Sheep to Shawl JudgingBetty reported that the board had received a response to the letter sent to Barbara Bitetto, Superintendent of the Sheep to Shawl Event, Western Washington State Fair.
Background:
Arachne along with Moonspinners Guild, the Seattle Handweaver’s Guild and a representative of the Tacoma Weaving Guild sent a letter to Ms. Bitetto in December regarding suggested changes to the Sheep to Shawl judging process.
Ms. Bitetto’s Response:
In an email sent to Betty on January 24, Ms. Bitetto acknowledged receiving the letter and also let us know there had been a delay in receiving it. She stated that she was already planning a judge change for the 2009 event and asked that the guilds send in their ideas for the judging criteria changes. She wants to receive these suggestions in writing by April 1. She is open to changing the judging criteria but also points out that, as outlined in the guild letter, one STS team could win in all categories. She also felt that finding multiple judges for the event could be difficult. It is also Fair policy that all judges be paid.
The Arachne board met on Jan. 28, to discuss and prepare a suggested response for the membership to consider. After much discussion, the response (as follows) was approved by the membership and Holly will prepare a letter to send to Ms. Bitetto.
Response:
Agreed with one paid judge
Suggest the following categories for judging be used and that criteria for each category be established. The category criteria would help the judge be consistent while judging the entries and make it easier and more fun for the judge overall. The suggested categories are:
o Most Consistent Spinning
o Most Consistent Weaving
o Best Use of Color
o Best Use of Natural Colors (when applicable)
o Best Hand
o Most Interesting Weave Structure
o Most Challenging Weave Structure
ANWG Conference Support Items:
In addition to the booth, ANWG conference planners are requesting Goodie Bag items, Vendor Bucks and a Silent Auction item.The membership approved a budget of $40 to create a goodie bag item and Georgean and Froggie will work together to create item. A budget of $10 was also approved for Vendor Bucks. Georgean has a book she is willing to donate in Arachne’s name for the silent auction.
ANWG Booth Update:
Cary reported that 7 transparencies have been finished. Cary and Rocky will be setting up a mock-up of the booth at the May meeting.
From Cary, “In order to have a successful booth at the ANWG Conference being held in Spokane at the end of May we need some more items for our 'picnic' theme. The items we would like to have in addition to all the wonderful things we have already gathered are: felted paper plates, woven napkins, felted chicken drumsticks, fruits and veggies that are knitted or felted or whatever, a 'blanket' or large tablecloth, woven basket, felted or woven 'bowls', woven scarf and, well, you know, 'picnic things. Our theme is the picnic under a lilac tree.” Items need to be turned in on or before the May meeting.
Sheep to Shawl Prep Report:
The fleece purchased in January has been dyed and is ready for spinning. Rocky distributed roving with gauge samples to those interested in spinning. Georgean volunteered to ply the yarn. If you are interested in helping with the spinning contact Rocky. Those who volunteered to spin at the February meeting are asked to return the spun yarn to Rocky at March meeting. You only need to spin singles as Georgean will be plying the yarn.
Table Looms:
Discussed an option of selling current table loom(s) and replacing it(them) with a small, portable 8 shaft table loom. Holly showed the membership her small Louet W-30 as an example of smaller, portable looms available. A committee (Georgean, Linda and Holly) was formed to investigate replacing the current table looms and it will report back no later than April.
Other Items:
New Loom – Georgean, Fran and Froggie warped the new loom and it is ready for check-out. Georgean created a draft from the books we received with it and the warp is complementary to the colors of the ANWG booth. Contact Fran to check it out.
Mystery Looms -- There was a brief discussion on ways to sell the mystery looms. Craigslist was suggested but no final decision was made. We will offer them to other guilds first.
Library Additions – Betty has purchased several e-books and the membership voted to share the cost of the e-books with her.
Food Bank -- The church does not need any more egg cartons, but they are very low on food for their food bank and would appreciate donations
ANWG - Waves of Color -- Deadline of April 1 for Project Runway, Look Out! Making Waves with What We Wear! & Juried Show which includes Woven Wearable’s, Home Interiors, Decorative Weaving & Innovative Interlacements April 15 Deadline
February Program Recap
Bags! Bags! Bags!
Our February program was all about bags – woven, felted, fabric and more! Everyone brought bags they had created and bag ideas to share. We all enjoyed examining a wonderful array of different bags. Below are some photos from the program.
Show and Tell
Click here for Show and Tell Slide Show
ANWG Conference
