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I can hear the call of the gulls, the slapping of the waves against the hull and the creak of the timbers as our ship is prepared for the exciting journey ahead. This is the time when anticipation can be tasted in the sea air, the time when adventure comes knocking and we can’t turn away, because we have done this before and we know what could happen…

Yes this is to tell you that my wheel is stowed, my fiber is baled and my tools are at the ready! We are about to relaunch our Flagship course, the Journey to the Golden Fleece Fiber Creativity Course, the spinning course that is different from any other, the one that pushes you to legendary heights of inspiration, offers insights into your own creative wellsprings, and gives you exercises and activities to help you get out of the spinning rut and into creating new yarns!

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We have taken some time to relaunch our Journey course, and in that time we have been very busy behind the scenes, streamlining our ship, revisiting our maps and guides, and anticipating how to deal with any of the trials we may come across. We are very excited to be adding a new video component, much like we have done with the S3 Course, we will be adding a video for each module in which Arlene and Suzy discuss the contents of the module, the goals and different pathways there are to them, and of course we will add in any relevant demonstrations of spin technique or fiber prep as well. We will also be hosting pop up class sessions! We will be sure to give enough notice for people to be able to join us and will vary the times to allow people in all the different time zones to have the opportunity to chat about the course with us too.

We have also revised how we will be providing personal feedback on all the yarns sent in from each module and we think you are going to really enjoy the new and exciting format we have chosen for this! When you send us in your yarn photos we will be recording our responses and feedback in video format, its a chance for us to be a bit more personal than email and also to offer you visual support such as sharing examples and showing a technique. We are pretty excited about this and hope its going to be a great addition to the way we can support participants in this course!

With enrolments we will again be supplying the special edition Majacraft circular loom as one of our options, and all graduating students will receive their very own  Majacraft Journey to the Golden Fleece Badge with the class logo and their Certificate of Completion.

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Please head on over to our Course page and learn more about this unique Fiber Creativity course!  You can read the testimonials, follow the link to the student galleries, and find out more about the course content. We would love to have you join us on this exciting new edition of our most beloved spin course 🙂

And as usual, we will be offering a Scholarship to one Giveaway winner, just share the post and comment below to let us know what kind of yarns you aim to spin this year, and you will go in the draw to win the Golden Fleece Creativity course with special edition loom! If you already signed up, we will refund your registration fee 🙂  (Edited to add – closing date for the Giveaway is 1 May!)

Arlene and Suzy

xoxo

 

54 thoughts on “Journey to the Golden Fleece, Departing soon with Scholarship Giveaway!

  • April 16, 2016 at 9:35 pm
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    I “unravel” thrifted sweaters. The yarn I want to spin will incorporate all the “short bits” of cashmere, silk blends, and angora blends from ripping apart sweaters. I have piles of beautiful soft fiber!

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  • April 16, 2016 at 9:41 pm
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    This year I will spin beautiful insanely color filled yarns! I can’t wait to take this class.

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  • April 16, 2016 at 9:46 pm
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    This is a course I’d love to do, being a self taught spinner there are lots of tips and tricks I haven’t picked up yet.
    When I spin, my mood and fibre usually dictate the outcome…I’d like to be a bit more adventurous with my spinning and step outside the box, I see so many wonderful creative yarns and then look at mine, and they often look so bland in comparison..
    One day when the budget allows, this will be a treat

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  • April 16, 2016 at 9:55 pm
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    I want to get better at spinning cloud coils. Hopefully one day I will be able to sign up for this class and the others.

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  • April 16, 2016 at 9:59 pm
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    I’m aiming to corespin this year, particularly with locks, but my ultimate goal is to become a more self-assured spinner and see the uniqueness and beauty of the yarns I create. I have been spinning for 17 years on and off and I still consider myself a beginner and don’t particularly like my finished products. I’m hoping the Journey to the Golden Fleece will help me become a more confident, creative spinner.

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  • April 16, 2016 at 10:17 pm
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    I would like to move away from my comfortable art yarns and try alpaca thin 2 ply. No add ins and a very even spin.

