Anchorage Weavers and Spinners Guild



Home About Coming Events Workshops Gallery of Events Join Members Only Classified Ads Links	The Anchorage Weavers and Spinners Guild is a non-profit organization dedicated to the encouragement of the fiber arts in Alaska. The guild seeks to promote the exhibition of fiber arts and to inform its members and the public through lectures, workshops and craft demonstrations. We hold monthly meetings from September through May, often featuring a guest speaker. at 10:00 a.m. the second Saturday of the month. Other Guild activities include beginning weaving and spinning classes, workshops led by professional instructors, demonstration of weaving and spinning at local events, participation in the Alaska State Fair, and a spring and fall fiber retreat in cooperation with the Valley Fiber Arts Guild. We will resume our monthly Membership meetings this fall, on the second Saturday of September, and each month following. Our September, October and November meetings will be held at Out North Theatre Co., 3800 DeBarr Road. Contact us for more information, or watch for our late summer newsletter coming out the beginning of August. Celia Quinn's Comprehensive Spinning Workshop March 5, 6 & 7, 2010. An intensive class to increase your knowledge of fiber properties, fiber forms available, and spinning techniques suited to each fiber. Fibers included are wool, silk, cotton, flax, cashmere, yak, alpaca, mohair, ramie and many more. Students will learn to construct yarns of appropriate fiber, diameter and twist for the desired end use. We spin approx. 65 – 85 samples. Skill level: All levels (be able to spin a continuous yarn). More information and registration. Threads of Thought by Thomas Hobbs January 2010. Where did 2009 go? It seems that it just started yesterday, and now it is gone. Wow. What a year. From the August State Fair to the just concluded Christmas potluck, it seems as if it has been a non-stop fall. Many projects started, some completed with many still in progress. Kind of like the Guild. As I write this, we have just past the Winter Solstice. That means that the days will start getting longer again, with the return of the most welcomed sun. A time of renewal, thanksgiving and hope for a great new year. I hope that you all had a wonderful Christmas, receiving everything that you could have ask for, (and not too many switches nor lumps of coal). I also hope that you took time out to reflect on all the wonderful blessings that we enjoy as Alaskans and Americans. Also let us remember the soldiers and airmen who are in harm’s way, and pray for their safe return. The New Year is a time for reflection and resolutions. Take time out of your busy schedule to reflect on this past year and set goals to make 2010 an even better year. The Guild is already planning for a great New Year of projects, workshops, classes and demonstrations. I ask that you all plan on participating as you can. The Guild is only as strong as its membership. We need your support, and expertise as we move forward into new and exciting endeavors. Please note the calendar of events. We start out in January with a workshop on Tapestry Weaving (now full) at the Out North Theatre and Gallery. In February, we are planning on a one day drop spindle workshop, followed by a weekend of spinning/weaving demonstrations in conjunction with the Fur Rondy Celebrations. In march we are looking at a spinning workshop, and finally, in May, a weaving workshop. Truly something for everyone. Please try and enroll in one or more activities as you can. Finally, I want to take this opportunity to thank you all for your wonderful support this past year. You make it fun for me. I truly honor your friendship and advice. With your continued help we will move forward into the New Year, challenging ourselves, and making new friends as we explore this exciting world of the Fiber Arts. There is still room in the Drop Spindle class, which will be held right after the February meeting. Below Tom Hobbs, President of AWSG demonstrating spinning with a drop spindle. Photo by Marjorie McLaren Click for more photos of spinning at the 2009 Grass Roots Fair Trade Show. Click for 2009 Alaska State Fair Fiber Winners! Guild Library: The guild has a library of spinning and weaving books, videos and equipment available for rent to members. See members only page. Dena'ina Arts & Crafts Emporium Sell or help at the Dena'ina Arts & Crafts Emporium this Fall. Contact: Annita Magee e-mail (asmagee@gci.net) or phone 868-2616 Just a reminder to get busy or finish up your handcrafted items for the AWSG booth at the arts and crafts sale November 21-22, 2009. There are just THREE WEEKS until sale week. We’d like to see every guild member contribute at least one item for sale. Remember, this sale benefits our guild members, our guild bank account, and our visibility in the community. In the past two years, items that sold ranged from $10 to $200 so don’t be shy about bringing in a range of items. Ideas include: * Wearable art, such as ponchos, capes, vests, shawls, and scarves * Home, table and kitchen items such as rugs, table runners, wraps/throws, pillows/pillow covers, placemats, napkins, tea towels, hot mitts, and “mug rugs” * Art/display pieces such as tapestries and other “wall” art. * Hand knitted items from hand spun fibers, including hats, scarves, mittens, shawls and sweaters. * Hand felted items such as hats, handbags, slippers, etc. * Christmas themed items of all kinds, in all fibers, including handmade ornaments, tree rugs, stockings, and gift items. * Skeins of handspun and hand-dyed yarns (include several skeins of each so there is enough for a knitting or weaving project) * Skeins of “exotic” or interesting hand-spun fibers, such as dog hair, alpaca, musk oxen, etc. Bring your items to the November 14 guild meeting or call Nancy Boardman to arrange for drop-off or pick up the week of November 15th. Nancy’s contact info is: 278-3860, 244-7348 or nboardman@acsalaska.net. Scarf by Nancy Perry Photo by Chris Arend Scholarship Program: We need input from members of our Guild regarding the expanded Scholarship Program. Last April the Guild membership adopted the following policy: “A new policy is hereby recommended: That proceeds from sales of donated items to the Anchorage Weavers and Spinners Guild be reserved for scholarships to be given in the name of the donors. Those scholarships to be established by the board to include, but not limited to, workshops, retreats, conferences, fiber related classes. All active members of the Guild shall be eligible for such scholarships. Active members are defined as full dues paying members. The board shall actively promote the use of these scholarships by the membership. The board shall establish other portions of this new policy and related criteria and procedures. This new policy shall be in addition to Policy Statement #5 concerning Workshop Scholarships of the Anchorage Weavers & Spinners Guild Policies and Procedures Manual as Up-dated February, 2001.” Dolores Roguszka, Julie Carter and Thomas Hobbs were appointed as the Scholarship Committee at the Board meeting on July 18, 2009. A great deal of research has already been done to determine the Scholarship Programs utilized by other Guilds across the country. Research results are being analyzed to determine usefulness in our Guild. Now we want your ideas. What do you want to see included in this program? How do you want to see it utilized? All suggestions will be carefully considered. You might want to read the limitations in Policy #5, as found in our AWSG Policies and Procedures Manual. We are looking at a greatly expanded program for our Scholarship funds. Please send your written ideas and suggestions to any committee member: Thomas Hobbs, Julie Carter, or Dolores Roguszka Wrap by Nancy Perry Photo by Chris Arend © copyright 2009 AWSG \| PO Box 244055, Anchorage, AK 99524 \| Email Website by Conover Designs

