Plying the Arts 2006

The Peachtree Handspinners Guild wish to thank everyone who attended and assisted with Plying the Arts 2006. And a special thanks to Lyndon House Arts Center in Athens, GA for allowing us to hold Plying the Arts 2006 there.

All of the classes were a hit and participants were extremely pleased with the knowledge of the instructors, and their ability to share that knowledge with their students. The hands on training allowed the instructors to guide students in the proper use of the techniques needed for each of the classes.

Congratulations go to Amanda Chapman of Athens, GA, who won the grand door prize of a week at the John C. Campbell Folk School in Brasstown, NC with her choice of class. With over forty different door prizes, chances were very good on winning one of them.

The vendors that attended PTA provided a wide and varied array of goods. Many beautiful yarns, fleeces, tools, patterns, photos, and most anything for the fiber fanatic.

If you have any ideas about what classes you would like to have at the next PTA, please contact Paula Vester at pjvester@earthlink.net. The present schedule is for PTA to return in 2008. We hope to see you there.

PLYING THE ARTS 2006 WORKSHOPS

Please read class descriptions for the supplies you need to bring to class.

Supply fees are paid directly to the workshop instructors on the day of the workshop.

Saturday, August 5: Morning Workshops

W5-1A - Introduction to Primitive Rug Hooking

This Class introduces you to the Art of Primitive Rug Hooking. Basic techniques, materials and tools used to make a Hand Hooked Rug will be discussed. Hooked rugs and other hooked items will be displayed in the class. Each student will complete a hooked flower pin during class. No previous experience is necessary. Students should bring a desire to learn about rug hooking, an embroidery hoop - 8-10 inches, small scissors, crochet hook size E or F, pencil or pen and paper. Nancy Ratliff. Supply fee - $5.00. Class size open.

W5-2A - Angora Spinning I

Is Angora a mystery? Let Lorri Helms answer your questions of how to buy, take care of and spin Angora fiber. Spin angora blends and 100% angora and learn how you can add this fiber to your stash. Students should be able to spin and ply a yarn. Students bring: spinning wheel, towel for lap, hand carders, oil for wheel, ballwinder, labels, pencil. Lorri Helms. Supply fee - $20.00. 12 students.

W5-3A - Creative Cast-Ons

Increase your knitting skills at the starting point! This workshop will show you how to cast on for different projects in a variety of ways. Learn why some cast-ons are better for a project, why some will save you time now and in the future, how to make your cast on and your bind off look the same, and learn a trick or two to make that first row easier to knit. Students should be able to cast on, knit, purl, and bind off without assistance. Students bring: 1 skein light-to-medim colored worsted weight yarn, several yards of a second color of the same yarn, size 8 needles and size G, H, or J crochet hook. Margaret Heathman. Supply fee - $2.00 for handout. 12 students.

W5-4AP - Spinning Ancient Sheep Breeds

Historic sheep breeds are not old and dusty sheep, but fibers with unique stories and textures. Come and learn about the history and evolution of eight historic breeds of sheep (all of which are still around today) and their unique fiber characteristics while spinning samples of their fiber in class. Students bring: spinning wheel or drop spindle, supplies for plying and skeining yarns, supplies for labeling their samples. Students may wish to bring supplies to wash raw samples and card them if they wish to spin them in class. Heather McCloy. Supply fee - $20.00. 10 students.

W5-5A - Indigo Dyeing

This class will take the mystery out of indigo dyeing. Several formulas will be given and a dye vat set up for participants to use. Participants bring: well-washed skeins to be dyed (cotton, silk, or wool). Please have the skeins tied in several places to prevent tangling. They will be labeled in class for easy identification. A silk scarf will be provided for each participant to use for dyeing in addition to their own yarns. Nancy Kahrs. Supply fee - $6.00. 20 students

W5-6A - Sculptured Peyote Bracelet

Beaded jewelry is fun to wear and now students can learn to make their own! Even with minimal eye-hand co-ordination, students will learn to bead a bracelet from start to finish. The peyote stitch makes up the base of the bracelet. It can be embellished with a assortment of beads and other techniques to create this unusual and attractive piece of jewelry. Students bring: scissors, pen and paper, work light (optional). Sherry Gomez. Supply fee - $20.00 for kit which include all necessary materials. 15 students.

