Valley Ford's first annual Wool Festival pulled in the crowds over the weekend, introducing all sorts of stellar fiber arts producers, farmers and fine folk of the region who take care of the countryside's growing flocks of sheep.
Ooohed and aaahed over the outstanding products including this striking woven clutch, by Napa Valley based Haute Bohemian Groupe (HBG). I did come home with one of their cushion covers.
It was great to see Petaluma weaver, Marta Shannon. Marta has been teaching weaving since 1981. She will be offering a Beginners Weekend Workshop at her studio at 3820 Bodega Avenue, Saturday and Sunday, 10 am to 4 pm, June 28th and 29th, 2014. Students will wind a warp, dress the loom and weave a simple scarf on a 4 shaft table loom in two busy days. A 'jump right in' experience, suitable for true beginners or those who'd like to remember how. Warp, weft and looms provided. Bring your own lunch. $85 plus $20 materials fee.
A Yipes, Stripes! and other Summer Fabrics Workshop at Martha's Petaluma studio invites beginners to weave a sampler, scarf, runner or other project with a striped warp. More experienced weavers will design a multicolor warp. Material costs vary. Tuesdays, 6 pm to 9 pm, June 10 to July 22 (no class July 8). $125 for a 6 week session. Table looms available to rent at $25 for the 6 week session.
An Exploring Brocade and Inlay Workshop is a two session class at Sebastopol Center for the Arts exploring supplementary weft techniques of brocade and inlay, taking place Wednesday and Thursday June 25 and 26th from 9.30 am to 12.30 pm. $65 members, $70 non members.
Collapse and Weave Workshop is for anyone up for weaving ruffles, ridges and bumps. A quick, two day workshop at Sebastopol Center for the Arts in which each student will design and weave a scarf using differential shrinkage. Students should have basic weaving experience and know how to warp a loom. $20 material fee covers both warp and weft for each scarf. Saturday and Sunday July 26th and 27th, 10 am to 4pm. $135 members, $140 non members.
To register for Petaluma classes, call 707 658 1707. For Sebastopol classes, call 707 829 4797.
Martha's bespoke baby blankets - available for special order. Soft and stylish and one-of-a-kind.
Marta's fellow Petaluma arist/natural material based crafter, Stefany Perlman (pictured left, with my fellow adventurer into wool land, Gail) also offers instruction for individuals and groups, both adults and children.
Stefany's fun and hands-on, informative classes include twined pattern basketry, felted hats and items, indigo and tie-dye, Indian corn necklaces, collage card making, lavender gifts, tapestry weaving, Japanese multi-strand braiding, pom poms and silk flower fairies.
Classes typically take two to three hours and are adapted to fit individuals and group needs and desires.
Contact her at 707 766 8627.
I have a framed photo of this classic little west country bolt-hole, taken by Gail last year. But I couldn't resist recapturing the yellow building with basketball net and grazing cows under a blue sky.
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