A thought that blossomed....

As most of you know, I give spinning lessons, and that's really the furthest I've gone with my teaching. But this morning via e-mail someone asked me if I would consider doing a 6-hour workshop! Six hours of spinning and everything else fiber related! My first thought was: "What a great idea!" and then the second thought was, "Why didn't I ever think of that before!" ;)

And so the thought (and my enthusiasm) has grown!

Alas, I came up with so many class ideas that I'm going to have to do two workshops! So I'm thinking about doing one in Feb/March and then another in May. The reason for doing one in May, is that I'm planning on having a professional shearer come out and teach everyone to shear their own animals! By shearing my own animals rather than having a shearer do it, I save well over $200 each year!

The hardest part is deciding what classes to do in the first workshop since it will be only 6 hours, and each class being roughly an hour long! Here is the list of classes that I want to cover.

The basics: spinning on a drop spindle

Navajo plying (very tricky and challenging, but very important to know!)

Dyeing, both with plants and chemical dyes

Making your own Niddy-Noddy and using a Nostepinde

An hour of spin time! A time where everyone can just visit and work on their spinning skills.

Spinning exotic fibers such as casmere, suri alpaca, cotton and silk

Preparing fibers. How to use handcards, a drumcarder, and how to prepare those exotice fibers.

Washing fiber. It's not so scary after the first few times!

Shearing, sheep, alpacas and angora rabbits ([sing, song voice] Oh Miss Victoria.... ;D)

Spin-off contests! Just a bunch of fun games that anyone could do. :)

Creating novelty yarn

Plying: It's all about balance

Spindles: One for each occasion (going through all the different kinds of spindles)

And Spinning with beads

So I have been busy today getting details figured out! I decided to hold it at our Church since it's neutral ground and there would be enough room for everyone.

I really am excited about this. I'm excited to watch the Lord move and work through this, and I pray that I will remember to give Him all the glory for it!

~Caitlyn