JUNE 2017 ISSUE 103

President’s Bit
Just some thoughts...

The Sheep and Wool Festivals have arrived! Baby animals, outdoor dye days, shearings and more
opportunities to reconnect with other fiber folk. Walking around the New Hampshire Sheep and Wool
Festival, I was aware of how many familiar faces were there, some of whom I don't have names for (or
just can't remember them!) but am aware of seeing them year after year. It feels somewhat like a
pleasantly anticipated reunion of the fiber family! Did any of you get to other fiber events this
spring? Would you be willing to write a short article so the rest of us can enjoy that event “from a
distance”? The long drive to another state always seems easier when you can look forward to something
that has peaked your interest.

Support some of the lesser known fiber days and remind us of how we can encourage them to keep
going! So - calling on all representatives to send information on anything fiber related in your
state. Sharing this information and tempting the curious to venture into new territory might just be the
spark event organizers need to keep going. Without our fiber festivals, the world would be much less
colorful.

We recently ordered more NHA brochures, so let me know if you need any and I'll send them out. At
the NH Sheep and Wool, we used several as a way to initiate conversations with people who stopped to
watch our spinning demo. One lady's story really touched my heart. Her husband bought her a spinning
wheel just because he thought she'd like one. She had no idea of where to get lessons or even how to
contact someone who might be able to help. Sadly, he passed away about two years ago before she
figured it all out. Because she looked interested in our fiber corner, I offered her the NHA brochure and
that's when she shared her story. After adding the Fleece and Flyer and anything else we could find
fiber related, she gave me a hug and went on her way, confident that she could now make the necessary
contacts and honor her husband's gift. Think of the many times you've had similar experiences and how
good it feels to “pass it on”.

Listening to the stories people shared while doing the spinning demo reminded me that to many out
there, what we do with wool seems like magic. Am I channeling Professor Dumbledore??

Plans are moving right along for our Open House on Saturday, November 4, 2017 in White River
Junction, Vermont. The Committee really wants to put together a day we'll all look forward to so maybe
it's time to reserve the date on your family calendar – paper or electronic.

Check the calendar of events to help you fill up your weekends with wooly wonders! My family likes a
fair amount of advance notice before I disappear for the day!

It's sunny and not too hot so, if my family's looking for me, I'm outside spinning.
Care to join me?

Shirley
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JUNE 2017, Issue 103
http://www.nehandspinners.org

About Our Organization

The Northeast Handspinners Association (NHA) is a pan-New England organization for the promotion and
education of the art and craft of handspinning.
NHA provides a communications network for individuals and groups, and gives handspinners the opportunity to
share, learn, educate, compete, and cooperate on a regional basis. NHA sponsors and supports events to bring
spinners from the Northeastern states together, including workshops, open houses, skein contests, grants to
guilds and fairs, and scholarships.

Our quarterly newsletter, Spindles & Rovings, is our members’ source of information on upcoming events,
spinning tips, articles and reports on what the NHA, guilds, and groups are doing throughout the Northeast.
The Gathering, a biennial weekend spinning retreat that features the best in spinning classes with respected
teachers from all over the US and Canada, is held in even years. A biennial, one-day spinning Open House is
held in odd years. Venues for both events move around the Northeast.
Officers
President Vice President Secretary Treasurer
Shirley Toomey Pat Stone Michelle McCrillis Meredith Toumayan
73 Cross Street P.O. Box 638 589 Howe St 304 Village Rd.
Methuen, MA 01844 Wallingford, VT 05773 East Brookfield, MA 01515 Jackson ME, 04921
978-682-9999 802-446-3637 508-867-7681 Meredith.toumayan@gmail.com
woolspinner@comcast.net Patstone802@gmail.com mickiinpodunk@yahoo.com 978-465-4039

