Greetings and Salutations,

I apologize for any cross postings but I wanted to ensure that I touched base with everyone. I would like to take this time to send an update on the very informative meeting held at WW.

Interest definitely exists in the needlework community to organize ourselves into a guild. So, in consideration of that it was discussed that people would prefer to keep our focus towards decorative needle arts to avoid the fear of getting swallowed up in other fields like costuming. There were those who would like to see apprenticeship programs to further their education of medieval needle needlework while others preferred the freedom to just be able to practice their art without having to focus on period styles. As such, the guild will be placing its focus towards advancing the needs of each individual artisan. This is designed to be a network to share each of our individual experience with the group as a whole and also provide help to the community at large. Be it someone who only wants help to create one favor or someone who wants to know how many lines of chain stitch were placed on a coronation cope from the 12^th century, the guild will encourage these goals and help in the reaching of them.

The following provides more detail into areas of discussion that people wanted to see from the guild:

• Creation of a database which would provide information as to who in the guild knows what and is willing to teach—even if you only know two stitches that’s still two more than someone who’s never attempted that style. Remember, just because one is not a laurel does not mean that one can not help improve another artisans craft.

• Creation of a website that would include links of interest, current projects, fact finder information, bibliography of good sources, etc.

• A "goddess of embroidery" where people can send in questions that we can each take turns answering

• Support in deciphering A&S criteria—arranging for shadowing A&S judges at fairs to learn how the judging process takes place

• Creation of Regalia for the Kingdom—also creating gifts for the Crown and Coronet to distribute. These may cater to the individual need of the needleworker—for example book marks that could be done in black work, or crewel, or surface embroidery, etc. so that each needleworker could contribute in style that is most comfortable to them or encourage to try a new style.

• Regular displays a couple of times a year at events that include examples of what members of the guild are doing, some research and documentation, or even examples of mistakes that have been made to help show the Society as a whole our progress and allow new needleworkers to see other styles they may wish to try. These displays would include the presence of a guild member willing to answer questions.

• Encouragement of teaching one’s craft to others

• Creating kits for classes or for the passer by who sees us stitching together and wants to give it a try. These kits could even include designs of award badges or regional symbols that could later be given to Royalty. The Crown and Coronet are often looking for gifts to give to other Kingdoms when they visit or to give to a new award recipient. It can be a big boost for a future stitcher to know that one of their projects has made the difference to someone else and would also help create a name for the needleworkers of Northshield.

• There was some talk of service projects in the future—doing things outside of needlework to advance the Society such as waterbearing or doing a lunch at an event, etc.

• And of course, stitching circles for us all to get together, talk, show what we’re doing, and help each other with any projects.

We hope to be able to meet at Coronet in Windhaven this fall and to have a display (I will be contacting the autocrats to see if that would be all right). Hopefully by that time I can have a copy of the rough draft for the charter prepared for review and Nicolette volunteered to help get some heraldry designs together so that we could have a recognizable banner for people to find. Once the guild starts to get on its feet there will be need for a secretary to take notes so that everyone’s great ideas can be remembered, a webminister, and a project coordinator for once we start getting some of the group project ideas that have been discussed in motion.

Creating a guild is a slow process but will be very worthwhile. I ask that if interested please reply to me with contact information (if I don’t already have it), what you are willing to teach others, and as always, ideas. Also, if you wish to not receive any more information, let me know that as well. I will also be contacting the MOAS of the region to let them know we are trying to accomplish as well as distributing flyers at events to help spread the word.

For those interested in signing up, there is a Northshield Needleworkers list serv.

To Join send a blank email to:

northshieldneedleworkers-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

You will receive a subscription confirmation message. Just reply to this message and your subscription will be complete.

In Service,

Lady Sarra Romney