Spin Off Autumn Retreat (SOAR)

SOAR souvenirs

2008-07-09T17:20:00.003-06:00

We've been getting a lot of requests for photos of the SOAR souvenirs we have this year. We usually don't publish photos since the souvenirs don't get ordered until we get the order forms returned and tallied up... but you're a very curious bunch this year, so here are some basic photos of the souvenirs. Keep in mind that the colors aren't correct and these don't have any kind of SOAR logo, so they aren't super representative. The final items will be much cooler!

Zippered Tote:

Apron:

Contrast Cloth:

Notions Pouch:

No Room at the Inn?

2008-07-07T14:48:00.000-06:00

A few SOAR participants have contacted us regarding the availabilty of lodging rooms at Pocono Manor. We're currently reviewing rooming lists from Pocono Manor to determine capactiy and will have further updates for you soon.

Estes Park Wool Market

2008-06-19T12:33:00.002-06:00

This past weekend was my first trip to the Estes Park Wool Market. I think I have overly high expectations since the only other festival I've ever been to is Maryland Sheep and Wool, but Estes was still fabulous. I really love being able to buy local products from local people. Here's a photo tour of my trip:

Ahh, shaved camelids look so funny! My boyfriend calls them "the giraffes of the fiber world".

This guy supposedly had 5 horns, but we only counted 4.

A beautiful day in the mountains (I think we made it out just before the rain.)

My first fleeces! The bottom one is a Shetland, the top is Jacob. I'm trying to decided whether I should process them myself or send them away to be done professionally. Maybe half myself, half at the mill?

Who else went to Estes? What did you buy? What do you think of my fleece?

The long wait is over!

2008-06-10T14:02:00.003-06:00

SOAR confirmations are going out starting right now!

We have to send each email individually, and with over 300 people it's going to take Karen and me a couple hours to send them all, but rest assured... they are coming!

SOAR Confirmations are ....

2008-06-09T15:01:00.002-06:00

going out tomorrow.
Sorry to keep you waiting.
Okay--here's the scoop. We know a lot of you are waiting, waiting to hear from us about SOAR confirmations. Karen is still working on making that happen and it looks like confirmations will go out tomorrow afternoon (Mountain Daylight Time).

I'm writing this note so that she can continue to work on the details that need to be completed before she can send out emails (and in some cases letters).

In the meantime--here's a picture of Bella--a cashmere goat.

While you wait

2008-06-03T12:09:00.002-06:00

I know waiting is hard--here's something mesmerizing to watch as you wait:

Andy Paiko's Glass Spinning Wheel on Youtube.com

SOAR 2009

2008-05-20T14:06:00.003-06:00

SOAR 2009

You might be thinking that in the hurly burly of organizing SOAR 2008 we’d totally forgotten about 2009! You didn’t really think that, did you?
Well, of course we haven’t. In fact for months we’ve been hard at work finding a new, perfect SOAR location.

SOAR 2009 will be at the Sunriver Resort in Bend, OR, October 25-November 1.

We recently visited Sunriver and were wowed by its beauty, distinct Pacific Northwest atmosphere, and the staff’s commitment to and understanding of our event.

So go have a virtual tour of our 2009 home for SOAR; you’re going to love it! http://www.sunriver-resort.com/

Karen—who isn’t frazzled, but is actually dazzled by your energy and your love for SOAR—keep it going!

Custom Spinning Wheels?

2008-05-19T10:34:00.003-06:00

Fellow spinners, lend me your ears (and your Rolodexes) !

I've been trying to compile a list of custom wheel makers, but am finding my task difficult going. Searching for "custom spinning wheels" on Google gets me nothing except endless sites to help me add some bling to my car (not my style, although now I can hold my own slang-wise at the next illegal street race I happen to attend).

If you know of anyone - companies, individuals, whatever - that makes custom spinning wheels, in the US or abroad, would you please email me their name/contact info? If you happen to know their base wheel price or expected wait time too that would be extra fabulous.

I'm going to put a deadline on this request because the info could possibly be used in a super-secret Spin-Off project (dun dun dun!) ... so if you have any info and could email it to me at sberganini@interweave.com by June 1st I would very much appreciate it.

Posting info in the comments section here works too!

Thanks!

Pocono Manor reservations

2008-04-29T10:21:00.005-06:00

Karen Brock (previously frazzled but doing better now that registration has slowed!) has been hearing from Pocono Manor that excited SOAR-ites have already started calling to book their rooms. While I completely understand the excitement factor, I'd like to caution against reserving a room so early in the game.

We've asked that SOAR attendees not book rooms until after confirmations start going out in early June for a couple of reasons:

- Since SOAR is so popular this year and we have a waiting list just to attend, waiting until you get your confirmation could save you the hassle of canceling your room reservation later.

- It will be really stressful for the resort to process lots of cancellations while assigning all the new reservations at the same time (and we don't want to frazzle anyone we don't have to!).

- Right now the only way to book a room is by phone or fax. If you wait to register, you'll get to use the new online form, which is much faster and easier.