Parliamentarian: Cheryl McCarthy

Committee Heads
Membership Newsletter Gathering 2018 Chair Open House 2017
Diane Stangle Beth Van Belle Wendy Booth Pat Stone
65 Loring Rd 45 Moulton St 37 Swan Drive Ruth Ticknor
Winthrop, MA 02152 Newburyport, MA 01950 Nottingham, NH 03290 Peggy Allen
617-207-9241 Bethvanbelle@gmail.com 603-557-7468
dianestangle@comcast.net h2ofront@comcast.net
State Representatives
Web Connecticut Maine Massachusetts
Cheryl McCarthy Theresa Drouin-Guerette Susan Dewey Pam Jones
27 Forest St 2D Townhouse Rd. PO Box58 P.O. Box 481
Byfield, Ma 01922 Broadbrook, Ct 06016 Jonesboro ME 04648 Newburyport MA 01950
978-465-3705 860-254-5205 Susan@beeberrywoods.com 978-502-7202
Fergus570@hotmail.com Theresa.DrouinGurette@gmai 207-266-3691 pbdjones@comcast.net
l.com
Susan Golden Martha Healy
10 Hazeltine Rd 46a Peach Highlands
Belfast ME 04915 Marblehead MA 01945.
suegolden@gmail.com 781-521-7262
marthajhealy@gmail.com
New Hampshire New York Rhode Island Vermont
Wendy Booth Angela Mann Ruth Ticknor
37 Swan Drive 4838 Appaloosa Trail 217 Sunrise Hill Rd
Nottingham, NH 03290 Clay NY 13401 Windsor, VT 05089
603-557-7468 Angelamann323@gmail.com ruthticknor@icloud.com
h2ofront@comcast.net 802-674-6849
Carolyn Blaszka Peggy Allen
28 Moulton Dr 2514 Jericho Rd
East Hampstead, NH 03826 White River Junction, VT 05001
603-382-1201 802-281-5850
Peggy.allen1@gmail.com
farminthewoods@comcast.
net

Northeast Handspinners Association 2

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Vermont Open House Saturday

November 4 2017 9am-4pm
This year, Vermont will be hosting the NHA Open House. The venue will be the Freight House Hall in downtown
White River Junction, located at 188 S. Main Street. This building is part of a renovated historic railroad depot,
providing an open event space with high ceilings, worn, warm wood flooring and plenty of room for our wheels.
The historic town of White River Junction is just off Interstate 91 and 89. Consider staying for the weekend to
enjoy the shops in town, nearby King Arthur Flour, Dartmouth College in Hanover, NH, and Woodstock, VT.
This year we will offer 3 workshops for members to choose from.
Robin Russo will be speaking to us in the morning about using Combs in fiber prep, and then continuing with a
workshop in the afternoon for anyone interested in a hands-on learning to combing various fiber types.
Patty Williams, the co-owner of Aker Fiber Farm in Enfield NY, will be offering a workshop in Intro to Linen
spinning.
Carol Johnson Collins of Singing Spindle Spinnery in So. Duxbury VT will be teaching a workshop in circular
(pizza) weaving.
John Crane has offered to display his amazing collection of fleeces. So far, he has 56 different breeds in the
collection. For each breed, he has an information sheet, sample locks, sample carded roving, a small hank of
handspun yarn, and a knitted swatch.
Lunch will be provided by Coventry Caterers of White River Junction, VT. A nominal fee will be charged for
those ordering lunch, but members may also bring their own lunch if they prefer.
Registration information will be in the Fall Newsletter.
The Open House is a free event for our members. A nominal fee will be charged for workshop supplies where
needed, for those members taking the optional workshops.

Pat Stone

Weavings+ projects from Pizza Weaving Kits

To the left is a little girl
proudly wearing a hat
her parents bought for
her which I made using
one of these weaving
kits.

In the right picture,

several circular weavings
on Baltic Birch
Plywood. On the far left
is a pillow I made using
the same method.

One of the kits made with cardboard.

