Spring Retreat    March 26-30, 2008

Classes Registration Forms Brochure Pilgrim Firs Photos

Pilgrim Firs Conference Center, Port Orchard, WA

What is Pilgrim Firs? Pilgrim Firs is a camp on the Kitsap Peninsula, in a beautiful wooded setting with a small lake and hiking trails to explore. Sleeping accommodations are rooms with 2, 3, or 4-person occupancy (no bunks). Remember, this is a little like a slumber party for adult: although we don’t have dorm rooms, it can be noisier than home. You may want to bring earplugs. Bedding and linens are supplied. Refrigerators are handy for special foods you might want to bring.  There are two spaces available for self-contained RV's, although the registration cost is the same. Unfortunately, the camp cannot allow pets. There is some walking from cabins to the lodge, so if you have a problem with mobility, please let us know. The food is wonderful! 

Events: There are several events in addition to the classes throughout the weekend. There will be a massage therapist available for short sessions when your neck gets too tense, the Guild attire will be available for purchase, nearby is a table laden with snacks and goodies you bring to share, and you can buy tickets for the Raffle Basket (a beautiful Northwest naturals cathead with lid basket by Kay Harradine, photo above) and the Bag Raffle on at the registration table. The Bag Raffle takes place after dinner on Friday, and the Raffle Basket Drawing is Saturday evening, before the Live Auction. Bring donations for each of these events, as well as the Treasure Table, where you can find unusual materials for a small donation. There is a  member's Marketplace, where materials and finished items are for sale.
        On Friday evening, there is a Gala for the Gallery Show opening (photo at right), which is available for viewing through Saturday afternoon. Guild members bring their baskets for this show, and it's a great way to see what everyone has been doing. This year's theme is The Four Elements: Earth, Air, Water, Fire. New basketmakers are highly encouraged to bring their baskets! And we love to see our teachers' work, too.

What’s new this year?  The Open Weave area returns to Madson Lodge in the large Fireplace Room. Vendors may also set up their wares here throughout retreat, as space allows. The official Market Place is Saturday night. Experienced weavers can opt to wear a "Mentor" name tag and help others with weaving questions. Thursday night is "Rockin' Round Robin"; we'll circle the tables, making several small projects, learning new skills, meeting and mixing with fellow retreaters. Besides our Feature Teacher, we welcome two new teachers all the way from Canada's Northwest Territories, Cathie Harper and natural materials weaver Rae Hunter. Waxed linen expert Lois Russell is back to see us from Massachusetts, and Tahitian Lei McCornack will bring us Polynesian breezes with her lauhala work.

Feature Teacher 2008: We welcome southern Indiana's Mary Hettmansperger, ribbed-basket maker extraordinaire and woven jewelry creatrix, author of Fabulous Woven Jewelry, as this year's Feature Teacher! She is offering us two different sculptural ribbed basket classes, three jewelry workshops, and a slide show of her varied works. She is a delightful person and an entertaining and knowledgable teacher. Don't miss a chance to take one or many classes with Mary. Visit her website www.maryhetts.com to learn more about her work and many accomplishments.

Scheduled Events

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