AboutBJ Heeke Expertise I can answer questions about spindle spinning, low whorl, high whorl, & supported spindles. I can answer questions about navajo plying on a wheel, & andean plying from a spindle. I can also answer questions regarding making one`s own spindles from CD`s or wooden wheels and dowels.
I have limited weaving experience, but if I do not know the answer, I surely will find someone who does!
Experience I have been spinning for 20 years. I make my own spindles. I have taught spindling classes.
Organizations Northwest Regional Spinner's Association, Texas Fiber Guild, Heart of Texas Spinners & Weavers, & Spindlitis. Past member of the Little Flock Handspinners of Seattle (disbanded) and Valley Spinners (opps, lapsed membership).
Publications I have written a series of articles for NwRSA's newsletter 'Loose Threads' for spinners about finding information on the Internet called 'Wired Threads'.
I have served as an editor for the Contemporary Handweavers of Texas as well as membership chair for 2 years. I also taught a spindling class at the 2005 conference in Austin, TX.
I will be teaching at Kid 'n Ewe in Boerne, TX November 10-12, 2006.
Question I am very interested in learning how to spin. I have taken 1 class in the past (about 3 hrs.) I have drop spindles and books but I need more hands on instruction. Is there a spinning guild in my area? I live in Syracuse New York.
Thank you
Beth Coye
Answer Beth,
You have just entered into a wonderful world full of great people that will be more than happy to help addict, er, ah encourage you on your spinning journey!
There are all sorts of ways to help you, guilds, videos and magazines. Since you asked about guilds first I can direct you to this website that has an extensive list http://www.interweave.com/spin/Spin_Off/guilds/INDEX.HTM
Yes, there is a guild listed for Syracuse, but just a note that the contact person may not be the same as this list has not been updated since 1999.
This link is also to the 'spinner's bible', Spin-Off magazine. You can find this quite often at Barnes & Noble. A great magazine with thought provoking articles, for beginners as well as more experienced spinners. And you will find more current information on guilds.
There is a guild listing on About.com as well http://weaving.about.com/hobbies/weaving/cs/guildsusne/index.htm
There are also videos that you can more than likely check out of your local library. You can find a good list of them here http://www.victorianvid.com/spin.html.
And there are lots of groups or clubs on line that can tell you where to find spinners in your area. Quite a few that I am on are on Yahoo Groups listed under Handspinning and Handweaving which is a subset of Crafts. You do have to get a yahoo id, but it opens up a myriad of doors for you. Also check out Yahoo Clubs also under Handspinning and Handweaving.
I hope this has given you enough places to start! Since you are a new spindler 2 of my favorite groups are Spindlitis and Spinders. You can join Spindlitis by visiting the website at http://www.xws.com/terispage/spindle.html. Take a look around and see some amazing spindles and links to other sites.
Spindlers is a yahoo group which you can find from the above info.