Carol Johnson Collins, Owner

www.SingingSpindleSpinnery.com
singspin@madriver.com

Northeast Handspinners Association 3

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2018 NHA Gathering Update

NH Gathering 2018 unveils it’s event logo….Designed by Susan
Foster Brown from Milton NH (Susan Foster Brown Studio on
Facebook) a handspinner, dyer, artist and graphic
designer. You may have seen her handspun yarns and cards for
sale at the NH Sheep and Wool Festival 2017.

The plans for the event are coming along. We are accepting
and reviewing proposals for mentors and classes. We are
pleased to announce that we are planning to have Abby
Franquemont back and Amy Tyler as spinning instructors along
with some exciting names in knitting, perhaps a basket class
and hoping for a rigid heddle weaving class for something
new. Stay tuned as the summer progresses and so do the
plans.

We are still looking for vendors and swag donation for the
event…please reach out to me if you would like to be
considered or donate.

Wendy Booth wendy_booth@comcast.net

Washington County Fiber Tour

Engaging with bottle lamb. Youth learns about Lamb feedings and enter acts with agriculture. Karin Kennedy
Ensign Brook Farm

Northeast Handspinners Association 4

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Oversize Felted Luxury Scarf

taught by Massachusetts fiber artist
Eva Camacho.

On March 25th and 26th I attended a wonderful class at the New England Felting Supply in Easthampton, MA.
The class was 'Oversize Felted Luxury Scarf taught by Massachusetts fiber artist Eva Camacho. I arrived bright
and early on Saturday morning with all of the supplies they told me to bring.
Eva warmly welcomed us and the fun began!

We learned fabric selection, looking at silk chiffon and habotai. We then painted sections to use for a sample
piece and learn techniques to be used in our final scarves. We learned ways to make our own stencils for
printing designs on our fabric and to use our imaginations to explore new ideas.
For my own scarf, I used silk chiffon that I previously dyed a bright pink. I used painted and stenciled shapes as
embellishments. Eva encouraged me to choose a medium gray for the inner merino layer and the result was a
lovely shade of a muted pink. The finished size after felting was 14" x 72".
I was very excited to learn how to estimate the rate of shrinkage that you could expect from the felting and
fulling process.

As in other fiber classes I have taken, it is always wonderful to meet other fiber enthusiasts and become
inspired by their ideas and creativity. Most had traveled a good distance and lived as far away as Maine, New
York, and Delaware. Several took classes from Eva regularly.

Eva is a gifted artist and teacher and we were all happy to have taken this class. She spoke about surface
design and we are hoping a class will be offered on it in the Fall.
The weekend ended all too soon, but I am returning for another 2 day class with her in July for her Barcelona
Vest class! It happens to coincide with my Birthday . What better way to spend a Birthday !
Carolyn Blaszka
Hampstead, NH
Updates from Terri Guerette
- the April guild meeting (felting a landscape) was a ton of fun,
- just got back from Ply Away,
- our reenactment/demonstration season is kicking into high gear, and
- my article submission was accepted by Ply Magazine for the Winter 2017 issue.

Northeast Handspinners Association 5

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Proposed Bylaw Amendment

At the last Annual meeting it was brought to my attention that I was not holding the Gathering board meeting
on the date called for in our Bylaws. I am very sorry, but as many times as I had read the bylaws, I had not
caught that part. I attended my first Gathering fall board meeting in 2002. It was held on the Friday afternoon
of the Gathering. Every Gathering board meeting from that point, until I became president, was held on the
Friday of the Gathering. So when it was my turn to schedule the meetings I scheduled them on Friday. I am not
sure why the Bylaws say the meeting should be on Saturday, perhaps when they were written there were not so
formalized classes on Saturday? All I know is that right now, the Saturday of the Gathering is so full, I do not
know when we could hold a meeting. So at the spring board meeting, I proposed a bylaw amendment to
change the day of the Gathering board meeting to the Friday of the Gathering. The board will discuss this at
our next board meeting.
Cheryl McCarthy
President 2013-2016

