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Guild Study Groups

In addition to our general meetings, programs and workshops, members may choose to participate in one or more study groups.  The study groups offer a more intense focus on a specific area of fiber art – techniques, designs and creativity.  The groups generally meet once a month at a different time than the general meeting. 

Contact the individuals listed below for more information.

Porrey Cross Weaver’s Study Group
The Porrey Cross Study Group is an open-membership, supportive group studying selected topics in weaving.  There are currently 32 members of all skill levels – beginner to advanced. 

We meet in members’ homes on the second Friday of each month, concluding the meeting with a pot-luck salad lunch.  In addition to providing lots of support for individual work, each year members select a joint project which will encourage growth and learning.  Project participation is not required, but members who do participate usually give individual presentations and hold a sample exchange. 

Study has covered topics such as woven lace, color & weave, twills, and plain weave.  Some projects have included a dishtowel exchange, garments for the biannual fashion show, and The Sonoran Desert Flowers Date Book, a woven-sample date book which was sold to raise funds for the Guild. 
The study topic for 2007-2008 is “Color and Color works: the Crafter’s Guide to Color by Deb Menz”.  Participants will choose topics such as color saturation and  complementary colors.  They will present the results of their study to the group, and exchange 6”x6” woven samples in May 2008.  Come join us and add a little “color” to your life. 

Contact Lois Smolinski

Spinning Study Group
The Spinning Study Group welcomes all spinners and those interested in spinning.  Our official meeting is after the general guild meeting in the same location.  We also meet the third Saturday of every month at Kiwi Knitting Co., 2540 E. 6th St. at 1 p.m.  We meet there through the summer.

Our study for 2005-2006 was cotton.  We picked, ginned and spun cotton, did multiple field trips and had a cotton spinning workshop all culminating in a cotton study notebook that was printed for purchase.  The original is in the guild library. 

Beginning in the fall of 2006 we have been studying protein fibers by visiting ranches, purchasing a fleece from each ranch, each a different breed or type of animal.  Then we divide the fleece among those interested.  The next meeting we compare methods of cleaning, combing/carding and spinning the fibers and do something of a group assessment on the experience - always positive, fun and interesting. 

A related project is a miniature handspun, handknit/crochet/woven ranch peopled with knitters and spinners, animals, plants and buildings.  Working on this ranch is a bit like returning to childhood.  This ranch now has a life of its own and will be displayed every chance we get.  This is an active, entertaining and imaginative group.
Contact: Jill Holbrook
Project Leader: Deborah Brunner, http://www.deborahbrunner.com/

Basketry Study Group
Although our membership is presently small, it is growing and viable.  We meet the fourth Saturday of each month in members’ homes except for November and December.  

These enthusiastic individuals have been busy constructing a variety of baskets using flat plaited reed, round reed of varying thickness, metal such as flat and round copper, recycled cereal boxes, coiled cotton material, saguaro boots, and other materials from nature.  During the summer of 2007 we learned how to make a Nantucket Basket that was most enjoyable.

Guild members are welcome to join us in any given month.  Come see what we are about and how we develop and make beautiful interesting baskets.  And best of all, we are most willing to help you learn how to develop and construct a basket.

For more information about our inspiring group and what is being planned for the 2007-08 guild year, please call or e-mail:
Fran Belinky
Lynn Silberschlag

Tapestry Study Group
 The Tapestry Study Group (formerly Navajo Study group) focuses on tapestry weave structures used for both tradition Navajo weaving and more “free form” tapestry weaving.  Members may use simple frame, Navajo, tapestry or floor looms.

We meet the second Saturday of the month from September to June, 9:30 am to 12 Noon.  Our meetings will be at the Desert Weaving Workshop, 512 S 6th Ave., when available.   Members will host other meetings at their homes. 
Our members vary in skill levels and welcome the opportunity to discuss projects and share in everyone’s achievements. 

We have two projects planned for the 2007-08 year.  Participants will be asked to weave a sampler using the book “Tapestry Loom Techniques” by Julie Kilot and to share their chosen techniques with the group.  Secondly group members have been asked to weave a project related to Arizona and desert life for Harriet Rein’s Challenge. 
For additional information please contact study group coordinator:
Betty Headrick

Felting Study Group
The Felting Study Group meets monthly, except during the summer months.  The purpose is to explore the many aspects of felting:  techniques, including wet felting, felted knitting, and needle felting; felting artists; materials resources; books and other instructive and inspirational works; workshops, etc.  

Meetings include demonstrations, hands-on workshops, and exploration of materials.  Meetings are held in the studio of Sally Hall on the first Tuesday of each month, at 1:00.The felting study group will not be meeting in March or April 2008.  

For information contact:
Sally Hall
Carolyn Webb

Marketing and Sales Study Group
The Marketing and Sales Study group consists mostly of members who are interested in selling their work to the public.  The group meets on the 3rd Saturday of the month September – May at 9:30AM at members’ homes. 

We encourage “show and tell” and sharing of ideas relative to our goal.  We explore marketing tactics (pricing, promotion, display, etc), bring in printed materials to share and discuss possible sales venues.

New members do not have to be actively selling goods, they need only to have an interest in the processes involved.  A goal for the 2007-2008 year is to plan an event to showcase some of our artist-members and to sell our fiber arts creations.  Please contact:
Vicky Konecky

Surface Design Study Group
The Surface Design Study Group studies the embellishment of fabric to enhance the visual and/or tactile impact of the piece.  We examine the principles of design, composition and color; and we also study the various techniques we use to change the surface of the piece.  These have included stamping and stencils, foiling, painting/dyeing, batiking, decorative sewing, and beading. 
During the year, the group has several challenge projects which call upon our members to use these techniques.  Last year, we had a “Brown Bag” challenge in which members placed at least 12 items in bags which were drawn at random.  Some of every item--and there was a great variety--had to be used in the finished piece.  Other challenges included self-portraits and a piece with a desert theme. Show and Tell and design feedback are also important parts of our meetings which are held on the 4th Friday of the month from 9:30 to 2:00. 

For information about the group and our meetings, please contact:
Merry Warner
Marcia Halligan

Dye Study Group
The Dye Study Group is a self help organization learning about color and the dyeing of yarns, fabric, fleece and reeds.  We meet once a month with different members presenting a program and everyone cooperating in setting up and cleaning after the program.  Learning a new skill and teaching others is the format of the group. 

An introductory meeting will be held Oct. 2nd at the home of Pauline Doyle.  The purpose of this meeting will be to select a new coordinator and set a direction for the 2007-2008 year.” Let's not let the Dye Study Group DIE!!”  

Until then please contact:
Pauline Doyle