W5-7A - Beginning Knitting for Garter Stitch Scarves CANCELLED

W6-8AP - Elizabeth Zimmerman’s % Sweaters

EPS (Elizabeth [Zimmermann]’s Percentage System) is a method of designing sweaters that begins with the knitter’s yarn and her/his personal gauge. Spinners can design sweaters based on the yarns they’ve spun. The class will be an introduction to EPS: we will knit a sample swatch and apply our figures to a sweater design. Students should have intermediate knitting skills (knit, purl, increase, decrease) and not be afraid of math. Students bring: yarn(s) for making a sweater (or a gauge swatch), circular knitting needles in various sizes, calculator, measuring tape, scissors, pencil or pen, Optional, but helpful: a sweater that fits you well, needle gauge, stitch markers, yarn needle, crochet hooks, safety pins, paper tags. Annie Hall. Supply fee - $7.50 for notebook. 20 students.

Saturday, August 5: Afternoon Workshops

W5-4AP - Spinning Ancient Sheep Breeds, Continued

W5-8AP - Elizabeth Zimmerman’s % Sweaters, Continued

W5-9P - Kumihimo on a Disc

Braiding is great way to make a wrist distaff, a purse strap or a belt. This beginning class will introduce students to the world of kumihimo. Using a disc specially designed to work these braids, you will learn while making a friendship bracelet. See how color and placement can create unique patterns. Students can bring their own handspun yarns (smooth cottons, silks, linens work best), scissors and pencil or pen. Nancy Coltrin. Supply fee - $15.00, includes disc, yarns and handout. 6-10 students.

W5-10P - Angora Spinning II CANCELLED

W5-11P - Entrelac Knitting FULL

Want to make something from all those little balls of yarn left over from projects? Like the new spaced-dyed yarns, but can’t figure out how to show off all those fabulous colors to their best advantage? Love to try new techniques? This workshop is for you! In this workshop we will learn the ins and outs of “weaving” your knitting by beginning and ending with triangles, picking up stitches along the way, and doing it all by knitting-back-backwards! Students must be able to cast on, knit, purl and bind off without assistance and be able to distinguish the knit side of stockinette stitch from the purl side. Students bring: 2 balls of worsted weight yarn in contrasting light-to-medium colors, size 8 needles. Margaret Heathman. Supply fee - $1.00 for handout. 8 students.

W5-12P - Naturally Color

Take three natural dyes and explore the color possibilities. In this class, students will learn the basics of Natural Dyeing and get a good range of color while still using simple-to-follow directions and easy methods. Begin your exploration of color or continue your experiments; learn about how different fibers react and how to get the best color with your handspun yarns and unspun fibers. Students bring: 4-6 oz of yarn or clean unspun wool fiber for best color, rubber gloves, ziplock bags. Paula Vester Supply fee - $15.00. 6 students.

W5-13P - Spinning Cotton

This is an introduction to cotton spinning. You will learn the long draw and why it is helpful in spinning cotton. Cotton is a great fiber for our climate and, when you know a few tricks, very easy to spin. Fiber will be provided by the instructor. Participants must have a wheel in good working order and either cotton or wool carders. Nancy Kahrs. Supply fee - $ 5.00. 15 students

W5-14P - Reading a Knitting Chart

Do knitting charts frustrate you? All those symbols can seem hard to follow - but once you learn the basics, they’re not! Charted knitting for lace or color work simplifies knitting, increases speed, and makes it easy to visualize patterns at a glance. In this class, you will learn the basics of chart knitting, the logic behind all those signs and symbols, and simple tricks for keeping track of where you are. You will get hands-on practice in reading charts. Students bring: 3-4 small balls of sport and/or DK weight yarns in light colors; knitting needles in sizes 5, 6, or 7; stitch markers; graph paper; sharp pencils; post-it notes. Judy Dyer. Supply fee - none. 4-8 Students.

