A unique feature of our retreat is our one hour demonstrations. During designated times, demonstrators will show you their process of working. You are encouraged to ask questions and some artists will have some equipment there for your use.
Hot Wheel Spindle: You will have the opportunity to make your own drop or top whorl spindle. Kits are $1 and include whorl (a wooden toy wheel), shaft (a dowel), hook and instructions for assembly. Glue, tools and supplies will be provided for sharing. Two weights are available, 1.8 oz for sport to bulky yarn and .4 oz for lace to sport weight or fine fibers. The lighter weight could be made into a support spindle for very short fibers, like cotton or yak.
Spinning Cotton on the Charka: Join Michelle Lee and learn about spinning cotton on a book charka. She will show you all the tricks of spinning on this unique, book sized wheel.
Core Spinning: Nanci Sutton will introduce you to the joys of Core Spinning. Just stop by the spinning corral and Nanci will have the materials ready for a you to learn this intriguing technique.
Rigid Heddle Weaving: Repeating her successful demonstration from last year’s retreat, Mariellen Boss will show you the joys of weaving with a rigid heddle loom!
Tying the Doup: Join Maggie Aguirre as she demonstrates how to tie a “doup” for leno weaving and other lace weaves. Next, you can take this knowledge with you and try it out on the lace loom available on the weaving terrace.
Warp Knots: Mae Chester will show you the quickest method to tie those warp knots. She’s so fast, you’ll have to watch a few times before trying to tie them yourself!
Crock Pot Dyeing: Kathleen Waln and Cassie Miller will “reprise” last year’s successful dyeing activity. Sign ups are limited, so if you’ve never used a crock pot, check out the “what to bring” page and bring all the equipment, fiber and dye for crock potting.
Shibori Discharge : Join Marie Hartman as she demonstrates the beautiful effects of discharge dyeing using Shibori twists and knots. You’ll fall in love with the results!
Studio 66 is proud to offer a wide variety of activities from which you can choose throughout the day! Head off to the Dye Pond, Spinning Corral and the Weaving Terrace to have a fun day with projects you bring, or activities we’ve planned:
AT THE DYE POND:
Space Dyeing Yarn-- Our Community Activity for 2011 will feature hand dyeing yarn that you will receive free as part of your registration fee. Everyone will have the opportunity to add beautiful color to a skein of yarn you get for free.
AT THE SPINNING CORRAL:
Fiber Blending & Dry Color Mixing--Suzanne Schmutzler and Wendy Macdonald will be available Saturday to work with you on the carding machines as you blend your fibers and dry mix your colors. Design “uniquely you” fiber batts to spin into your designer yarns.
Spinning Corral--Spindles and roving will be available for those who want to try your hand at spindling. Also, a few wheels will be available for you to spin your favorite fiber and try out a different wheel.
AT THE WEAVING TERRACE:
Weaving for Coffee & Tea-- Two looms will be available this year to weave your very own Mug Rug! If you’re new to weaving, volunteers will be available to introduce you to the world of weaving. If you’re an experienced weaver, sit down and weave a mug rug in no-time--and have a woven place for your coffee or tea mug!
Lace Loom Weaving: Join Maggie Aguirre and Suzanne Chappell up on the Weaving Terrace. Looms will be threaded up with lace weaves to try and Maggie, Suzanne and others will be there to help you through the process. Try you hand at weaving a lace pattern--you’ll be glad you did!
IN THE MAIN LODGE:
Basket Weaving: Margaret Polzel returns to help you discover the joy of basket weaving. She’ll have some kits to purchase for you to make and take your own basket.
Beading--Margot Rossman will teach a beading technique all fiber artists will love. She’ll be available with kits to make and take. Take advantage of her beading talents and learn something new.
Tapestry--Join Rebecca Smith as she demonstrates her creation a “Loom in a Tube.” Tapestry weaving and more can be accomplished on these versatile looms. Looms and weaving kits will be available from Rebecca.
Triangle Weaving--Gail Marlow-Dickey will be demonstrating her triangle looms and triangle weaving techniques. You’ll enjoy drawing your yarns through this unique loom. Triangle looms, rigid heddle and other weaving equipment will be available for purchase.
Wear It/Share It!--You’re invited to bring something your have created to share with the group. If it’s a garment, wear it, if it’s a placemat, wear it, if it’s a wall hanging, wear it--in other words, Wear It & Share It.
Morning Bird Walk with Suzanne Chappell
On Saturday & Sunday, take an early morning bird-walk with Suzanne. Bring your binoculars, bird book and check out our local mountain birds.
Fiber Exchange --If you would like to participate in this year’s fiber exchange, bring 8 oz of fiber or yarn to exchange with another fiber artist and you both have one year to create and complete a project. You’ll get your fiber/yarn returned a year later with an intriguing new hand made item out of your original yarn/fiber! The exchange can be a surprise, or planned between partners. The goal is to have fun and possibly meet a new fiber friend.
Raffle: We’ll be raffling off some very nice items for your pleasure. You will receive 3 free tickets just for registering, and during the retreat you can buy more chances to win!