Common Ground Fair Flax spinning

Last year, at the Common Ground Fair, the Wednesday
Spinners organized a flax presentation. Several members
planted and harvested flax, Susanne Grosjean created a
lovely slide show of the process she followed. There was
lots of spinning and demonstrations. This year they are
preparing a photo essay of the experience in hopes of
publishing in the Flax issue of Ply Magazine.
Susan Dewey

Mystery Wheel
There is a spinning group started in Machias, ME at the
Cooperative Extension offices on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays
of the month. It is running from 2 - 4pm. There is a
mystery wheel owned by one of the group. (photo to the
right)
Susan Dewey

Event Information for Website and

Newsletter
Please send fiber events to Cheryl McCarthy to be listed on
website:
Fergus570@hotmail.com

Book Review: "Sadie's Winter Dream: Fishermen's Wives & Maine Seacoast
Mission Hooked Rugs 1923-1938" by Judith Burger-Gossart and published in
2015.
It's a carefully researched and richly illustrated volume that tells the stories of the hard-working women of
Maine's coast, and the Seacoast Mission's project to help them hone their craft and earn income through the
sale of hooked rugs. In the words of one reviewer, it's "a collection of diaries worked in wool. The mothers,
aunties, and grannies along Maine's coast and the outer islands all unknowingly created autobiography while
they thought they were providing warmth over cold floors or something to set their rocker on by the
woodstove." Rug hooking is a textile art that has its origins in Maine and Atlantic Canada, so it's especially fun
to discover this moving and important chapter in the history of our Maine women, and our fiber arts! You can
find it at
http://maineauthorspublishing.com/sadies-winter-dream/
Sue Golden

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Golden Fleece Spinner's Society

The Golden Fleece Spinner's Society
hosted the 2017 CNY Fiber Frolic on
April 15th and it was a great
success. The event promotes local
farm to customer goods with a focus
on fiber arts. There were spinners
and weavers demonstrating and
giving mini-lessons all day. The
vendors were busy and reported they
had a profitable day as well, which
we love to hear. We have found
more success by cutting out all paid
advertising for this event and just
purchasing a regional Facebook ad
with key words we choose. Last year was our first test with a social media ad and this year reinforced it. It's
wonderful to reach out to people who are just getting started with their fiber obsession and to find others that
didn't know such a great community is in the Syracuse area. Overall we had a fun time and preparations have
already begun for next year. I have included some of my
favorite pictures as well: members demonstrating (above),
a first ever handspun yarn on a Scottish drop spindle
(right), and a gentleman learning how to rug hook (below)

I have to say, he sent us the best message after

the event, it's so good I have to share it:

"What a blessing to go to Beaver Lake Nature

Center today for the CNY Fiber Frolic. I got to
learn a lot from those who know what they are
doing and to take a little breathe for myself and
enjoy the company of those who have the same
passion for the fiber arts. I got to try my hand at
traditional rug hooking and learned that you
should not say latch hook around those who do. I
finally got a hands on demonstration of using a
drop spindle to spin wool and can't wait to use my new spindle and roving wool to spin my own. And yes that is
me in that pic." - Brandin Greco
Up next is the CNY Fiber Festival in Bouckville, NY in June and then the NYS Fair with demonstrations in the
Wool Center in August/September.

Angela Mann

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The Yarn Cupboard Annual Retreat

The Yarn Cupboard annual retreat and fiber arts market
also in April. My classes included dyeing a sock blank
with Jennifer from Holiday Yarn, pattern drafting for
knitters with Cal Patch, and the Asanagi Wrap (modular
knitting) with Olga Buraya-Kefelia. Every year this
event fails to disappoint. We have such a great time at
the retreat and get access to amazing teachers and
vendors. I attached pictures of some of the sock blanks
that were dyed. I plan to use my sock blank to knit up
the Hei Cowl by Olga. I left that weekend inspired and
full of crafting mojo so now I just need to find time!
Angela Mann

