Our “Fiber Therapy”-themed conference is developing quite nicely! We were happy to distribute some postcards publicizing our event to the CNCH Liaisons at Convergence in Reno. Most guild liaisons picked up a few, so if you get together over the summer (some guilds do, some don’t) you’ll probably smile at the antique dolls on the front, posing as fiber therapist and patient. Funny!
The conference is set for June 20-23, 2019, at Sonoma State University in Rohnert Park, California. We’re trying out a new lower-cost venue, so you can expect your single conference fee to cover your workshop, special events, room, meals, and parking. The living areas are spacious and not “dorm-y” and each room has its own bathroom.
Here’s a look at the teachers (for this weekend they are “therapists”) and the two and a half day workshops they’re offering:
•Deborah Corsini: Quirky Tapestry – Exploring the Eccentric Wedge Weave. If you’ve never tried wedge-weave, or if you have and you want to push the boundaries, Deborah will get you there.
•Molly Elkind: Tapestry – Collage to Cartoon. Sometimes getting a good start on your tapestry project is the stumbling block. Molly helps you open your artistic mind and leap forward in your creativity and design sense.
•Lolly Golden: Punch Needle Rug Hooking. Lolly gives you the basics and beyond in this fun workshop, using her hand-dyed wools and delightful designs. Go ahead, punch your stress away!
•Kate Larson: Spinning the 3 Leicesters. Spinners! Fine-tune your skills by learning to discern which yarn is best made from which type of fiber. Kate uses her Leicester breed sheep for this workshop, but her tips & tricks will give any spinner new all-around expertise.
•Kris Leet: Tablet Weaving – The Vacant Hole. Kris literally wrote the book on this ancient card weaving technique, using 3 of your 4 holes for threading. Create amazing, knotwork-like designs, learning from a recognized tablet weaving expert and medieval textiles scholar.
•Ruby Leslie: Project Colorway – For Weavers Who’d Rather Die than Dye. We apologize for a tiny typo on the postcard which confuses the focus of this workshop. Ruby has fantastic insights into how already-colored fibers blend and mix in your weaving. This is not a dye workshop. Just the opposite!
•Judith MacKenzie: Spin, Ply, Breathe, Repeat. Judith is the acknowledged goddess of all spinning, so join her for blissful days of doing just that while listening to her stories and spinning wisdom (and we bet she brings some glorious fibers to share).
•Jerry Maxey: Wicker Weave Basket: “Eleanor.” Jerry is nationally known for his fantastic baskets which include hand-turned wood bases and other wonderful features. It’s rare to find him teaching on the west coast, so don’t miss this appearance.
•Rosalie Nielson: Color & Design in Huck Lace Towels. Rosalie has done it again, creating a block-design system that’s masterful and effective. You’ll learn this method as you create beautiful towels on your loom.
•Chiaki O’Brien: Bengala Mud Dyeing. Another sought-after teacher who doesn’t often get this far west, Chiaki will provide this special mud for dyeing, to create unique textiles. Beyond that, you’ll work with your own backyard or neighborhood dirt to further your mud-dyeing education! Sounds deliciously messy to us!
•Joni-Dee Ross: Nantucket Baskets – An American Tradition. Another top-rated basketmaking teacher arrives to guide you through construction of your heirloom basket. You’ll choose your materials beforehand, so your finished basket will be unique to you.
•Leslie Samson: Felting Wonderful Wearables. We’re excited about the direction of this workshop! Leslie will help you create a drapey, flowing felt fabric, and then use it to make a sleeveless garment with your signature look! You’ll need a sewing pattern at your skill level, plus your sewing machine, and you’ll be ready to walk the runway!
•Jill Sanders: Saori Weaving Techniques. Jill has a large & dedicated following of Saori weavers throughout the region, teaching from her studio in Boulder Creek and selling her handwoven clothing internationally. We’re thrilled to have her come down off the mountain to join us!
•Susan Wilson: Polychrome Crackle. Talk about multi-leveled beauty! The crackle weave structure is wedded to a color palette and the result is amazing! Bring your loom, and together you & Susan will make fabric that sings!
One other piece of news: We’ve secured a very well-known and wide-ranging vendor for our event! Details on this and the rest of the conference await the Liaison Luncheon, on-site at Sonoma State, on September 29th. Guild presidents and Liaisons are both encouraged to attend.
Call for Volunteers for CNCH 2019, June 20-23
We have a tiny conference steering committee for CNCH 2019 in Rohnert Park. That said, we will need some volunteers to help round out our “staff” at the conference. Carol Marsh, an Area 2 Advisor, has taken on the role of volunteer coordinator. The Tamalpais Textile Arts Guild has stepped forward to help with on site registration. We are looking for class Angels and a handful of others to help with class room set-up and take down, drivers for incoming instructors and Grant fundraising activities. While there will be an option to note your willingness to volunteer when you register but we would love to hear from you sooner. You can reach Carol at (209) 478-5391 or basil indigo.cm@gmail.com
