Whorled News

The Newsletter of the Carson Sierra Spinners and Weavers

           September 2007

  Whorled News is a bimonthly, published six times a year on odd months.

Carson Sierra Spinners & Weavers 
2120 Ives Ave
Reno NV 89503
Web Site: http://www.scs.unr.edu/~ashannon/cssw

Sharon Campbell, Editor
(775) 846-9095 (cell)
(775) 969-3121 (long distance)
 institches@rtci.net

Officers:

President: Heidi Erickson (775) 322-4790
VP: Kathleen Sensenig (775) 359-3764
Secretary: Connie Vann (775) 775-827-4218
Treasurer: Doris Woloszyn, (530) 993-4296

 

Whorled News is a bimonthly, published six times a year on odd months.

September 8th Guild Meeting will coincide with the Spinster’s Retreat, September 7th – 9th.  The actually meeting is 11:00, in the group campground.  See further in the newsletter for more information and driving directions.

October 13 Guild Meeting  location is Bartley Ranch and is Potluck.  Drive .8 mile west from the intersection of McCarran Blvd and Hwy 395.  Turn left (south) on Lakeside Drive and continue .4 mile.  Bartley Ranch is at the north base of Windy Hill.  Turn left on Bartley Ranch Road and continue several hundred feet to the main parking lot.

July Meeting Minutes:

Introductions and Show ‘n Tell:

Minutes:  May and June, 2007 Minutes approved with one entry that didn’t make it, to be added here.  For June Show ‘n Tell, Kathleen Sensenig brought an aran-knit panel made from homespun hemp yarns, and asked members what she might do with it.

Treasurer’s Report:  $2,104.14 Balance.  67 paid members.  Some members still need to pay for Stephanie’s Spinning Workshop.

Fair Report:  Amy Shannon reported that the deadline for entries is the first week in August.  The form deadline will be the August CSSW meeting, however.  Amy brought a list of Fair Events, a Jobs List, a Livestock Schedule, a layout of the proposed fair exhibits, a Supplies-provided-by-the-Fair list, and delivered a promise by the Fair Staff that we will not have a hole in our floor this year!  Members were encouraged to sign up for jobs still open.  Members should come through the Livestock Gate and park.  Members bringing a spinning wheel may get in “free”.  Details will be finalized at the August Meeting.  Fair Dates are 8/22 thru 8/26.  Any questions, call Amy’s cell #775-240-2796.

August Meeting and other Meetings:  Sharon Campbell has offered her place near Red Rock for August.  Bartley Ranch has offered the Huffaker School Building (after the August Meeting, as well as) subsequent 2007-2008 meetings, in lieu of South Valleys Library.  Call Marie Fong, Park Ranger’s cell # (775-813-3629) before going to Bartley Ranch to spin, or to simply look at the venue space.  Cross the covered bridge.  School building is on the left.  South Valley’s Library may be needed for CSSW         Meetings as soon as March, 2008 per Nancy Pryor.

Learning Tree:  Drop-spindling today, taught by Amy Shannon.  Nuno-felting in August, to be taught by Mim Bullard.  There will be no Learning Tree at the September Retreat.  October features a talk Re: Fundamentals of Weaving.  November features hands-on weaving at Linda Loken’s house. CSSW drop spindles are being made, and need to be assembled by members who volunteer.

September Spinning Workshop:  Discussion about how many have signed up and/or paid for 9/22.  More discussion about giving an advanced lesson on 9/23, with “first dibs” for those advanced students who have paid, leaving room for beginners to fill in available spaces.  Please see Linda Loken to describe what advanced students would like to learn.  There were 11 students signed up for each day by end of meeting.  Members who still need to pay need to see Doris.

Tweed Project:  Now to be finished by State Fair 2008.  Moved up.

Sheep-to-Shawl Project:  Nancy Pryor will be getting weft wool to spin as samples for demonstration.  Warp yarns will be dyed with          indigo.  Question:  Will CSSW raffle the shawls, once made?  ere will be one for the public, and one for the Guild.

Bag Project:  Mim Bullard not present.  Projects will be due by the August meeting.  Can also be given to Mim, Amy, or Marilyn Clarke.