Fiber Fun
Well, having a wedding the day of CT S&W, I found solace in heading up to NH S&W, promising my husband that
I wouldn't spend more than $1000 (this in front of our financial planner who's making sure our retirement
money lasts for the rest of our lifetime. The look on his face was worth it. I haven't spent that much since the
first or second time I went to MD S&W, and that's ages agol.) While my friend and I had a good time, and we
saw more than a few things to lust over, I did manage to come back with some earrings, stitch markers, some
Shetland to spin, and a rigid heddle loom from the used equipment sale. Told my friend that if it was still
there when we were leaving, it was leaving with me. Well, it's in my front hall at the moment. I'll look at the
instructions and warp it for some simple towels when the dratted commencement season is over (one down,
two to go). Sadly, and I know it isn't my imagination, the economy still hasn't caught up to the festivals yet,
vendor numbers are still down and there seem to be fewer folks shopping still.
Michelle McCrillis

NHA Award for the NH Sheep and Wool

Nancy McMullen received the NHA award at the NH Sheep and Wool Festival for her "Best Skein Spun on a
Spindle". She also took first place in Class 1, 2-ply yarn spun from commercially prepared fiber.

Northeast Handspinners Association 8

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Events
The Vermont Sheep and Goat Association is thrilled to
host the American Sheep Industry Association's (ASI) Wool
Handling Course in June. The Course conveys a wealth of
information and is a must for beginners and seasoned pros
alike. Don’t miss out; registration is NOW OPEN!
What? VSGA is hosting the 1.5-day ASI Wool Handling Course presented by Dr. Lisa Surber, ASI Director of Raw
Wool Services.
When? Saturday, June 24, 2017 from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, June 25, 2017 from 8:00 a.m. to
noon.
Where? The event will take place at the Red Schoolhouse Building located at Vermont Technical College
(VTC) in Randolph Center, VT.
Cost? $50 for VSGA members and $60 for non-members.
Maps, directions, course outline, and registration are at http://vtsheepandgoat.org/register-asi-wool-handling-
course/. We look forward so seeing you there!
VSGA Wool Committee

Open and walk-in classes are still available during NEWS at Smith College
during the week of July 12-15.
Take advantage of a day visit to Smith College for a class or two. Last dates to register for these classes are
listed. For teacher information and details of these classes please refer to the NEWS website:
newenglandweaversseminar.com
J:1 Double-cloth 6/30
K:1 Weaving in 3-D 6/30
H:5 Treasures from the loom: introduction to sewing with handwoven fabric 7/1
C:6 Button, button, whose got…Polymer Clay Buttons 7/12
D:5 Round & Round: Weave a Tubular Necklace 7/12
A few of the classes that allow walk-ins on the date of class:
A:1 Understanding Summer and Winter
A:2 Weaving Tricks and Tips
A:3 Weaving in Bhutan
A:4 The First Cut is the Deepest
A:6 Kumihimo: Basic 8 Strand Round Braid
G:2 Moving Beyond the Published Pattern: Designing for Weaving
G:3 Navajo Lap Spindling
H:2 Explorations in Color in Weaving
B:1 Chinese Dragon Boat
B:2 Buttons, Buttons- Dorset and Deathheads
B:3 Drafting: Basic Color and Weave
June
June 3 Nutmeg Spinners Guild meeting Ginger Balch
Heddle Weaving and Pin Weaving St. John’s Episcopal Church, West Hartford Ct www.nutmegspinners.org
June 3-4 – 17th Annual Fiber Frolic, Windsor Fairgrounds, Windsor, Maine
Celebrating fiber, fiber animals, fiber arts, and small farming ventures. Sheep dog trials, fiber workshops, 90+
vendors, Make it with Fiber Contest, Sheep to Shawl competition, free demonstrations and talks, and food.
Themainefiberfrolic on Facebook
http:/www.fiberfrolic.com
info@fiberfrolic.com
June 10-11, CNY Fiber Arts Festival, Bouckville, NY **
http://www.cnyfiber.org/
June 17 - 10am-4pm - Eco Printing with Amelia Poole at Port Fiber
June 17 - 11am-5pm - Trunk Show with Madder Root at Port Fiber

