Ontario Handspinning Seminar
Friday, June 7
Saturday, June 8
Sunday, June 9
Seminar Registration 4:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Displays and competitions intake, tools and consignment sales drop-off, and stash exchange drop-off will be next to the registration desk.
Residence check-in 4:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Check-in is in the lobby of the Bricker Residence.
Salesrooms 3:30 to 9:00 p.m.
This year there will be one opportunity to shop from our fine selection of vendors on Friday. If you are unable to attend the Seminar itself but would like to visit the Vendor Marketplace, you can purchase $5 admission tickets to the Marketplace at the door.
Friday night Dinner 6:00 to 7:00 p.m.
(time TBC) Dinner served in Dining Hall.
Spinning Wheel Petting Zoo (spin-in) 7:00 p.m. to ?
Friday night’s spin-in will once again be a Spinning Wheel Petting Zoo, where people are encouraged to let others try out their spinning tools. A special guest will be Gord Lendrum’s 4-person spinning wheel! If you would be willing for others to try your wheel(s), spindles, wool combs, hackles, dizzes, or other equipment, we will provide a tag to identify the item as part of the Petting Zoo. If you’re not comfortable doing that, that’s fine, too!
Saturday Breakfast 7:00 to 8:30 a.m.
Breakfast served in the Dining Hall.
Seminar Registration 8:00 to 9:00 a.m.
Displays and competitions intake, tools and consignment sales drop-off, and stash and book exchange drop-off will be next to the registration desk.
Tools and equipment consignment sale 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
As Canadians, we’re all over ski and skate swaps. Now we’ll have one for fibre tools! Tools will be sold on consignment and sold on a first-come, first-served basis. Complete guidelines will be displayed at the registration desk.
Stash and Book exchange charity sale 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Do you have an unwanted item in your stash that someone else may love? Reference books you hardly look at anymore? The Stash and Book Exchange is the place to browse for new-to-you items. Bring submissions to registration (we’ll charge a Loonie to drop off the items.) At the exchange, it’ll cost you a Loonie to pick up an item. Label your donation(s) with the fibre type, source if known, and approximate weight. Funds collected will be donated to a local charity (TBD).
Fleece silent auction 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (Final bids Sunday morning.)
At this year’s Seminar, we will be offering a Fleece Silent Auction. There will be about a dozen fleeces from as many shepherds on offer during the auction. Support your local shepherds! Score a lovely fleece from your favourite breed! Recognized fleece judges will comment on the fleeces after the Banquet. Cash purchase, so plan ahead. Complete rules (e.g., reserve bids, minimum increments, etc.) will be displayed at the registration desk.
Morning Workshops 9:00 a.m. to Noon
Saturday Lunch Noon to 1:30 p.m.
Lunch served in the Dining Hall.
The Lendrum 4-person spinner will be returning for a second appearance during the lunch break.
Afternoon Workshops 1:30 to 4:30 p.m.
Baggie Challenge Voting 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.
The $50 award recognizes the best item created from a blend of the items received in this baggie (plus additional fibre). Winners are chosen by ballots cast by 2024 Seminar attendees. If you attended the 2023 Seminar, bring your Baggie Challenge items! Will It Blend? Blending fibres—for felting, spinning or weaving, to weave stories and fibre arts together, to create new fibre adventures. What can you create by blending the fibres in the baggie challenge?
Founders’ Award Voting 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.
This award honours the founders of the Ontario Handspinning Seminar and encourages the use of handspun in an end product. Chosen by ballots cast by the Seminar attendees.
6oth Anniversary Banquet 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. [5:00 doors open]
The dress code for the evening is diamonds, dahling. Whether you’ve got the rocks, the socks, or the moxie to wear your favourite hippie chic, big look, minimalist, boho, or athleisure wear, let’s glam the night away in the Senate and Board Chamber. A cash bar will be available from 5:00 p.m.
Fleece auction assessment 7:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Learn more about the fleeces on auction.
Fashion show 8:00 to 9:00 p.m.
We are pleased to offer our ever-amazing fashion show. Fashion show items may be made using any technique and fibre type. This event is a wonderful way to have your handspinning seen by your peers and to gain inspiration from
Saturday Evening spin-in 9:00 to ?
Typically a relaxed affair, join your fellow at tendees at a mellow wind-down from a busy Saturday and consolidate the skills you learned during the day.
Sunday Breakfast 7:00 to 8:45 a.m.
Breakfast served in the Dining Hall. Fleece auction closes 8:45 a.m.
Sunday Keynote - From the Tent to Today (How We Got Here From There) 9:00 to 10:00 a.m.
Speakers Harriet Boon and Barbara Scott. This will not be a history lecture, but an informal narrative about roads travelled and long-lasting friendships fostered with insights into the laughter which has accompanied the Seminar throughout its history.
Lucet Activity 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.
For the Sunday morning activity, bring 6 to 12 metres of fine yarn (e.g., sock, lace, embroidery, etc.), and a lucet if you have one. Yarn may be handspun or commercial; however, a smooth or slippery yarn is suggested. A grippy or catchy type of yarn will not be very suitable (i.e., mohair = not good!). We’ll provide the instructions and have lucets available to use.
Awards presentation & closing comments 11:30 a.m.