Tennessee Valley Handspinners Guild

Reminder - Meeting Tomorrow (5/5)

2012-05-04T09:08:00.000-04:00

Just a quick reminder -- our May meeting is tomorrow (5/5) from 10:00 - 2:00.

Our special program this month is a short demonstration on how to use a weaving bobbin winder by Penny Tschantz and Sue Klipsch.

2012 Rossini Festival

2012-04-30T15:42:00.000-04:00

Our thanks to those who staffed the TVH booth at the Rossini Festival this weekend!

Here are photos from the event (courtesy of Bob Devol).

Reminder - Meeting Tomorrow! (4/14)

2012-04-13T14:48:00.003-04:00

Just a quick reminder -- our April meeting is tomorrow morning.

Members, don't forget to bring fiber related times you'd like to sell, swap or give away as part of our Stash Bash!

Be sure to label everything you are selling with your name and a price and bring cash and/or checks for larger purchases. If you are planning to sell please bring plenty of change. For trading, have in mind what you'd accept in trade for any given item.

It may also be helpful for you to make an inventory of things you're bringing so you can check it at the end of the meeting.

April 2012 - "Fly By" News

2012-04-07T11:22:00.000-04:00

May Newsletter:

Please send all announcements, fiber related articles, and classified ads for the next issue of The Flyer to newsletter editor Bob Devol (e-mail). Please include all contact information—including name, address (email and/or snail mail), important dates, and/or phone number.

GUILD ANNOUNCEMENTS

The Stash Bash will be taking place at our April meeting. Any fiber related items which you would like to swap, sell or give away are welcome. You will need to put your name on your items. If you have items that you would like to sell, pricing of the item is your responsibility.

The Rossini Festival is Saturday, April 28. If you are interested in volunteering please contact Linda Frank to sign up for a shift!

If you ordered an apron, there are still four to be claimed. They will be available at the April 14th meeting. The cost is $19.15.

UPCOMING SPECIAL PROGRAMS

May: Sue Klipsch and Penny Tschantz will be performing a demonstration using a bobbin winder.
June: Nancy Shedden and Patty Benton will conduct a Crock Pot Dying demonstration during the June meeting. The program will use white roving and acid dyes to make two color dyed roving. Due to the limited power supply in the portable they would like to limit the number of participants to 5. If members would like to bring a 3-5 qt. crock pot (that will no longer be food safe after the demo) and try this easy technique, please contact Patty Benton.
July: At our July meeting Charlotte Keathley will demonstrate how to use a rigid heddle loom. Members who who would like to bring looms of their own to use or display in the spirit of the program are welcome to do so.

LETTER FROM CHRISTCHURCH GUILD OF WEAVERS AND SPINNERS

Dear Fellow Crafters,

Thank you so much for your very generous donation and message of support. After 18 months of various meeting places we have still managed to meet on a regular basis and know that we have support and friendship through all guild and fellow crafters. We have received several donations and messages of support from other fibre groups and individuals and thought we would put those funds towards education or replenishing our resources.

This year we are hoping to return to some of our pre-earthquake classes and activities and are currently in the process of looking for permanent rooms to rent. We continue to meet, enjoy, explore and share all crafts and thank you once again for thinking of us and assisting with this.

Yours sincerely,
Raewyn Richards
Treasurer

Volunteer Call: Rossini Festival

2012-03-13T09:49:00.000-04:00

We have been invited again to participate in the Knoxville Opera's Annual Rossini Festival and International Street Fair on Saturday, April 28.

Linda Frank is looking for volunteers to man the booth and demonstrate for 2 hr shifts.

The shifts are from 12 to 2, 2 to 4, 4 to 6 and 6 to 8. She would like to schedule at least 2 people per shift.

From Linda:

We will have two wheels, display items, drop spindles, fiber for spinning, and hand cards. You are welcome to bring your own fiber to spin or use mine. You are also welcome to sell items during your shift, if you’d like. I will set up the booth before 11 and will man it until the first shift. I will also take down the booth at the end of the day.

