Moving Along

There is a lot of moving going on here at ETC. After over three and a half years we have moved ours shelves around and made the store more user friendly. When you walk in the door you will notice the nice open space and a plethera of color that will stimulate your senses. We have expanded the spinning corner and put down a nice carpet. All of our books are once again in one area so you don't need to go from one area to the next to pick up books on different subjects. Our wonderful resource library has been moved back to a quieter area so you can read undisturbed. Alas the resource library is near the sale corner so there is that distraction of low prices on needed or wanted tools and yarn. BEST of all we are now carrying all of DYELOTS products here.
To add to all of this excitement, we also have the most wonderful felt show by Tylar Merrill. I personally have never seen any felt so artistically done. She has wall hangings as well as clothing on display. Above is a tiny portion from a larger piece. I hope you come and see it.
Our Spinning Spectacular Tea is this Saturday. I have planned some great food and fun surprises for the attendees. It should be another fun affair.
Hopefully one of these three changes will bring you in to see us soon.

Weaver's Spirit Power

Last night I had the wonderful opportunity to attend the Opening Reception for a weaving exhibit at the Museum of Natural and Cultural History here in Eugene. The weaver Susan Pavel had an exhibit of woven blankets and clothing that she has done, all of which will be gifted to people in her life next February. Susan learned to weave 15 years ago from "Uncle". She spent three months of her summer preparing the fiber from the sheep to the finishing of a blanket. That first blanket was gifted to"Uncle". The following year she spent the next summer doing the same task and gifting that blanket. The third summer of her apprenticeship she actually finished two blankets. Each piece that Susan works on is inspired by the Spirit talking to her and instructing her in her work.
One thing that is different in her work is that the weaving is either twined of done in twill. The yarn used is quite thick as is traditional in Salish weavings, since they area a tribe that lives in the cooler Pacific Northwest.
One of the fibers that she uses is Mountain Goat Wool. This wool must be collected from bushes that have bits of fiber on them from the wild goats brushing against them. This goat wool is extremely soft, quite like quiviet fiber. There is a part of the exhibit that you can actually touch a sample of this lucious fiber. Along with this you can try your hand at twining and a bit of twill weaving. She also dyes her fibers and uses natural dyes that have been used traditionally by the Salish people.
The exhibit will be on display until January29th 2012. I do encourage you to go see it. If you are able to go on a Monday, at certain times, you can actually weave a bit of fiber into a blanket in the Longhouse on the museum grounds.

Weaving & Spinning Week

Here we are in the middle of Weaving and Spinning Week and I have not had a moment to let you in on all the fun around here. We are rearranging the layout of the store to make it more user friendly. All of our books are arranged in one lilbrary area. The resource library is still separate from the sale books. Our spinning corner is larger, getting cozier with a new rug and is a work in progress. I think you will like the finished look. We have also put out our new schedule of classes. We have printed copies here at the store or you may check them out online.
Meanwhile, Suzie is once again up at Whidbey teaching. She will return on October 17th. Vicki is going up to join her next week, and Marilyn is away in Vancouver B.C, so Leslie will be here minding the store.
In the weaving studio here, Joanne is putting on a warp for a Rep Weave rug. Our friend Tom, who is also in the spinning group here is learning and helping her. Last week Tom fixed our Serger sewing machines for us. He is a "jack of all trades".
Our spinning group is still meeting here from 2-4pm on Thursdays. Please come on by and join us. Last week we were treated to fresh baked zucchinni bread.
Have a wonderful week of weaving and spinning. Let us know how you celebrated this fun time.

We're Back

I am so happy to tell you that OFFF was a great success. I worked with Sara (Suzies daughter) on Saturday, and we were so busy I only got to take a bathroom break. I know, TMI. We have many happy people who bought their first drumcarder or first spinning wheel. One girl who bought a wheel is coming in for her first spinning lesson next month. A great buy went to Suzy from Idaho who purchased a well loved Norwood loom. She just had to have it to go with her other Norwood. I must admit it was the deal of the entire show. We all work hard to make our booth nice for you. We try to think of all the items that you would want and need. This year the only item I am still kicking myself for forgeting is the Yarn Gauges with the Diz. I don't know where my brain was on that one. As exhausting as all the work is, I must say it is so much fun. Put me in a building full of fiber and fiber people and I think I am in heaven.

We're OFFF

It is that wonderful time again for the Oregon Flock and Fiber Festival. Once again we will be up at the Clackamas County Fairgrounds, but we will have a larger booth this time. You know what that means, more of what you want and need for all of your creative needs. Be sure to come on by and enter the contest for the gift certificate to Eugene Textile Center. As always the store itself will be open on Saturday from 10am till 5:30pm.
As summer slowly changes into autumn I seem to be spending less time in the garden and more time indoors with my fiber. I am now spinning some beautiful merino/silk roving in oranges, creams and light browns. I am not sure yet what I will do with it but it just glows on my bobbin so far. I only have 8 ounces so it may be a knitted shawl or part of a nice woven piece of cloth. I still have not completely finished my huck lace on one loom and so until that comes off I will be searching for creative ideas on how to use this beautiful yarn.
I am not sure if i mentioned in a previous blog about the next Spinners Tea. It will be a Halloween Spooktacular Day. We will have apple cider along with our tea and scrumptious food. We may also creep in a few shocking surprises. You should wear a costume or a mask and come and enjoy this wonderful afternoon. It will be October 22nd from 10-4. Reservations and payment of $10 must be made in advance as seating is limited.
Have a great weekend everyone, and see you at OFFF!

Plan Ahead

These days it seems everyone is busy, busy, busy. We all are packing as much as possible into each and every day. Our own work schedules takes priority, with our kids and husbands, and volunteer work all keeping us going 24/7. To keep track of it all I have a calendar in the kitchen, one in my studio and a small pocket calendar in my purse. My favorite calendar is the Handwoven calendar in my studio. It has beautiful fotos of weavings featured in past issues that inspire me. It also lets me know which past Handwoven issue has the instructions for that particular project. 2011 was the first year I got this calendar. The new one for 2012 just arrived, and we have it here in our store for sale. I just love the choices for this new issue. I hope you too can find it inspiring and useful for keeping tract of your busy days.

Halloween Tea Party

I can hardly believe it is already September. This must be the shortest summer of my many years. It didn't seem that summer ever came, with the cool weather that lasted until almost August. I had my mom come to vist last week and we had the most fun playing at ETC. She learned how to use the heat press and made some beautiful printed fabric. We also took a few hikes where I was able to collect some plants for future dyeing.
But now it is September and my mind is thinking fall. I just got some beautiful Merino/Silk roving to spin in shades of oranges and browns. Along with this I was thinking it is time for another Tea Party. So on October 22nd we will have our second tea party. The theme is "A Halloween Tea". So come in some sort of a mask or costume. Spin yarn in fall colors and drink tea or hot apple cider. It should be a fun afternoon from 12 to 4. The cost will be $10.00 since there will be sandwiches along with goodies. Reservations and payments should be made in advance.