Send your news items to Tim Prins by the 25th of the month for inclusion in the next month’s newsletter.
Guild Calendar
Thursday, April 11, 2023 – February Meeting
Multnomah Arts Center + Zoom, 7688 SW Capitol Hwy. (503) 823-2787
10:00 am Day Meeting – Auditorium
9:30 am – 10:00 am: Set up, social time and library browsing time
10:00 am – 12:00: Meeting
7:00 pm Evening Meeting – Auditorium
6:30 pm – 7:00 pm: set up, social and library browsing time
7:00 pm – 9:00 pm: Meeting
Friday, April 19 to Sunday, April 21 – Gathering of the Guilds
Oregon convention center, Hall D
Thursday, April 25, 2023 – Board Meeting
7:00 pm – 8:30 pm – Zoom
President’s Message
Back from New Zealand where we spent 2 weeks traveling, seeing the sights, and buying yarn, of course. I told Billy I thought I was being very good because I only spent $300 on yarn. Not sure he agrees with me, but I got some gorgeous stuff, which you’ll get to see at the next meeting.
Right now I’m busy with a couple big things. First, I’ve been working with Linda and the study groups to get things setup on the website for them. If you go to the Education menu on the website you’ll see the old entry for Study Groups, and now 5 new submenus for the 5 study groups that are starting to meet. Those pages will have the blog posts from each of the groups so you can see what each group is up to, and follow along from home if you’re not able to join. It’s really exciting to see the groups taking shape and taking off. If you haven’t joined a group check out the list and think about joining one.
The other big thing keeping me busy is getting ready for Gathering of the Guilds. This year, for the first time, I’m going to participate as a vendor in the guild booth. I expect to have scarves, shoe laces, and maybe a dog leash or two. That’s the plan, anyway. So far I’ve got 5 scarves and 6 pairs of shoe laces woven but not yet fully finished. Time is running out, but hopefully I won’t get distracted by the good weather this weekend and can keep my attention on the looms.
The last thing I want to mention this month is that we’re approaching the end of the year, and with it the election of officers for next year. We’re currently looking for folks to serve as either president, sales director, or development director. If you’ve got a couple hours each month that you could contribute to helping out the guild please consider joining the board. It’s a good group, and I think most people enjoy the experience of serving on the board. If you have any questions please reach out to me or any of the other board members and we’ll try to answer your questions.
That’s it for now. Time to get back to the loom. As always, I hope to see you at a meeting soon.
Dan
Upcoming Programs
April 11: Zapotec Weaving in the Pacific Northwest – Francisco Bautista
I will be talking about the traditional dying techniques of my ancestors, passed down from my great grandfather, to my grandfather, to my father, to me, and that I am passing on to my son David who, at seven years old is weaving and helping with the dye pots. My wife Laura also creates beautiful weavings and my daughter Cynthia and son David are artists and learning to weave. These are ancient techniques that create vibrant colors from natural insects (Cochineal) and plants (onions, tree leaves, hulls, etc.). I use this natural dye method to create the rich colors in the wool which I weave in my colorful rugs. I weave into my rugs both traditional designs and my own created designs.
Please see my website for pictures of my natural dyed wool woven rugs and for pictures of me working the dye pots: www.bautistaweaving.com.
May 9: From Inspiration to Artistry: My Journey into Tapestry Weaving – Amy Belgan
Embark on a captivating journey into the world of tapestry weaving as I share the intimate details of my creative process and my thoughts on design. In this presentation, I’ll delve into the personal narrative of my path to tapestry, exploring the pivotal moments, inspirations, and challenges that have shaped my craft. I hope to empower all weavers to become more curious about design to unlock their own creative potential.
Special Program in June
Giovanna Imperia’s program, “Weaving with Metallic Yarns” has been rescheduled to Thursday, June 13, 2024 at 10 am. It will only be the presentation via Zoom, no in-person gathering. The Annual Members’ meeting and Strawberry Social will be in the evening as usual. Please see the website for more details.