Please contact me if you are interested in helping out. Let me know your first and second choices for shift times. It is a lot of fun and great food!

Reminder: Meeting Tomorrow! (3/3)

2012-03-02T09:16:00.001-05:00

Just a quick reminder that the March guild meeting will be held tomorrow, Saturday, March 3rd from 10:00 - 2:00.

Linda Frank will be presenting the second half of her two-part introduction to weaving workshop as our special program.

March 2012 - "Fly By" News

2012-03-02T09:14:00.002-05:00

April Newsletter:

Please send all announcements, fiber related articles, and classified ads for the next issue of The Flyer to newsletter editor Bob Devol (e-mail). Please include all contact information—including name, address (email and/or snail mail), important dates, and/or phone number.

GUILD ANNOUNCEMENTS

During the February meeting, the Guild decided to make a $100 donation to the Christchurch Guild of Weavers and Spinners in Christchurch, New Zealand. The Christchurch Guild lost their building during an earthquake on February 22, 2011. More on this may be found at the Christchurch Guild's website or in the Winter 2011 edition of Spin-Off Magazine.

The Stash Bash is coming in April. Be thinking of items which you would like to bring. Any fiber related items which you would like to swap, sell or give away are welcome. Lisa Shipe and Linda Frank are coordinating this effort and will be providing more information.

The Rossini Festival is April 28. If you are interested in volunteering, please mark your calendar and be thinking about what times you would like to participate. The Guild usually mans a booth from noon until 8 p.m.

Smoky Mountain Fiber Arts Festival - Vendor Sneak Peek

2012-02-02T10:04:00.001-05:00

Are you looking forward to the Smoky Mountain Fiber Arts Festival in March? If so, here's a sneak peek at some of the vendors who will be vending at the festival!

Harmony Wool Alpacas (TVH Member: Jenny Bennett)
Shereen's Fiber (TVH Member: Shereen Franklin)
Frostglen Alpacas
Knitting Notions
Purdy Thangz
River's Edge Fiber Arts
The Knitting Nest
Vivid Creation Fibers
The Yarn Haven
Coldwater Alpaca Ranch
Hickory Bluff Farms
Cliffdwellers Gallery
Stone Mountain Alpacas
Smoking Flax Fiber Farm
Lanart
Heirloom Goods
Cozy Rabbit Farm
Jehovah Jireh Wool Mill
Creatively Dyed Yarn
Running Moon Farm / Cajun Laginappe
Blue Goose Farm

Meeting Reminder - This Saturday (2/4)

2012-02-02T09:53:00.002-05:00

Just a short and sweet reminder that we will be meeting this Saturday (February 4th) from 10:00 - 2:00. Linda Frank will be presenting the first of two special classes on beginning weaving during the meeting. This month she'll discuss how to warp a loom.

As a reminder, if you have not already paid your 2012 dues please pay our Treasurer, Joan, if at all possible during the meeting. Dues are $15 for the year and are payable by check or exact cash. You may also mail a check to Joan if you are unable to make it to the meeting.

If your dues are unpaid as of March 3 you will no longer be eligible to enjoy TVH membership privileges such as receiving the full guild newsletter, participating in classes or borrowing media or equipment from the guild library and resources.

Smoky Mountain Fiber Arts Festival Flyer

2012-01-16T13:36:00.002-05:00

DOWNLOAD FULL SIZED COPY FOR PRINTING AND SHARING

Membership & Meeting This Saturday (1/7)

2012-01-05T09:05:00.001-05:00

2012 MEMBERSHIP DUES - NOW DUE

TVHS Dues Annual dues of $15 are payable this month. Bring a check made out to TVH, or exact cash, to the Jan. 7 meeting. Members may also mail a check to Joan -- you can find her mailing address in the January e-mail newsletter.

