1/2 Day Classes - Friday (June 9) AM
Check-In Begins: 8:00am
Class: 9:00am-12:00pm
Lunch: 12:00pm-1:00pm
(Back to Workshop Home Page)
The online registration deadline is May 25, 2023
Class: 9:00am-12:00pm
Lunch: 12:00pm-1:00pm
(Back to Workshop Home Page)
The online registration deadline is May 25, 2023
Freestyle Weaving for the Creative Spirit
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INSTRUCTOR: Q Wirtz
SKILL LEVEL: All PREREQUISITE: No previous experience with weaving required (though experienced weavers are as welcome as complete novices). Freestyle weaving is intended to be accessible to everyone, no matter their level of skill or knowledge. Class open to students 8 years old and up; students must be tall enough to reach the floor pedals on the looms and able to focus for the duration of the class. MATERIALS: $50 covers the use of the following: Warped SAORI loom; use of associated tools (shuttles, bobbins, etc.); access to and use of a wide variety of different weaving materials, including yarn in various fibers, colors, and textures, embroidery floss, fabric scraps, fiber, trim, beads, wire, Mylar, etc. Each student will also get a bag of fibery treasures to keep. This can be used in class, in a future weaving project, or both. STUDENTS TO BRING: None - Instructor will provide all necessary tools and materials. If students want to bring something personally meaningful to them to incorporate into their weaving if possible, they're welcome–indeed, encouraged–to do so. Some past examples: specialty paper, pieces of jewelry (this is a fun use for unmatched earrings and stray pendants), dyed or undyed fiber, leftover quantities of treasured yarn too small to knit or crochet into a finished item. Otherwise, students just need to bring their willingness to experiment and explore–and to practice imperfection! DESCRIPTION: Weave your heart! Learn to weave freestyle and free-spirited on a simple floor loom. Honor your inner sense of beauty and truth as you play with color, texture, and technique, and come away with a unique piece of woven art that reflects your creative spirit (yes, you do have one!). Students will learn basic skills of freestyle weaving on an approachable, easy-to-use two-harness SAORI floor loom. A few weaving techniques will be taught, but the emphasis of the class will be on exploration of color and texture in the service of personal expression. Students will take home what they weave. INSTRUCTOR BIO: Liza Q. Wirtz, better known as Q (aka the Chief Feline), runs multifaceted fiber-arts business the Foldout Cat from her home studio in Alabama with the frequent and welcome assistance of partners Fiber J and Maker J and the help of a fluctuating number of cats. Having spent several past lives in other occupations–including bookseller, lawyer, and professional singer–Q now works fulltime towards earning her living as an artist and a creative. Q has been weaving in a freestyle/free-spirited tradition since 2015, carding for five years, spinning for more than four years, and dyeing for a year and a half. She teaches freestyle weaving, art-batt carding, and basic experiential spinning with the same philosophy that infuses her praxis: create from your heart, make what gives you joy, and put beauty into the world. Q wholeheartedly believes that everyone's an artist and that giving people access to fiber-arts tools and learning lets them prove it to themselves. Q also makes and sells one-of-a-kind art batts built from the Foldout Cat's unique Batt Buffet, handspun yarn, hand-dyed microbatch yarn and fiber, finished fiber-arts items, and simple fiber-arts tools. She has taught, vended, or both at fiber events in multiple states, including Colorado, Kentucky, Indiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia. In 2023, she’ll add Arkansas, New York, and Pennsylvania to the list. Contact Instructor |
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Sheep to Skein: Fiber Processing for Funsies!