Sunday, August 6: Morning Workshops

W6-15A - Spinning for Socks

Instead of looking in your stash of handspun yarn to see if any yarn will work for sock, learn how to actually spin yarn specifically for socks. Students, who already have a good background of spinning and plying, will learn characteristics of a good sock yarn and to use natural fibers to make a stronger sock. Lorri will talk about gauge, which types of wool are best to use, which man-made fibers you might want to add and more. Students should bring: 4 oz carded wool, 4 oz. Wool top, 2 oz mohair or/and silk, spinning wheel, niddy noddy, size 3-5 knitting needles. Lorri Helms. Supply fee -none- 12 students.

W6-16AP - Lace Knitting

Learn to knit lace! Most knitted lace looks more complicated than it actually is. Lace has many applications, from fine scarves and shawls to added features in sweaters, hats, socks and gloves. You will learn the logic behind pairing increases and decreases, and how to vary them to form more complex-looking lace. Beginning with vertical patterns – the easiest of lace patterns, students gradually build on the basics to learn diagonals and chevrons. You’ll be able to begin a lace scarf. Students must know how to knit, purl, yo, k2tog , and ssk. Students bring: 3-4 balls of light-colored yarn in a variety of weights: fingering, sport or DK; needles sizes 4-7; stitch markers; graph paper and pencil; post-it notes. Judy Dyer. Supply fee -none-. 4-8 students.

W6-17A - Tattoos & Surface Embellishment with Needlefelting

There are no special skills needed to use this special technique of embellishing your favorite jeans, vest or t-shirt. Learn how oolorful wool fiber, stencils and felting needles can be used to create one-of-a-kind garment “tattoos”. Chris will share her knowledge for future successful projects. Students bring: clothes to embellish. Suggested garments include, bluejeans, denim jacket or vest, sweatshirt, beefy t-shirt. Chris Hanner. Supply fee - $7.00. 12 - 15 teens or adults.

W6-18A - Spindle Spinning

Spindle spinning is a great way to begin one’s journey into the world of handspinning. Lois will teach the basics of handling carded sliver to spin a bulky singles yarns on the high whorl drop spindle. No experience is necessary, but students who have been struggling with spindle spinning will profit from Lois’s instruction. She will show both the seated and standing methods of spinning. Students do not have to bring anything, but if they have a spindle, they are welcome to bring it. Lois Foerster. Supply fee - $10.00, includes wool and spindle. 8 students.

W6-19AP - Card Weaving

Penny Rae will share with the students in this class her knowledge the history of card weaving, and the expertise of how to warp and weave using cards and thread. Students will not only take home the belt woven in class but the equipment to continue their exploration of card weaving. No prior experience needed. Students bring: scissors. Penny Rae. Supply fee - $20.00, includes cards, thread, shuttle, wood frame for warping and weaving on and clamps. 8 students.

W6-20A - Top Down Knitting

Top down knitting is fun and versatile! We will knit a cute little raglan sweater from the top down and learn the basics of this fascinating method of sweater construction. It is a great way to crate well-fitting, seamless sweaters. Students must know how to knit. Students bring: size 8 needles (circular or straight), several ounces of worsted weight yarn, a couple yards of waste yarn in contrasting color, taspestry needle. Leslie Bronson. Supply fee - $1.00 for handout. 20 students.

W6-21A - Instant Gratification CANCELLED

W6-22A - Inkle Weave a Boa

These boas are fast to make and look fabulous. They also put a dent in your yarn stash, giving you an excuse to buy more. Students bring: an inkle loom that will handle at least 1 yard of warp; 5 yarns (a thin fuzzy, a medium weight yarn, a boucle, a thin yarn, and another yarn or any similar combination). The colors should be compatible and if one of them has some glitz in it, so much the better. A ribbon yarn can be used in place of one of the thin yarns if you desire. The looms will be warped in class since each boa only requires 4 warp threads. Perfect project if you are more of a "wefter" than a "warper". Nancy Kahrs. Supply fee -none. 15 students