As our membership grows, our newsletter mailing list has become increasingly difficult for the treasurer and others who use it to manage. We must now restrict the list to members whose dues are current.

Unless you've made prior arrangements and if Joan hasn't received your dues by March 3 your name will no longer appear on the list and you'll no longer receive the newsletter nor enjoy the privileges of membership (borrowing equipment or library items, taking classes, selling at the craft sale, etc.).

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT ROC DAY - THIS SATURDAY (1/7)

At this Saturday's meeting we'll be celebrating Roc Day, which honors spinners around the world.

Please bring food to share and a serving utensil if it's needed. We'll have power strips for crockpots, etc., to keep things hot, but no means of keeping them cold. If your item needs to stay cold, please bring it in a cooler. If you want to drink something besides coffee or water, please bring it with you.

Because our schedule that day will be quite full, we will start a short business meeting shortly after 11:00. Our featured speaker, Dale Liles, will begin about 11:30. We'll eat lunch around 12:00 and have show and tell about 12:45.

For Show and Tell, please bring any handspun yarn or finished item that you're especially pleased to have made in 2011.

December 2011 - "Fly-By" News

2012-01-03T12:55:00.003-05:00

January Newsletter:

Please send all announcements, fiber related articles, and classified ads for the next issue of The Flyer to interim newsletter editor Bob Devol (e-mail) by January 3. Please include all contact information—including name, address (email and/or snail mail), important dates, and/or phone number.

SPECIAL THANKS

Charlotte Iverson has decided to step down as the editor of The Flyer and will be replaced fulltime by Bob Devol who has been acting as the interim editor.

We all owe Charlotte a special thank you for her long service to the Guild and her efforts to provide the group with an informative, interesting and high quality newsletter.

JANUARY MEETING - ROC DAY

To honor spinners around the world, we will be celebrating Roc (Distaff) Day during our January meeting with a potluck meal. Our program will be a special treat: Dale Liles will speak to us about the history of TVH.

Since Dale seldom gets to attend guild meetings, let's make an extra effort to have our Roc Day Show & Tell represent some of our most satisfying spinning in 2011.

Also, those who brought a scarf for the scarf challenge could bring it back for Dale to see.

SMOKY MOUNTAIN FIBER ARTS FESTIVAL NEWS

Jenny Bennett and Mimi Kezer will be teaching and Jenny, Shereen Franklin and Lynn Hash will be vending at the Smoky Mountain Fiber Arts Festival in March.

Classes will include topics such as preparing your fleece for mill processing and how to build a fleece table with household tools.

Meeting Next Sat. (12/3) & SAFF Haul Show and Tell

2011-11-26T11:34:00.001-05:00

Just a quick reminder that the December guild meeting will be next Saturday, December 3rd from 10:00 - 2:00.

As the craft fair will be going on next door and we'll have members covering booth shifts during the meeting we won't have a formal program. For show and tell, bring fiber goodies or equipment you brought home from SAFF!

Wovember

2011-11-03T09:43:00.000-04:00

Wovember looks like a fantastic reason to celebrate wool during the month of November!

Their goal is to reclaim "wool," "wooly" and "woolen" for items actually made from 100% real wool and not from other man made or natural fibers. They also aim to reconnect the idea of wool to sheep and people involved in the creation and manufacture of 100% wool yarns and garments.

You can find more about the movement, participate in a friendly photo competition, learn about their textile industry petition, share wooly stories and more at wovember.com.

November 2011 - "Fly By" News

2011-11-02T19:56:00.000-04:00

December Newsletter:

Please send all announcements, fiber related articles, and classified ads for the next issue of The Flyer to interim newsletter editor Bob Devol (e-mail). Please include all contact information—including name, address (email and/or snail mail), important dates, and/or phone number.

GUILD ANNOUNCEMENTS

Jenny suggests that participants bring back their scarves this month so who couldn't be present at the Guild Challenge show and tell last month can view them.

