Date: Monday, April 22, 2024 at 9:30 am Pacific time
Program: Rebecca Smith: Transparency in Weaving
Rebecca Smith is a tapestry artist who is not afraid to try new and different things. She shared her use of transparencies with us. Here is her statement:
“Weaving is one of the oldest and most revered art forms in all of human history, and I have been blessed with both a talent and passion for pursuing it.
“A creative life is an interesting journey. I have long considered myself a tapestry weaver, but by using materials other than yarn my work has evolved into new woven forms. I still rely on tapestry weaving techniques but the work itself has moved outside of that traditional realm. My current work explores the possibilities of combining yarn, beads and wire to create free-standing work, albeit still woven on a loom.”
Date: Monday, January 22, 2024 at 9:30 am Pacific time
Program: Robyn Spady:Thirty-Six Techniques to Make Your Weaving Easier and Happier
Robyn spoke about her history, process and work. Here is a program description from Robyn:
“Would you like to learn a great method for repairing a broken warp end, tracking your treadling while you weave, making your own repair heddles, or just make weaving easier and more pleasurable? This gizmo-and-gadget centric presentation looks and feels like an interactive show-and-tell and will introduce over 36 offbeat tools, techniques, or tricks to assist weavers in all phases of weaving.”
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Sandi Wollin: Warp for Scarves for Winners of Manhattan Amateur Classic Amateur Ballroom and Latin Champions. Cashmere, Silk, Merino Blend 2/28.Sandi Wollin: Warp for Scarves for Winners of Manhattan Amateur Classic Amateur Ballroom and Latin Champions. Cashmere, Silk, Merino Blend 2/28.Continue reading “January 2024 Meeting”
Desert Weavers and Spinners has had an exchange every June for many years. In January, a theme or an object is chosen and members make an item based on that theme. In June the items are exchanged, either at the June meeting, or by mail, if the member is out of the Coachella Valley.
In December 2023, we had a challenge instead of an exchange.
How it Worked:
In June 2023, a challenge bag was given to members who signed up. Their task was to make something with the items that they found in the bag. It was not an exchange as we got to keep the item.
What were the rules? Make something using the challenge items and individuals keep what they make. That’s the only rule.
Special Thanks:
Special thanks to Mariellen B. and Paula D. for their work on making this challenge happen. Mariellen Boss organized the event, and Paula D. donated six pounds of fiber that was divided by DWS members:
Date: Monday, November 27, 2023 at 9:30 am Pacific time
Program: Stephanie Metz: From Needle Felting to Human Sized, Felt Sculpture!
Stephanie spoke about her history, process and work.
Statement from Stephanie Metz:
“I’m a person who notices subtle details in the physical world and human interactions around me, and I pay close attention to the things that draw my attention. My artwork grows out of a sense of curiosity, play, and the desire to explore meaning.
“I’m particularly interested in the tension created when opposing qualities coexist. I work primarily in wool and industrial felt, humble materials that embody contradictions in both the physical and conceptual realms.
“I process my life through the act of transforming tangible materials into satisfying forms, which occasionally resonate with kindred spirits. I define myself as a sculptor first and foremost who happens to work primarily in fiber, but I’m not opposed to the label of ‘fiber artist.’”
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Mariellen Boss: Bengara Dyeing and a Dog/Wolf HybridMariellen Boss: Bengara Dyeing and a Dog/Wolf Hybrid
Date: Monday, August 28, 2023 at 9:30 am Pacific time
Program:
Denise Squires: Raising Fiber
DWS Member Denise Squires led a discussion on her journey from how she acquired her first sheep at the age of 13 to her present day work with Shetland sheep, Angora goats and Angora rabbits. She also shared what she does with her sheep; experiences at various county and state fairs and shows; her work with 4H kids; and her fiber art work.
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Bren Ahearn: School Shootings in the USA: March 31, 2011-January 30, 2019. Wool felt, ink; 72″H X 216″W, 2023 (Model: Doug Brown)Bren Ahearn: School Shootings in the USA: March 31, 2011-January 30, 2019 (Detail). Wool felt, ink; 72″H X 216″W, 2023Continue reading “August 2023 Meeting”
Date: Monday, July 24, 2023 at 9:30 am Pacific time
Program:
Susan Thomson: Brainstorming on Small Things One Might Make as Holiday Gifts
Susan Thomson presented a power point as a guide for discussion as the group brainstormed about different gift ideas.
Pre-Meeting Background from Programs Co-Chair Susan Thomson:
“For our July meeting, we are doing an interactive program on the topic of small holiday gifts/crafts. And, because the focus is on small items, this is also an opportunity to think about how you might make use of your thrum scraps.
“Inspiration for this program:
“Last year, closer to the holidays someone mentioned at either a guild meeting or a board meeting ‘why don’t we have a program earlier in the year about holiday gifts?’ So, I’ve had that on my mind ever since. And rather than focusing on the bigger gifts, such as scarves, towels etc., I thought we might try focusing on smaller items, that you might make in multiples for ‘gifts to have on hand.’
“What I would like to do is present a power point as a guide for discussion and brainstorming about different ideas for things.
“YOUR ASSIGNMENT:
“Please gather up any examples and/or photos of projects you’ve previously made that are smaller, and quicker projects that you’d be willing to share. I will be organizing the power point to have similar projects together. So, if you will be attending in person, feel free to bring your projects. However, if you have time, please also send me a photo so I can put your project with similar ones.
“Please send any photos to me. I will reply to confirm that I received your photo, so if I don’t reply in a day or two, please assume you need to resend.
“If you feel inclined, you can also send me photos of ideas that you run across that you’d like me to include.”
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Dodie Wirth: Merino/Silk Blanket (16 EPI, PPI). Random weft stripes of white and serge blue.Dodie Wirth: Merino/Silk Blanket (16 EPI, PPI). Random weft stripes of white and serge blue.Continue reading “July 2023 Meeting”
Date: Monday, June 26, 2023 at 9:30 am Pacific time
Program:
Jewelry exchange: The group talked about the pieces they made for the jewelry exchange. Photos are below:
Linda Bohlinger: Mini Me Mykonos Origami Bag. Woven on a rigid-heddle loom, sewn into origami shape, with knitted edging and strap. Linda Bohlinger: Mini Me Mykonos Origami Bag. Yarns used: stash from a large Mykonos bag knitted in 2023 (cotton, cotton blend, silk sequined/beaded yarn)Linda Bohlinger: Mini Me Mykonos Origami Bag. Folded into origami shape, prior to adding the knitted edging and strapLinda Bohlinger: Mini Me Mykonos Origami Bag. Burgundy silk liningContinue reading “June 2023 Meeting”
Date: Monday, May 22, 2023 at 9:30 am Pacific time
Program:
Robyn Spady spoke on Closures and noted that making a buttonhole can be daunting since it often means putting a hole in a garment or fashion accessory. In this session, participants explored different techniques that may be used to secure a garment or fashion accessory. The group learned that from frogs and hand-wrapped hooks and eyes to knotting and clasps, designing and making your own closures can be fun and exciting.
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Linda Bohlinger: 8/2 Cotton Towel (huck weave on rigid heddle loom)Denise Squires: Shawl (woven on 24″ Ashford rigid heddle, using a 7.5 dent reed. Yarn: Lion Mandala 100% acrylic Chimera color way; Used a pick-up stick for 1:1 waffle weave. Finished size: 21.5″ X 80″)Continue reading “May 2023 Meeting”