Sunday,August 6: Afternoon Workshops

W6-16AP - Lace Knitting, Continued

W6-19AP - Card Weaving, Continued

W6-23P - Socks from Handspun

You no longer have to be jealous of all the wonderful socks you see other people wearing. Bring along some handspun yarn and learn to knit socks using two circular needles. Techniques that will help you in the making of socks will be practiced while making a mini sock: knitting from the top down, learn to turn a heel and learn how to end the toe with the kitchener stitch. Students bring: 2 oz of handspun yarn (no heavier than worsted or medium weight yarn, usual knitting supplies (measuring tape, yarn needle, etc), and 2 circular 24" knitting needles. For yarn 15-18 wpi, size 3-4 needles, for yarn 9-11 wpi, size 6-7 needles. Lorri Helms. Supply fee - $2.00 for handout. 8 students.

W6-24P - Sculptural Needlefelting

Take your needlefelting into the third dimension. Learn how to sculpt fiber with a felting needle while making your choice of one of three small “critters” - kitty, Boston terrier or monkey. While practicing your skills on the small critter, Chris will guide you and talk about how these sculpting skills can be used for larger projects. Students do not need to bring anything. Chris Hanner. Supply fee - $7.00. 10-12 teens or adults.

W6-25P - Tatting FULL

Tatting is a method of making lace, and Lois will teach students basic tatting stitches on one shuttle. Learn the Josephine knots, rings, picots and joining stitches even if you have never tried this lacemaking technique before. Students do not have to bring any supplies, but if they own a tatting shuttle, they can certainly bring it. Lois Foerster. Supply fee - $5.00, includes shuttle and thread. 5 students.

W6-26P - Top Down Knitting - The Next Generation

You have made the cute little top down sweater and now it’s time for more... a full-sized raglan sweater! In the Next Generation, we will plan and begin knitting a full-sized sweater from the top down. The sweater can be for a child or an adult - your choice. The sweater can be plain or we’ll learn to include inserted cables, lace panels or stripes. Be creative! Students should be comfortable knitting and should have taken the top down introduction class previously. Bring to class: size 8 circular needles: 16"-29"; worsted weight yarn to create full-sized sweater (handspun or commercial); 400-1000 yds for a child’s sweater, 1200-2000 yds for an adult sweater; a couple of yards of waste yarn in contrasting color; tapestry needle. Leslie Bronson. Supply fee - $1.00 for handout. 12 students.

W6-27P - Be Creative With Fiber!

You can be creative! You can be more creative! You can have creativity oozing from your pores every time you work with fiber! Come and learn to use your creative side. Whether you knit, crochet, needlefelt, weave or spin; whether you are a beginner or an expert in your chosen fiber medium, this workshop will take you to the next level in your work. You will learn: where creative ideas are born; what you need to know to execute your designs; how to think creatively every day; and how to stay young through creativity. And, you will learn the Great Secret that all creative people know. Students bring: a leaf, a stone, several sticks or twigs, the tools of your fiber medium (knitting needles, crochet hooks, drop spindle or spinning wheesl, weavettes or other portable looms for weaving, felting needles, etc), pieces/balls of yarn of various lengths, bits of fiber, beads (optional), a soft plastic bottle or container that would normally go in the recycle bin (clean), a clean wrapper/package/box from a food product. Most importantly, a notebook with pen, pencil, colored pencils or crayons to record the ideas created in the workshop. Margaret Heathman. Supply fee - $1.00 for handout. Class size open.

W6-28P - Hand Felted Hat 101 CANCELLED

PLYING THE ARTS 2006

WORKSHOP INSTRUCTORS

Leslie Bronson learned to knit from her Grandmother 40 years ago. She has a BFA from the University of Georgia and learned natural dyeing and spinning while in college. Since that time she has studied and taught many fiber classes. She was the featured artist on an episode of HGTV’s “Country at Home”. Leslie lives in Cartersville, GA where she plays the saxophone and clarinet in the Etowah Jazz Society and Dixieland Band.