SPINNING WORKSHOP NEWS

Many thanks to Barb Keyes and Jenny Bennett for the spinning classes they've been teaching at our meetings.

The current round of workshops have concluded but a new round of classes/tutoring sessions by other members will begin in February.

CRAFT SALE

From Lynn Hash:

If you are participating in the craft show at Fellowship Church on December 3rd and did not receive a vendor number or you have decided that you want to participate in the sale and do not have a number, please contact me. I will also be at the November meeting and you can get a number there.

Reminder - Meeting & Holiday Celebration This Saturday (11/5)

2011-11-02T15:06:00.004-04:00

Just a reminder: The November meeting will take place this Saturday from 11:00 - 2:00 pm. Don't forget we will be having our holiday celebration and gift swap!

Please plan on bringing finger foods to share. If you would like to participate in the swap please bring a wrapped fiber-related gift valued between ten to twenty dollars. Please leave a note with your name on it on or inside of the gift so the recipient knows who brought it.

Fellowship Church Holiday Craft Fair Flyer

2011-10-25T10:19:00.002-04:00

Please consider sharing this flyer with family and friends!

11/2/11 -- Updated with corrected flyer! If you downloaded the original please use this version instead. Thanks!

October 2011 - "Fly By" News

2011-10-10T11:46:00.000-04:00

November Newsletter:
Please send all announcements, fiber related articles, and classified ads for the next issue of The Flyer to interim newsletter editor Bob Devol (e-mail). Please include all contact information—including name, address (email and/or snail mail), important dates, and/or phone number.

NOVEMBER MEETING & HOLIDAY CELEBRATION

The September meeting will take place Saturday, November 5, from 11:00 - 2:00 pm. Don't forget we will be having our holiday celebration and swap during this meeting!

Please plan on bringing finger foods to share. If you would like to participate in the swap please bring a wrapped fiber-related gift valued between ten to twenty dollars. Please leave a note with your name on it on or inside of the gift so the recipient knows who brought it.

SPINNING WORKSHOP NEWS

Barbara Keyes will be available teach beginning spinners with their drop spindles and on their spinning wheels.

Jenny Bennett will not be available this month for the advanced spinners class but should be back for the November meeting.

Guild Challenge Gallery

2011-10-03T12:02:00.000-04:00

Chat with Deborah Robson

2011-09-26T14:24:00.001-04:00

The good folks at The Woolery are hosting/sponsoring a live online chat with The Fleece & Fiber Sourcebook co-author Deborah Robson tomorrow (Tuesday) evening from 9:00 - 10:00 pm Eastern (7:00 - 8:00 Mountain).

"On Tuesday, Sept. 27, we’ll have expert Deborah Robson on hand to answer all of your spinning and fiber questions. Deb is an expert in rare breeds and has an infectious love for spinning and fiber. This is your chance to ask all those questions you’ve never had a chance to get answered! All are welcome - experienced spinners and beginners alike. We can’t wait to hear your questions and talk shop about one of our favorite topics - wool!"

The chat is free and will take place in the shop's Ravelry group's chat room.

You can RSVP to the event here if interested (make sure you've logged into your Ravelry account before following the link) or you can find more information on The Woolery's Ravelry group.

Guild Challenge Reminder

2011-09-23T15:08:00.001-04:00

Just a quick reminder: both September and the Guild Challenge are drawing to a close!

The Challenge will wrap up at our meeting on October 1st. Members should bring their completed challenge scarves to the meeting. We'll have display cards available for each member to fill out with their name, scarf pattern's name, fiber type and what techniques and methods were used in making the scarf.

Each scarf should measure approximately 8" x 60" and be made of your handspun yarn. You can choose whichever crafting method you prefer (i.e. knitting, crochet, weaving or felting).

Running behind and need some quick pattern ideas? Here are some knit and crochet patterns that you might find useful! (NOTE: You must be logged into Ravelry to view this link.)

