TeDi is a shepherdess, spinner, botanical dyer, weaver and reluctant knitter. After a midlife career change she turned to her sheep for inspiration. They whispered to her about creative yarns, woven goods, botanical dyeing and teaching those fiber skills to others, so she did just that. TeDi spins yarns with “personality”. Many years ago she discovered that weaving was the perfect place for those yarns. She has been on a mission ever since to share weaving with spinners. TeDi and her partner Toot, an amazing woodworker, host workshops and fiber events regularly at their farm which serves as both workshop, classroom and respite for many. In addition to being a fiber artist, TeDi is a photographer, macro photography being her favorite. In her down time you can find her spinning in the pasture with her Finnsheep or lying in the dirt taking photos of tiny things. Find her on FB and IG @timberandtwine.co

Kathy Sparks, The Hand Maiden, is celebrating 50 years as a fiber artist. Living in the Midwestern United States (Indiana), Kathy retired from teaching science at the college level and now devotes her life to researching traditional fiber arts, especially natural dyes. “Everything I produce is By Hand, using locally sourced fibers, or crops I’ve grown on my farm. When someone works with yarn I have created, they hold in their hands a product that has been infused with color, naturally produced, locally grown and created with inspiration provided by nature." A popular workshop instructor, Kathy has taught spinning, weaving and knitting workshops around the globe. As breeder of Connemara Ponies, she continues to serve the breed society as Chair of the Inspections Program. A grandmother to three active young boys, Kathy is the author of three books, including The Song of the Muskox which focuses on her favorite fiber - Qiviut

Erika Lindgren has been a teacher most of her life; now she teaches Fiber Arts instead of History, Art History, and Liberal Studies. The artist and owner behind AriBo Arts, she has taught classes through her Guild (Northeast Iowa Weavers and Spinners Guild) and often does demonstrations on Facebook and Instagram and in person. She is a life long knitter and in the last decade become a Battmaker, Weaver, Spinner, Dyer, and Felter. She is fascinated by color and texture and loves to help students explore their creativity. Find her on FB and IG @ariboarts

Toot has been woodworking since she was 12 years old. Her dad bought her first lathe when she was in 8th grade. Toot’s dad and her brothers built the house she grew up in and she is pretty sure she was born with a hammer in her hand.

Julie has enjoyed fiber arts since she was a child. As an adult, her main interests are knit, crochet, spinning, weaving and natural dyeing.

As an educator of students with disabilities for over 30 years, my best classroom memories are watching students' reactions when they acquire a new skill. Weaving is among my favorite subjects to teach. From the beginning steps of warping a loom and basic weave, to trouble-shooting how to repair a broken warp, and threading the heddle for complicated patterns, I enjoy each aspect. I've taught at many art shops or fiber fairs throughout Iowa, Central & Northern Illinois, Wisconsin, and a fiber retreat in Colorado. I will teach at Copper K this summer. I've had a couple patterns published by Schacht Spindle Co’s newsletter patterns. I love receiving project photos and feedback from students. When I’m not teaching, my husband, fondly referred to as The Shepherd, and I are raising a variety of multipurpose sheep breeds and our 5 sons. Our Merinos, Natural Coloreds, Rambouillet, Columbias, Polypays and now Targhee sheep produce over 1,000 lbs. of wool annually. Hand spinners and all fiber artists enjoy our homegrown combed top, roving, batts, and yarn for their textile projects. I spin our wool and spend my free time creating one of-a-kind woven items on my rigid heddle loom. I adore our sheep and their fiber. The scarves, ponchos, wraps, blankets, table runners, placemats, and even the rugs we produce from skirtings are fine examples of what we can create with the resources, tools and knowledge. This is a lovely way to honor and show gratitude toward our sheep. I hope you’ll join me on this journey. Sincerely, Anne Sammons