Old Business:  Becky Pennington is willing to bring a Tunis lamb for B-B-Q at the Fall Retreat, if members want to chip in for the cost of slaughter ($60-$80).  Tunis is listed as a Rare & Endangered Breed, and tastes delicious.  Members said they would chip in. Amy will let Becky know.

New Business:  Doris received a letter from a woman from western Washington, who is moving to Carson City area, and wants to join CSSW.  She is looking for a small place to rent that has a yard for her 2 dogs.  She offers ranch help in return for reduced            rent.  Likes living rural.  Amy reports that she receives emails from other people who want to move to Reno, who also want to join CSSW.

Announcements:  Polly attended Black Sheep Gathering and brought a book on braiding for members to look at.  The Shepherd’s Rug, by Letty Klein & Ann Brown.  Marilyn Clarke suggested A Perfect Red, for those interested in dyeing.  This books recounts the history of the red dye. Allison Judge suggested an excellent book on tapestry, Tapestry Handbook.

Adjournment:  Lunch:  Brown Bag. Learning Tree:  Drop-spindling taught By Amy Shannon.

 

August Meeting Minutes

Welcome:  Thanks to Sharon Campbell for having us meet at her home!

Introductions & Show & Tell:

Treasurer’s  Report:  $2,489.14 balance.  A few more members have paid dues.

Fair Report:  Amy reported that the tent could be up by Monday, however she will send out a communique via Sharon as to when we can all start going down there to set up.  Tables and chairs will be delivered on Tuesday.   Amy passed around a signup sheet for remaining jobs that she’ll need help on.  Judging will be on Saturday.  Spinning Contest  and Fiber Auction on Sunday.  Amy will bring labels for Rare & Endangered Breeds, as well as Nevada-grown categories, to be attached to items.  New signage will be needed for new displays.  Mim will be doing felted butterflies this year, and selling the kits.  Amy needs to know ahead of time who will need a badge made for those who do not plan to bring a wheel for each day of the Fair.  No pet pigs this year.  Amy will not be at the Fair 2008, because UNR is opening a new library.  Therefore, she will need members to sub-in for her.  Bring ice to replenish the ever-dwindling supply.  More Entries are needed.  Please label everything.  If not, Amy is either going to keep it, or items will become Guild property, to auction off at the Fall Retreat.  Please stay late for tear-down on Sunday night.

Bag Project:  Mim said to give your Bag Projects to Heidi Erickson from now until the Fair.

Newsletter:  One article written by Connie Vann has been received.  Sharon encouraged all members to please write articles and send them to her.  Sharon will email us questions to stimulate the creation of new articles.

Spinning Competition:  Mim will collect items for the spinning competition prizes and make them up.  The Louet Spinning Wheel has already been donated for one of the winners.

Meeting Sites:  Sept. - Retreat @ Davis Creek Park.  (Tunis Lamb BBQ.)

                             Oct. - Bartley Ranch (Potluck.)

                             Nov. - Linda Loken’s House (Brown Bag.)

                             Dec. - Bartley Ranch (Potluck.)

                             Jan. - Nancy Grundy’s House (Brown Bag.)

                             Feb. -Bartley Ranch (Potluck.)

 Linda encouraged members to write down what they’d like to learn from The Learning Tree in 2008, reminding us that the Learning Tree is meant to “whet everyone’s whistle”.

Stephanie’s Workshop:  11 spots filled for both days.  Therefore, Foothills Fiber Guild will be asked to join us for remaining spots.

Old Business:  Question as to what time slot will the Spinning Workshop occupy?  Amy will announce via email.

New Business:  Heidi Erickson suggested we have a Carding Day in future.  Linda Loken rescued the loom from Marilyn’s backyard, but it needs restoring.  FREE to a good home.  Needs to go by October, 2007.  Barbara Hunt has a friend who could restore CSSW’s spinning wheel.  She was advised to go ahead and save receipts.

Announcements:  Doris passed around a flier for a Fiber Arts Fair in Utah.

Adjournment followed by potluck lunch. 

Demonstration:  Nuno-felting by Mim Bullard.