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    • April 16, 2016 at 10:32 pm
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      Thats so cool! We have previously had students do the same, take this as the chance to explore traditional spinning techniques, while others go the opposite direction to experimenting with art yarns. We have even had some students do the entire course on a spindle! There is a lot of flexibility to really take your spinning where you want to go with this course 🙂

      Reply
  • April 16, 2016 at 10:18 pm
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    Wow. I would love to do this course. I am hoping to learn how to do lock spinning and boucle this year and improve my art yarn skills in general.

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  • April 16, 2016 at 10:31 pm
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    Hi there, I want to spin everything, I’ve even eyeballed my best friends daughters long curly white hair, I won’t cut her hair but I’m sure it would spin up like a dream:)
    I am a newbie to the craft and obsessed with fibre. At the moment I’m going to Fleece shows in Canterbury to touch and learn as much as I can about Fibres, how they spin, how pretty they are once spun. I love art yarn (coils are my favourite) and am self teaching myself at the moment which I have to do after the kids go to bed as there is some swearing involved!actually not some lots of swearing.
    I also have a drum carder so learning fibers is very important to me. I’ve just sold everything that I was not using on Trade Me (US Ebay) to buy a Majacraft Aura so I’m now completely broke so to get a scholarship would be soooo fantastic. Thanks for the opportunity, I would be a great student, really really great student! 🙂 Good luck everyone.

    Reply
    • April 16, 2016 at 10:34 pm
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      Hey fellow Kiwi! You made a great choice of wheel, contact me anytime for tips, and I might see you next year at the festival in Christchurch! Good luck with the giveaway 🙂

      Reply
  • April 16, 2016 at 10:34 pm
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    I got on the waiting list about 6 months ago, and have been anxiously awaiting enrollment for The Golden Fleece. I am looking forward to the inspiration this class will offer. I’m not a very advanced spinner, but am going to give the challenges a go. I really want perfect my technique and spin some crazy beautiful yarn, will be using the fiber I am dyeing in Natalie’s current Dye Secrets class.

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  • April 16, 2016 at 10:44 pm
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    This year I hope to master controlled art yarns, mastering technique and color transitions. I would love a chance to be a part of this course!

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  • April 16, 2016 at 10:49 pm
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    I am keen to journey with my spinning and weaving. I love to experiment, some don’t turn out too flash but others make my heart sing. I love colour! The Golden Fleece Journey sounds fabulous.

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  • April 16, 2016 at 11:05 pm
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    I’m hoping to become a more intentional spinner. Spinning what I want and not what the fibre tries to dictate. I’m still in my first year, but have had a few skeins place in local shows. So looking forward to growing and being able to put in something to wow judges.

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    • April 16, 2016 at 11:21 pm
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      That is already some fantastic insight into your spinning goals, expanding your toolbox with fiber knowledge and developing new techniques will give you so much more control of the outcomes in your spinning!

      Reply
  • April 16, 2016 at 11:06 pm
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    Where to on this journey ???… Do I work on my ‘normal ‘ yarns, do I pursue my art yarns, do I jubilantly play with color?….You know , the golden fleece journey sounds so mysterious , so enlightening that it doesn’t really matter…I can throw away my caution and combine all three or not.. …to create yarns that are reflection of me …..can’t wait to break free and sail away 🙂

    Reply
  • April 16, 2016 at 11:07 pm
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    I really want to make textured yarns and let go of the need to always spin even “safe” singles/plied yarns. I love my basic hand spun but I’m ready to take things to new levels.

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  • April 16, 2016 at 11:10 pm
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    Fasinated by color and texture and really excited about the prospect of the journey and looking forward to having more direction in my rather chaotic creative life.

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  • April 16, 2016 at 11:49 pm
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    I’m hoping this course will make me jump in and challenge myself to try things that I have avoided, for fear of failing. I’m looking forward to making beautiful yarns!

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  • April 16, 2016 at 11:51 pm
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    I’m keen to improve my technique and work on getting softer yarns as well as more textural yarns. I’d like to make a yarn that is usable as well as beautiful.

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  • April 17, 2016 at 12:37 am
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    This is going to sound corny but I want to step out of my comfort zone and find the yarns that reflect who I’ve become as a 50 something risk taker who has stopped dying her hair, chopped it into a funky cut and have just stopped worrying about what others think! I’m tired of safe yarns! I really want my yarns to reflect that freedom that I am slowly but steadily incorporating into life as the authentic me! I want authentic yarns! Soulful yarns! Wild yarns! Yarns with heart! And yes… CRAZY yarns!!!

