Tennessee Valley Handspinners Guild

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 DuesAnnual 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 classesthey'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 inFebruary.

CRAFT SALE

From Lynn Hash:

If you are participating in the craftshow at Fellowship Church on December 3rd and did not receive a vendor numberor you have decided that you want to participate in the sale and do not have anumber, please contact me. I will also be at the November meetingand 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'tforget 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 theswap please bring a wrapped fiber-related gift valued between ten to twentydollars. Please leave a note withyour 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!

Demonstration Opportunity at the Museum of Appalachia

2011-08-29T11:40:00.002-04:00

Sue Mason is in search of other members to join her in doing a spinning demo at the 32nd Annual Tennessee Fall Homecoming at the Museum of Appalachia.

The Homecoming event runs from Thursday, October 6th to Sunday, October 9th from 8:00 to 4:00.

She would like to find someone that can demo on any or all of the days and the co-demonstrator will get free admission and parking.

You can find more info about the demo opportunity via the group-forwarded email or by contacting Sue (e-mail) directly.

August 2011 - "Fly By" News

2011-08-29T11:32:00.001-04:00

September Newsletter:

The September newsletter is already completed and will be posted shortly.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

SHOW AND TELL: Because our group has become so large, we'll try a new procedure for show and tell this month, and then continue if it seems to work. As we go around the circle introducing ourselves, those with items to show and tell will hold them and describe them briefly.We won't pass them around; instead, after the meeting they'll be placed on a table for interested members to look more closely and admire them at leisure.
FIBER DIRECTORY: Sent with this month’s newsletter, members will find a directory of local sources of fibers. Thanks to Barbara Keyes for compiling this directory. We hope that this directory will be helpful to members looking for fiber and would encourage Guild members to consider using these sources for their fiber needs.
CRAFT SALE: Patty Benton reports that the rate for a booth this year will be $40 (up $5 from last year). Our plan was for the guild to pay for a double booth, and for sellers to yield 10% of their sales toward reimbursement. We need to decide whether we want to spend the additional $10 for a double booth. Also, Lynn Hash, who is chairing the craft sale committee, has this announcement: "If you are interested in selling yarn or products made from your handspun at the TVHS craft booth, you will need to join in setting up the booth, sales during the show and taking booth down. I do not have all the details yet but I will bring a signup sheet to our August meeting. Sales were very good last year. If you have any questions, please bring them to our meeting and Patty Benton or I will try and answer for you."

Links From the August Meeting

2011-08-07T14:47:00.000-04:00

Townsend Artisan Gallery

7277 Lamar Alexander Pkwy.

Townsend, TN 37882

Just One More Row Podcast

Ravelry Group: Just One More Row Podcast Fans

(You can also subscribe via iTunes and Zune Marketplace)

Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands

Asheville, NC - Civic Center

October 20-23, 2011 (the same weekend as SAFF)

Reminder: Meeting this Saturday (8/6)

2011-08-02T08:26:00.000-04:00

This is just a quick reminder that our August meeting will be this Saturday, August 6th from 10:00 to 2:00. We will be continuing our classes with Barb Keyes and Jenny Bennett this month.

Also, we're now into August and that means we are nearly two months away from our Guild Challenge meeting! How is your planning process coming along?

TVH Members Demoing at The Knitting Nest Tonight

2011-07-29T09:04:00.005-04:00

Several TVH members will be spinning at The Knitting Nest's Last Friday Artwalk event this evening. The Last Friday Artwalks are similar to Knoxville's First Friday gallery and shop events.

Patty Benton, Angie Hardison and Kathleen Marquardt will be demonstrating from 6:00 to 8:30 at the shop, which overlooks the Greenbelt and is located at the corner of Cusick Street and Harper Avenue in Maryville.

The shop owner, Antje Gillingham, is also inviting spinners to come sit and spin during the evening. You can reach Antje at 865-983-9554 for more information.

TN Fiber & Harvest Festival - Now Fiber in the 'Boro Festival

2011-07-26T10:42:00.001-04:00

We recently learned that the Tennessee Fiber & Harvest Festival has split up the fiber and harvest parts of their celebration.

Fiber in the 'Boro will take place on October 29th, which is a week later than the original event was scheduled and is the weekend after SAFF. The festival will be held at the Lane Agri-Park Livestock Barn in Murfreesboro and will run from 10:00 to 5:00.

You can find more information about the new festival via their Ravelry group.

Edited to add: their website is now up and running -- fiberintheboro.com.

July 2011 "Fly-By" News

2011-07-08T12:54:00.001-04:00

August 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.

MEETING REMINDER

Our July meeting will take place this Saturday, July 9th, from 11:00 to 2:00.

WORKSHOP ANNOUNCEMENTS

The guild is pleased to announce two ongoing workshop opportunities for both beginning spinners and more experienced spinners interested in moving beyond "happy accidents" to using different drafting techniques to design their goal yarns. The workshops will be held during regular monthly meetings and are free to current dues-paid members.

Barb Keyes will teach beginning spinners how to spin a continuous yarn in a course titled “Strings and Things Beginning Spinning Class," and Jenny Bennett will be teaching a class “Draft Control” for anyone who can already make yarn but wants to learn more about (or have a refresher course in) yarn control.

Further details including class times, an expanded description for each class and requirements to participate can be found in the full e-mail version of The Flyer.

OTHER FIBER OPPORTUNITIES

SAFF Trip?: Patty Benton is organizing an overnight trip to SAFF (Southeast Animal Fiber Fair) in Asheville, leaving Friday, Oct. 21, and returning Saturday, Oct. 22. We will discuss details at the meeting on Saturday.

EQUIPMENT & LIBRARY POLICIES: REMINDER & UPDATES

New Policy on Borrowing Equipment: Because of the importance of proper care and maintenance of the guild’s wheel and drum carders, anyone planning to take home one of these must meet with Sue Mason prior to the business meeting. First-time users must have a tutorial, so bring whatever fiber you plan to use with the equipment.
Guild wheel and library resources: To borrow the Fred Gerber Memorial Spinning Wheel (Ashford Traditional), one of the drumcarders, the hand carders, combs, etc.; or any of the books, magazines, or videos in our library:

a person must be a dues-paying member of TVHS.
In addition, they must have attended at least three meetings or have an established member vouch for them.

Guild drumcarders: Each drumcarder will be kept in a box with its accessories. The member checking it out will be responsible for replacing anything missing when the carder is returned. Each carder will have a checklist to be initialed when it is checked out and again when the carder and its accessories are returned.
Reminder to anyone with Guild Equipment: please make plans to return checkouts at the July meeting. Those who can't make the meeting need to arrange to return equipment to one of the officers BEFORE the monthly meeting. Thanks!
Library checkouts: Be sure to fill out a card when you take an item and to update the card when you return the item. If you have recently checked out or returned something and have not done a card, be sure to let Mary know.