 

Carson Sierra Spinners & Weavers, 7th Annual Spinsters' Retreat!
Friday, Sept. 7th - Sunday, Sept. 9th, 2007 (Guild Meeting Saturday at 11:00am)
Come spend the weekend at Davis Creek Park, Nevada, spinning, knitting, dyeing or just plain relaxing in the great outdoors. Bring a friend and have fun with other enthusiastic fiber folks. The Guild is renting the group site at the north end of the Park, so there will be plenty of room for tents or RVs (no generators allowed).

Important info:

Sixth Annual Swap n' Sale:  Saturday at 1:00pm until people stop buying or swapping.

Do you have yarn you just don't know what to do with?  Or roving for which you have lost enthusiasm?  Has someone given you a brand new wheel, and you need a new home for the old one? Clean out your fiber closets and bring fiber or tools to sell or swap. All are welcome.  No advanced sign-up required.

Sixth Annual Fiesta:  Saturday after the Swap n' Sale.

Once we had an impromptu margarita party, complete with guacamole, salsa, fresh squeezed margaritas and (oddly enough) S'mores. It was so popular that it is now a tradition.  So bring your favorite dish to share, along with a lime or two. 

Information from the Washoe County Web:

In a dense stand of Jeffrey Pines 20 miles south of Reno just off U.S. 395, is Davis Creek Park. This campground/picnic area offers outstanding views of Washoe Lake and Slide Mountain as well as many recreational facilities. Individual picnic sites surround a small scenic pond upon which non-motorized boats are allowed. During the coldest months of winter, the pond freezes and makes a great ice skating area which is free to the public. Nature trails are marked for a self-guided hike among the native flora and fauna. Group hikes may be arranged to explore the surrounding Davis Creek environs by calling the Ranger.

The park has 63 overnight campsites. Although there are no hook-ups, longer travel trailers can be accommodated at 19 sites. Group camping and picnic facilities are available by reservation; contact the park ranger for details. An equestrian trailhead provides access to the Toiyabe National Forest.

Directions:

Take 395 south from Reno or north from Carson City to the turnoff to Bowers Mansion. Turn west (the only way you can turn) and shortly (quarter mile maybe) down the road you will get to Davis Creek Park. It will be on the right. The retreat will be in the "RV Group Camping" area at the north end of the park.

Coordinator:

 

Real Life Fiber Therapy                                                                                                         Connie Vann

In the process of chewing a Vitamin 'E' gel capsule one morning, I bit down on something hard.  It turned out to be the gold crown that had once rested on my implant post.  Clearly, I had what is known as a "dental emergency" on my hands, and quickly phoned the dentist.  He squeezed me in on his lunch hour, and I placed the crown inside a small jelly jar so I could carry it to the office in some degree of safety.  Giving myself the usual 1/2 hour leeway, I drove downtown, carrying a drop-spindle to pass time before the appointment.  But, as luck would have it, a bump in the road tipped over the jelly jar and sent the $1,000 crown careening over the passenger seat, and into a slim crevice between the seat track and the seatbelt mechanism.  Gasping at my own lack of foresight, I told myself, "It'll be alright.”  I could see the crown (just barely), and I could stop at Sav-On and buy something to retrieve it before 11:30 AM."  Naturally, I was cursing myself.  Of all the absent-minded things I have managed to do, this one topped them all!  Why didn't I put it inside a butter tub with a lid?"  As I sprinted through the aisles at Sav-On, I began to panic.  The only tool they had that might work was a pair of kitchen tongs.  The clerk at the register wasn't the fastest either.  Ripping the cardboard and plastic off the tongs, I flung them into the nearest garbage can and made a beeline for the car.  I raced to the dentist's office and told the receptionists the whole story.  One of them generously produced a pair of foot-long tweezers, a large magnet, and some scotch tape.  Even with such exceptional tools. I did not succeed.  Discouraged, I told the receptionists that perhaps I should come back when I had produced the crown on my own.  Soon the receptionist, a dental assistant, and the dentist were in the parking lot, putting their best ideas and skills together.  The dentist worked diligently with high-magnification, lighted glasses on.  Still no luck.  All the dental dexterity the three of them could muster would not dislodge that crown from its spot, an inch deep in dog hair.  Suddenly, the young assistant, who was peering downward from her spot in the backseat said, "Hey!  Does this seat move forward?"  The dentist shrugged and pulled a lever, shifting the seat all the way forward.  Voila!  The crown was in full view, and the little assistant jiggled the crown free with tiny fingers.  "I've got it!" she exclaimed.  We all sighed relief.  The dentist put my undamaged crown in the sterilizer machine, and soon had it glued securely to the implant post in my lower right jaw. 

