October 2021 Newsletter

Which way does the wind blow?
​
September can fool us with off-again on-again rain or sunshine and warmth. October is not fooling around. Blustery and nippy are the words for today. The everbearing strawberries have gifted me two last sweet pieces of fruit. The volunteer sunflower made it through two storms. It’s looking ragged, but I’ll leave it for the squirrels for as long as it stays standing. Fall and winter are filled with comforting activities, especially those involving fiber, friends, books, and food. The slow cooker comes out, for cooking and weaving at the same time. There is a new warp on the big loom, and it’s getting dark long before bedtime now, so weaving at home in the evening is on the agenda, and the books that have been piled up during the past few months are beckoning.

One of the books I read and re-read last winter was Welcoming the Unwelcome by Pema Chodron. The book was a gift from Nancy Bjerke to many of her friends. It was so like Nancy to be thinking of the feelings of others, in the face of a nasty diagnosis. Nancy truly brought new meaning to the term “Living with cancer.” In whatever she did, Nancy Lived! May we carry that cheerful and loving spirit into and through all our pursuits.

Grateful for all of you, and yarn too,
​

Carol Berry, President

P.S. An expert in many complex weaving techniques, Nancy embraced Saori weaving relatively late in her weaving life. In Zen vocabulary, SAORI is the combination of the words 'SAI', meaning everything has its own individual dignity, and 'ORI', meaning weaving. Nancy loved to share the principles and practice of Saori Weaving, and her burial shroud was woven by many friends, using her loom, and the Saori method. More about Saori weaving here.

SAORI's 4 Principles:
1. Consider the differences between people and machines
2. Be bold and adventurous 
3. Look out through eyes that shine
4. Inspire one another, and everyone in the group

Which Way the Wind Blows. Sunflowers and Weather Vane in a Bellingham backyard.

Last Strawberries of 2021

Warm colored warp on the draw loom

Announcements

Call for Volunteers

​A few hale and hearty volunteers are needed for moving the remainder of the Guild Library from the Church. Date TBD. The task involves: packing books in small to medium-sized boxes; carrying them down four stairs; loading them into vehicles driving them about 1.5 miles; carrying them up a full flight of stairs to a second floor room. Additional volunteers will place the books on shelves. The Church, for those who haven’t been there, is located on 14th Street in Bellingham. If you can help with any or all of this task, i.e. packing, or carrying, or driving a vehicle, or you would like more information, please contact Carol Berry, handwoveninbellingham@gmail.com with your availability. Many hands make light work!

Resources: Whatcom Weavers Guild Library

The Whatcom Weavers Guild Library is growing! We have acquired a number of new books from generous donors, and now have a collection of over 700 books, magazines and DVDs. Primarily for weaving, but including all forms of fiber art. The collection is listed online, utilizing Library Thing, a free service for libraries of all types and sizes.
The link is https://www.librarything.com/profile/whatcomweaversguild A password is not needed. This gives you a list of all the books and magazines in the Library. It doesn't sort by topic and doesn't say if the book is checked out or not.

To find out if a book is available for check out, contact Carol Berry at handwoveninbellingham@gmail.com or text 360-920-6152. Put your name and WWG in the text, so Carol will know who is contacting her.

Members can contact Carol to check out a book and  pick it up pretty much any day between 9 am and 7 pm. It's also possible to visit the Library and sit down and go through the books, most weekdays 9 am - 4 pm, by appointment.

About the Library Thing website:

It can be a little tricky to figure out, if you go to the website without using the link.

Go to Librarything.com, on the home page type whatcomweaversguild into the search box and then click enter. It thinks you are searching for a book, and finds nothing, BUT then has a list on the left, go down the list and see where it says members. Click on that, then Click on Whatcom Weavers Guild, and you will get to the list of books in the WWG Library. 

Anyone can view or search the List, no password is necessary. Again the link is here.​

WWG Equipment Library

The Guild has equipment for short-term loan to members. Just a few of the items are a yardage counter, bobbin winder, shuttles, reeds in commonly used sizes, shaft table looms and rigid heddle looms. The complete list and the equipment, resides with Sharon Allen. Contact Sharon.newchapter@gmail.com for info or loan arrangements.

