Fiber Arts Judging Class I & II (NwRSA)

MAWS is providing a Judging Instruction Part I and II seminar through NwRSA on October 1-3, 2010. The class starts 8 am on October 1-3.

I have group rate rooms with the Elkhorn Inn in Montana City, MT, (1 Jackson Creek Road) for the seminar. Rate is $65 (+ tax) for the two nights that span October 1-3 that we meet for the class. Each attendee is responsible for reserving and paying for their own rooms. The number is 1-406-442-6625. Tell them “MAWS Event” to get the group rate.

Our first meeting day will be in the Elkhorn Inn Conference Room. Coffee and cookies are provided. After that, we meet at Montana City Schools.

The cost of the program is $140 per person if I receive money by September 18. After that, it costs $155.

Checks need to be made out to:
Great Falls Spinners & Weavers Guild
65 Treasure State Drive, Great Falls, MT 59404

If you have questions, call me at 406-868-1930…or email meagi1@bresnan.net (meagi one)

MAWS Conference at Billings (Denise)

The MAWS "Under the Rims" Conference was fantastic, intense, light-hearted, inspiring, need I go on. I met people that are a delight. I learned so much from talking with everyone. I also spent too much money at the vendors. Being my first MAWS or any kind of fiber conference...wow!

I'd been to teacher conferences before (being a former teacher). As I sat at our banquet dinner I looked around the packed room. Teachers (like many professions) have a "look." Fiber artists don't have that look. I mentioned it to one of my table mates. She smiled and merely said, "No, we don't." She was absolutely right. We come from every walk of life, every age, and sex.

I taught two classes: "Toe-Up Socks" and "Judging Your Own Handspun." I can honestly say my students were the best of the conference. They kept me on my toes.

When my sock class "got it" the cries of realization were pure joy. They had Magic Cast-On and a turned heel to learn in 4 hours. I gave them some websites to visit afterward. Who really remembers everything from a class?

My judging class We discussed how to identify and fix the problems in our own handspun. They were a bit harsh on my handspun, but honesty is the best policy. They identified the problems immediately. We discussed elements judges look for when evaluating pieces for ribbons. We even discussed biases. I reminded them that art evaluators are not necessarily master painters. I, while being a fiber art judge, am always seeking to better myself, I'm not perfect.