Don't worry, rooms and rates are locked in - I promise that it won't be like Christmas in the movies where the dad forgets his son's special present and he gets in a fight at the toy store over the last robot action figure. There's no benefit to getting space now instead of later (except feeding into the planning fervor.... but patience is a virtue, right?)

So if you would wait until confirmations go out in early June to book your room, we (and the staff at Pocono Manor) would very much appreciate it.

Waiting with Quivering Anticipation

2008-04-28T10:43:00.007-06:00

In the comments, Lynn said:
"OK, I'm confused, and so are a couple of my friends, to whit:

The online registration form included a page that just said: "First Preference:____. Second Preference: _____." I assumed this had to do with my workshop preferences and I also assumed that, since the form had already asked my first preference in workshops,this next page referred to my first and second preferences in back-up choices. Were my assumptions correct?"

Yes, Lynn--that is correct. (We had a little glitch in the first 30 minutes of registration where it said 1st and 2nd preferences, instead of 2nd and 3rd preferences and it was confusing, but we corrected it as soon as we realized what was going on.)

Lynn went on to ask:
"If I got an email from the no-doubt overworked and slightly frazzled Ms. Brock, confirming my registration, does that mean I actually got in? [woot! in fact, WAHOOOO!!!] Or does it just mean, "yup, we received your registration; stay tuned for the lottery results." [in which case...woo]"

The email confirmed that we received your registration--stay tuned for the lottery results.

Let me explain further. In past years, during the first week of registration we normally receive fewer registrations than we have spots at SOAR--so everyone who registered that first week got in and the lottery was to determine who got the first, second, and third choice class selections. This year, we had more people register during that first week than we have spots available--so the lottery will (in addition to determining the class you get in) also determine who is placed on a wait list to get into SOAR until a spot opens up.

Lynn asked:
"When do you charge someone's credit/debit card?"

We'll charge credit/debit cards when you've been confirmed into a class--after June 9th. If you're placed on a waitlist to get into SOAR you won't be charged until you're actually taken off the waitlist and placed in a class.

Please forgive me if the answers to these questions are obvious to everyone but me; it's hard to interpret directions correctly when one is quivering ecstatically in anticipation!"

We totally understand the quivering ecstatically in anticipation and will do our best to make sure all who want to come to SOAR are able to.

Busting at the seams

2008-04-25T17:15:00.004-06:00

Wow, we’ve had a phenomenal registration week for SOAR 2008. Our workshop sessions are currently full, but you can still register and your name will be added to the waiting list for the sessions you select.

SOAR registration

2008-04-21T10:28:00.003-06:00

SOAR registration is well... soaring right along (lame pun, I know, I couldn't help myself). Fax issues have been resolved and the fax number originally posted by Amy is back in business. The second fax number that I posted is still usable too, so you can send faxes to either one.

Registrations can also be submitted by mail or scanned and emailed (amyc@interweave.com or sberganini@interweave.com) in addition to faxing or registering online. If you haven't registered yet and you're worried about things getting here as safely as possible, I would suggest using the online registration process (www.interweave.com/spin/events/soar/default.asp), it's definitely the most fool-proof way to get your information to us. But no matter which method you use, we're still happy to check and make sure things arrived safely!

Keep in mind that registration ends at the end of the day on April 25!

SOAR scholarship application - FAX ALERT!

2008-04-15T16:27:00.002-06:00

Well, trust technology to let you down just when you need it the most!

We are having a fax problem and are currently unable to accept faxes at the number Amy supplied in the last post. Hopefully the issue will be fixed soon, but until it is please use this fax number instead: (970) 667-8317.

If you have already sent an application by fax and want to make sure we received it send an email to Amy (amyc@interweave.com) or me (sberganini@interweave.com) and we will be happy to check for you.

Thanks to everyone who has applied (we've gotten a lot so far!) and we apologize very much for the confusion.

SOAR Scholarship Applications

2008-04-14T14:21:00.002-06:00

Remember the scene in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone when all the letters start shooting out of the fireplace? There was a rumbling before all that happened (or at least I imagined it while reading the book)--and that rumbling has started here as the start date approaches for SOAR 2008 Registration. Exciting times for sure!

If you're working on your SOAR Scholarship application--all of it needs to arrive in our office by Friday April 18th. You can send it by mail, email, fax, or even hand deliver it.

Email to amyc@interweave.com
Fax to (970) 669-6117
Mail or Hand deliver to 201 E. 4th St., Loveland, CO 80537-5655

Spinning in the News

2008-03-20T16:52:00.002-06:00

Spinning is apparently getting more mainstream recognition, judging from these recent news posts.

Thanks to Carol Rhoades for letting us know about this post from the BBC News online.

And on a humorous note, I happened upon this on the Onion's website.

Spinning shall take over the world!!! :)

Wrap & Roll videos

2008-03-17T10:58:00.002-06:00

Hi everyone! I joined the Spin-Off staff in early February to take Amanda's place as Assistant Editor, and I'm very excited to be a part of such a fabulous magazine. We just finished the Spring issue, and it's full of really great projects and inspiration. If you haven't received your copy yet, here's a little preview to tide you over until it arrives. These videos, provided by Bonnie Rose, demonstrate Sarah Anderson's Wrap & Roll technique, which is featured in the Spring issue. Enjoy!