TVH Weavers - Arrowmont Loom Sale

2011-09-19T09:05:00.001-04:00

For guild members who are also weavers or who are interested in weaving, it appears that Arrowmont is downsizing their equipment collection and is looking to sell a dozen looms.

The looms are in as-is condition and do not come with reeds or shuttles but all appear to have benches included. Most are priced at or below $500.

World Wide Spin in Public Day - 9/17

2011-09-12T13:35:00.001-04:00

World Wide Spin in Public Day will take place this Saturday, September 17th.

Worldwide Spin in Public Day was started by a bunch of like-minded spinners to celebrate an art that they all love - the art of spinning fibers into yarn. (Our) main purpose is to help organize spinning in public events on the third weekend of September every year. This educates the public about our love of spinning, opens minds and hearts to what we love and allows us to meet new people, get together, and just have a really fun day!

Although there is currently not an established WWSiP event in or around Knoxville, we should have beautiful weather this Saturday. It should be an ideal day for toting spindles and wheels outside and enjoy spinning in public in the spirit of the event.

UPDATE:

From Theresa Buckman:

"In honor of World Wide Spin In Public Day, I would like to invite all of my new friends at the Tennessee Valley Handspinners Guild to come and spin with me at my shop, Forget-Me-Knot Yarn Shop at 2771 Lee Hi Plaza Hwy 11E in Lenoir City 37772, Saturday Sept 17 any time between 10 and 3. Bring your wheel and something fun to spin! I will have refreshments and music and laughter aplenty!"

Spinning at the Tennessee Valley Fair

2011-09-12T13:00:00.000-04:00

Several TVH members have or will be demonstrating spinning at the Tennessee Valley Fair. Pictured here from left to right are Penny Tschantz, Patty Benton and Nancy Shedden.

Spinning demonstrations will take place in the sheep barn. The fair is located in Chilhowee Park off Rutledge Pike and runs through September 18.

September 2011 - "Fly By" News

2011-08-29T13:26:00.004-04:00

October Newsletter:
Please send all announcements, fiber related articles, and classified ads for the next issue of The Flyer to interim newsletter editor Bob Devol (e-mail). Please include all contact information—including name, address (email and/or snail mail), important dates, and/or phone number.

SEPTEMBER MEETING

The September meeting will take place this Saturday, October 3rd, from 11:00 - 2:00 pm.

SPINNING WORKSHOP NEWS

Spinning Workshops: Unfortunately, Barbara Keyes will not be able to attend this months meeting and so we will not be having a workshop for the beginning spinners. Barb should be back for next months meeting.

Jenny Bennett will be offering instruction in long-draw and the other "draws" this month, after our regular meeting beginning around 11 a.m.

HOLIDAY CELEBRATION- MOVED TO NOVEMBER

**CORRECTED FROM ORIGINAL POSTING**

Because of the church craft sale in December, which interferes with our holiday celebration, members voted to have our annual holiday celebration in November. Bring your favorite finger foods to share!

We will also have our holiday swap. If you would like to participate please bring a wrapped fiber-related gift in the price range of ten to twenty dollars.

Roc day will still take place in January as normal.

OTHER HIGHLIGHTS

SCARF CONSIGNMENT OPPORTUNITY
We've been contacted by a buyer for a local museum regarding a consignment opportunity for handspun and handmade scarves. Interested? See the full newsletter for more information!

CRAFT SHOW UPDATE:
From Lynn Hash: This year we will have two booths together at the Fellowship Church craft show. I believe that should be 20' x 20'. Patty benton should have more information on the size of the booth at the meeting.

I am requesting someone who is good at designing space to volunteer to coordinate booth design -- it's not my strong suit. Last year several of you were gracious in lending display items. If you have any displays and would let us use them it would be greatly appreciated.

Also, for those of you who wanted to give some thought to participating in the show, we still have space available. I will have a sheet at the meeting to sign up if you are interested.

GUILD CHALLENGE
Don't forget that our Guild Challenge wraps up at our October meeting!