Art Sparks : Fiber to Go Classes in HGA’s Convergence 2010 Albuquerque Vendor Hall

Take out some fiber and have some fun! Choose a quick one-hour class in the Vendor Hall to spark your imagination and learn something inspiring!

Make your choices now and register on-site at Convergence at the Albuquerque Convention Center.

Class schedule

Class Descriptions:

Traditional West African Tie-Dye 401F, 401SA

Instructor: Gasali Adeyemo

Learn to tie-dye in the West African tradition of Yoruba adire as you create a design known as “pigeon eyes” using cloth, dyes, and raffia.

Simple Backstrap Weaving 202T, 202F

Instructor: John Colony

Students will make and weave on a narrow warp using a simple backstrap loom. Learn how to introduce children to this ancient technique using simple and inexpensive tools.

First Straw: Beginning Weaving! 504W, 203SU

Instructor: Judy Dominic

Learn to weave on a simple loom made of straws. Fingerweave your choice—a bookmark, wristband or keychain—larger items are possible, too. Several fringe finishes will be shown.

Soysilk® Fusion for Fun 301T, 301SA

Instructor: Colleen East

Create your own Soysilk® fusion to create textiles, paper, and decorative items for your home and more with this easy and quick process. Many applications!

Get to the Point! Scarf 401W, 201F

Instructor: Colleen East

Knit a diagonal garter stitch scarf using the original Flat Feet™ sock-weight yarn. The scarf comes to a point in the front and has a mitered back point. Requires knitting experience.

Beginning Kumihimo 201T, 402F

Instructor: Margo Egan

Learn Kumihimo— Japanese braiding— using a card and make a braided key chain on a card.

More Advanced Kumihimo 404T, 203SA

Instructor: Margo Egan

Learn more advanced Kumihimo as you make a braided Kumihimo key chain on a 32-cut card.

Needle Felt a Sun Face 301W, 401T, 301F, 402SA, 101SU

Instructor: Anne Vickrey Evans

Learn the basics of needle felting and sculptural techniques to build a face for an adorable sun ornament.

Stylish Felt Bead Necklace 501W, 501T, 101F, 101SA, 401SU

Instructor: Anne Vickrey Evans

Make large felt beads with holes to thread through a handmade felt cord for a unique necklace. Choose a color combination and incorporate silk threads or glitter to make your beads sparkle.

Wild & Wooly Wrist Pad for Your Mouse 402T, 104F, 102SA

Instructor: Donna Foley

Weaving with long lustrous locks of Lincoln wool is a wonderful tactile experience. Learn the technique of weaving with fleece while making this cushy wrist pad for your computer mouse or a mug rug.

The Long & Short of Navajo-Style Spinning 404W, 403T, 103F, 403SA, 102SU

Instructor: Kathy Lambert

Learn not only the basics of preparing fiber but also how to spin it into yarn on a Navajo-style spindle. Starting with an overview of spinning as you pick and open fleece, you will then practice the basics of hand-carding then go on to spin your own yarn.

Fabulous Flowers 101T, 204F, 303SA, 301SU

Instructor: Natasha Lehrer

Create a one-of-a-kind flower using needle felting techniques and hand-dyed fibers and wools. Hear stories about raising cheviot sheep and owning and operating a sustainable farm and fiber studio west of Chicago, Illinois.

Magical Weaving on Triangles and Squares 102T, 303F, 204SA

Instructor: Carol Leigh Brack Kaiser

Learn continuous strand weaving on a small triangle and a small square frame loom. One continuous strand of yarn is used for both warp and weft, which eliminates threading a loom, loom waste, and hemming your work. One small triangle and one small square can be completed in one hour.

Paintstiks® on Fabric 302W, 302T, 502F, 202SA, 201SU

Instructor: Laura Murray

Learn how to use Shiva® Artist’s Paintstiks® to create layers of color, design, and texture on plain fabric. Create several small samples and discover the wonderful luminescence that these “altered pieces” can give to your fabric.

Shibori Apron 405T, 405F, 205SA, 403SU

Instructor: Fran Rogers

With a piece of gorgeous bright shibori fabric, sew an apron without losing the design of the fabric. Sewing machine experience required.

Wild Carding for Spinning & Felting 304W, 203T, 501F, 404SA, 202SU

Instructor: Kate Sherratt

Hands-on tricks and tips for adding fun to your carded fibers using the Ashford Wild Carder which was designed especially for incorporating threads, nubs, bits and pieces to spinning and felting batts.

Hand Spindling 503W, 502T, 302F, 103SA, 402SU

Instructor: Kate Sherratt

Introductory hand spindling made easy! Learn basic fiber preparation, fiber drafting and spinning using drop spindles.

Super Simple Fiber Beads 502SA

Instructor: Robyn Spady

Make a coiled bead from leftover yarns. After the demonstration, materials will be available for participants to make beads. It’s easy and fun!

A Visual Journey Memory Ball 502W, 102F

Instructor: Mike Stoesz

Use landscape photos and yarn scraps to create a “memory ball” by needle felting the yarns, relating visually, aesthetically, texturally, and emotionally to the provided photograph. Learn to select yarn textures, sizes, and colors to translate the two-dimensional photograph into keepsake yarns.

Easy-Peasy Bling 204T, 303T, 304F, 404F, 304SA

Instructor: Deb Schwirtz

Using a “rail” yarn, create a one-of-a-kind necklace that really has the “wow“ factor. After learning the technique, create a bracelet to match.

Wooly Cactus 402W, 403F, 201SA

Instructor: Pam Van Degrift

Needle felt a charming little cactus complete with pretty cactus flowers for a petite clay pot—a great way to remember Convergence in Albuquerque!

Designer Yarn on a Drop Spindle 501SA

Instructor: Sara von Tresckow

With a variety of natural-colored wool in various states of preparation, try your hand at spinning your very first yarn. For those who have never tried spinning before, or companions and husbands of conference attendees, or for new weavers to make some original weft yarn.

Lollipop Knitting 403W, 304T, 503F, 104SA, 302SU

Instructor: Nick Colony

Use a heavy and decorative yarn to make a knitted tube on the Lollipop Knitter which forms the basis of finger puppets, coiled baskets, and lots of other exciting projects!

W=Wednesday classes

T= Thursday classes

F=Friday classes

SA=Saturday classes

SU=Sunday classes