INTERACTIVE TALKS/SEMINARS

FRIDAY 10 APRIL

9.30–10.30 am New Zealand Textile Art Rie Natalenko Discover aspects of New Zealand textile creation and design – from indigenous weavers to contemporary artists. Rie has a doctorate in Creative Arts and is a passionate textile artisan. She is a full-time writer, speaker and educator, and is the editor of Yarn magazine.

11am–12pm Merino – What If? – Why Not? – Where Now? Milestones of a Personal Journey Margaret Stove Margaret will discuss the technique she uses for spinning fine wool, the effect of other fibres when used with Merino, and designing with Merino in relation to various examples she will have on display. She will talk about her commissions and exhibition works and answer questions you might have.

1.30–2.30pm Felted Animals Loretta Sloan Loretta will demonstrate how she makes her needle felted animals and bring samples for you to see. With over 30 years of experience in felting, weaving and spinning Loretta’s mission is to share her love and passion for fibre to everyone. She is an eight-time finalist in WOW – World of WearableArt.

2.45–3.45pm Sharpening Your Scissors Jack Patterson How to get those scissors cutting. Learn what you can do to improve the performance of your scissors. Jack is a competitive axeman and is skilled in sharpening axes, saws, knives and scissors. Bring along any blunt scissors – eg pinking shears, embroidery scissors, dressmaking shears so that he can demonstrate the best way to get them sharp.

SATURDAY 11 APRIL

9.30–10.30am Presenting your Creative Work PK Maracin How you present yourself is that first impression – it only happens once, setting a path for the future. PK will explain how she prepared her portfolios for the New Weaver award, how sometimes less is more, and how she prices, brands and markets items she sells. PK is a textile designer and was awarded the 2024 Creative Fibre Award for New Weavers.

11am–12pm Ten Top Tips for Tutors Rie Natalenko What are the secrets of a good workshop? How can you be sure you are doing the best that you can for your students? Rie has a doctorate in Creative Arts, has won awards for her fiction, poetry and screenwriting, and is a passionate textile artisan. She has taught in schools, college, university and in the community, and has written books on running craft workshops.

1.30–2.30pm Spinning Wheel Spa Treatment Shona Schofield Instructive tips on how you can revitalise and restore your wheel, any make or model, giving you relaxing spinning pleasure for many years to come. Shona has a passion for wool and fibre and has enjoyed many fibre-related arts since 1991. Her father was a factory foreman at Ashfords and she has been a Majacraft dealer since 2010.

2.45–3.45pm Fleece Preparation Jack Patterson How to unroll a fleece and spread it out. How to skirt the fleece and what to look for. How to choose the best parts of the fleece for spinning. Jack has been a farmer for more than 60 years and now has a flock of coloured Polwarth sheep which he farms along with his wife Eleanor on Starcrest Farm, a small block at Oxford, North Canterbury.

SUNDAY 12 APRIL

9.30–10.30am Crafting and Wellness Michelle Snowdon, Wooldancer Join Michelle for an engaging seminar exploring the intersection of art therapy, crafting, and wellness. Discover how creative expression can promote mental health, reduce stress, and enhance overall well-being. Michelle Snowdon is a fibre artist, Creative Arts Therapist and mother living in the Blue Mountains Australia. Now with an empty nest she spins and sustains wellbeing in midlife with curiosity and creativity.