Upcoming Workshops
We have 3 spots available in the May 10-12 Beginning Tapestry Weaving workshop, presented by Amy Belgan. The current workshop cost is $200, plus the $60 materials fee. If you register, it will cost less! The materials fee for the workshop includes a copper tapestry loom, and all warp and weft threads are provided.
Study Groups are underway!
Seems that the study groups are coming together which is very exciting. The Board discussed how to best disseminate the activities of each of the study groups both for sharing with the entire membership and the ease for group leaders to input said details.
Remember this is still a work in progress and will most likely need to be tweaked as we move forward.
Dan Steves, Outgoing President, will set up an email link for each group leader to help leaders get the info on the calendar and minutes.
To keep the members informed we are hoping that group leaders or a member of the group will write a short blog post (minutes) for the website. These will be posted under Education/study groups on the website. Dan and Amber are the members that currently update the website but we are hoping the other individuals will be able to input the blog themselves. Once the infrastructure is setup to support this Dan will reach out to the leaders to schedule a training session on zoom.
Lynne Fitzsimmons, PHG Secretary, is able to update the calendar for the meeting dates so forward them to her. She is also keeping the calendar at Ruthie’s where many groups are meeting.
The Board decided that to join a study group you must be a member of the guild. It was also decided to allocate a budget line for these groups in next year’s budget. This is to help support meeting locations for the groups.
Finally, if a member or leader of each of the study groups could present a short talk at the end of the year meeting to share goals/accomplishments/highlights/challenges each has addressed.
OK that’s a lot of information so please feel free to contact me with your questions. I will forward the directions for posting on the website as soon as I have that.
Cheers!
Linda
Guild News
Gathering of the Guilds is Fast Approaching – Spread the Word
The Gathering of The Guilds is less than a month away April 19-21, 2024. We are so excited to welcome more than 30 fiber artist this year with new artists and an expanded PHG Guild Booth. The GOTG Board is promoting the event via Social Media, Press Releases and posting in community calendars. It is anticipated that over 18,000 members of the community will come to the event
If you would help to promote the GOTG and our amazing artists, we have postcards available for distribution or just spread the word by forwarding a post from Gathering of the Guilds Facebook or Instagram.
Any questions, contact Nora Gessert sales@portlandhandweaversguild.org
Volunteer for Demonstrating at GOTG
We could still use some more volunteers to demonstrate at Gathering of the Guilds at the Oregon Convention Center, Friday through Sunday, April 19, 20, and 21. This is a chance for PHG to reach lots of folks who come to browse and shop for the art of six different Guilds from the Portland area. While demonstrating weaving out in front of the sale, we answer questions about our craft and sometimes encourage new members to come check out our Guild. Our demonstrating also helps to pull people into the sale to shop for beautiful handwovens! If you have demonstrated weaving or other fiber arts before you know how rewarding it can be. But if you have never done it, here is your chance to try it out and help our PHG’s outreach efforts.
Bring your own small loom or spinning wheel, or use the Guild’s floor loom, small table looms, or rigid heddle looms. You can sign up for a shift online by going to this link:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B0948ACA929A1F85-48197521-gathering
or contact CookiMessmer@comcast.net. If you are part of the sheep to shawl group on Saturday or the Damascus Tapestry group on Sunday, no need to sign up here. We know you are coming.
Thanks for supporting our PHG outreach activities.
Volunteers Needed at DaVinci Arts Middle School
Neressa Bennett, fiber arts teacher at DaVinci Arts Middle School, could still use some volunteers on mornings starting in April to help out in 2 different class periods with young beginning weavers. You could come a few days in a row, or once a week, or if you want to try it out one day just email Neressa to let her know what day works for you. Volunteers do need to fill out a background check form online which gets approved fairly quickly. If you have questions, contact Cooki Messmer at cookimessmer@comcast.net. But to schedule, contact Neressa directly at nbennett@pps.net
You can call 503-916-3000 or go to the online link to fill out the required volunteer application and background check form: https://www.pps.net/volunteer
Thanks for encouraging our next generation of weavers!!!
