Interest Group News

Interest Group News

The Guild has formed several special interest groups: Weaving, Natural Dyeing, Spinning, Basketry, Stitchery, Felting, and two Tapestry groups, Twisted Sisters and Eccentrics. (Note: Click on the Group name here to jump to that group section of this page.) You must be a paid Guild member to join.

For general information about the Guild: Contact Us

To find out more information and/or request to join an interest group or two, use the “Contact …” button under the Group(s) of interest and someone will contact you.


Basketry Group – The Basketeers

The “Basketeers” are avid fans of reeds, tools, and buckets of water! We have made garlic baskets, cathead baskets, twined baskets, and more. The group has been looking into processing natural materials to make our baskets, as well.  We meet at alternating homes of the members.

Contact:

Karen Golding

Regular Meeting Schedule:

We meet on the third Friday of odd months and third Saturday of even months.

Contact Basketry
 

Felting

Although there is no formal interest group at this time, there is some interest in felting among our members and we will post information about felting here as it becomes available. Please see the following artists who teach both in person and via Zoom for virtual workshops. 


Natural Dyeing – The Dyeversities

The natural dye group includes dyers of different levels of experience and skill. Our explorations may vary from the focused to the serendipitous but we all find joy in the camaraderie of fellow dyers, and the beauty and gifts from our natural world.

Contact:

Peggy McCollough

Regular Scheduled Meetings:

Third Wednesday of the month.

Contact Natural Dyeing

 

Stitchery – Sew and So’s

At our last meeting: We decided we are a stitchery group, more encompassing than only embroidery.

Jen showed us how to do a French knot.

There was LOTS of sharing including a variety of minutiae around working with thread, web sites, books, and YouTube videos.

We talked also about going on a field trip to the needlework shops in the Bay Area!!!

For the addresses of the meetings and more information, use the “Contact:” link below.

Contact:

Elizabeth Schilling

Regular Scheduled Meetings:

[regular meeting time (optional location)]

Contact Stitchery
 

Spinning Group – Frequent Flyers

Be in touch with the threads, be it wool, silk, cotton, or flax. Drop spindle, spinning wheel, or apple & coat hanger, all are welcome!

Our small but mighty group met on July 19th and books from both the Guild library and private collections were shared. Judith MacKenzie’s book, Teach Yourself Handspinning Visually, was well received. The video, Spinning Wool Basics & Beyond, by Patty Zawistoski will be available for members of the group to borrow from the interest group leader.

Contact:

Bruce Fihe

Regular Meeting Schedule:

10:00 am to about 1:00 pm, on the first Monday of each month at the Clubhouse of Villa Santa Cruz, 2435 Felt St, Santa Cruz.

Contact Spinning
 

Tapestry Group – Twisted Sisters

The Twisted Sisters (brothers are also welcome), tapestry group is a small  friendly group.

 We invite all levels of tapestry weavers to join in. 

We meet at least one Thursday a month by group agreement at various locations.

We offer each other support with our weaving questions as they come up. Our group is friendly and sweet, and we welcome new members. 

If you just getting started we are happy to get you going. If you just want to weave with some like-minded folks, we would love to have you join in.

Contact:

Maggie Clark

Regular Meeting Schedule:

Meeting times and locations as agreed upon by members.

Contact Twisted
 

Tapestry Group – The Eccentrics

“Our threads are warped. Our wefts do not always follow the rules. They cross in unruly ways creating zigs and zags, highs and lows, puffs and tufts, angling off the path, making holes on the way, only to return to the straights.”

Current project: “Tiny But Mighty” group entries in the theme “Survival”

Contact:

Janette Gross

Regular Meeting Schedule:

We meet erratically on Mondays.

Contact Eccentrics
 

Weaving Group – Be Weave It, or Not!

Our weaving interest group is split into two groups: The Big Group members have looms in their homes, and have some weaving experience. They meet about once a month on a Tuesday with the Newbies group. This monthly meeting will be held at members’ homes January – June 2023.

The Newbies, group two, use looms at Joan Vierra’s home studio. The Newbies meet almost every Tuesday to practice and learn one new step at a time.
All meetings take place 10:00 am – 2:00 pm.

Contact:

Joan Veirra

Regular Meeting Schedule:

See the “2023 Schedule…” post below or the Planning Calendar on the Members Only page.

Contact Weaving