The Anchorage Weavers and Spinners Guild is a non-profit organization dedicated to the encouragement of the fiber arts in Alaska. The guild seeks to promote the exhibition of fiber arts and to inform its members and the public through lectures, workshops and craft demonstrations.

We hold monthly meetings from September through May, often featuring a guest speaker. at 10:00 a.m. the second Saturday of the month. Other Guild activities include beginning weaving and spinning classes, workshops led by professional instructors, demonstration of weaving and spinning at local events, participation in the Alaska State Fair, and a spring and fall fiber retreat in cooperation with the Valley Fiber Arts Guild.

We will resume our monthly Membership meetings this fall, on the second Saturday of September, and each month following. Our September, October and November meetings will be held at Out North Theatre Co., 3800 DeBarr Road. Contact us for more information, or watch for our late summer newsletter coming out the beginning of August.

Celia Quinn's Comprehensive Spinning Workshop March 5, 6 & 7, 2010. An intensive class to increase your knowledge of fiber properties, fiber forms available, and spinning techniques suited to each fiber. Fibers included are wool, silk, cotton, flax, cashmere, yak, alpaca, mohair, ramie and many more. Students will learn to construct yarns of appropriate fiber, diameter and twist for the desired end use. We spin approx. 65 – 85 samples. Skill level: All levels (be able to spin a continuous yarn). More information and registration.

