MAWS

Do You Believe In Magic?

A "good" conference is one during which events are held as scheduled, meals and housing adequate, workshops and keynote addresses are presented as promised. A "great" conference is one in which all of these elements interact to magically create a synergy resulting in an exciting, energizing, and inspiring experience for all of the participants. When someone attends such a terrific conference, it may seem like everything happens as if by magic, when in reality it is the vision and persistent efforts of the organizers that are what make it a truly memorable experience, one which serves as a catalyst for creativity long after returning to the distractions of everyday life.

Convincing two nationally prominent teachers within the spinning and weaving community like Rita Buchanan and Jason Collingwood to come to Montana speaks for the original vision of the conference planners. Finding the terrific regional and local workshop leaders and vendors to complement these teachers, obtaining a $1,000 grant from the Montana Arts Council and producing and filling 120 functional and elegant "goody bags" was a testament to further planning and dedicated advance work. Rita's pre-conference spinning workshops filled almost immediately, and later registrants were fortunate enough to have an opportunity to study with Jane Fournier, who lives in Jackson Hole, WY and has her Certificate of Excellence (COE) in spinning. Jane also taught several classes throughout the conference.
		Jane Fournier of Jackson Hole, Wyoming, taught both pre-conference and conference workshops on spinning.

		Rita's talk and slide show was entitled "Making Time for fibers," a topic of importance to busy people (and who isn't busy these days?) Her list of tips for maximizing your enjoyment of your fiber craft were indeed "practical;" having a plan of organization makes anyone feel more confident that they can really get all those wonderful projects (in their various stages) completed. That stash of yarn and fiber still calls, but now one's answer might be "soon!" rather than "someday!"
Spinner, weaver, dyer and gardener Rita Buchanan conducted both pre-conference workshops and conference workshops and delivered an address entitled "Making Time for Fibers."

Jason's address centered around the rugs woven by him and his father Peter Collingwood. In addition to the numerous slides which illustrated the studio, equipment and rugs they produce, he had small (10"x10") samples of these rug techniques for everyone to touch and study. Jason's workshop was well suited to both the experienced and neophyte weaver because the lessons were well-prepared and the lectures easy to follow. Jason knows his craft so well that he was able to walk up to each loom and weaver and, within seconds, assess any problem and answer any question quickly and efficiently.
		Jason Collingwood, noted rug weaver, gave a slide show on the Collingwood family rug weaving business in England and conducted a two and a half day workshop on block weaves and shaft-switching.

		As with all great conferences, the number and variety of classes offered at MAWS was astounding. Pre-conference workshops consisted of spinning and then knitting with your hands-spun yarn, bobbin-lace making and tapestry.
Terri McKenna's students went home with a completed Stairstep Basket.

Bunny Wilder's Shibori workshop resulted in silk scarves with brilliant colors and dazzling patterns.

Conference workshop offerings included instructions on how to use materials from nature for basketry, needle arts such as tatting, bead and aran knitting, bookmaking, embellishing with beads, kumihimo braiding, and shibori dyeing, in addition to numerous weaving and spinning classes.
		Author and knitter Janet Szabo guided her students through many tricky techniques.