| Whonnock
Weavers & Spinners |
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| The more than thirty
members of Whonnock Weavers and Spinners come from the Fraser Valley
/ Lower Mainland area of BC. |
| The purpose
of the Whonnock Weavers and Spinners is to encourage active interest
in the fibre arts, both of its members and the community. |
| We welcome
anyone, from beginner to advanced, with interests in the fibre arts.
We have a great diversity of skill levels and interests as well
as willingness to share information and techniques. We meet every
second and fourth Tuesday evening at 7:30 p.m. at Whonnock Lake
Centre, September to June. Annual membership fees of 25 dollars. |
| Whonnock
Weavers and Spinners Guild was formed in 1974 by a group of people
interested in keeping alive the age-old crafts of weaving and spinning
and who wished to share their experiences with others. Demonstrations,
visual presentations, slideshows, workshops, sales and community
displays are included in our activities. |
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| An
annual exhibition and sale is held at Whonnock Lake Centre, displaying
handcrafted items made by guild members. All funds generated by
the sale help subsidize guild workshops and projects throughout
the year. We do demonstrations and hands-on weaving projects for
primary schools in Maple Ridge. |
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| Counterpane
Collectables |
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| It is said
that when one door closes, another opens. Such is the case with
Counterpane Collectables. |
There
are bears in your closet waiting to be set free. Grandma’s
old persian lamb jacket, Auntie Anne’s mink stole —they’re
waiting to be turned into heirloom teddy bears. |
| While taking
conselling for living with chronic pain following a car accident,
Neva Springman, was looking for a small project she could work on
as a diversion. A teddy bear for her granddaughter seemed like a
good idea. |
| As a feel
good project, that first bear Morph (so-named because he was made
from stretchy fabric and changed shape every time he was picked
up) was a bit of a dud. But the seed had been sown (or is that sewn?). |
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| As a means
of keeping costs down while she developed her skills, Neva began
working with fabric from old mohair coats. A bear made from recycled
fur led to an order. That order led to several more. And Counterpane
Collectables was born. |
| Old fur
jackets, in the form of heirloom teddy bears, now have homes, not
only in Whonnock, but all across Canada, and in the United States,
Australia and Great Britain. |
| All of
Neva’s fur bears have traditional glass eyes, are fully jointed
(arms, legs and head move) and are completely cotton-lined for stability.
The bears are designed to customers’ specifications, making
each bear unique. |
Counterpane
Collectables can be reached at 604 462 8114 or e-mail springman-neva@uniserve.com |
| Neva has
also made memory bears from such things as a ratty old house coat,
a team jacket complete with crest, and an old wool blanket. |
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| Counterpane
Collectable teddy bears have won numerous national and international
awards in teddy bear competitions - based on originality of design
and quality of construction. |
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If
you are interested in some creative recycling, Counterpane Collectables
can be reached at 604-462-8114 or e-mail springman-neva@uniserve.com |
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