'Typical' guild meeting
A typical Saturday guild meeting might have a 'Let's Learn Together' session in the morning for members who are interested in boosting their knowledge of one specific skill. By focusing on a single skill area intensively for 90 minutes we expect to all get better at understanding it afterwards. Topics vary across the spectrum of our interests but are always led by at least one guild member.
In
the afternoon, if there is no
external speaker or workshop, members will have brought something to
work on along with their wheels, their spindles,
their knitting, perhaps
a portable loom (rigid heddle, inkle loom etc). This is an opportunity
to catch up on the progress of other members with their projects, admire and ask questions about recently finished work and
catch up with guild news and plans. This
is a great opportunity to ask for advice from more experienced
members and pick up fresh ideas. As the guild offers equipment loans of
items used in our crafts (from the more basic through to specialist
items) you may wish to try some of these out, taking your craft to the
next level or simply experimenting. There is no 'the right way to do it
police' ... any way what works for you is a
good way!
If there is an external speaker or workshop
then members involved in this will follow a more formal plan, but other
members who are not engaged in workshops may decide to use the time less
formally and we will arrange space so that they can do this.
A selection of books and magazines from the guild library
will be on show and can be borrowed. We subscribe to Spin Off, PLY,
British Fibre Art Magazine, Handwoven and Piecework and of course the The Journal of the AGWSD. We hold back issues of these and also of some out of print publications (e.g. Yarnmaker). We also have a Sales Table for members to use, from which 10% of sales proceeds goes to the guild.
We will always find time for a 'Show and Tell' so do bring along any items that you want to show.
Meetings are informal and members staying for the day will
bring a packed lunch, except for meetings where we have a special
celebration and a shared table. Tea and Coffee are provided (members pay £2.00 per meeting and visitors
pay £7.50 per visit which also covers light refreshments).