Weaving a Community Tapestry

The Whatcom Museum Family Interactive Gallery, fondly known as the FIG, invites museum guests to build a community tapestry. Individuals will weave colorful yarn or strips of fabric through the big loom on loan from the Whatcom Weavers Guild starting in October. A community is a group of people who share common interests and places. Everyone is unique but together they create a beautiful community. The FIG is located inside the Lightcatcher building, 250 Flora St., and is open Thursday – Saturday, Noon – 5pm. Learn more at www.whatcommuseum.org.

​​In this photo, Susan Buck, FIG Supervisor and Educator, and Marianne Graff, Digital Marketing & Administration Manager for the Whatcom Museum engage in a weaving session with the Whatcom Weavers Guild demonstration Loom. Affectionately dubbed “Big Bob” this frame loom has been used for community weaving projects at the Northwest Washington Fair and at Everson Elementary School.

Spinning and Weaving Week: Celebrate October 4-10, 2021!

​Many organizations and fiber related stores are highlighting this week. Here is a description about it from the main webpage of Handweavers Guild of America:
“The crafts of spinning, weaving, dyeing, and basket weaving are as ancient as our history; they are the threads that bind us to our ancestors and to each other. Our crafts know no national boundary. They are a part of the heritage of the world. The Spinning and Weaving Week celebration reflects the truly international membership of the

Handweavers Guild of America, Inc., and the international traditions of our crafts. We invite fiber artists around the world to join together in celebration of our common heritage.”

Click here for more information from the Handweavers Guild of America. ​

​Members – watch your mail!

Look for an envelope in the mail from the Whatcom Weavers Guild! To support fiber community connections and fun, the Guild is sending a packet of information and “goodies” to every member. Each packet will contain a membership directory, a resources guide, a photo and guidelines for the Annual Challenge project, and some surprises. Be sure to look for your packet in the mail in October or early November!

2021-2022 Guild Fiber Challenge

​Each year, an optional challenge project is presented for members. Usually this is a source of inspiration, based on color, materials, or concept. This years Challenge is to make a fiber piece inspired by the photograph below. Your inspiration could come from the colors, textures, shapes, or a personal interpretation of the image. ​

Travel Photo Inspiration: Courtesy Rick Steves Europe

Challenge Guidelines

1. Challenge begins October 2021 and completes with a presentation of finished pieces at the June 2022 Guild meeting.
2. Using the Photo above as inspiration, make something in the fiber technique(s) of your choice! It’s that simple. 

• Inspiration can be the colors, the textures, the lines. What strikes you about this picture?

4. Helpful guidelines for your fiber pieces

• Size – big or little, the sky’s the limit!
• Fiber Technique – there are so many to choose from – felting, knitting weave structures galore - choose whatever you want to play with!
• Project type – anything you want! Towels, tapestries, scarves, garments, socks, bands – we want to see all the ways this picture can be interpreted!
  

Have Fun!

From members

Sheila Atwater

Each year the American Tapestry Alliance has an event called the postcard exchange.  All entrants are randomly matched up with another entrant from the ATA. This person can be from anywhere in the world. You are given their email address and can get to know each other like a pen pal.  The theme this year was "heARTscapes". You were to weave a 4"x6" postcard depicting something you love about where you live.  ​

I was matched with a weaver who lives in New York City. I wanted to choose something other than the usual subjects from the Pacific Northwest, like mountains, ocean, whales, trees, etc. I chose the new "Cosmic Crisp" apple. Since Washington is sometimes referred to as the "Apple Capital" of the USA and she lives in the "Big Apple".  This is the first time I have done this and it is hard to weave a 4"x6" tapestry! I am excited to see what I get from her in return and I hope she enjoys mine. ​

Marion Scichilone

I attended an interesting virtual talk on September 22 called About Wool and Water with Michale Glennon. Wool and Water is a data art project that blends fiber art with scientific data to create visual representations of changing water quality conditions in the Adirondacks. This was an exhibit at the TAUNY Center from September 8 to September 25, 2021. The talk was in association with the 50th anniversary of the Clean Water Act, being highlighted by the Adirondack Watershed Institute at the Paul Smith’s College.

