WOW - it’s hard to believe it has been almost three years since the first meeting of the River Cities Fiber Clan in 2004.  Interest in fiber arts in the area has really grown and so has our group!

The Clan was founded in April 2004 with six interested people at the first meeting.  A lady had a life long dream of learning to spin attended and went home with a CD drop spindle and a bit of wool. She came back to the next meeting with a wheel and has become an excellent spinner!  We have all learned new things and sharpened our skills.  

The guild was started by a couple of folks who wanted some place close to home to spin, knit, learn and take part. It’s hard to be a lone spinner – group stuff is much more fun and keeps you spinning even when you get lazy. The guild was inspired and encouraged by some dear friends in The Fiber Network in Lewisburg, WV.

Our group meets in southern Ohio but we have members from Ohio, West Virginia, Kentucky, and Indiana.  Our members are very talented and generous people. We have a great time at meetings, trips and classes.  Everyone is always eager to share knowledge and support.

Clan gatherings usually consist of fiber, food, fun and friends. We love to have new and interested people drop in.

Although hand spinning is a main focus of the group, all fiber arts (felting, dyeing, weaving, knitting, crochet, etc.) are welcomed and encouraged. The guild is an environment of learning and friendship.  Members are encouraged to improve existing skills and challenged to learn new techniques.  They are encouraged to share their knowledge and experience with others to help develop, improve, and preserve fiber arts of all types.

We currently have several classes scheduled and are working on scheduling more opportunities for learning new skills and mastering existing skills. We also have some field trips planned to visit some wonderful fiber festivals and shops. For a complete list of classes, meetings, and trips please our website at www.goodnewsllamas.com/fiberguild/.

Monthly gatherings are still held the fourth Monday of each month. Workshops and field trips are usually scheduled for Saturdays.

We have an annual anniversary retreat each spring that is generously and graciously supported by some wonderful sponsors. The clan is working on putting together a fall fiber frolic.  We are always planning more classes, trips, and events.

The clan also gives back to our communities. We have done demos at area re-enactments, festivals, schools, and scouting events. We have support special project drives for our armed forces and charitable organizations.

If you are even in the area and want to come to a meeting please drop by, we love making new friends and sharing fibery fun!

Please feel free to contact Mitzi Ross at mitziross1@aol.com or 740-377-9516 or Judy Ross at ross@marshall.edu or 740-867-4267 for more information.