The moral to this story is that when you have a spinning wheel, you can manage the precipitating stress from incidents such as this one quite well.  It gives one confidence just knowing that, no matter what happens, all you have to do is spin for an hour, and "it's all good" once again.

 

The Learning Tree                                                                                                                 Linda Loken

Did I mention that we really do have a bunch of talented people in our guild with great experience, creativity, and, lucky for us, generosity in their complete willingness to share!  With that, let me extend a hand of thanks to Amy Shannon for her comprehensive overview of drop spindles and her kind and patient manner in helping us all give it a whorl!  Do you suppose that's where the saying comes from?  Seems plausible to me!

We also offer our thanks to Mim Bullard for demonstrating Nuno Felting for us at Sharon's house.   What a treat to see the different samples and see just what it is Mim does to get that cool felt!  We are truly behind the times with felting compared to the rest of the world – good to know that we have good people to teach us how to get started!

Now we need to be good little students and take a time to practice and explore the techniques we have seen.  Time to put our own twist on it!  I can't wait to see what you all come up with and bring to share.  Which reminds me....while we are on the topic of learning and sharing, Beryl Moody of the Foothills Fiber Guild may still have an opening for the comprehensive beginning weaving class she and Igor are offering.  Beryl was the judge of our fair entries this year and she and her husband are both accomplished weavers and fiber artists.  Information for the workshop is in the Classified Ads.

We will be taking a look at weaving ourselves in our next two Learning Tree demonstrations.  The first will be in October at Bartley Ranch (I think) where we will review some of the basics of weaving.  We were going to view a DVD, but we don't want anyone sleeping under the Learning Tree, so we are going to make it a live review!  Whoohoo! 

It really is a whoohoo thing for those of you who find weaving mysterious!  We are going to cover the basics in October and then in November you'll be able to put your hands on all of the processes as you move through the basics steps of weaving in a Weave Around with at least  5 looms in action.  You can wind, beam, thread, sley and tie-on a warp (you'll even know what all that stuff is after October!)  Then you can sit down and actually do some weaving on several different types of looms with several different types of weave structures.  Some are treadle looms and some are table looms.  Some are four harness, and some are eight. 

There's something for everyone.  We'll be counting on those of you out there who have already learned the basics of weaving to be on hand to “man the looms and warping boards” so that when the people trying them out have questions, we can help them find the answers!  Something for everyone I'm telling you!

September is a month for enjoying each others company at the Spinsters Retreat after all the hub-bub of the fair!  The retreat was sent up to be a hang time event, so we have not scheduled a Learning Tree demonstration this time, although I have heard of a dye pot or two popping up and I happen to have some dye already mixed up and well....I'm urging those of you with dye pots and burners to bring them to Davis Creek for some impromptu dying.  Okay...I'll shut up...but not before I say thank you so very much to all those who have participated in the learning and the teaching.  You all just make it happen!  Thank you!

 

The Learning Tree Calendar for 2007:

January 13th  – Plying – basic 2 ply and Navajo plying.

February 10th – More Plying - with tones, tint and shade for effect

March 10th – Fiber preparation and multicolor blending techniques video borrowed from the Handweaver's Guild of America

April 14th –  Natural Dyes – what is mordant, where do you get it, what dye stuff gives what color, how do you get dye stuff, how do you prepare dye stuff, and all that kind of stuff!

May 12th – Dye Day – bring your collection of stuff and lets get colorful!

June 9th – Boucle novelty yarns

July 14th - Drop Spindle Spinning – get caught spinning at Artown!!!

August 11th – Felting – We want more felting!!!

September 8th – Spinster's Retreat – no workshop (but I'm dyeing to see you!!!)

