The Company of the Silver Spindle, West Kingdom Chapter, is a Guild dedicated to the art of hand spinning fibers, teaching the art of spinning and various techniques of using these yarns, and researching the use of fiber throughout the ages. These fiber arts include, spinning, dyeing, weaving, knitting, crochet, finger weaving, and forms of embroidery using wool yarn. We will keep the main focus on techniques of these arts as they were practiced before 1600. However, as spinning and the other fiber arts transcend time and place, members are more than encouraged to explore the modern innovations in color, fibers, techniques and styles and share their knowledge and experiences with others.
The Guild was born in April, 2004 with a membership of ten women interesting in learning the art of spinning, and with considerable help from Mistress Siobhan nic Dhuinnshleibhe, the Holda of our Mother Guild in the fair Kingdom of Atlantia. Since that time our numbers have grown as our members spread their knowledge of spinning through teaching classes, entering Arts and Sciences Competitions, and sharing their knowledge at demos, and events.
We encourage our members to share their knowledge and love of the textile arts with others through teaching classes on the fiber arts, entering Arts and Sciences competitions, doing research on textile-related subjects, and producing works of textile arts. Most importantly, we encourage our members to enjoy themselves.
The Guild is administered by a headmistress (known as the Holda) and assisted by several officers elected from the Guild membership in order to ensure that our Guild spins smoothly.
The only requirement for membership in the Guild is to have an interest in handspinning and to submit a letter of interest and intent to join to the current Holda of the Guild, Sorcha. The Headmistress will then contact the applicant to have them fill out the appropriate membership forms.
We also have an Apprenticeship Program, it is to offer a forum for those who wish to measure their progress and skill in a self-paced non-competitive environment. As the member learns the art of spinning and how to apply the various categories of fiber arts to the yarns they have created, there are three ranks within the Guild that the member may wish to apply for. These ranks are not mandatory and are to be concidered a requirement to join the Guild.
The requirements are laid out here.
The Guild also works to foster contact between its members and information exchanges through annual meetings, classes and workshops, and a newsletter and e-group list. We will also work in conjunction with other Arts and Sciences groups to assist in providing the populace of the West Kingdom with workshops, classes, demonstrations and other events designed to promote the Arts and Sciences.
We have now have a Members' Projects section for photos of members' work, so you can see some of the techniques listed above in use. Members are invited to submit .jpgs or .gifs to Sorcha, the Guild Minister or the Guild Webmistress via e-mail, or to give us photos of your work (these will be returned) at events so that we can scan them for display.