Nancy Coltrin is Co-President of Peachtree Handspinners Guild. She has had a life-long lover affair with fiber, but only discovered her passion for spinning, weaving and kumihimo in the last decade. As an avid history buff, she enjoys tying ancient skills to modern fibers and techniques.

Judy Dyer is currently Co-President of Peachtree Handspinners Guild. She has been addicted to knitting most of her life and to handspinning for the past decade. A learning specialist by day, Judy teaches knitting classes to kids and adults and fools with fiber at every available opportunity. Lace Knitting is her passion.

Tina Evans, a shepherdess for the last 22 years, breeds, shear, and process all her fibers from a flock of 200 Angora goats and soft longwool sheep. She does not take any shortcuts with the preparation of fibers or taking care of the animals. Her rovings of wool and wool blends in natural shades and wonderful colors are favorites of spinners. She plants and tends huge gardens that are the base of her cooking and canning. Two grandchildren are in involved in activities all around her farm in Taylorsville, GA.

Lois Foerster is a member of PHG, the Complex Weavers Guild and is the owner of LHF Designs, which offers handspun and dyed yarns and fibers. She currently teaches spinning at Main Street Yarns and Fibers in Watkinsville, GA and gives programs and demonstrations of spinning, weaving, knitting and tatting at guilds and historic sites. She has written two articles for Shuttle, Spindle and Dyepot magazine on spinning and weaving wool for a Lord of the Rings Fellowship cloak and is currently working on re-creating several handspun, hand-dyed 19^th Century coverlets for the Wages House Museum at Brenau University.

Sherry Gomez acquired a love for beading as a small child in Colorado. After moving to Georgia, she became a serious jewelry maker. Her beadwork has been seen in several exhibits and has won awards. Active in beading circles, she has taught classes in various beading techniques.

Annie Hall grew up in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, where she was steeped in the folkways and superstitions and storytelling traditions of the Appalachians. She has been knitting ever since her mother taught her how at the age of three. Mostly self-taught by reading books and magazines, and by a considerable amount of trial-and-error, Annie has had the good fortune of studying with Nancy Bush, Priscilla Gibson-Roberts, Beth Brown-Reinsel and Jackie Erickson-Sweitzer. If she ever becomes famous, she promises to hyphenate her last name, too. Annie lives in Atlanta, where she has taught many, many people to knit through Evening at Emory and at Callanwolde Fine Arts Center. She has also taught at John C. Campbell Folk School, Southeast Fiber Forum, and at Plying the Arts. When not knitting, Annie works for Emory University in the Department of Film Studies, and is occasionally seen at Peachtree Handspinners Guild portraying Vanna Stiltskin, Rumple’s vivacious twin sister.

Chris Hanner has been needle felting and working with wool since joining Peachtree Handspinners Guild. She has taught classes at several National Trade Shows including Quilt Market, The Craft & Hobby Association Shows and The National Needlearts Shows. Chris’s designs were recently featured on TV for National Craft Month on the “On The Go With Terri O” show.

Margaret Heathman is an author, designer, teacher, yarn shop owner, mentor and creativity coach. Her book, Knitting Languages, is sold around the world and her designs can be found in craft stores throughout the U.S. Margaret teaches at Plying the Arts, Southeastern Animal Fiber Fair in Asheville, NC, Southeast Fiber Forum Association conferences, at guilds and private organizations throughout the Southeast, and participates in the annual Spin-In at Destin, FL. If you ask her how she comes up with the fun and creative designs she makes, most likely she will say that she “just made it up”. Her knitted animals, all with their own personalities, are happy fiber creations that will make everyone smile. Her lace works range from the simple garter stitch shawl with knitted-on edging to lacy children’s socks to gossamer scarves made with her handspun yarns. And she is wild about Harry Potter, which is evidenced by the Quidditch banner she designed. Margaret will be “hanging out” on Sunday morning, so stop and chat with this fun and creative woman about what it takes to be able to “just make it up”. Better yet, register for her Sunday afternoon class, “Be Creative with Fiber” to get an insider’s view into the creative process.

