FireWatch Weavers
This winter and spring we are planning a series of monthly workshops covering a range of creative skills, both fiber- and non-fiber related. We are also introducing local artists and craftspeople as instructors so that our students can become familiar with other opportunities for art education in our area. Details appear below.
| Date | Topic | Description | Cost |
| January 17, 2010; noon - 4 PM | Socks Demystified | Instructor: Pam Engberg. Using either double-pointed or two circular needles, we will knit an entire mini-sock from the top to the toe. We will first learn the classic "turned heel" and then knit a sample of the "afterthought" replaceable heel. Directions provided will enable you to "upsize" your sock to an adult size and any yarn weight. | $15 - includes coffee and snack. |
| Saturday February 6, 2010; 9:30 AM - 4 PM |
Introduction to Watercolor | Instructor: Beth Parys. This workshop will be held at the Hitchcock Academy, Brimfield. This is at the bottom of Brookfield Road, three miles from FireWatch Weavers, at the junction of Brookfield Road and Route 20. The morning will introduce students to basic watercolor techniques. After lunch (provided by the instructor) students will paint a watercolor that employs each of these techniques. All students work from the same drawing and Beth walks you through every step. Good results are guaranteed! |
$65 - includes coffee, snacks, lunch, and all materials |
| Feb. 7, 2010; noon - 4 PM | Crocheting a Beaded Bracelet |  Instructor: Bev Komisaruk. Bev will show us how to combine beads and
crochet into a rope bangle bracelet. The bracelet we make will be much less complex than the ones shown, but she will explain how to plan a design as well as execute the beginning, middle, and closing techniques. |
$25 plus materials |
| 2 SESSIONS: Feb. 21, 10 AM - 4 PM and March 7, 10 AM 4 PM |
Needle-felted Woodland Santa |  Instructor: Pam Engberg. This two-session workshop will introduce the making of
a complex figure, which includes a flexible wire armature. Students will be expected to work on the figure during the interval between
classes. Students who do not wish to make the figure as a Santa can create a wizard instead. Bring your own lunch; coffee and snacks are provided. |
$70 plus materials (includes both classes) |
| March. 21, 9 AM - 4 PM | Flat Felting | Instructor: Pam Engberg. Learn the method of flat-felting to create your own small rug (2' x 3' or smaller). Space is limited to 4 participants. | $50 plus materials (wool, $1 per ounce, or you may bring your own) |
| April 18, noon-4 PM | Kumihimo on a card and Kumihimo with Beads | Instructor: Lou Barry and friends. Japanese braiding using a portable "marudai." Lou will show us the basics of braiding and then show us how to incorporate beads to make jewelry. | $20 plus materials |
| May 16, hours TBA | Dyeing with Acid Dyes | Instructor: Pam Engberg and Joanne Minnie. We will be using Lanaset/Sabraset dyes and food coloring to dye samples of wool roving and both wool and silk yarn. | $30 includes materials |
| June 13, hours TBA | Dyeing with Natural Dyes | Instructor: Pam Engberg. Using onionskin, madder, and cochineal, we will explore dyeing wool, silk, and cotton. Learn how acidity and mordants affect shades and how different fibers absorb the dye differently. | $40 includes materials |