Latest ANWG Newsletter
The Association of Northwest Weavers Guilds has posted their January 2024 newsletter. Check out the creative ways other Northwest weaving guilds are getting their members together for fiber activities. All ANWG newsletters are available here.
News from Complex Weavers
The latest Complex Weavers Journal has a super article of photography by Barbara Walker in it plus other interesting articles. Only members of Complex Weavers are writers of articles in the Journal. There will be complex weavers seminars alongside Convergence.
If you wish to join Complex Weavers you can ask Ladella Williams how to join Complex Weavers. LadellawilliamsCZZ@gmail.com Or see me at the guild meeting.
Bulletin Board
Studio Downsizing Sale
Joy Winther is having a Studio Downsizing Sale. Knitting & Weaving yarns; Fabrics; Needlepoint kits; Beading & Jewelry making materials and tools.
Saturday, 4/6, 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m at 150 Wildrose Lane, Kalama
For more information, contact Joy Winther at (360) 200-3467. (Cash sales only)
Fiber Arts Workshops at the Art & Soul Mixed Media Retreat
Four daylong fiber arts workshops will be offered by Vicki Assegued at the Art & Soul Mixed Media Retreat in Portland. Workshops are:
Dimensional Fabric Fusion 4/15
Weaving on the Wild Side 4/16
Mixed Media Weaving on a Simple Loom 4/17
Fabric Wrapped Coil Baskets & Wall Hangings 4/18
Looking to Buy or Sell Weaving Equipment or Materials?
Check out the Items for Sale page.
Fiber News and Events
Whidbey Weavers Guild Annual Spin-In
April 6-7, 2024
Oak Harbor, WA
For more information, go to whidbeyweaversguild.org
Conference of Northern California Handweavers
April 25 – 28, 2024
Rohnert Park, California
More info: https://www.cnch.org/conferences/
Fiber Faire
May 4, 2024
Multnomah Arts Center, Portland, OR
Don’t miss this event where fiber-related businesses sell their wares, and everyone can shop and join the spinning circle. There will be door prizes, raffles, demonstrations, and the chance to buy raffle tickets for the next Antique Spinning Wheel Raffle.
More info: https://auroracolonyhandspinners.com/content.aspx?page_id=22&club_id=463461&module_id=660944
Fiber in the Forest
May 17-19 2024
Camp Myrtlewood, OR
More info: www.eugenetextilecenter.com/fiber-in-the-forest
Fiber Fusion
June 1-2, 2024
Monroe, WA
More info: www.fiberfusion.net/
Black Sheep Gathering
June 28-30, 2024
Linn County Events Center in Albany, OR
More info: blacksheepgathering.org
Convergence
July 11-17, 2024
Wichita, Kansas
More info: https://weavespindye.org/convergence/
ANWG 2025 Conference
June 16-21, 2025
Yakima, Washington
More info: https://anwgconference.org/
Handweavers Guild of America
Textiles & Tea
Tuesdays
The Handweavers Guild of America, Inc.’s (HGA) exciting new program, Textiles & Tea, takes place every Tuesday at 4 PM (ET). We’ve invited some of the most respected fiber artists in the field today to join us for an hour long conversation where we will discuss their artwork and their creative journey. Make a cup of your favorite tea and join us as we talk about fiber, creativity, inspiration, process and so much more.
Rental Equipment
PHG has equipment available for rent to current PHG Members. Click here for more info.
PHG Board and Chairs
Please click here for a list of PHG Board Members and Committee Chairs.
Your purchases can benefit PHG! Click on one of these links before buying and PHG will earn a commission from your purchase.
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