Fundraiser for “The Yarnettes” – Aptos Grange Nov. 15 from 10:30 am – 5:30 pm.
Santa Cruz Handweavers Guild’s (SCHWG) Weaving Program
Could you imagine sitting at a weaving loom and not be able to see the thread you are using, let alone clearly see the lovely piece of fabric you are creating? That is the case for ‘The Yarnettes”, but it does not stop them from creating beautiful hand woven cloth. How does this happen?
Each Monday morning volunteers from the Santa Cruz Handweavers Guild mentor blind and visually impaired weavers in their work. The program started over 20 years ago as a joint project of the Duran Center, now the Vista Center for the Blind & Visually Impaired, and the Guild. The volunteers help the weavers select a project, review color and “look”, and set up the looms for weaving. They also monitor for weaving errors and advise the weavers about potential solutions. It is a 1:1 mentorship that establishes close, caring relationships between weavers and volunteers.
Client confidence, self esteem, cognitive stimulation and a sense of independence are only a few of the positive outcomes of the program. One of the weavers, who became totally blind 4 years ago, believes that the program helped save her life. She had never woven before but she is an extraordinary weaver and produces exquisite work that has won top honors at the Santa Cruz County Fair. Another, who is 86 years old and a multiple blue ribbon weaver at the County Fair, has been attending the program for all twenty of its years. After observation of this program, a similar program is being set up in Portland, Oregon.
Early this year the Guild and the weavers were notified they had to move. That left the weavers and the dedicated volunteers of the Guild with a problem – many weighty looms, tons of yarn and no place to go!
Wavecrest Development, Inc., is allowing the guild to use a beautiful, currently unrented, space on the west side of Santa Cruz on McPherson Street, until the space is leased or rented. Meanwhile, the weavers, who named themselves “The Yarnettes”, are happily weaving again due to this generous offer.
You can see the weavings created by “The Yarnettes” and by Guild members at the first ever sale by SCHWG members in their 60 years of existence in Santa Cruz County.
Join us at the Aptos Grange on November 15 from 10:30 am – 5:30 pm. The sale is a fundraiser for “The Yarnettes” and for monthly Guild programs, which are always open to the public. There will also be weaving and spinning equipment as well as yarn for sale at great prices. See the guild website—www.santacruzhandweavers.org– for more information.
In its 60th year providing monthly meetings with speakers, workshops and education, the Guild meets at Aptos Village Park the second Wednesday of each month. Website www.santacruzhandweavers.org lists the meeting themes and speakers through June 2015. Meetings are free to the public.
The annual free public presentation at the Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History (MAH), January 24, 2015, and will feature Bhatki Ziekwill, a nationally known fiber artist. Information about her and her artwork may be found at http://en.wikipedia.org/wikiBhakti_Ziek and http://bhaktiziek.blogspot.com.
Santa Cruz Handweavers Guild Sale!
Add More Fiber To Your Life: 60 Years & Going Strong
Come watch weavers, spinners and braiders demonstrate fiber techniques, while you do your holiday shopping.
One Day Only – Saturday, November 15 10:30-5:30
Aptos Grange Hall 2555 Mar Vista Dr. (Off Soquel Dr. near Cabrillo College)
(Payment cash or check)
- Hand woven & Nuno felted scarves, clothing, handbags & other fashion accessories
- Placemats, towels, rugs & other household linens
- Hand spun & hand dyed skeins; hand spun art yarns
- Greeting cards embellished with hand worked textiles
- And a veritable Garage Sale for Fiber people of all persuasions
- Huge stash reduction of yarns at great prices for all fiber artists
- Weaving & spinning equipment: table, floor, tapestry looms, wheels, warping boards, & more
- Locally made looms for card weaving, braiding & twining
- Demonstrations of various fiber techniques