Crafts at Trefriw Woollen Mills 2010

Hand spinning demonstations:-

Every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday 10 a.m. - 5 p.m until end September

Sunday 19th September and Saturday 25th September (http://www.helfagelf.co.uk/)

Wednesdays (Wendy Docksey) throughout October 10 a.m . 5 p.m.

Felt making demonstrations with Anne Campbell:-

Tuesdays throughout October 10 a.m .- 4.30 p.m.

Rag Rug making demonstrations with Christine Birch:-

Thursdays throughout October 10 a.m. - 5.00 p.m.

Textile Market Saturday 4th December and Sunday 5th December 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.:-

Handmade Christmas gifts plus materials and equipment for textile makers.

Demonstrations on Sunday morning:- hand spinning with hand spindle and spinning wheel, rag rug making, peg loom weaving, weaving on triangular loom, aran knitting, basket making, felt making,

Exhibitors:- Anne Campbell, Gwendolyn Docksey, Helen Melvin, Christine Birch, Mandy Coates, Maggie Oliver, Ann Hughes, Serentex, Gwen Owen, Margaret Hiorns, The Crafty Ladies

Thank you...

...to Rosie who has suggested lots of suppliers of textile related stuff.   She also mentioned Sheila Dixon, "who writes a blog" and sells equipment including drum carders.  Unfortunately I haven't been able to track down Ms. Dixon on the internet - although I did find an ex-Mayor of Alabama.  Presumably not the same person.

Beginning Spinning

 A few minutes instruction....

...and away we go!

We have all been pleased, over the last few months, to welcome new spinners to our group.  It's amazing how quickly people pick up the technique when they're keen and interested.  And we're always intrigued to see new designs of spinning wheel.
Yesterday there was a lot of chat about suppliers of spinning materials, so I have added links to a few of the UK-based companies at the side of the blog.
AC

Thirteen moons in Canada

In case anyone happens to be in Canada during August and September:

I have received this flyer by email, but as the message is a bit big for some people's Internet connections, I post the information here.

"Moon Rain Centre presents the international textile arts event, When Thirteen Moons Entwine, which takes place from August 15 to October 10, 2010 in the Gatineau Hills.

When Thirteen Moons Entwine is a professional textile arts event, inspired by the thirteen moons of the lunar calendar. It is an outdoor laboratory that links professional textile artists with emerging artists in the creation of textile arts installations along a scenic walking path at Moon Rain Centre.

 

Throughout this unique and festive event, workshops in textile arts for all ages and levels will be given at Moon Rain Centre, and textile arts exhibitions will be presented in collaboration with major exhibition centres in the Gatineau/Ottawa  region.

 

Moon Rain Centre, directed by professional artist-weaver Thoma Ewen, specializes in community weaving projects and «artists-in-the-schools» projects. Its vision is to share the beauty and mystery of weave. Weaving is a global contemporary metaphor for the interconnections between all living systems of our biosphere.

 

For further information on participating artists, installations in situ, workshops, exhibitions, and for the calendar of events, visit the website at  www.moonrain.ca 

 

www.moonraincentrefortapestryarts.blogspot.com "

(Chance would be a fine thing, methinks)

Woodfest Wales, 2010

We spent all three days here, and had a good time.  The weather was mostly fine - in fact, it was very hot indeed on Friday - and the show was packed with people.  Our pitch was in a good position, right by the show ring, and between Anglesey Angora Rabbits & a lady selling chunky woollen jumpers.  The rabbits attracted a lot of attention, particularly from the visiting dogs.
We had lots of visitors, and particularly enjoyed the attention of some very interested children who were keen to find out as much as possible about hand-made yarn.  In between demonstrating (and talking!) we were able to sneak off, wander round the showground and investigate the other stands.  Where to start? there was basket-making & timber-framed building construction; Nature Organisations including the Clwyd Bat Group; low-tech woodworking with pole lathes, cooperage, and woodcarving; working Shire horses and birds of prey; children's theatre and a funfair; a dog show; pole climbing; agricultural trade stands; local choice foods; other crafts........too much to list.

Thanks to all who came to make it such a memorable weekend.

Fancy Spinning Workshop with Alison Daykin

Very many thanks to Alison, who travelled all the way from South Derbyshire to teach us how to spin a great range of fancy yarns.  We were blessed with fine weather, and the countryside was looking particularly picturesque.  We had a good turnout, and were pleased to welcome visitors from several other guilds (and intrigued to see what a variety of spinning wheels they brought!).
Alison proved to be a warm and generous teacher, with infinite patience.  She taught us to spin slub yarn; spiral, knarl and knot yarn; bouclé, tuft, nep and wrapped yarn.  She also demonstrated the making of coloured, mixed rovings using a hackle - a fearsome row of spikes usually employed in the production of flax.  And if that wasn't enough, she also brought a delicious & tempting selection of dyed fibres, and copies of her book "Creative Spinning" (co-authored with Jane Deane) http://spinningandweaving.weebly.com/creative-spinning.html
We were well supplied with tea, coffee and cake, and had a most enjoyable and productive day.  Thank you very much to Bryn for all her hard work in organising the Workshop.