Nov 2015:

Martha Scott presented an informative program on the button collection that she inherited from her mother. She remembers as a child, helping sort through newly acquired button jars to see what treasures could be found.

She explained that there are many button collectors. Her buttons were mounted on cardboard backings to protect and organize them. They have to be kept dry too as moisture is especially detrimental to their preservation.

A collector could categorize their buttons into themes and mount them together on labeled cardboard backings to be entered into button shows. The buttons are judged on various criteria. The themes might be Birds or "Heads" or perhaps the material from which the buttons were made. ie Pewter or Cut Steel.

After explaining some of the history of button making, Martha passed around buttons made of fabric, bone, casein, vegetable ivory, tortoiseshell, abalone, china, enamel, glass, dyed metal and silver cut steel. There were also buttons with modern wedgewood designs, buttons with pearl centres and light iridescent buttons to name a few.

 

Very impressive and informative and enjoyed by all.

June 2015 meeting

June 2015:

We enjoyed a potluck and guild meeting at Grace Clare's farm. In the barn, we examined fleece from different sheep breeds, as well as a mohair fleece from an angora goat and an alpaca fleece. 

 

The fleeces for checked for fineness, uniformity, lustre, lock type and length and lack of vegetation.

We discussed the pros and cons of each fleece type and how the traits of each one could be used to advantage.

Later members shared their completed items based on the challenge of using stashed fibre.

May 2015:

Anneke Schagen presented a program on the dolls she creates using wool and fabric, sometimes from old sweaters or garments that have special meaning for her.

The faces are made from polymer clay and painted. After each face is formed, Anneke decides how to finish the body of the doll based on the character revealed in each one. We enjoyed the program and picked favourites.

April 2015 meeting

April 2015:

Allison Brown presented a program on Mohair and Angora goats. She explained what to look for in an mohair fleece and shared samples of kid, young adult and adult mohair. There were various samples of dyed mohair blended with her Norbouillet wool for spinning.