Wrap & Roll part 1

Wrap & Roll part 2

SOAR Registration booklet is almost ready!

2008-03-06T15:05:00.002-07:00

Hi!
We're finalizing the SOAR registration booklet for 2008--it will be available soon. In the meantime--our website has been updated with class descriptions and other tidbits.
Whoo hoo! Let the wild rumpus begin!

SOAR Scholarship Guidelines

2008-01-16T17:56:00.001-07:00

Are you interested in applying for a SOAR scholarship or do you know someone who'd be a great candidate? The guidelines have been posted on our website. The deadline for submission is April 18, 2008.

We're finalizing the mentor list for 2008--it will be ready to release soon!

A fond farewell

2007-11-26T12:03:00.000-07:00

I have had a great time working with you all and getting to know you over the past few years. I hope that our paths continue to cross. It has been a very difficult decision to make but ultimately it is best for my family at this time if I leave my dream job at Interweave Press. A bittersweet decision for sure. I plan to continue to be involved in projects at Interweave as a freelance contributor. And in a few years, when babies aren't a factor, perhaps I'll even get the chance to attend SOAR as a participant! Right now I'm focused on finding a position that allows me the schedule I need.

I bid you a fond farewell.

Amanda

PS
You can keep in touch with me on Ravelry.

Silent Auction Update

2007-11-26T11:06:00.000-07:00

For those of you curious about the results of our annual SOAR Scholarship Silent Auction here are the highlights.

A total of $5545.75 was raised at this year's auction by 99 items. The items that received the highest bids were:

Louet Oak Victoria Wheel donated by Gwen Powell, winning bid $550
Afghan knit from the samples of 21 years of SOAR donated by Gisela Evitt, winning bid $225 (Read more about this afghan in the Winter 2007 issue of Spin-Off)
HitchHiker Wheel donated by Rudy Amann, winning bid $220
Nearly a pound of Montana wool singles in handdyed colors donated by Kathryn Alexander, winning bid $200
Ready to spin cotton blends, winning bid $125

In case you aren't familiar with this tradition, the silent auction is a way for us to raise funds to bring worthy candidates to SOAR who may otherwise be unable to attend. Each year between 4 and 6 scholarship recipients receive their tuition as well as room and board thanks in large part to the silent auction at the previous SOAR. Additional funds are raised as flat donations. The scholarship recipients are chosen from a pool of as many as 30 applicants by a volunteer committee. Stay tuned to the SOAR blog for information on how you can apply for a scholarship to SOAR 2008.

Could you be a mentor?

2007-11-02T10:41:00.000-06:00

If you have an exciting workshop and retreat ideas to share with SOAR participants then maybe you could be a mentor. The November 10 deadline for proposals is approaching fast. Email us if you'd like more information. We'll be reviewing proposals as they are received and hope to begin our selection process after the Thanksgiving holiday with decisions complete by the New Year.

Missing skeins?

2007-10-29T07:50:00.000-06:00

If you attended Judith's 3-day workshop at SOAR 2007 and discovered you're missing a skein after unpacking have a look here and if it's yours please claim your missing skein.

And for some more photos of SOAR from Gwen check out her site.

Amy's photos

2007-10-24T07:54:00.000-06:00

Amy's SOAR 2007 photos can be found on flickr here.

More to come.

We're back

2007-10-18T09:16:00.001-06:00

We're back in the office after another exciting SOAR. If you have photos to share please send them or email a link! Let us know if it's okay to share the link here with other attendees as well.

If you haven't had a chance to make the rounds just yet...here's what we see people saying about SOAR 2007...

One of this year's scholarship recipients, Abby Franquemont tells of her survival and a little more in two separate posts. We hope to have further reports from all of this year's scholarship recipients.
At Heritage Gathering you can read a Mentor's perspective as Joan Sheridan Hoover recounts her experience - complete with class pictures.
Heather of CraftLit was in Joan's class. Pop over to her blog to listen to more on her experience at SOAR.
Jillian even posted about SOAR - and provided a link to photos.
And there's so much more, from Moth Heaven - not one but two posts and then there's Knitter's Review
The Yarn Harlot
Enchanting Juno
Fibergal Fantasy
Indigirl

Let us know if you'd like to be linked here or on our links page.

Now, we better get working on SOAR 2008. Join us, October 5 -12 at Pocono Manor Resort in Pennsylvania.

Vendor Introduction: Susan's Fiber Shop

2007-10-06T11:01:00.000-06:00

Susan McFarland is a frequent SOAR attendee and vendor. Her shop is located in the heart of America. Susan's has over 3600 Sq feet of fiber and wheels, looms and yarn as well as offering classes in spinning, felting, and weaving. Come and have a great time seeing the Teeswater sheep and llama's. Susan's wants to help you get started with your fiber wishes and continue with us to help you expand your horizons in all fiber arts.

Product Offering : Books -wheels- yarn -fiber -beads and more