Past Issues

THE NORTHWEST PENNSYLVANIA SPINNERS AND WEAVERS GUILD

Saturday, December 2, 2006, from 10:00 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Christ Episcopal Church, Diamond Park, Meadville, PA

Calendar of Events

November 4th - NPSWG Program Meeting at Christ Church 10:00a.m.to-2:00p.m.

November 21st - NPSWG Tuesday Spinning at Christ Church 10:00a.m.to 2:00p.m.

December 2nd - NPSWG Business/Christmas Meeting at Christ Church 10:00a.m.to-2:00p.m.

December 19th - NPSWG Tuesday Spinning at Christ Church 10:00a.m.to 2:00p.m.

Minutes of the October 6, 2006 NPSWG Meeting

The meeting was chaired by Joanna McDermot, who kept the proceedings brief so that we could enjoy the talk by our guest speaker, felt artist Deborah Pope. Joanna announced that Deborah had donated one of her felted balls to be raffled off that evening. Joanna then described the status of the guild’s arrangement with Christ Church in Meadville. Through shrewd and determined bargaining, Bonnie Crytzer has negotiated a price of $250 for our usual days during 2007. St. James’ Church in Titusville has also offered the use of their facilities without charge, so the guild now faces a decision: stay at Christ Church, or move elsewhere? Joanna polled the members present at the meeting and will contact those who were not present by phone or email to learn their preferences – she emphasized that this critical decision is one we will make as a group.

Joanna then welcomed the guests who had come to hear Deborah and thanked Joyce Rose for all her hard work in organizing Deborah’s visit and getting grant funding to help support it. Amidst grateful applause, Joyce spoke briefly to thank the Pennsylvania Partners in the Arts program for their financial support and then introduced Deborah.

Deborah’s talk was informative and inspiring. She has both an artist’s creativity and an astonishing mastery of technique, and she had brought many of her gallery-quality pieces to show us. She provided many useful hints and ideas, but what made her talk truly memorable was her clarity of vision and sheer inventiveness. Many thanks to Deborah for a wonderful program, and to Joyce to making it happen.

Respectfully submitted,
Ann Sheffield, Secretary

WE ARE RICH - RICH - RICH !!
A few thoughts from your president

As I write these thoughts for you, the leaves are turning, the geese are flying over, and another season is about to be with us. It’s a time which seems to remind us to be positive and hopeful.

One of our members corrected me not long ago when I was saying that we are poor. My mistake! True, we are a bit financially challenged these days, but only to the extent that we need to pay more attention to our budget and our resources. We can do that, and over the next months we will. It’s no different from what we do with our finances at home every month. But really we are rich beyond measure. We are rich in SPIRIT, rich in TALENT, rich in CARING, and rich in our long TRADITION together. I have great expectations for the good things we will be doing together in the coming months.

A few words on the practical side: At this moment I don’t know what you as members will decide to do about our meeting place, but the decision is entirely up to you. Two months ago we were all feeling very anxious, because our rent at Christ Church had been raised far beyond our resources. At the same time we were offered a new home at St. James, Titusville, so at least we were assured that we would not be homeless. But did we want to move?

Here’s how the situation stands today. After great effort, Bonnie has reached a compromise with Christ Church for a lower rent - higher than we now pay, but manageable if we count our pennies. At the same time, the offer from Titusville still stands. What shall we do? The decision is up to all of you, and votes are now being accepted. Call Bonnie and express your opinion. The majority opinion will hold.

Also, the Executive Board met as we were directed, and reviewed our budget and finances, with the charge to answer the question “Just how much can we afford to pay in rent?” At the same time we brainstormed ideas for painless (almost) ways to balance our budget. Secretary Ann Sheffield will report on the results of that meeting, and I ask you to listen carefully to her report. I also ask you to pay close attention budget reports and stay well informed about how we’re doing.

So thanks to all the folks who have been working so hard for our future, especially Bonnie and Jim Crytzer. Now we can look forward to a great year, lots of fun and companionship, and doing what we love, namely FIBER, FIBER, FIBER!!!

Joanna McDermot

Vote for Future Meeting Place

Attention: We need to know your opinion on whether we stay at Meadville or move to Titusville. Please e-mail Bonnie at stumphillacres@zoominternet.net if you have not voted so far. At the December meeting the votes will be announced.

Classified Section

For Sale: KYRA cherry, 4 harness, 24 inch table loom for sale. It comes with 2 shuttles, dowels, and raddle. Price: $250.00 Contact: Leslie Blake at 814-967-3010

Interweave Press is having its annual discount pricing on all of its magazines. Beadwork, FiberArts, Interweave Knits, Handwoven, Piecework and Spin-Off are each $19.95 for one year. Forms are available at the meetings or contact Bonnie for e-mail form.

Does anyone know of a table loom for sale? Let Chris Mccormick know at cmac@velocity.net

Fantasy in Felt

A big thank you goes to Joyce Rose for organizing our “Fantasy in Felt” with Deborah Pope. Those who attended had a very good time and it would be nice if those who attended would bring their projects for show and tell.

Fantasy in Felt workshop Budget is as follows:

Income
Chinese Auction: $83.00
Erie Council of the Arts $748.00
Guild Raffle $91.00
Tuition $1296.00
Total $2218.00

Expenses
Food Expenses $34.79
Instructor’s Fee $1358.62
Materials Fee $840.00
Total $2233.41

Net Difference -$15.41