October 13th – Beginning Weaving overview

November 10th – Weaving workshop – at least 5 looms to weave on with different techniques and patterns – everyone gets to weave!

December 8th – Christmas Party – no workshop

 

Question for the Newsletter:  What is your go-to resource (can be print or virtual) for fiber information, your fiber bible?

Mim Bullard:  In the winter of 2004 someone, not sure who, brought several copies of the new magazine "Wild Fibers" to a guild meeting. I bought one and have been hooked since then. This magazine is perfect for me since it not only has articles about every type of animal fiber ever used by man it also talks about the people who raise these animals from all over the world. Linda Cortright, the editor, travels the world to interview these people and writes most of the articles. I love reading whatever she writes. "Wild Fibers" gets better as the years go on and I still can't wait to get the next one in the mail. Check out the web site for more information.

 http://www.wildfibersmagazine.com/index.php

Allison Judge:  Oh, there are so many!  I've made a practice of collecting books, as well as yarn, needles and fiber.  Over the years I've culled many of them, but here are some of my favorites:

For designing hats, mittens and socks, I rely on the information in Charlene Schurch's books (Mostly Mittens, Hats On, Sensational Knitted Socks and More Sensational Knitted Socks)

When I need pattern charts for Fair Isle knitting, I like to refer to the charts in Alice Starmore's Book of Fair Isle Knitting.  She also has a book called Charts for Colour Knitting, but I like the patterns in her first book better.

For spinning I seldom refer to any book, but steer my students to Hands On Spinning by Lee Raven and The Ashford Book of Spinning by Anne Field.  I have a soft spot in my heart for Mabel Ross's books - hers was the first spinning workshop I ever attended, and sadly it was the last time she came to the US before she passed on.  Very technical stuff, and a good study.

Two favorite books with dye recipes (synthetic dyes) are Hands On Dyeing by Betsy Blumenthal and Kathryn Kreider, and Color in Spinning by Deb Menz.

When I need to know how to make a button hole or other technical aspects of knitting, I fall back on my Vogue Knitting book.  It's the first book on knitting that I ever bought.

And who can beat Barbara Walker's collections of stitch patterns when you're trying to pick a stitch pattern for a garment?  I have spent many hours going through those volumes!

Sharon Costello has a couple of wonderful videos on needle- and wet-felting.  And you can get a lot of information on felting at Patricia Spark's website - just Google for it.  Chad Alice Hagen and Jorie Johnson are coming out with a new felting book that I very much look forward to.

I taught myself to weave from Deborah Chandler's Learning to Weave.  There's not much out there on tapestry weaving, but my favorite is Carol K. Russell's book, The Tapestry Handbook, soon to be reprinted as a revision after many years of being out of print.  Marla Mallett has written a book for Oriental rug buyers which has tons of information for the weavers of these rugs as well.  It discusses different weave structures and knotting and is cross-cultural.  It's called Woven Structures:  A Guide to Oriental Rug and Textile Analysis. Dry, yes.  Informative, yes.

Interweave Press has done so much for disseminating information on spinning, knitting, crochet, weaving and now felting in their magazines.  Our guild library probably has most, if not all, of the Spin-Off issues.  They (Interweave) have also acquired Fiber Arts magazine - very inspirational!

Finally, I've taken soooo many workshops, and keep the handouts and my notes from them.  I don't often refer back to them, but I do run across them from time to time and am happy to have my memory jarred on the skills learned through them, never mind the memories brought back of the wonderful times shared with other fiber enthusiasts and my travels taken to attend them.

I'm so happy you asked the question, Sharon!!!  No doubt I'll think of other references (as a matter of fact, not the least is your LYS for help with a knitting or crochet question!).  Oh!  And youtube has got some awesome and not-so-awesome videos on just about anything you might want to see, fiber-wise.

I could go on and on....and on and on.....! 

Jennifer Hill:  I go to In Sheep's Clothing, if I can find the bugger!  I think I've lent it out one too many times!

Linda Loken:  Laura Cunningham, Hazel Ryland, Julie Moore, Marilyn Clarke, Lisa Minter, Jennifer DeJung, Nancy Pryor Williamson, Google, Interweave Press, Woodland Woolworks - great place for basics!!  Suprising what they teach! And they have good stuff for sale too.  Last but not least...my favorite of all...EXPERIMENTATION!!!  Some of us learn by doing!