Lorri Helms has been spinning and knitting for 22 years. EIght years ago she moved to Mars Hill, NC and acquired her fiber animals. She has Shetland sheep, angora and pygora goats, and angora rabbits. At that time she started teaching spinning and knitting at a yarn shop in Black Mountain, NC, weekend classes at John C. Campbell Folk School, Southeastern Animal Fiber Fair and at her studio. She is a member of the Spinners, Shepherds and Wannabees spinning group, WNC Fiber Guild, TKGA, board member and treasurer of SAFF and past board member of SFFA.

Hollis Jordan Huntoon-Ray is all about the creative and the beautiful. She is a metalsmith, jeweler, and fiber artist. Hollis also is the owner of the Wash and Brush Up Company day spa in Monroe, Georgia and the Adonia Spa in Madison, Georgia. She studied the art of feltmaking in England. Back in the States, Hollis has taught others to make beautiful felted creations. Her hats, purses, shawls, and artistic felted pieces are uniquely embellished with antique buttons, beads, and pins as well as multi-colored felted embellishments, such as flowers and leaves, and needle felted embroidery. Hollis's Hand Felted Hat class is sure to be a wealth of information for those new to wet felting as well as those who have dabbled in this fun fiber media.

Nancy Kahrs has been spinning since 1978 and concentrating on silk and cotton since 1983. She believes that the learning experience should be a fun one and tries to keep her classes very relaxed but productive. Nancy has been fortunate enough to teach at several Southeast Fiber Forums as well as two HGA Convergences. She also teaches workshops for various guilds and state conferences.

Heather McCloy is a fiber addict who is trying to recover from working her way through nursing school by catching up on all the lost time playing with string. She is an avid spinner, dyer, knitter, crocheter, weaver and braider, and is the author of Dyeing is Not Alchemy! Heather is a gleeful member of PHG and the Society for Creative Anachronism, where she teaches textile arts and history. She shares her home with three cats, two dogs and one boyfriend, and thanks them all for putting up with her stacks of nursing textbooks and textile equipment.

Penny Rae says that she is a spinner, weaver, seamstress and knitter. In order to get all those things worked into her busy day, she says that she walks around with a timer so that she can do a little of each thing she loves to do. Her home is filled with her work which includes a floor loom, 4 spinning wheels, 7 sewing machines, bead looms, card looms and kumihimo equipment. She loves to knit socks and ride her horses.

Nancy Ratliff has been hooking for about 5 years - interested mostly in Primitive Rug Hooking. She attended numerous Rug Hooking Classes and is a member of the Atlanta Dogwood ATHA Guild, the Athens Crescent Lane Rug Hooking Guild and the Happy Hooker Guild in Fayetteville, GA. Some of her rugs were published in the book, Hooking On The Hill. She is also a Spinner, Weaver, Knitter, and Quilter. (Ed.- Nancy did not say that she is an experienced spinner, weaver, knitter and quilter producing astonishing pieces mostly for her own satisfaction and that a few lucky people own some of the pieces she has made for sale.)

Paula J. Vester has been spinning for 25 years, but has been interested in history and the collection of information all her life. As a teacher, storyteller, and demonstrator she shares not only the skills of spinning, dyeing, crochet and simple weaving, but also the folklore and history of the people who worked in textiles. Through her company, World In A Spin, she publishes her own books as well as those of other artists like Heather McCloy and Margaret Heathman..

Schedule of Events
Saturday, August 5			Sunday, August 6
8:30	a.m.	Registration	8:30	a.m.
8:30	a.m.	Market Opens	8:30	a.m.	Market Opens
9:30	a.m.	Morning Workshops Begin	9:30	a.m.	Morning Workshops Begin
12:00	noon	Morning Workshops End	12:00	noon	Morning Workshops End

12:00	noon	Lunch in the Community Room	12:00	noon	Lunch in the Community Room

2:00	p.m.	Afternoon Workshops Begin	1:30	p.m.	Afternoon Workshops Begin
5:00	p.m.	Afternoon Workshops End	4:30	p.m.	Afternoon Workshops End
6:00	p.m.	Market Closes	5:00	p.m.	Market Closes