Sunday, January 21, 2007

More Workshops Planned

A list of scheduled programs and workshops for the first half of 2007 is below. Programs are held during Guild meetings; they are free and visitors are welcome. Guild meetings are the fourth Saturday of each month, except November and December. Location and directions are here.

Workshops are by reservation only; reservations can be made during Guild meetings or by sending email to Elisa at
epspinsATgmailDOTcom . If you have an idea - or ideas - for a program or workshop, please leave a comment below or send email to Elisa.

Updated February 1:
  • February: Morning program - Contemporary Glass Jewelry with Dr. Robert Liu. Saturday workshop - Making Glass Beads (limited to 8 participants; $65 per person)
  • March: Association of Southern California Handweavers Conference
  • April: Morning program - Weft Twining with Anna Zinsmeister.
  • May: Morning program - Discussion and slide show on Weaving with Wire and Metals. Saturday and Sunday workshop - Weaving with Wire and Metals presented by Susan McGehee
  • June: Morning program - Weaving Tips and Tricks. Saturday and Sunday workshop - Beginning Weaving with Deborah Jarchow
Updated January 26:
  • July: African Folklore Embroidery with Leora Raikin. Leora will present an all new program. This was one of the most popular workshops of 2006. You won't want to miss this one!
Updated April 2:

Thursday, January 18, 2007

January Workshops

Our first program of the new year features Gwen Powell, Spinner Extraordinaire. During the morning meeting, Gwen will present "Chinese Knotting for Spinners and Weavers", giving us ideas to incorporate Chinese Knots into our fiber arts (weaving, knitting, crochet, felting and more). There will be plenty of samples and handouts for simple knots.

Gwen will also present two workshops, for which reservations are required. To reserve your spot, please email Elisa at epspinsATgmailDOTcom .

Navajo Multi-ply Spinning for Novelty Yarns
Saturday, January 27, 2007, 1:00 - 4:00 PM
Fee: $25

There is so much more to Navajo plying than just a three ply. In this hands-on workshop you will learn to create boucle, knobs and knots, thick and thin, variegated, and space colored yarns of three to 12 plies using both handspun and commercial yarns.

Ability level: Must be able to treadle wheel in one direction at a time and be able to spin a medium weight single thread.

Materials for students to bring: Scissors, working wheel, handspun singles in S and Z twist, various fine and medium commercial yarns to incorporate into novelty yarns. Preferably, the wheel will have a large orifice, low ratio whorls and good tension adjustments.

The Wonders of Sheep's Wool
Sunday, January 28, 2007, 9:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Location: Anacapa Fine Yarns
Fee: $35 plus $5-10 materials fee

Weavers and spinners will both benefit from this informative workshop on wool basics. Spinners will spin samples of the wools discussed. Weavers will participate by feeling and observing the properties of wool as we move through the preparations of the different wools.

Ability level: Must be able to treadle wheel in one direction at a time and be able to spin a medium weight single thread.

Materials for students to bring: working wheel or hand spindle (supported or drop), handcarders, sheet or towel for under your wheel, towel or apron for your lap. Optional: mini combs if you have them.

Please join us for our next meeting!

Date: Saturday, January 27, 2007
Time: 9:00 a.m. - Coffee & goodies. 9:30 a.m. - General Meeting
Where: LOCATION CHANGE - 1425 Dowell Dr., Ventura
For more info, please visit our website or leave a comment below (please include your email address) and we'll get right back to you.