January 2010. Where did 2009 go? It seems that it just started yesterday, and now it is gone. Wow. What a year. From the August State Fair to the just concluded Christmas potluck, it seems as if it has been a non-stop fall. Many projects started, some completed with many still in progress. Kind of like the Guild.

As I write this, we have just past the Winter Solstice. That means that the days will start getting longer again, with the return of the most welcomed sun. A time of renewal, thanksgiving and hope for a great new year.

I hope that you all had a wonderful Christmas, receiving everything that you could have ask for, (and not too many switches nor lumps of coal). I also hope that you took time out to reflect on all the wonderful blessings that we enjoy as Alaskans and Americans. Also let us remember the soldiers and airmen who are in harm’s way, and pray for their safe return.

The New Year is a time for reflection and resolutions. Take time out of your busy schedule to reflect on this past year and set goals to make 2010 an even better year. The Guild is already planning for a great New Year of projects, workshops, classes and demonstrations. I ask that you all plan on participating as you can. The Guild is only as strong as its membership. We need your support, and expertise as we move forward into new and exciting endeavors.

Please note the calendar of events. We start out in January with a workshop on Tapestry Weaving (now full) at the Out North Theatre and Gallery. In February, we are planning on a one day drop spindle workshop, followed by a weekend of spinning/weaving demonstrations in conjunction with the Fur Rondy Celebrations. In march we are looking at a spinning workshop, and finally, in May, a weaving workshop. Truly something for
everyone. Please try and enroll in one or more activities as you can.

Finally, I want to take this opportunity to thank you all for your wonderful support this past year. You make it fun for me. I truly honor your friendship and advice. With your continued help we will move forward into the New Year, challenging ourselves, and making new friends as we explore this exciting world of the Fiber Arts.

Guild Library: The guild has a library of spinning and weaving books, videos and equipment available for rent to members. See members only page.

Dena'ina Arts & Crafts Emporium
Sell or help at the Dena'ina Arts & Crafts Emporium this Fall. Contact: Annita Magee e-mail (asmagee@gci.net) or phone 868-2616

Just a reminder to get busy or finish up your handcrafted items for the AWSG booth at the arts and crafts sale November 21-22, 2009. There are just THREE WEEKS until sale week. We’d like to see every guild member contribute at least one item for sale. Remember, this sale benefits our guild members, our guild bank account, and our visibility in the community.

In the past two years, items that sold ranged from $10 to $200 so don’t be shy about bringing in a range of items. Ideas include:

* Wearable art, such as ponchos, capes, vests, shawls, and scarves
* Home, table and kitchen items such as rugs, table runners, wraps/throws, pillows/pillow covers, placemats, napkins, tea towels, hot mitts, and “mug rugs”
* Art/display pieces such as tapestries and other “wall” art.
* Hand knitted items from hand spun fibers, including hats, scarves, mittens, shawls and sweaters.
* Hand felted items such as hats, handbags, slippers, etc.
* Christmas themed items of all kinds, in all fibers, including handmade ornaments, tree rugs, stockings, and gift items.
* Skeins of handspun and hand-dyed yarns (include several skeins of each so there is enough for a knitting or weaving project)
* Skeins of “exotic” or interesting hand-spun fibers, such as dog hair, alpaca, musk oxen, etc.

Bring your items to the November 14 guild meeting or call Nancy Boardman to arrange for drop-off or pick up the week of November 15th. Nancy’s contact info is: 278-3860, 244-7348 or nboardman@acsalaska.net.

Scholarship Program:
We need input from members of our Guild regarding the expanded Scholarship Program. Last April the Guild membership adopted the following policy:

Dolores Roguszka, Julie Carter and Thomas Hobbs were appointed as the Scholarship Committee at the Board meeting on July 18, 2009.
A great deal of research has already been done to determine the Scholarship Programs utilized by other Guilds across the country. Research results are being analyzed to determine usefulness in our Guild.

Now we want your ideas. What do you want to see included in this program? How do you want to see it utilized? All suggestions will be carefully considered. You might want to read the limitations in Policy #5, as found in our AWSG Policies and Procedures Manual. We are looking at a greatly expanded program for our Scholarship funds.

Please send your written ideas and suggestions to any committee member: Thomas Hobbs, Julie Carter, or Dolores Roguszka