I was one of the students two years ago in the very first Journey to the Golden Fleece Course. Our final project was supposed to be completed around Christmas 2014. I was up to date with my Module 1-7 yarns but stalled a bit in my Module 8 final project. There was a second graduation at the later date of March 2015.
Unfortunately, in Feb 2015, I had an accident on the ranch that involved about 40-50 pounds of snow, ice, wood, and my face and head that left me with a broken nose and head injury. Believe me when I tell you that really stalled my final project. I am healing albeit slower than I like because as my husband says I was at the back of the queue when patience was passed out. I generally tell him that is not true….I wasn’t even in the room when the patience was passed out!!!
I let Suzy and Arlene know that photos were on the way a few weeks prior when I got close to completion. I had sort of given up the idea of my piece being considered for the museum showing, my ability to travel to the show, or even if Charlie would be available to be onshore at the ranch. Imagine my surprise a few days later when I received an email from Arlene and Suzy that included the following information:
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The Bellefonte Art Museum for Centre County in Bellefonte, Pennsylvania will be showing a collection of Journey to the Golden Fleece pieces from October 2, 2015 to November 22, 2015.
The collection being shown will contain approximately twenty pieces. The museum has asked that we submit the pieces from the following artists for their final selection to be included:
Simone Broersma
Susan Bruck
Pam Crichton
Elysa Darling
Clare Des Bruyeres
Cari Jarman
Sandy Lyons
Jan Massie
Joelle McCarthy
Clare Chapman
Randi Winters
Arlene Thayer
Suzy Brown
Virginia Schlomiti
Silja Devine
Emma Nicholson
Esther Rodgers
Debra Lambert
Melissa Yoder Ricks
Melisa Morrison
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My final project is in two parts. Mod 1-6 is in Part One with Mod 7 being Part Two. It is a mixed fiber medium piece. All the yarn is hand spun during the course. You can see all the Mod 1-7 yarns HERE. Various parts are woven on a rigid heddle loom, woven on a circular loom, wet felted, dry needle felted, free form crochet, woven felt, and the backing was sewn on my vintage 1954 Singer 99K hand crank sewing machine. I don’t really know how to sew so that was a fun experiment starting on such a large piece. Most of it was pieced together with hand sewing or free form crochet. Part One piece is approximately 5′ x 5′.
I set myself the challenge to spin traditional yarns with architectural plies, to keep it all white, and to use the same fiber with the same prep through out the entire course. All the yarn is spun from 15.5 micron merino in a commercial combed top preparation. The only added bits are some white natural fresh water pearls strung on a white silk thread and Mod 6 yarn which includes garnet seed beads strung on a white silk thread. There is some white silk hankies used in the felted parts but not in the spinning of the seven yarns. I am excited to be included and very happy that I am going to be able to go to the exhibit.