ADDENDUM TO THE SEPTEMBER NEWSLETTER


SEVERAL THINGS you should know and an event you may be interested in that can't wait for the October newsletter:


FLEECY FUN FIBER FORAY Saturday, October 11, 2008 - 10 am - 3 pm FREE. Sonoma Community Center, 276 E. Napa St. Sonoma CA

The Sonoma Community Center has forged a new partnership with the Redwood Empire Handweavers and Spinners Guild to introduce a variety of opportunities to experience and learn fiber arts. This event is geared to "getting the word out" about spinning, weaving and related fiber arts.

At the Fiber Foray, a team of fiber artists who range from ages 14 to 80 will show that it is never too early or too late to start spinning, weaving, knitting, felting, and basket weaving. There should be lots to see and lots of hands on. They are looking for volunteers to bring their fiber animals for display. They would especially like for someone to come and spin off their own angora bunny. Any fiber animal people who come to participate with their animals will be allowed to sell any kind of product they have from their animals at no charge [no license fee, no percentage to pay, nothing].

Unfortunately, there is no name to contact in the info that I have, but you may try to find someone through the cnch.org website and look up Redwood Empire Handweavers and Spinners if you want info on bringing your animals.


CNCH 2009 IN SONOMA
April 24 - 27 2009

The pre conference push is now officially underway and most of the information, along with downloadable forms, should be up on the cnch.org website. This is an "alternative" conference in that it is similar to a retreat: workshops to take, but no commercial vendors or other extras that are at the bigger conferences. Its an easy going format in that you choose one workshop that goes all day Saturday, Sunday and a half day on Monday. On site registration and equipment drop off will be Friday evening before the conference.

Instructors and workshops look interesting and varied. Of interest to spinners are: "Filling In the Gaps" with Diane Bentley Baker, "Spinning For Weaving: An Introduction to the Rigid Heddle" with Joan Sheridan Hoover, and "Color Blending" with Celia Quinn.

"Fill In the Gaps" is for semi-beginners who still need to learn all the ins and outs of spinning: selecting a fleece, drop spindle, carding, Navajo plying, woolen and worsted preparation, and more.
"Spinning For Weaving" will teach you the basics of rigid heddle weaving. You will use a commercial warp and spin in class what you will need to complete enough fabric for a bag.
"Color Blending" will create within class a beautiful, heathery spectrum of colored yarns by carding together primary, secondary and neutral colors. Sound familiar? But its Celia Quinn - well worth taking the workshop just to work with her.

There are other classes in basketry, weaving, dyeing, plus a fabric design class with Anita Luvera Mayer, Check out the website. Much more information at the next meeting. I have several program booklets to hand out for those who cannot download and print through their own computer. If you really are very anxious to get into a particular class, you can volunteer to be an "angel" to assist the instructor for that particular class. You would get preferential registration, as long as you register early. Registration opens officially on November 1.

CONFERENCE SCHOLARSHIPS are being offered again with one scholarship awarded to each of the five CNCH areas. Last year only four were awarded because there were no applications at all from one area! Awards are NOT on the basis of financial need. The applicant needs to describe her/his fiber interests and their reasons for wanting to attend CNCH 2009. Selection is made based on the applicant's personal goals and upon how they plan to share their experience with their guild.
APPLICATIONS ARE DUE NOVEMBER 1, 2008. The awards will be announced by Nov. 15th. Everyone is encouraged to apply. Go to the cnch.org website and download a form today.