Never Too Old to Learn

Had to read books

When we are very young we participate in a formal learning process.  Others determine what we learn so that we can function in human society.  As teenagers our interests and abilities have more influence over the direction of our studies but there is always a curriculum set by someone that we must follow in order to "graduate".  Such learning is work that we do to gain the approval of others.

Learning for pleasure is something we do for ourselves.  It is a lot more fun when we chose the subject, set the curriculum and decide what the passing mark is.  

Want to read books

So what does this have to do with weaving and spinning?  Some of us may be lucky enough to have access to an educational institute that provides instruction in weaving and spinning.  Most of us are on our own and depend upon publications, more experienced artisans, and those few who teach professionally.  We owe much to those great professional teachers who are willing to travel to smaller communities.  They cope with unfamiliar travel routes, rustic class rooms, unreliable equipment, and eclectic accommodations.  They scrimp on their own comforts to keep costs down and they know their chosen profession will never make them rich.  But they also know their students are eager to learn what they have to teach.

samples from dye workshop

colour exercise with wrapping

The Association of North West Weaving Guilds provides funds to help support member guilds educational efforts.  This year the Qualicum Weavers and Spinners Guild was awarded a grant in support of a workshop and a series of lectures by Robyn Spady.  Robyn is a frequent contributor to Handwoven, Shuttle Spindle and Dye Pot and other weaving publications.  She has completed the Handweavers Guild of American Certificate of Excellence and has written monographs on creating decorative trim. www.spadystudios.com
The program takes place June 5 to 7th and includes the workshop, Extreme Warp Makeover.  The lectures include, Taming of the Hue, Weaving TNT and Two Sides of Every Cloth.  The lectures are independent of the workshop and can be taken individually or as a series.  The location is the Lighthouse Hall in Qualicum Bay on Vancouver Island.  For details about the subject matter see Robyn's web site.

Blanket from workshop

We are hoping that weavers who are not members of the Qualicum group will attend the program.  The workshop committee has sent information to neighbouring guilds through their ANWG representative.  If you are interested check with your ANWG representative or check the guild events column to the right of this post.