Land of The Loon

This summer the Range Fiberart Guild showed and sold handcrafted items to attendees of the Land of the Loon festival in Virginia, MN.  As always there was a range of items for sale representing the many mediums that a person interested in the fiber arts can use to explore and create. In addition, there were members demonstrating various techniques of working with fiber art.  If you are looking for our booth, it is booth number one as you enter Olcott Park from the entrance close to the Parkview elementary school.  We will be there next year in 2011.  Come, browse, and visit with us.

Time Flies By

Ruth Koski and Bruce Engebretson demonstrating the art of making spun linen from flax


So much has happened since the last blog entry.  I have been busy having my computer cleaned out and then rebuilding the database.  The Range Fiberart Guild has continued to be as busy as ever.  Members demonstrated and sold items at the annual Laiskiainen celebration, demonstrated at the Range of the Arts week, met in study groups, and held interesting meetings.
Our next meeting will be held on April 1 - no fooling!  We will be having a special speaker giving a presentation titled "Sami Band Weaving: the Practical Art of Reindeer Nomads." Visitors and friends are welcome to join us at any meeting.   

Arline Antus, Karen Lampaa, Edythe Karlstrand, Alana Maijala work on bead weaving

Spinning Study Group Meets in January

Members of the spinning study group met at Carol Sperling's house on Saturday, January 16.  We talked about many subjects regarding spinning.  One of the subjects specially addressed was spinning yarn for weaving.  Carol had her great wheel set up for those who were there to try. Many miles were said to have been walked when spinning by this method.  A "great" way to walk in the winter in Minnesota without slipping on ice!  A special visitor came to spin with us. Spinner and knitter Kristine Franklin came and spun an entire spool of lace weight yarn.  She brought roving that she dyed and spindles with her that were for sale. She also showed us a beaded lace weight shawl that she made from her handspun yarn.

Top Picture:  Kris tries her hand at spinning on the great wheel  with direction from Carol Sperling.

Bottom Picture:  Kathy Rensink looks though magazines for fun and inspiration while Kris spins on her Majacraft in the background.

Recognizing Alice Niemi's Work in Hardanger

I wanted to write about Alice in December when she showed us her most recent hardanger project.  Her work is exquisite.  This beautiful, decorative table linen was a gift for one of her daughters, so I had to wait until Christmas was well past. Hardanger is an exact art that doesn't allow for mistakes. Count, count, and count again. Kristy Balder is looking at a lightly quilted miniature purse with a spring opening that Alice made. Sue Gooden on the left side of the picture is looking at the Alice's items.