February 2025 Newsletter
Yeah, it’s February so time to get all mushy......but you might notice I didn’t go the traditional pinks and red. Nope, I figured I’d stick with black and white to inspire you for that rapidly approaching guild challenge. Yes, we did move it up one week, but that’s because so many of us are planning on spending the third Saturday in June over in Yakima at ANWG. If you don’t know what that is, ask someone so you can get your tickets now and have a great weaving and spinning adventure. Ok, on to the definition of LOVE. When I looked it up, I got
1. an intense feeling of deep affection,
2. a great interest and pleasure in something,
3. a person or thing that one loves.
There were more, but this IS a weaving guild, not an English class so I won’t bore you. Then I thought, I sometimes like to take popular words and give each letter a meaning, so lets do that for Love.
For L I think of all the learning opportunities the guild has given me. From coming to the monthly meetings and all the different topics, to just the informal learning from other members who have encouraged me in my growth. I feel so lucky to try out different types of looms or equipment and see if I like it. I saved myself money NOT buying a pin loom after discovering it really wasn’t my thing.
The letter O is for opportunities. Whatcom Weaver’s Guild offers so many opportunities. Yes, you can stay home in your jammies and attend meetings or just come and listen. But you can also join a study group, learn new things, make new friends, and even serve in leadership roles. You might not get rich, but you will make lots of friends and have a great time too.
That darn letter V is almost the same, but I want to say thank you to everyone who volunteers. Whether it is at Little Looms each month, or you help set up/take down tables and chairs every little thing you do does so much to help lighten the load. The WWG Board is not paid either, so feel free to say thank you to a board member for their service. We will be recruiting this spring for Education/Outreach chair [something we could divide or job share?] as well as vice president – haven’t had one of those for a while, but I’m not doing this forever.........
And finally, E is for everyone. When I look out at meetings, or the membership roll I love what a great group of diverse people we have who all share a love of weaving and fiber arts. It makes we feel proud that I have never seen people form little groups and ignore others or gossip about a beginning weavers project that has flaws and mistakes in it. We are an international, inclusive group.
And so, that’s the end for this month..... LOVE is black and white, with a tiny bit of red.
1. an intense feeling of deep affection,
2. a great interest and pleasure in something,
3. a person or thing that one loves.
There were more, but this IS a weaving guild, not an English class so I won’t bore you. Then I thought, I sometimes like to take popular words and give each letter a meaning, so lets do that for Love.
For L I think of all the learning opportunities the guild has given me. From coming to the monthly meetings and all the different topics, to just the informal learning from other members who have encouraged me in my growth. I feel so lucky to try out different types of looms or equipment and see if I like it. I saved myself money NOT buying a pin loom after discovering it really wasn’t my thing.
The letter O is for opportunities. Whatcom Weaver’s Guild offers so many opportunities. Yes, you can stay home in your jammies and attend meetings or just come and listen. But you can also join a study group, learn new things, make new friends, and even serve in leadership roles. You might not get rich, but you will make lots of friends and have a great time too.
That darn letter V is almost the same, but I want to say thank you to everyone who volunteers. Whether it is at Little Looms each month, or you help set up/take down tables and chairs every little thing you do does so much to help lighten the load. The WWG Board is not paid either, so feel free to say thank you to a board member for their service. We will be recruiting this spring for Education/Outreach chair [something we could divide or job share?] as well as vice president – haven’t had one of those for a while, but I’m not doing this forever.........
And finally, E is for everyone. When I look out at meetings, or the membership roll I love what a great group of diverse people we have who all share a love of weaving and fiber arts. It makes we feel proud that I have never seen people form little groups and ignore others or gossip about a beginning weavers project that has flaws and mistakes in it. We are an international, inclusive group.
And so, that’s the end for this month..... LOVE is black and white, with a tiny bit of red.
February Weaving Colors
On a different note, the Whatcom Weavers Guild will not be participating in the Evergreen members Quilt show for 2025. After 2 different surveys, a lot of discussions among board and guild members, reading thru notes from the past committee that were scattered far and wide, we really didn’t feel this was the best venue for us to demo/sell in. Because there was a low response to the survey, about 28 people out of our approximately 100 members answered, this may not be the most accurate view of our group. Only 6 people responded that they wanted to sell items, with a handful more saying they would either set up, staff the booth, demonstrate or tear down. For a three-day event [1 to set up, 2 for the event], this is a lot of work for 10+ people. Many commented they were out of town, not available or had health issues that kept them from participating. It was based on this, plus the write in comments, that the board made its decision. Overall, there was strong interest amongst guild members in having WWG provide an outlet for selling woven and handcrafted items [ 89%] but there were much higher percentages voting to do the street fair at Lynden or add on room to the stash sale or a WWG member sale similar to ones in the past.
Before doing any of these options, it would be important to have a committee that can work on logistics, whether items are juried, commissions, advertising and all the other details. Some of this work was started by last year’s committee, and also by Sharon Allen doing the stash sale. If you would like more information about having a WWG sale or you are interested in helping on a committee to explore this for our guild, please reach out to me.
Meg Spaulding
WWG President 2024-2025
Before doing any of these options, it would be important to have a committee that can work on logistics, whether items are juried, commissions, advertising and all the other details. Some of this work was started by last year’s committee, and also by Sharon Allen doing the stash sale. If you would like more information about having a WWG sale or you are interested in helping on a committee to explore this for our guild, please reach out to me.
Meg Spaulding
WWG President 2024-2025