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"Roving" Reporter Mindi Hillman reports on 2005's Black Sheep Gathering
 Mindi (left) teaches a new spinner how to spindle at Black Sheep Gathering's spinning circle
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The Black Sheep Gathering of June 2005 was my first fiber fair. I expected it to be something akin to a long spin-in, with meal breaks. What I found instead was so very much more than that! There was indeed quite a lot of spinning. In addition to that, however, were vendors as far as my charge card could see, classes, free demonstrations and a wealth of knowledge from participants, guests and vendors. There were animals, events and new friends to meet. There were people who had been spinning for years, people who had just purchased their first spindle and fiber, and people who just came to see the strangeness. During the weekend I had the pleasure of teaching several people to spin, and learning from many others, not the least of which was being shown exactly how the tension works on my Louet! Fortunately for me, I had just graduated from college and had a generous gift from my parents to buy all the fiber and equipment that I just had to have. I tried to buy a little bit of every type of fiber I didn't have and wasn't too dear (no guanaco or vicuna for me) and things that I didn't need and probably shouldn't have bought, but still don't regret (such as my darling Greensleeves spindle!). I managed to stretch my graduation present as far as I possibly could, and went home with many bundles. I learned a great deal from those who went to the classes and people hanging out in the spinning circle. I even learned a lot from vendors, who were very kind and helpful. I didn't take any classes, but I intend to remedy that next year. The classes are inexpensive, for the most part, and by numerous testimonials worth the money. Black Sheep Gathering drew to a close with a potluck feast (all the lamb you could eat!!), a raffle and the Spinner's Lead, in which participants wore their hand made garments and led the appropriate animal around a ring. It was a delightful weekend full of fun, friends (old and new), shopping, learning, eating and spinning, of course. I hope to see you there next year, June 23,24 and 25, 2006 in Eugene, Oregon. For more information please look at their website www.blacksheepgathering.org .
~Mindi Dawn Hillman
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