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INSTRUCTOR: Amy Manko
SKILL LEVEL: Beginner PREREQUISITE: None MATERIALS: $15 STUDENTS TO BRING: A fleece sample for discussion if they'd like, otherwise, just wear old clothes and shoes DESCRIPTION: Ever gone to a fiber festival, somehow blacked out and found a fleece in your car when you got home? Have you wondered a fleece show and seen an inexpensive fleece and thought “It’s so cheap! I could totally process that myself!” only to shove it in the garage because it was a daunting task and you lost your nerve? Join us as we discuss the what, where and how of fleece selection, and then practice scouring wool together. We WILL likely get wet, so wear old clothes, but we WILL have fun discussing methods for scouring and getting confident with the process of removing lanolin without accidentally creating felt. Students are encouraged to bring samples of fleeces in their collections to discuss with the class. Have a problem fleece you’re trying to save? Maybe we can help! Just need someone to ooo and aaaah over it so you get motivated again? We can do that too! INSTRUCTOR BIO: Amy Ross Manko travels the country (and now the world) teaching, researching and writing about her favorite topic – Rare Breed Sheep! When she’s not on the road, spreading the gospel of critically endangered livestock, she’s managing her historic farm with her son Drew, raising 9 breeds of heritage and rare breed sheep, as well as cattle, draft horses, mini-donkeys and poultry. She is the owner of Ross Farm Mercantile Inc,, headquartered in Hudson, Ohio, and provides love and shelter to homeless fiber equipment in her small studio there. Contact Instructor |
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Spinning 101 - Beginning Spinning on a Wheel
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INSTRUCTOR: Tammy Jordan
SKILL LEVEL: Beginner PREREQUISITE: This class is perfect for beginners and those needing a refresher. No spinning experience is needed. MATERIALS: $15: Materials include 2-3 ounces of prepared fiber for spinning in class, and a resource guide with handouts, tips, and tricks. Additional supplies may be made available for an additional fee. STUDENTS TO BRING: Students will need to bring their own spinning wheel with at least three empty bobbins and a lazy kate. Wheels must be in good working order, ready to use, and students should have a basic understanding of how their specific wheel works. Wheel basics will be discussed in class, however this class is not intended to learn about specific wheel mechanics. DESCRIPTION: Have you ever wanted to learn how to spin your own yarn? It’s fun, it’s relaxing, and I can show you how! In this beginning class, you’ll learn about wheels, spinning methods, best fiber for beginning spinners, and basic wheel maintenance. In this three-hour class, you’ll learn wheel basics, how to spin a single, and learn the basics of plying. By the time you leave, you will have a basic understanding of your wheel and the skills to start spinning on your own. There is no experience needed and I’ll provide the fiber, tools, and a resource guide to get you on your way – you just bring yourself and your wheel. INSTRUCTOR BIO: Tammy is a fourth-generation fiber artist who enjoys sharing her passion with everyone she meets. Her love of sheep, wool, writing, and inspiring others to learn led her on the path of running her own business, Goldieknots Montana, which specializes in Montana-grown wool, locally processed yarn, spinning fiber, and Made in Montana handmade gift items. Her business also does educational programming in fiber arts, ranging from fiber preparation to completed projects which she lovingly refers to as “Fleece to Fashion.” She participated in the Montana Arts Council’s MAP Program in 2016 and has taught fiber-related classes throughout the United States. She is a current board member and newsletter editor of the Montana Association of Weavers and Spinners, current member and past Secretary and Co-Chair of the Prairie Handspinners Guild in Billings, Montana, a member and Secretary of the Lincoln Council for the Arts, and founder of the Lincoln Fiber Circle in her home town of Lincoln, Montana. Her teaching style is fun, creative, and interactive, and when she’s not in her studio creating or on the road teaching, you can find her writing articles for her local newspaper and spending time with her dogs, sheep, horse, and other barnyard critters. Contact Instructor |
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Altering Knit and Crochet Patterns for Size, Gauge, and Style
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INSTRUCTOR: Kira Dulaney
SKILL LEVEL: All PREREQUISITE: None MATERIALS: N/A STUDENTS TO BRING: Optional: pattern(s) that you would like to alter. DESCRIPTION: It can be hard to find just the right knitting or crochet pattern to fit your yarn, body, and fashion sense. We will go through common alterations for size, gauge, and style, and you will start the work of altering a pattern. This class will be useful for anyone who knits or crochets garments or accessories. INSTRUCTOR BIO: Kira Dulaney has been teaching fiber arts classes and hosting crafty events in the San Francisco Bay Area and beyond since 2002. As a teacher, her focus is on providing valuable information in a stress-free environment, and supporting students through the learning process. She is also the designer behind Kira K Designs, a line of original knitting and crochet patterns and kits featuring clean lines and intriguing details that are both interesting to make and easy to wear. Kira has taught at Lambtown Festival, Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival, the Natural Fiber Fair, Stitches events, and TNNA, as well as numerous guilds and yarn shops. Contact Instructor |
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Buzzy Bee
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INSTRUCTOR: Una Walker
