Send your news items to Tim Prins by the 25th of the month for inclusion in the next month’s newsletter.
Guild Calendar
Guild meetings resume in September. In the meantime see the website for study group meetings and our problem solving group.
President’s Message
Coming to Portland from Detroit, I was looking for ways to get involved in things that support my interests, e.g. weaving and gardening, and maybe use the program management skills that I’ve honed over the last 30+ years. In joining the Portland Handweavers Guild, I was looking for inspiration for my fledgling weaving hobby and to meet like minded folks. I offered to help with the Gathering of the Guilds/Spring Sale, and the next thing I know, I’m president of the Portland Handweavers Guild ?
With that bit of history, I want to say that I am excited to lead the Guild for the next year. The board is planning a session this summer to set goals for the coming year including areas of focus for our development efforts. Personally, my goal is to make our Guild a place that encourages new members, has programs to meet every interest (or as many as possible) and promotes handweaving and other fiber related art to the public.
You will see in this newsletter requests for help with programs and events. I would encourage everyone to consider where you can assist. I am a serial volunteerer; I literally built my entire first resume on volunteer experience. It is rewarding and the best way to meet new people. So, jump in, join a committee or help with an event that is interesting to you. I am sure there is something for everyone!
If you have ideas, questions or just want to chat about weaving, feel free to reach out to me. I want to make sure that the Guild meets the needs of the membership.
Nora Gessert
Upcoming Programs
Betty Davenport on HGA’s Textiles and Tea
Our very own PHG member, Betty Davenport, will be interviewed on HGA’s Textiles and Tea on July 23rd at 1 PM Pacific time. It’s free. If you want a Zoom or Facebook link emailed to you, (no account necessary), register here. It will also contain the link to their YouTube channel where you can watch past interviews.
Here is the description from HGA’s website:
July 23, 2024: Betty Davenport
generously sponsored by Desert Fiber Arts
Betty Davenport is basically self-taught. She started out learning weaving and spinning from books and building her own frame loom and inkle loom. Once her local guild began, she had more resources. She started with a rigid heddle loom and was fascinated with the use of a pick-up stick to create textures. She decided to explore this more with specialized study for the Handweaver’s Guild Certificate of Excellence (COE). The COE opened up opportunities for publishing the study as a book and designing projects for Handwoven Magazine. She likes the freedom of designing texture weaves on the rigid heddle and translating them to her 16-harness AVL Dobby.
Upcoming Workshop
September 13-15, Crimp and Create Workshop, presented by Dianne Totten
Workshops: Dates in the Calendar are Closer than they Appear!
As well as learning how to create and weave crimp cloth, Dianne also teaches garment design and sewing tips (looking at you, Sewing with Handwovens folks!).
Just LOOK at that texture!
The full workshop description is to be found here, although you need to be logged into the website first to view the description and register for the workshop.
Included in the workshop description is a link to the supplies list and loom setup for the workshop.
The No-Go (Cancel date) is Friday August 2. Please renew your memberships and register, so you don’t miss this informative and entertaining (Dianne is great!) workshop!
This workshop is now open to non-PHG members. Tell your friends.
As usual, any question should be directed to workshops@portlandhandweaversguild.org.
Guild News
Art in the Pearl – volunteers needed
Art in the Pearl is coming up again on labor day weekend, Friday through Monday, August 31 to September 2. Check your calendars now and plan to sign up to volunteer to demonstrate weaving or spinning for the Guild. This is a good way to reach a lot of people who are interested in weaving and what our guild has to offer. Volunteer for a shift and then spend some time walking around viewing the beautiful art in the Northwest Park blocks. Watch for the Sign up Genius notice to come in August or contact Cooki Messmer with questions. cookimessmer@comcast.net
Help Needed With The Spring Sale!
You may have heard that the Gathering of the Guilds (GOTG) is a lot of work and can be a challenge. In reality, the challenge was mostly related to the changing GOTG board members, that was out of our control. The event for the Portland Handweavers Guild (PHG) was great due to the work and expertise of the PHG committee members who have been a part of the event for many years and know how things work. As the chair, I relied on the committee for their advice and guidance, the results of which was a very successful event. We exceeded expectations in sales and participants and met our goals to break even (we actually made a bit of a profit, finally tally is in the works) and gain a few new members. Our Guild Booth was a great success with 15 participants who were able to get their feet wet at a big show and sell their art!
For the 2025 GOTG, there will be new GOTG board members, many of whom stepped in last year and, frankly, are so well organized and easy to work with that had I not agreed to be President of PHG, I would chair the committee again. The PHG board voted to participate in the 2025 GOTG event and many of the artists from 2024 are interested in participating again. I did agree to stay on top of some of the OCC/FERN contract items for the next show so I plan to still be on the GOTG board next year.
We need someone to chair or co-chair the committee for 2025. The infrastructure is in place and would only require updates to reflect changes for 2025, e.g. dates, improved instructions, put your spin on things, etc. If you like to organize and meet cool artists, reach out to me to volunteer or discuss all that the role entails. I can be reached by email or phone noragessert@yahoo.com / 734-395-1693.
Latest ANWG Newsletter
The Association of Northwest Weavers Guilds has posted their July 2024 newsletter with an addendum. Check out the creative ways other Northwest weaving guilds are getting their members together for fiber activities. All ANWG newsletters are available here.
Bulletin Board
Damascus Fiber Arts School Tapestry Talks
For less than the price of a burger these days, you can join the Damascus Fiber Arts School for their monthly Tapestry Talks. One Saturday a month, an invited artist will give a presentation about their tapestry journey.
This summer we feature:
Janette Gross, innovative wedge weaver, on August 24
Sue Weil, who uses pulled warp to great effect, on September 28.
Join us each month–it only costs $10–by signing up on our website.
Looking to Buy or Sell Weaving Equipment or Materials?
Check out the Items for Sale page.
Fiber News and Events
Betty Davenport’s interview with HGA on Textiles and Tea
July 23, 2024
This is what many have been waiting for, Textiles and Tea with Betty Davenport, sponsored by DFA on July 23, 2024. Betty is a PHG member! The link to register is listed below. It’s easy to register. While you’re at it, checkout some of the other months. These are usually very interesting and a good way to learn more about other fiber artists that you already know through their books and videos and maybe even someone new to you. https://weavespindye.org/textiles-and-tea/
Oregon Flock & Fiber Festival
September 21-22, 2024
Linn County Expo Center, Albany, OR
More info: https://www.oregonflockandfiberfestival.com/
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.