Genesee Valley Handspinners Guild: Preserving the Ancient Art of Handspinning
In 1985 a small group of like-minded individuals formed the Genesee Valley Handspinners Guild. They had the tenacity and skill to develop their craft.
Author Archive for: Guest Blogger
Entries by Guest Blogger
Third Thursdays Guild Tips
As we ramp up for tonight’s PLY Spinners Guild Third Thursday foundational spin-in, we’d like to take a moment to feature some tips from one of our wonderful PLY Guild spin-in leaders, Terri Guerette. What should I bring to a workshop? Although not something to bring to a workshop, one of the reminders I often […]
Rose Gray Alpaca Fiber Study
Rose gray is one of the most mysterious colors present in the alpaca fleece color range. It is a color comprising three shades – light, medium, and dark – which can be imagined as coffee with varying amounts of cream added. The hint of rose is most noticeable in medium rose gray but is a […]
Dyed and Went to Pennsylvania
Words and photos by Jenn Lander For those of us who are spinners, fiber is joy. And when we create something beyond our expectations, it’s even better. During the summer of 2023 I did just that with the help of others who knew exactly how to make my work come to life. As a visual […]
Book Review: In Search of Wild Silk by Karen Selk
In Search of Wild Silk: Exploring a Village Industry in the Jungles of India by Karen SelkSchiffer Craft$39.99, hardcover 8.5 x 11 with 270 pages, and 360 photographs. Published: March 28, 2023 Buy now at Bookshop.orgReview by Jacqueline Harp (Instagram: @foreverfiberarts) Just as the title implies, Karen Selk’s book focuses on the struggles of small wild silk […]
The Woolly Animal of Dawn
No matter when I go to bed, I wake between 4:30–5:00 a.m. And what do I do in these hours where nobody makes any demands? I create. Sometimes I knit. Sometimes I write. But mostly, I spin.
A Spinner’s Toolbox . . . Literally
Today, I would just like to share with you a few essential tools every spinner should have handy to keep a wheel in working condition and fix solutions to tiny problems.
Farm to Wheel: Supporting local shepherds
Is it possible for us as spinners to buy local wool to fulfill our spinning needs and support local shepherds at the same time? When we purchase locally, we play a part, however small, in contributing to sustainable agriculture in our part of the world. Additional benefits include providing support to the rural economy and helping to ensure that local agriculture stays alive and thriving.
Celebrating Risks
Challenging myself sometimes results in discouragement to such an extent that I don’t even want to look at my wheels or fiber stockpile. I’ve discovered that I need to celebrate my attempts at the new and different.
