Starting out

Welcome fellow wool crafters to my first Newsletter on my brand new website. This is a whole new world to me so bear with me as I find my way through the cyber jungle.

I thought my site would be a good way to bring all my friends across the world and those closer to home up to date with what I am up to and share my world of spinning and wool craft with everyone.

Well, as you can see, while I have been recuperating from my fall (my shoulder now fully recovered) I have been busy getting my website up and going.

I have also been busy attending a screen-printing course which will enable me to produce the stunning designs that I have had done commercially done on my new products the Lap Cloth and Carry Bag.

In August I will be attending the Ashford Retreat and no doubt my next Newsletter will be full of the inspiration I will gain and share with you from this wonderful experience.

This 5 day retreat will be held in Ashburton at the home of the world-famous Ashford spinning wheels and looms. Along with visiting specialty growers including a working merino sheep station in the spectacular Southern Alps we will be learning a host of new skills and techniques.

Included in the Retreat are workshops on carding, blending fibres, wool classing, dyeing techniques, creating luxurious yarns and beautiful woven projects. I just cannot wait.

As well as the wealth of new skills and inspiration I gain from these events just as important to me are the wonderful new friends I make.

I spent a very pleasant few days in June with the Wigram Spinners spinning amongst the shoppers in a large local mall. While these public spinning events always create a lot of interest from fellow spinners and wool-crafters passing by, it was interesting to note the increasing number of people who had never been exposed to spinning take time out to have a chat about what we were up to.

We returned to the mall again on 14th June to celebrate and publicise Worldwide Knitters Day.