MARCH 2023 :- Combined Newsletters and Latest News
This is a joint “Iona Weavers’ Cottage” and “Iona Weaving” Newsletter. In the coming year these both will have their own Newsletters.
Iona Weavers’ Cottage :-
Iona Weavers’ Cottage was formed as a limited company a few years ago to hold and manage the development of a Weaving Centre on Iona, creating a permanent home base to continue the legacy of weaving on the island. Through this Autumn and Winter Season , there has been a lot happening behind the scenes, advancing the project to build the new Centre. This has involved looking at several new business concepts and structures to accommodate the evolving project, leading to the formation of ‘Iona Weaving LLP’.
The funding needed to cover the cost of the Architect’s preparation of a draft brochure was successfully raised from a small ‘gofundme’ appeal and private donations. The detailed brochure brings the whole project into more of a reality. With the 3D model of the site and proposed buildings the project suddenly becomes more of a reality, and Architectural drawings are being prepared for pre-planning in the months to come.
Our thanks to Mary Arnold-Forster and her team of Architects.
‘Iona Weaving’ :-
‘Iona Weaving’ , a Limited Liability Partnership, was registered at Companies House UK. in November 2022 with Kate(Kate Rastall)and myself (Moya Pringle) being the founder members. Our intention is that it will grow into a worldwide group of Weavers and Textile artists, connected by the passion of their craft and the love and inspiration of Iona.
New ‘Iona Weaving’ members , encouraged by the space and facilities that they can rent from Iona Weavers’ Cottage; can develop their own work, teach workshops, house exhibitions; and can practice as a self employed part of ‘Iona Weaving’. Staying longer will deepen the participants experience of the natural landscape , while adding to the whole island economy.
‘Iona Weaving’ will be the life at the heart of ‘Iona Weavers’ Cottage.
Latest News :-
Together Kate and I are setting up a new 5-day networking Retreat for Weaving and Textile Artists, at the beginning of October, which we hope will be the first of many. Please let us know if you are interested.
(More details of this and other events will be highlighted in later Newsletters)
Recently I have been running some one-to-one beginners weaving classes, and will be offering these through the season . I will be continuing my “main” day to day weaving with ‘Threads of Iona’, selling through Oran Crafts, and this ‘Threads of Iona.com’ ,website . Through the Easter weekend there is a Local Arts Trail on Mull and Iona, which offers a good oportunity to talk with visitors and islanders about the weaving developments.
There is a great deal of fundraising ahead of us to bring the whole project to fruition. While this is going on we will be progressing in an organic way, building relationships with other craftspeople; teaching classes; connecting with visitors; creating and updating information leaflets an generally buzzing with excitement.
A Weaving Centre on Iona is becoming recognised more as a reality and not merely a dream.
Please contact us to subscribe to Newsletters and pass on the links to your friends.
With love and thanks
Moya, and Kate
Click HERE for the GoFundMe page