In 2004, I began my quest to see a musk ox in the wild. I might have had greater success looking for a four-leaf clover in the desert. Over the next fifteen years I traveled to a tiny island in the Bering Sea, a larger island above the Arctic Circle in the Canadian Northwest, a small cemetery in Nome (it’s one of the few places in town where the musk ox can find grass), and eventually to the Russian Arctic. Few things have demanded more time or resources to achieve. This Zoom lecture will include an assortment of snowy images, tales both funny and frustrating, along with an important understanding of how qiviuk is harvested and processed. The lecture is scheduled for Thursday, February 9, 3:00 pm (EST). If you cannot make the lecture, you will automatically receive a link to the recording the following day. We had such fun on our last Zoom to Antarctica, I look forward to seeing you again.
JOIN US FEBRUARY 2nd, 2021 FOR AN EXCITING ADVENTURE!!!!
Since many of us are not traveling during these unprecedented times, come and join us for a virtual journey guided by Linda Cortright. Linda’s guided virtual tour will take us to :
REAL POLAR FLEECE: Searching for Natural Fibers from Antarctica to the Arctic
Linda Cortright, Editor and Publisher of Wild Fibers Magazine, is a well-known guide to many exotic areas in the world. Linda will take us on an interesting and inspiring tour without having to leave the comfort of our homes.
We look forward to seeing you on our Zoom meeting at 7:00 p.m., February 2nd, 2021. Please follow the link: Real Polar Fleece – Zoom presentation If you are not a member of London District Weavers and Spinners Guild but would like to join the meeting, please Contac Us
The guild’s first general meeting on Zoom was a Grand Show-and-Tell of member’s Covid Accomplishments. A range of work completed over the past seven months of lockdown. Our virtual gathering was successful and we look forward to exploring the possibilities of this new normal.
Debbie Ziraldo of Ziraldo Alpaca Farm http://zalpacas.com/ delighted the audience at our March General Meeting with her interesting and entertaining stories about the history of alpacas, natural habitat and personal journey. Please check Debbie’s website and Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/Ziraldo.Alpacas Ziraldo Alpacas is offering great fiber products and workshops.
Debbie also mentioned the importance of local farms and fiber producers. A special attention was given to Fibershed and we are strongly encouraging our audience to click on the following link for more information: https://www.fibershed.com/about/
Fibershed Mission and Vision
Fibershed develops regional and regenerative fiber systems on behalf of independent working producers, by expanding opportunities to implement carbon farming, forming catalytic foundations to rebuild regional manufacturing, and through connecting end-users to farms and ranches through public education.
We envision the emergence of an international system of regional textile communities that enliven connection and ownership of ‘soil-to-soil’ textile processes. These diverse textile cultures are designed to build soil carbon stocks on the working landscapes on which they depend, while directly enhancing the strength of regional economies. Both fiber and food systems now face a drastically changing climate, and must utilize the best of time-honored knowledge and available science for their long-term ability to thrive.
As each Fibershed community manages their resources to create permanent and lasting systems of production, these efforts to take full responsibility for a garment’s lifecycle will diminish pressure on highly polluted and ecologically undermined areas of the world. (China produces 52% of the world’s textiles. The industry is the third largest fresh water polluter in the country.) Future Fibershed communities will rely upon renewable energy powered mills that will exist in close proximity to where the fibers are grown. Through strategic grazing, conservation tillage, and a host of scientifically vetted soil carbon enhancing practices, our supply chains will create ‘climate beneficial’ clothing that will become the new standard in a world looking to rapidly mitigate the effects of climate change. We see a nourishing tradition emerging that connects the wearer to the local field where the clothes were grown, building a system that can last for countless generations into the future.
Show And Tell
Coiled Shawl Pin
Wonderful pieces were presented from Nancy Latchford workshop “Coiled Shawl Pin”.
Learn to Weave
Colorful and well crafted creations were presented by these wonderful and talented weavers who took “Learn to Weave” workshop.
The evening continued with presentations from our talented guild members
…and also reminding our members that a vast selection of books are available to borrow. For more information and browse through our titles click here: Library
Jan Taylor, current president of the Bookbinders and Book Artists Guild, showed her work to appreciative members of LDWS last night at the February General Meeting. In advance, Jan described the subject of her talk:
As a long time lover of textiles and more recently a bookbinder and box maker. I look for ways to combine the materials I like best in an interesting way. What motivates me? Two questions: Why? and What if…?”
Her curiosity has led her through a wide range of creative adevntures. From her early, post-high school cross stitching (with a twist!) through felting experiments to her most recent fascination with hand-built books and boxes, she has explored colour, shape, function, and materials. Currently, she is exploring the use of gold in books, boxes, and other creations. We look forward to inviting her back to enjoy her golden phase!
A good time was had by all at the annual December Guild meeting! This year’s crafty experience was to make Curly Qs, a crochet technique suggested and developed by Guild member Jill Buckley, demonstrated by Beth Whitney, and taught to crochet beginners by Meg Cheesman.
Many laughs, fumbles, successes and oddities resulted from the use of different yarns: thin, fat, glittery, ribbon-like and stash treasures. Diny’s gold Curly Q earrings took the prize.,while Jill’s dizzying array of possible uses for the Curlies kept our imaginations buzzing.
Some breathtaking show and tell articles were featured during the first part of the evening. At the break, delicious edible treats were provided by the Hospitality Committee. What a great way to begin the holiday season!
Linda Cortright, Editor and Publisher of 
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