You Spin Me Right Round: A Visit With the Ponderosa Spinners, Weavers & Fibre Artists

I spent part of an afternoon last week having a very pleasant visit with members of the Ponderosa Spinners, Weavers & Fibre Artists at their weekly drop in which is held in the beautiful Rotary Centre for the Arts, in downtown Kelowna.  If you're not sure where you're heading, follow the large sculptures of apples and pears along the walk way:

Everyone was busy preparing for the annual spin in, which was held on Saturday in Rutland. (We were on the road by then, so I didn't get a chance to attend.)  People told me that this guild has approximately 40 members who are weavers.  Their spinning members come from around the Okanagan; there are about 70 of them!


Most of the drop in attendees were involved in name tag assembly; one or two were working with their yarns.  Their names escape me, but they graciously allowed me to photograph them in their studio space:

This is Chris M., who, if I understand correctly, is a founding member and organizer of the guild.

Chris showed me the display which won the guild first prize at an ANWG conference. Everything is hand spun, felted, knitted or otherwise hand made.  The tree trunk is composed of metres and metres of I-cord:

These towels were woven by guild members and the felted fruit and vegetables, etc. are sold as fund raisers for guild activities:

I missed another event held last weekend in Kelowna-the Orchard Valley Quilt and Fibre Arts Show.  Fortunately, there were quilts hung in the hallway of the Rotary Centre and on display at the Town Centre Mall:

This guild also had sale items available through the Rotary Centre, including some knitted items:

Thanks to the members of the Ponderosa Guild for their hospitality.  I hope they forgive (and correct) any errors I've made in reporting on their activities.

Namaste.