Dream Weaver at WAM

Wichita Weavers, Spinners & Dyers Guild Posted on by

Several Guild members were able to accept the invitation from Mat Buckingham, Curator of Education at the Wichita Art Museum, to participate in their Dream Weaver event on Saturday, January 22, 2022.

Featured guests (besides ourselves) were alpacas from the nearby Flatland Ranch! Obviously, they were a big draw for kids and adults alike, but they were outdoors, and we were inside.

Guild members had several tables of displays with information about upcoming classes, and also demonstrated fiber techniques from 11 am – 3 pm. Visitors strolling through the area could stop to see weaving on three different types of looms, needle felting and spinning, plus fiber art and products made with many other techniques.

We met lots of interested (and interesting!) people, and especially loved talking with the kids, who had some great questions. It was a wonderful day in a beautiful venue, and we appreciated the opportunity to participate!

  • Alpacas visiting the food truck
  • Paula
  • Carol
  • Neva
  • Sharon & Deb
  • Deb
  • Susan
  • Jenny
  • Nancy
  • Amanda
  • Amanda

And we owe a special thanks to Belinda Kidd for all the photos!

Remembering Nancy Mercer

Wichita Weavers, Spinners & Dyers Guild Posted on by

All but the newest guild members will have fond memories of Nancy, who left us suddenly and unexpectedly on December 3, 2021.

Nancy was a talented and enthusiastic fiber artist, and loved weaving, spinning, and  basket weaving.  She was a gifted instructor, and especially loved teaching others how to make her original basket designs.  

She also enjoyed demonstrating her skills in public, always with that infectious smile.  Those demonstrations included a number of years at Cowtown, where she was joined by her husband Chris, who tended the fire under dyepots. 

Nancy and Chris recently moved from Derby to Sedan in order to build her dream house in the country.  That dream was fast becoming a reality, but tragically, she would not live to see its completion.  

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 15, 2022 at College Hill United Methodist Church in Wichita at 1:00 p.m.  It will also be livestreamed.

Her family has generously selected the Wichita Weavers, Spinners & Dyers Guild for memorial donations; see her obituary for more information.  Donations may also be made online through the “Support Fiber Arts in Wichita” link at left or below (please leave a note that it is a memorial for Nancy, and include your mailing address).

You left us too soon, Nancy, but we’ll see you on the other side.

Open House December 11th

Wichita Weavers, Spinners & Dyers Guild Posted on by

Come see what we have to offer! You can do a little shopping, learn new skills as you create some unique items (for those on your gift list or for yourself), and even kick back and relax for a little while on your busy Saturday.

Drop by the Fiber Arts Center of Wichita at 751 George Washington Boulevard any time between 9 am and 4 pm on Saturday, Dec. 11th to join in the fun. Here’s some of what will be happening:

  • Create die cut Christmas cards with Debbie
  • Make Needle Felted Gnomes with Paula 
  • Needle felt feather patches with Susan 
  • Dye Silk Scarves with Malissa 
  • Knitting samples and demo with Belinda 
  • Spinning demonstrations
  • Try spindle spinning and tablet weaving

All Day (9 am – 4 pm)
Gift shopping for yourself and others
Wander around the weaving studio and imagine your future
Visit with Guild members about fiber arts
Make a needle felted gnome (donation)
Make a needle felted patch ($5)
Dye a silk scarf with tissue paper ($5 or $10)

Morning (9 am – noon)
Wheel spinning demonstration
Knitting demonstration
Try your hand at spindle spinning
Hands-on tablet weaving opportunity

Afternoon (1 pm – 4 pm)
Make die-cut Christmas cards ($5 each or 3/$10)