Textiles are some of our oldest art forms, and the Verde Valley Weavers and Spinners Guild is keeping this long tradition alive. “The purpose of our guild has been to encourage the interest and education and the art of hand weaving and spinning and related crafts to bring practical knowledge and technical help to interested persons, to give volunteer service to any school or organization that may have need of such service,” says Carol Conlin, president of the Verde Valley Weavers and Spinners Guild. Members participate in knitting, crocheting, weaving and spinning, among other activities.
Fabric arts also can mean tablecloths, napkins and scarves. Members also knit shawls and jackets. Other members create jewelry. One guild member has a llama and alpaca farm in Camp Verde. She shears the animals, processes the wool, spins the fibers and weaves them. Master weaver Betty Gaudy started the guild in 1973 – making this group over 50 years old. Betty remained active in the group until she passed away in 2023 at 97. Some of its current members have been with the guild since its inception. Today, the group has 46 members. With the exception of July and August, the guild meets every third Thursday of the month. Meetings kick off at 9:30 a.m. with social time that lasts for about 30 minutes. From 10 to 11 a.m. is either an in-person or an online presentation about a certain topic. Finally, a business meeting is held from 11 a.m. to noon. Following the business meeting, members will show their recent creations.
The guild also supports the community. Residents who live at Rainbow Acres – a local nonprofit that helps support adults with intellectual disabilities – can show their fiber arts at the guild’s annual sale without having to pay a participation fee. The guild also knits caps for those with cancer who have undergone chemotherapy and crafts mastectomy pillows. Even when so many items of clothing are mass-produced, giving someone a handmade gift has a personal appeal. “It matters because it does provide something for people to do, and when you’re finished with it, it’s wearable art,” says Carol. “Instead of just going to buy something, you’ve made it and you’re proud of it, and you offer it as a gift to someone else, and it lasts a long time.” − Teresa K. Traverse
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