 

CLASSIFIED ADS:  (A free service to our guild members.  Ads run four months unless otherwise requested)

Merino wool/Angora rabbit blend socks.  Classic or Nordic(extra cushion) Very warm. Grey or cream colors.  Men's and ladies sizes.  Perfect gifts for anyone who works outside, skiing, snowmobiling, ice fishing, hunting or has poor circulation.  $16.00-$18.00 per pair.  Call Polly Holmes 775-577-2100 or email at holmes2jp@pyramid.net.

Markman Farm Dairy House Boutique, open Friday – Saturday, 12 pm – 5 pm, thru December 22.  716-325 Highway 395, Standish, Calif.  254-1011.  Tea Cozies, kitchen linens, handmade soap, bee balm, gifts, knitting patterns, handspun yarn,wool room, Jacob roving, raw fleece.  $100 gift certificate, door prize drawing August 25th. 

Spinning lessons:  groups up to 4 people, wheels provided, plus fiber. Private lessons also available.  No one has ever NOT come away spinning! (Trust me, it's like riding a bike:  you can't do it until you can do it!)  Wheel rental available (deposit required).  Fiber for sale.  Hand spindle lessons as well.  Allison:  fiberist@sbcglobal.net 

Introduction to Weaving Workshop:   There will be an Introduction to Weaving Workshop held at the Seventh Day Adventist Church in Grass Valley on October 21 and November 4. Each day we will have a four hour session to cover the basics of weaving, warping, reading a weaving draft and choosing a loom. This class is for beginners, people who would like a refresher course and people without any previous weaving experience. Experienced weavers will be your teachers and there will be a variety of looms to try. The fee of $55 covers both days of the workshop and a check for that amount will hold a place for you. (Class is limited to 10 students).If you would like more detailed information, please email ravenweave-igor@yahoo.com or phone (530) 470-9181 and ask for Beryl. If you know someone who might enjoy this special class, pass this information along to them.

Loom for Sale:  I have a LeClerc Nilus 45" 4 shaft loom for sale.  I also have the warping board, lease sticks, books, etc.  Attached it the advertisement for a new loom (retail value for new is $2390).  I would like $1500 for everything.  I live in Carson City and have no way to deliver the loom, so if anyone is interested in buying it, they will have to come to pick it up.  Donna - home - 775-882-8432; cell - 775-721-4158

Used and new books for sale: covering spinning, knitting, weaving and dyeing.  Email Allison Judge at fiberist@sbcglobal.net

 

Carson Sierra Spinners & Weavers

Our guild was formed in 1976 in an effort to create a resource for practicing and aspiring fiber artists in and near Carson City, Nevada.

Our goal is to:  Promote appreciation and knowledge of the fiber arts in our community through demonstrations, fairs, and other activities; provide a support network for fiber artists and enthusiasts in our area; Keep the fiber arts alive by encouraging others to take up spinning, weaving, knitting and other related arts; Support local and global fiber-related causes.

Meetings are normally held the 2nd Saturday of the month.  Plan to arrive after 10 a.m.; meetings are called to order at 11 am, with lunch and socializing afterwards.  Bring your spinning wheel, knitting or other handwork, and items for sharing. We welcome members and their guests at all levels of expertise.

Newsletter Submissions:  must be received no later than the last Wednesday of the month for inclusion in the next newsletter.  Submissions must be made in writing and sent by e-mail or snail mail by the deadline to Sharon Campbell, institches@rtci.net

Dues: Membership dues are $15.00 (without mailed copy of newsletter) or $20.00 per year if you select to receive the monthly newsletter via U.S. mail.  Membership runs from January to December.  Please provide your current email address when paying dues.  Send dues to: Doris Woloszyn at P.O. Box 229 Chilcoot, CA  96105, and make checks payable to Carson Sierra Spinners & Weavers.

Please Send Guild Correspondence to: 

Amy Shannon
2120 Ives Ave
Reno, NV 89503
ashannon@unr.edu

 

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