March 6: SMALL LOOMS with Margaret Jager & 34th Guild Anniversary!

The Lakeshore Fiber Arts Guild will celebrate its 34^th anniversary of joining together to study and enjoy the exciting world of textiles and fiber arts with cake and pictures.  We invite anyone interested in the textile and fiber arts to join us on Wed., March 6, at the Holland Area Arts Council, 150 East 8^th St., Holland, MI 49423, starting at 6:00pm.

The guild also presents Grand Rapids resident Margaret Jager speaking about “Small Looms.”  Remember those little 4”x4” Weave It looms you bought with your allowance at the dime store decades ago? They are only available now at estate sales, antique stores, or E-bay, but the idea of working on a hand-held loom is very much alive.  This program will focus on pushing the capability of the small loom:  changing the size, adding texture, using unusual yarns, and developing attractive joining and finishing techniques.  We'll even discuss designing and making your own looms inexpensively.

Jager is currently the President of the Woodland Weavers & Spinners Guild in Grand Rapids, Michigan and will become president of the Michigan League of Handweavers this summer.  She is an avid weaver and spinner and former school teacher, especially in the sciences.

The Lakeshore Fiber Arts Guild invites anyone interested in the textile fiber arts to their monthly program meetings held the first Wednesday of each month at the Holland Area Arts Council.  For more information, contact jgould1526@esagelink.com or 616-878-1526.

Surface Design Project: New Additions

Jeanne Emery's black spirals on Pris Lynch's black
and brown dyed background (Group D).

Barb Wright's white-on-white printed spirals
(Group C).

Marty Swank's yellow & green dye painted adddtion
(Group A).

Jan Koster's printed and machine stitched Xs
(Group B).

 The last three pieces of fabric were displayed at the Feb. 6 meeting and the individual additions were explained by Jan Koster (stamped and stitched addition), and Marty Swank (colorfully dyed sections), along with Barb Wright's white-on-white printed addition.  The first piece (Jeanne and Pris') was a surprise addition.  At the March 6 meeting it will go to the last people for their additions.  We'll see the final fabrics at the April  3 meeting!

Members Work at Postcard Salon, Muskegon Museum of Art

One of the 4 walls of postcards at the Postcard Salon
Muskegon Museum of Art, Jan. 31-Feb. 7, 2013

Guild members Jeanne Emery and Jennifer Gould had their postcards displayed at the annual Postcard Salon at the Muskegon Museum of Art (January 31-Feb. 7).  The reception and final sale of postcards took place on Thurs., Feb. 7, 5:30-7pm but, unfortunately, neither Jeannie or Jennifer were able to get to the reception because of one of West Michigan's worst snow storms was barreling through that evening.  Jennifer made it to the MMA that afternoon to see the Postcard Salon (images below) and the fabulous textile exhibit, Innovators & Legends (works by 51 fiber artists).  Jeannie tried by turned around and drove home instead!

The annual Postcard Salon event has 4"x6" postcards from very young children to professional artists in everything from crocheted animals (very 3-D), to ceramic tiles, watercolors, etchings and, of course, textiles.  Maybe you can submit your postcards to the Salon next year!

Jennifer Gould

Jennifer Gould

Find Jeanne Emery's pieces!

Jeanne Emery

Jeanne Emery

Jeanne Emery

Jeanne Emery

FUN AGAIN: Surface Design Project, Hand Spinning & Show 'n Tell

Our next meeting on Wed., February 6, at the Holland Area Arts Council (6pm before the doors close!) will continue our group's exploration of surface design on fabric.  Many of the members are involved in the third phase of doing their chosen textile technique on a piece of fabric (see images below from last month's meeting) and it will pass to the fourth person in each group for their addition before the March meeting.

We'll also enjoy seeing what members and guests have been working on when everyone sees items they've brought for Show 'n Tell.

Hopefully members and guests will bring drop spindles and spinning wheels and spend time renewing how to spin wool with this equipment.  Look forward to seeing you then.

REMINDER TO ALL:  This meeting is weather dependent!  If the Holland Public Schools are closed (snow day), then the Holland Area Arts Council is closed, and therefore no guild meeting.