It was presented by TAUNY, a traditional arts organization in upstate New York; their website is here.
​Here are the links to viewing the talk’s recording:
Facebook
Instagram
Youtube​

From the Study Groups

Seeking members is the Inkle Weaving, Simple to Complex (Incorporating Andean Pebble Weave Group)

Here's a brief description:
Our group works on Shoestrings to Andean Pebble Weave Pick-up. Weaving on an Inkle loom is useful, portable, engaging. Great for designing colorways for rep projects, making tapes and hanging loops for towels, or going out on a limb with pick-up designs!

Beginners to experienced weavers, meet monthly via zoom, team up for warping & design lessons as needed, mentoring, small in-person meet-ups.

Our capacity (for monthly Zoom meetings) is 12. We have 7 so there is room for up to 5 more.

Our first zoom meeting is scheduled for Wednesday October 6, 9am. Future meetings will be scheduled to accommodate the group. One-on-one and small group meetings to be determined.

Contact Carol Berry handwoveninbellingham@gmail.com for information or to sign up!

Tapestry Focus Group

The Tapestry Focus Group decided to do a group project. The subject was Emerging from 2020. Here are a few completed projects.

Joyce Noordmans’ work represents changes in sea levels due to climate change. 

Mary Oates chose "the freedom to travel again". ​

Kathryn Allen chose "Woman Rising From the Earth"

Sheila Atwater "From Disaster to Hope"

From the Jansen

Jansen Hours
​
Open hours have expanded to 11-7, Tuesday and Wednesday; 11-9 Thursday; 11-5 Friday and Saturday. At this point, masks are required whenever you're inside the J, unless you're in a room by yourself. Check the J's website if you have any questions, www.jansenartcenter.org.  

The tradition of "open studio" on Thursdays has returned, 11 to 5.  You are welcome to come in and work on projects, and there will be someone on hand who might be able to help if you encounter a problem of some kind.

Northwest Yarns, 10% Discount for Guild Members

Northwest Yarns in downtown Bellingham is now offering a 10% discount to Whatcom Weavers Guild members, a good incentive to shop locally. They have the Jaggerspun Heather line on hand, Lunatic Fringe cotton, along with other weaving yarns, and a great array of rovings, tools, and knitting yarns.

Classes and Dye Days at the J

The Textile Studio is planning a full schedule of classes for fall quarter:

Weaving Classes:

• Twill Weaving with Sheri Ward, Oct. 19 - Nov. 9
• Color & Weave with Sheri Ward, Nov. 30 - Dec. 21

Dye Workshop:

• Warp Painting with Liz Moncrief, Saturday, Oct. 2

Felting classes:

• Felted Ballerina Slippers with Donna Hunter, Oct. 16
• Felted Boot Slippers with Donna Hunter, Nov. 13

Spinning and drafting class:

• Navajo 3-ply spinning with Chris Paul, Saturday, Sept. 18, 2-4 pm.
• Name drafting with Chris Paul, date TBA

Dye Days: the first Thursday of the month, plus a special Halloween event:

• Tray dyeing, Thursday, Sept. 2
• Wool immersion dyeing & indigo, Thursday, Oct. 7
• Dyeing in the Morgue, Thursday, Oct. 28
• Variegated wool dyeing, Thursday, Nov. 4
• ​Parfait dyeing of silk scarves, Thursday, Dec. 2.

Check the J's website for details. Class listings will appear on its website in early August.

Holiday Event at the Jansen Art Center

The J will be hosting a holiday event on Saturday, Dec. 4. As part of the event, there will be an artist market, and you’re invited to participate. If you’d like to have a table at the event, contact Chloe Smith, chloe@jansenartcenter.org. The tables will be in the piano lounge, the fine arts gallery, and other spaces throughout the building. For items sold, there will be a 30% commission for the Jansen Art Center.