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June 23-25- Pleasant Mountain Fiber Arts Workshops

Friday, June 23, 2017 - Sunday, June 25, 2017 9:00 am to 4:00 pm each day
Denmark Municipal Building, 62 East Main Street, Denmark, Maine
This year's program includes over 30 exciting, affordable workshops in felting, knitting, spinning, book
arts, weaving and a host of traditional fiber crafts for all levels taught by experienced instructors. Come one
day or all three.
Full details about the workshops and registration information can be found at www.pleasantmtfiber.com , or
call 207-452-2687.

July
July 9 - 11am-3pm - Dyeing 101 with Casey Ryder at Port Fiber

August
August 12, 2017 Fiber Revival Spencer Pierce Little Farm 5 Littles Lane, Newbury MA fiberrevival.com
August 23-27 2017 Caladonia County Fair caladoniacountyfair.com
August 23-September 4 New York State Fair Syracuse NY Demos in the Wool Center

September
September TBD, 2017, Golden Harvest Festival, Beaver Lake Nature Center **
http://events.onondagacountyparks.com/view/187/golden-harvest-festival
September 5th – December 17th Vav Immersion 15 week Weaving Intensive co-sponsored by Fabric of
Life and Vävstuga Weaving School Shelburne Falls, MA fabric-of-life.org 413-625-8241
September 15-October 1 2017 The Big E Springfield MA thebige.com
September 16-17, 2017, Finger Lakes Fiber Festival, Hemlock, NY **
http://www.gvhg.org/fiber-fest/
September 21- October 1 2017 Shetland Wool Week Tour during the 8th Annual Shetland wool Week
arranged by Elegant Ewe Travel www.elegantewetravel.com
also see http://www.shetlandwoolweek.com to see photos of last year
September 22,23 &24 2017 Commonground Fair Unity Maine mofga.org
September 23-24, 2017, Southern Adirondack Fiber Festival, Greenwich, NY
http://www.adkfiber.com/.

September 29- October 1, 2017 Spinning Summit at Webs www.yarn.com

29th Annual Vermont Sheep & Wool Festival
September 30 & October 1, 2017
Tunbridge Fairgrounds
Tunbridge, VT
www.vtsheepandwoolfest.org

The Vermont Sheep & Wool Festival celebrates small farms and natural fiber with over 70 vendors offering fleece
and yarn, fiber animals, handspinning and fiber crafting equipment and supplies, handcrafted wool items and local
meat and cheese. The Festival includes contests, fiber arts classes and demonstrations, shepherd workshops,
herding and shearing demos, fleece sale and more set against a backdrop of rolling hills during the peak of
Vermont fall foliage.

Adults $6, Seniors: $5, Children under 12: $1

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Wheels for Sale

Leclerc Saxony style Spinning Wheel. Maple wood, single treadle. Includes
3 bobbins & lazy kate. Excellent condition. $350.
Norma L. Bromley Boreas Farm Cashmere
Newark, VT 802-467-3222

Majacraft Rose Spinning Wheel for Sale

Owned by Harriet Baily long time member of NH Spinners &Dyers
who is now in a rest home. Her daughter Carol is selling it for her
and asking $550.
Contact her at cbsumber@yahoo.com

Membership (Renewal) Application

Name

Address

Phone

Email

Date

Membership _____New _____Renewal _____Lapsed

Newletter Delivery
____Email _____Mail

Type of Appication Individual Family Group Newsletter

Two Years $25_____ Two Years $35_____ Two Years $20_____
One Year $15_____ One Year $20_____ One Year $10_____

Would you like to volunteer?

Serve on a committee? Help plan an event? Write for the newsletter?

Please make checks payable to Northeast Handspinners Association. Send completed application form and
payment to: Diane Stangle, 65 Loring Road, Winthrop, MA 02152
Questions, please contact the membership chair Diane Stangle. 617-207-9241, dianestangle@comcast.net

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