September 23 Guild Meeting
Guild Meeting on Tuesday, September 23rd
Lake FarmPark
8800 Euclid Chardon Rd, Kirtland
From Plant to Cloth
For thousands of years, leaves, stems, and even bark have been made into various forms of cloth.
Learn the how's, why's, and when's of plant fibers all over the world. Plus, discover what's in the pipeline for new and sustainable textiles!
by Gigi Matthews
She states: Decades of travel to over 30 countries has given me a deep appreciation for textiles and their history. Originally from Vancouver, Canada, I have lived in Australia, the UK, and now reside in New York City.
I have taught handspinning for guilds, the MidAtlantic Fiber Association, and the John C Campbell Folk School and have published articles in Ply Magazine and Shuttle, Spindle & Dyepot.
I’m a member of the New York Guild of
Handweavers and I’m on the board of directors of the Handweavers Guild of America (HGA) and the MidAtlantic Fiber Association (MAFA). I co-host the monthly “MAFA Movie Night” via Zoom with Kate Ohara.
As always, we will be gathering at Lake FarmPark for this presentation, and you are encouraged to bring any items you have been working on to share with others.
6:00 Informal socializing
6:30 Intros and Show and Share
7:00 Program
8:00 Business Meeting & Announcements
Zoom info
Topic: WRSW September Meeting
Time: Sep 23, 2025 06:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting via link on Members Only page
President’s message
Dear Guild,
I hope your summer has been filled with all good summer things (and of course a nourishing dose of the fiber arts as well). Fall approacheth however, and I just want to quickly grab your attention in regard to some of the upcoming events:
- In August I will be calling for members to be part of the Ad Hoc committees that we need each year: the Nominating Committee, Budget Committee and Audit Committee. The Nominating Committee makes calls to gather candidates for 2026 officer positions for the October vote; the Budget Committee creates a draft for consideration in October as well and the Audit Committee does its work in January 2026. These are not huge time commitments. Really. Please consider!
- Our 50th Anniversary as a Guild will be celebrated as a party in November. Please note that this is ONE WEEK EARLIER than usual, scheduled for November 18. As part of the celebration, please bring along a favorite fiber work to share with the rest of the Guild. This is a great chance to celebrate our evolution both individually and as a fiber arts community.
- Finally, a gentle nudge to take part in the President's Challenge which will be showcased at the February 2026 meeting. The challenge could follow one of two paths - either to create a series of work that illustrates your own personal evolution in the fiber arts or alternatively, embed a coded message in your work. Whatever you choose, have fun with it!
Best regards,
Karen
Nominating Committee 2025
Nominating Committee
At the August 2025 meeting Karen Gerken solicited members to volunteer for the Nominating Committee. I (Mo Doerner) volunteered and would like to have two others on the committee with me. Our Handbook requires that the nominating committee members cannot nominate themselves for office and must have been a guild member for at least one year. I can be reached at 216-269-5849 or madknits669@gmail.com.
The slate of proposed officers for 2026 is due at the September 23rd meeting. Karen Gerken our President, and Yvonne Harrold, our Vice President, are not seeking reelection. Sharon Baird and Suzanne Paquin graciously offered to continue as Secretary and Treasurer, respectively. Therefore, the committee will be contacting guild members to ask if they would be willing to volunteer for either the President or Vice President positions. Our WRSW Jobs and Responsibilities Handbook is in the Members section under the Documents tab which has a link “2023 Handbook.” The Handbook contains a detailed description of the duties of the President and Vice President. If you are interested in either position, please contact me at my above contact information.
Thank you,
Mo Doerner
New Website Coming soon
Over the summer Suzanne Paquin and Rachel Wilson have been busy creating a new website. After some initial beta testing, it is anticipated that this new and improved site will be available by the end of the year. Here are some updates:
Photos from the current website will be transferred over, and you will be able to add additional photos. However, your permission is needed for any photos that are 'public'----that is, not just in the Members Only section. Suzanne & Rachel are requesting that you complete the Photo Release Form. This is particularly important if you do not want your photo displayed. If you do not complete this form by September 30th it will be assumed that permission is given.
Here is some information about how to upload any photos: Read Me First.
Each WRSW member will have a folder to upload photos: Member Photo Folders; this is available now if you wish to use it.
Have questions? Contact Rachel Wilson at rwsunshine60@gmail.com (440) 313-1601 weekdays between 4:00 pm and 8:00 pm or Suzanne Paquin at slrp9999@gmail.com .
Prepare to Celebrate!
As you may have heard, this is the 50th year the Western Reserve Spinners & Weavers Guild has been in existence. To celebrate, the Program Committee is planning a celebration at our November 18th meeting, and I am asking each of you to provide some remarks for the slide show that will be presented (along with the cake and ice cream).
Specifically:
Please reflect on your time with the Guild, and what it has meant to you.
Thinking ahead, What do you see in your fiber arts future and how does that involve the Guild?
Feel free to include one or two photos.
All this can be sent to JoEllen Salkin by October 15th.
Thank you,
Karen Gerken
Meeting reminder
Tuesday, June 24th 6:30PM
Lake Farm Park
8800 Euclid Chardon Rd, Kirtland
Next week’s meeting will convene as usual at 6:30 for sharing and social time. Our meeting speaker will be:
Felice Dahlhausen will be joining us and speaking on quilts
After thirty-two years as a high school art teacher Felice retired and moved into a new artistic path. She now explores possibilities with fabric and thread creating art quilts. As a high school art teacher she loved exposing her students to varied art experiences and she continues to explore different techniques herself.
The meeting will again take place in the cafe, at the end of the hall past the theater.
Please also review the posted minutes from the last meeting for approval at the brief business meeting which will follow.
Zoom info:
Topic: June WRSW Meeting
Time: Jun 24, 2025 06:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting via link on Members Only page
Updated 10/4/2025