As an additional part of this event, the Textile Studio will be holding a stash sale to benefit the studio - lots of tools, yarns, magazines and books! Stay tuned for more information.

Upcoming Guild Programs

Here’s a reminder about the current plan for meetings. Our Guild meetings begin at 10:00 a.m. with a business meeting. By about 11:00 a.m. there is usually a short break, followed by the program. A Zoom link is sent to members about a day prior to the meeting and program. While online, please keep yourself muted unless you are the speaker. During a program, it usually works best for most to have their device cameras clicked off though presenters sometimes ask for cameras to be on to gauge about questions.

October 16, 2021 - Rowen Schussheim-Anderson  -  Tapestry

Rowen Schussheim-Anderson has been pushing the boundaries of traditional tapestry weaving for over two decades. Her studies in New York and Arizona put her in touch with both time-honored fine arts and indigenous craft traditions. Cloth in our culture does not bear historical or religious significance, as with many indigenous peoples; nor do we often recognize the power of textiles as clothing for the body and soul. Schussheim-Anderson’s tapestries explore the power of textiles as bearers of meaning—thick, embellished warps tangled and rich enough to hold the meaning and power of messages.​ Click here to go to Rowen's website.

​November 20, 2021 - Liz Moncrief - Handweaving Design using a Computer Program

Liz Moncrief and her husband and dog moved to WA from CO in the spring of 2014 after retiring from the US Forest as a Forester and Land Manager. Liz is a frequent Handwoven author for Yarn Labs, project articles and blogs - many of which cover loom mechanics and repairs. She also rehabs 3-4 looms a year and then adopts them out to students. She instructs beginning weaving for Skagit College and tutors individuals, but also offers several more advanced weaving workshops and guild programs. She maintains a studio for teaching and can be found online at www.aweaversway.com.​
Intro to the Marvelous World of Computerized Drafting. This program uses the two major drafting programs available for download onto your own system - Fiberworks and Tempoweave. Both programs offer essentially the same tools, just in a different format. This is designed to be an INTRO to computerized drafting to dazzle the newbies and bring them onboard.  Current users will pick up a few tricks, too.

​*Zoom meeting link will be sent to members within a few days of the Sept 18, Oct 16 and Nov 20 programs.

Classified Ads

Omak loom

With the end of summer, one new beginning taking place in my studio is the rehabilitation of a mid-century American hand-made loom. It was introduced to me as a pile of sticks, lumber, chains and a bag of nuts and bolts. In pieces for over 40 years, it had fortunately been stored indoors in a heated space. It came with a hand-drawn diagram, which turned out to be surprisingly accurate and helpful. Somewhat miraculously, only about three parts were missing, and those were easily found at our local treasure, Hardware Sales! This sweet little loom is now ready to find its forever home.
​Contact Carol B. Handwoveninbellingham@gmail.com, or Carla Stellwagen, carlastellwagen@gmail.com
​

​Stash sale in early November

Joyce Wilkerson is having a stash sale the first weekend in November:  Thursday Nov. 4 – Sunday November 7 from 10:00 – 5:00 at Gamble Bay Textiles, 32260 Rainier Ave NE, Port Gamble.  Joyce is a retired professional weaver who now lives in Port Townsend.  You can see her work at www.joycewilkerson.com.  There will be rayon, some cotton and wool as well as silk, all priced below wholesale.  Many of her yarns come from Silk City Fibers and some are no longer available.

Submitting content for the newsletter
​
The deadline for submitting content for the newsletter is 5:00 p.m. on the last Sunday of the month. The newsletter will be on the WWG website around the first Sunday night of each month or in the first few days of the following week. The goal is for members to be reading the newsletter about mid-way between Guild meetings and programs, which are on the third Saturday of each month.

Please send newsletter content to Marion via her e-mail address in the Membership list or to  info@whatcomweaversguild.org. For photos and images, please send individual JPEG files. Text can be typed into the body of an e-mail or be sent as a Word document that is saved as a doc or docx but not as a PDF. Contact her if you have questions at info@whatcomweaversguild.org.