planning meeting at Laryna's

We met for planning ahead, as well as looking back over the last half year or so.

and Flora brought the new name for our outreach and in-reach plans:
The Unbroken Thread

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copied from our minutes:
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The Unbroken Thread – Woolcraft at Galgael

A summary of recent activity and proposals for the future.

Summer/Autumn 2007
Hazel, Anneruth, Verene, Flora and Anna started gathering on a Friday morning to share woolcraft. We taught, learned and created by washing and preparing fleeces, carding, spinning, knitting, dying, felting and making rag rugs. Most of the materials we use would otherwise be thrown away. We recycle it into something practical and beautiful.

In November 2007 some beautiful precious Hebridean fleeces were given to the group (thanks John from Iona Hostel!) and these are being felted into quality rugs.

In January 2008 Heather and Laryna (re)connected with the group. Heather picked up the threads at the ‘Weaving the Clyde’ tapestry loom. Laryna was able to continue the work that Helen had started, bringing weaving into the local nursery. (Helen was unable to continue with this because of her new baby – congratulations). This year at the nursery Laryna has introduced “wet in wet painting” to encourage colour and form sensitivity. She built and taught peg loom weaving and then brought painting and wool craft experiencing together by “weaving the rainbow”.

“woolcrafty @ galgael”: We have also developed a craft group blog. This is still private as we develop it but the plan is to make it public so that anyone interested in the craft group (new participant or potential funders) can see what it’s all about.

Long Term Aims
* Development of the sail loft at Galgael for a craft learning centre.
* Certificated modules in wool craft.
* A productive creative working environment people want to participate in, including singing and dancing old and new craft community songs and tunes

The next steps
Weaving ourselves in and out of the Galgael base doing outreach to build interest in traditional woolcraft activities, and let people know they can join in also here at Galgael to build a resource base. This will include giving workshops at already established community groups in the area and by taking stalls and giving demonstrations at events. For this we need to develop a pack of display material, information and leaflets that can be given away and pieces of craft that people can have a go at.

We are now searching for people with songs and dances which can join up with us in integrated outreach venture called specifically: “The Unbroken Thread”.

The money from the sale of all things made at the craft group will go towards the sail loft renovation fund.