...spinning and more...

Yesterday was the first day of the retreat.  I had planned to finish my day, come back to my hotel room and write a post about what went on.  Planned.  I was so tired and my head was so packed with information that the best I could do was come back, put on my pajamas and go to bed.  Tired. Learning really takes a lot out of you.

We started the day with a session from Kevin on the care and feeding of our miniSpinner.  What I really appreciate about Kevin is the way he explains things, so clear and easy to understand.  He covered how to clean and maintain it, and by the time he was done I think I could have taken the whole thing apart and put it back together.  He's that good.

After Kevin's presentation came Judith.  Wow.  I took a class from Judith many years ago and loved it. I remember coming out of that class with the feeling that my head was going to explode with all of the information she gave us.  With this class I had the same feeling.  

                              

She started us out working with two colors, blending, etc.  I've worked with two colors before but not like this!  It was so great.  

                             

                           

Judith is so wonderful, working with everyone individually.  When you take a class with Judith it's like having a private class.  She spends one-on-one time with each person and helps you with the things you need help with.  So great~

                             

After lunch we moved on to marled yarn.  She had us work with 5 colors, taught us how to blend the colors, and how to get long repeats of color that you can ply to get a marled effect.  

                             

                            

                              

It was pretty fantastic.

After dinner, Judith gave a presentation on Peruvian textiles.  It was so unbelievable.  The woven cloth and dolls she showed us were amazing.  Some of this stuff is really, really, really old.

bottom whorl spindle

back strap loom with weaving

woven vest

Needless to say I went to bead with my head full of new ideas and I can't wait to see what Judith has in store for us today.  I'm going to need A LOT of coffee...