 42, Issue 1
Western Reserve Spinners and Weavers Guild Unless otherwise noted all meetings take place at Lake Metroparks Farmpark. Meetings begin
at 7pm followed by the program. Spin-In at 6pm prior to each meeting.
President: JoEllen Salkin (440) 498-1930 [email protected]
Vice President: Nancy Curtiss (330) 995-3811 [email protected]
Secretary: Madeleine Schneider (440) 832-1133 [email protected]
Treasurer: Nora Eason (440) 543-7058 [email protected]
Librarian: Cindy Kolacz (440) 285-7982 [email protected]
Newsletter: Cheryl Laufer (440) 564-7639 [email protected]
February Spin-Ins
Feb 2 Burton Library
Feb 9 Panera, Bainbridge
Feb 16 Sharon James Cellar, Newbury
Feb 23 Coffee Corners, Burton
March Spin-Ins
March 2 Burton Library
March 9 Panera, Bainbridge
March 16 Sharon James Cellar, Newbury
March 23 Coffee Corners, Burton
Drop in to Spin and say “hi”
to Baa-bara
Visit our website for
up-dated information
at
http://wrspinweave.org/