Programs

Currently transitioning from Zoom to In-person and/or hybrid presentations

Please check each event to see if it is in person or via zoom.

Educational programs take place during Guild Meetings,
which are held at the Shepard Garden and Art Center, 3330 McKinley Blvd, Sacramento, CA,
10:00 a.m. on the fourth Tuesday of each month, September through May, except December.

September 26, 2023

10:00 a.m.-Noon

Speaker: Lizette Hopkins (in person)

Topic: What is Art Yarn and What can I do with it!

This program will show how yarn has transformed from Simple to Wild and how it can be used in Weaving, Textiles, Knitting, Crochet and Accessories! Bring your Art Yarn creations to show and share!

Award winning Fiber Artist, Lizette Hopkins, has been teaching heritage crafts professionally for nearly 30 years. Her passion is sharing the fun of creating with your hands. From bobbin lace, crochet, felting, knitting, sewing, spinning yarn, tatting, upholstery, to weaving she is all in and her enthusiasm is infectious! Lizette taught classes for the Davis Art Center, Davis Joint Unified School District Adult Education Program, Fiber Festivals, Guilds, and Yarn Shops.

After attending Camp Pluckyfluff with artist Lexi Boeger, Lizette became enthralled with creating Art Yarn. She searched for a limitless spinning wheel and found the SpinOlution Mach I. She called the company, became their first dealer and started her business SpinGlitz in 2008! Her business locally sources fiber from friends/growers and guild members in Northern California.

Lizette is active in a number of guilds including past president of Hangtown Fibers Guild, Sacramento Knitting Guild, and Sacramento Crochet Guild. She has held several board positions for SWSG (Newsletter Editor 2014 – present), Gold Country Lacers & Tatters, and the Davis Knitting Guild. For five years she was V-P and Vendor Chair for the Lambtown Festival Board.

October 24, 2023

Speaker : Marcail McWilliams (in Person)
Topic: Valley Oak Wool & Fiber Mill

Marcail McWilliams the Owner of Valley Wool Mills in Woodland will share her experiences owning and operating a wool and fiber mill. Marcail studied at the California College of the Arts in San Francisco graduating with a BFA in Textiles.

Her original career plan was to become a fashion designer but after college she joined a volunteer farming program and spent time travelling the world working on farms. She returned to Woodland and started working at the former Yolo Wool Mill.

When the former owner retired Marcail was able to purchase the mill.

November 28, 2023

Speaker : Presentations from Guild Members (zoom)
Topic: TBD

January 23, 2024

Speaker : Deb Essen (zoom)
Topic: Introduction to Supplemental Warps

Deb Essen is the author of "Easy Weaving with Supplemental Warps ", “Color in Weaving” and “Unlocking Profile Drafts”. She is a frequent contributor to Handwoven magazine. Deb started weaving in 1993, achieved the Certificate of Excellence in Handweaving, Level 1 from the Handweavers Guild of America in 2004 and was inducted into the Montana Circle of American Masters in Folk and Traditional Art in 2011. Deb teaches weaving at regional and national conferences, guilds and shops and more recently using Zoom in an online format. She also runs her business djehandwovens and sells custom weaving kits on her website www.djehandwovens.com and through weaving vendors.