SKILL LEVEL: Intermediate PREREQUISITE: Should be comfortable with punching the correct stitch gauge or have taken my beginner class. MATERIALS: $40.00 covers the kit cost including the pre-stretched and drawn linen frame, yarn, tapestry needle and instruction sheet. STUDENTS TO BRING: We will be using two punch sizes, Oxford Punch Needles in both #10 and #9 regular both can be purchased from the instructor and small sharp scissors. DESCRIPTION: Buzzy Bee will introduce you to another level of punch needle, pun intended. This class project will teach several punch needle techniques; how to sculpt your punched loops as well as reverse punching. Included in this project are several embroidery stitches to complete this ready to hang 12” Bee on Linen. INSTRUCTOR BIO: Una Walker is a fiber artist and sought-after teacher who grew up in her parents' craft supply store. She gained experience in a wide range of crafts, and even appeared on HGTV's "That's Clever" in 2009, making a pair of shoes! From raw wool to sewing the finishing stitch, she is always looking ahead to new and creative approaches. Una got started punching over a decade ago at a craft show "make and take" where she first worked with the Oxford Punch Needle. In 2014 she gained her Oxford Teaching Certificate from the Oxford Rug Hooking School and her Advanced Instructor Certificate in 2019. Una teaches rug punching with both patience and an attention to detail, and she loves working with beginners. Una has taught at Estes Park Wool Market, Dallas Fort Worth Fiber Festival, Stitches West and SoCal along with many other fiber festivals around the country. To learn more about Una, visit woolywalkers.com. Contact Instructor |
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Learning to Spin on the Great Wheel
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INSTRUCTOR: Mary Renstrom
SKILL LEVEL: Intermediate PREREQUISITE: Beginning spinning skills. MATERIALS: $10.00 Fee Collected by the Instructor at the Workshop. STUDENTS TO BRING: None, but students may bring their own (fully functioning) Great Wheel. DESCRIPTION: To acquaint hand spinners with the history and distinctive traits of the Great Wheel, and to give students an opportunity to try spinning a variety of fibers and fiber preparations on the Great Wheel. INSTRUCTOR BIO: Mary has been hand spinning for thirty-three years. She has four Great Wheels, three of which are antiques she has restored to working condition. She loves working with fine wools, angora, and silk. She mainly knits with her yarns, both by hand and with knitting machines. She loves the history and romance of the Great Wheel and recommends them to anyone interested in spinning many yards of fine woolen yarn. She recently published an article in Ply magazine, “Great Wheels: Spinning for Speed and Loft” (Issue 38, Autumn 2022, pp. 120-123). Contact Instructor |
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"Turtally" Awesome Needle Felted Turtles
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INSTRUCTOR: Monique Mullis
SKILL LEVEL: Beginner PREREQUISITE: None MATERIALS: $20:00 Fee Collected by the Instructor at the Workshop. Includes: 2 felting needles, felting pad, Harrisville fleece, 4 foam cores, templates and supplies needed for completion, needle felting basics hand-out and some secret surprises. STUDENTS TO BRING: N/A DESCRIPTION: Have you seen those adorable felted wool critters on the internet or even in your local store? Now you can make your own and learn the easy and fun art of Needle Felting. It’s “TURTALLY” awesome! In this workshop, we will walk through all the basics of needle-felting (history, tools, general technique) and then we will jump right into your first project. We will make two adorable little turtles (each about 4 inches long) from an easy starter felting kit that I have designed. There is plenty of opportunity to show your creativity and design your turtles with unique, personalized details. This project is geared for beginners and you will have a chance to learn felting techniques and develop new skills. We will work with Harrisville brand fleece batting and I will share my EZ-Peazy tips and tricks of using foam cores and templates. These fiber hacks make the project quick, easy and totally fabulous in the end. All supplies will be provided. In fact, you will receive extra supplies, a felting pad and needles that you can use over and over. Two turtles should be finished in the class and you will have extra supplies and techniques to make two more wooly friends. Some special surprises will also be added to your supply kit. INSTRUCTOR BIO: Hi! I am Monique Mullis, a retired Colorado State Park Ranger and co-owner of The Felted Dog with my sister. I am self-taught and started needle-felting over twelve years ago after looking high and low for a fiber art that didn’t include counting! It didn’t take me long to quickly learn what a fun, inexpensive, and addicting hobby it can be. I get most of my inspiration from nature and like to add my version of silly whimsy to all the projects I make. Over the years, I have learned various applications of needle felting, from appliqué on wool to 3-D wool creatures. I continue to develop my personal technique called EZ Peazy felting which uses little “cheats” to ensure a successful project the first time. I have designed several felting kits with these fiber “hacks” front and center. Over the years, I have been so lucky to travel to many fiber festivals as a vendor and instructor. I have taught needle felting workshops at the Estes Park Wool Market, Sneffels Fiber Festival in Ridgway Colorado, the Texas Fleece and Fiber Festival, Bander Fiber Festival, the Eureka Springs Fiber Festival in Arkansas and even a virtual workshop in 2020 at the New York State Sheep and Wool Festival (Rhinebeck). I also teach monthly felting classes in our storefront and maker’s space in Pueblo Colorado. While I enjoy perfecting my own skills and making art pieces, I am particularly passionate about introducing people to needle felting and giving them the skills and tools they need to make their own fiber creations. Contact Instructor |
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