GODZILLA THIS AIN'T

Rumpelstiltskin Move Over Spinners Compete Coast to Coast and Around the World for Charity and to Celebrate the 5th Anniversary of American Craft Week

In 2013, Spinzilla's first year, over 600 spinners spun nearly 1.4 million yards of yarn. This year, there are over 1,000+ registered spinners, so the hope is for enough yarn to go coast-to-coast. The program is a fundraiser for the NeedleArts Mentoring program created by The National NeedleArts Association. Look for more info at Nationwide events, www.americancraftweek.com/participants.

In addition, hundreds of events are taking place across the country. From Glassblowing in Orwell, Vermont to Maine Craft Weekend, to Wine and Craft in Mendocino, CA to Googleworks in Reading PA, to Open Studios and Food in the River Arts District in Asheville, NC, to the annual art show at The Mill in Edinburg, VA that will include Open Studios, a Pop-up Art Market, and the outdoor showing of the new PBS show, Craft in America: Service. The community is also invited to join in making a collaborative piece of art. And, not to be missed -- flower making at the Fargo Library in Fargo, ND.

"Now, more than ever, people are recognizing the enduring value of handmade craft," says Diane Sulg, co-chair of American Craft Week. Consider also the economic benefits of employing Americans to create and sell these beautiful, cherished items. By taking part in the celebration, people are joining in on the trend of buying artisan and locally made products," says Sulg. The significance of the handmade object is a political and economic choice—a choice to support the artist and the local community and also perhaps the gallery where it is sold.

About Spinning (Wikipedia)

Spinning is an ancient textile art in which plant, animal or synthetic fibers are drawn out and twisted together to form yarn. For thousands of years, fiber was spun by hand using simple tools, the spindle and distaff. Only in the High Middle Ages did the spinning wheel increase the output of individual spinners, and mass-production only arose in the 18th century with the beginnings of the Industrial Revolution. Hand-spinning remains a popular handicraft.

Characteristics of spun yarn vary according to the material used, fiber length and alignment, quantity of fiber used, and degree of twist.

GODZILLA THIS AIN'T

Spinzilla is a "monster of a spinning event" to raise awareness about the value of handmade craft. The idea is to have competing teams and individuals challenge each other to see who can spin the most yarn in a week! Spinzilla 2014 will be held October 6 through 12 as part of the 5th Anniversary of American Craft Week.