We asked members of the Weavers Guild Board about their weaving, spinning and dyeing journey. Read on to get to know Jan Nelson on a more personal–and creative–level.
JAN NELSON
Board Term: April, 2018 – August 31, 2019
Member of WGM since: 2001
I am a: Weaver
Skills I bring to the WGM board: Operations and financial and project management, volunteer management, have served as Chair of Fiber Fair, worked on two WGM Silent Auctions, served as chair of Midwest Weavers Conference, 2015; Interim Director of WGM, July-October, 2016.
My first project: A sample wool wall hanging in browns and greens. I still have it.
Loom of choice: I have a Norwood 8-harness floor loom and a small 30” vintage Hammett loom, called Dash.
Current projects: Dreams and ideas
Inspiration: My mother was a talented knitter, seamstress and had a great sense of design and color.
Project I’m most proud of: Baby Blanket for my first great nephew, Louie Floyd (named after my late Father, Floyd Wallace Nelson).
Best class I’ve ever taken: Beginning Floor Loom with Julie Nester.
Favorite thing about WGM: The fact that it continues to be (since 1940) the place for people to learn and share their love of weaving.
Craft book I can’t live without: “Rag Rug Handbook” (by Janet Meany and Paula Pfaff).
I’ve always wanted to make a beautiful tapestry but I’m waiting until hell freezes over.
If you looked in my stash, you’d find: A lot of stuff from the WGM Donated Yarn bins, including several pounds of orange wool.
Three things left on my bucket list: Visit Machu Picchu, spend 3 months in France, de-clutter my house before it’s too late.
Another WGM member who inspires me: Paula Pfaff
My advice to a new WGM member: Come to the meetings, join an interest group, ask questions and have fun learning. Attend a Midwest Weavers Conference – Note: the next conference is June 20-22 in Grinnell Iowa, http://www.midwestweavers.org/conference/
