Getting Ready For Madrona

I absolutely love teaching at Madrona Fiber Arts retreat. The students are enthusiastic, very knowledgeable and challenging. This year, I'm teaching three classes; double knitting, yarn substitution and a class I call "Going to the Dark Side" - how to knit with your opposite hand. I'm also teaching beginners in the rotunda on Friday. I love teaching beginners and seeing their "ah ha!" moments. The retreat begins Thursday, February 17th thru Sunday, February 20th.

I'm taking class on Thursday with Anita Luvera Mayer - a fiber artist. When people leave a class with Anita they say "She's changed my life". At this stage in my fiber arts career, having left yarn shop ownership, I'm ready for and embracing change. I'm taking "Play with Surface Design" where we will experiment with surface design on fabric and come home with samples of each technique experienced in class. Since I just started weaving I like the idea of painting my finished cloth, learning how to applique, burning felt and foiling my work. Anita is Thursday nights speaker and with have her extraordinary garments with her. Her garments have toured galleries around the country.

On Friday and Saturday, I mostly teach, but I'm looking forward to seeing friends and doing a little sightseeing. I have to make a stop at the Museum of Glass.

The Hotel Murano is beautiful. Here's a picture of the Lobby and one of their rooms. The hotel itself is a museum with different glass artists showcased on each floor.

The market is really great, catering to knitters, weavers and spinners. One of my favorite yarn shops, Churchmouse Yarns, is in the market this year, as well as Carolina Homespun, owned by the lovely Morgaine Wilder who helped me to start my weaving journey last year. I also love Toots LeBlanc and Black Water Abbey Yarns.

The hotel is within walking distance from the Museum of Glass and Tacoma Art Museum.

The Chihuly Bridge of Glass is a 500 foot pedestrian bridge that links the Museum of Glass to downtown Tacoma. Dale Chihuly is an American glass sculptor and his work is phenomenal. You have to go and see it!