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  • April 17, 2016 at 12:49 am
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    I want to spin my heart out this year! I want to spin my love letter, with no apologies.

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  • April 17, 2016 at 12:52 am
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    Things are very up in the air for my dh and I as he has been fighting stage 4 esophageal cancer since December.
    But with a positive attitude that I had lost but recently found 😉 I hope to spin my alpaca and various new to me types of wool locks and add in to make art yarns with textures unknown! I want to pour my emotions, struggles, fears, victories and joys… all of it into yarns and sell or use them in wearable treasure. Now I see that everyday is a gift. 🙂

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  • April 17, 2016 at 2:40 am
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    I’d like to spin some funky art yarns to use as weft- smooth for a bit then full of texture and color.

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  • April 17, 2016 at 3:56 am
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    This year I want to focus more on art yarns! My spinning tends to come out pretty even worsted weight without trying and I’m dying to get some chunky, crazy, thick, thin, coils going!

    Reply
  • April 17, 2016 at 5:18 am
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    I am self (YouTube) taught and while I’ve gotten on with making finer yarns and plying I want riots of color and locks and big amazing art yarns! if there was an option to pay for the course over a few payments I would sign right up, but I will be saving for next time, I would love to really get to do something to build my skills and take the time for myself to build confidence. Thanks~

    Reply
  • April 17, 2016 at 5:26 am
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    I’ve recently found a fiber art friend from Argentina who shared her adjustable size vest/ jacket looms which are terrific for showcasing art yarns. She’s making the Pampa Loom kits available to folks in Australia and America. Now I have a reason/need for learning how to spin beautiful art yarns.

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  • April 17, 2016 at 6:20 am
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    I want to step away from my traditional 2 ply and be more adventurous in my plying. Boucle looks like tons of fun

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  • April 17, 2016 at 8:48 am
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    This year i want to try new challenges all types of art yarn and lock spinning, blending and carding my own fleece then trying different ways to spin n ply. Im chronically ill and find spinning so soothing n creative.. Its my go to craft always!

    Reply
  • April 17, 2016 at 10:07 am
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    Just like “Writers Block” there is such a thing as “Spinners Block”. I want to overcome my Block and I think this course might be instrumental. My wish is to make artyarns that make me blissfully happy while spinning and using them in knitting, crochet and weaving. Working with wool and other fibres has given me already so much enjoyment of life in the past few years……I need some structure to move to the next level.

    Reply
  • April 17, 2016 at 10:19 am
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    I would love to become known as a weird and wacky spinner , who creates yarn to ‘die for’, using anything and everything, wool, curls, silks, threads, crystals, beach findings, materials, that would go on to make unusual knitwear and weaving wonders. This course would help me with knowledge and confidence, so I can say ‘Yes I can do this’

    Reply
  • April 17, 2016 at 11:08 am
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    This sounds fantastic! I would like to try spinning some more adventurous yarns this year (like boucle and core spinning) and use some of my raw alpaca to prep and spin into a blanket. I’ve always been a bit nervous of using my fleece and spin mainly the same kind of thicknesses each time. This course would be a massive help and give me the confidence to try new things.

    Reply
  • Pingback: The Journey to the Golden Fleece Returns! | WoolWench

  • April 17, 2016 at 12:17 pm
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    How exciting! I’m brand new to the spinning world. A bit scared to jump in.
    Is it possible to do this course with spindles (a drop and a Turkish)? A wheel is on my list for later this year or next.
    Thank you for the opportunity.

    Reply
    • April 17, 2016 at 12:21 pm
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      Hi Joanne! Yes it totally is! We have a beginners path inside the course too, and a number of people have completed the entire course using spindles only. Each yarn is made as a very individualised piece, so even though there is a theme to work on, everything can be tailored to you and the things you want to achieve.

      Reply
  • April 17, 2016 at 2:00 pm
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    I want to spin all kinds of funky, art yarn that is also functional to use.

    Reply
  • April 17, 2016 at 5:04 pm
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    I have been waiting for this course since the first edition, which I could not sign in.
    I would like to spin yarn with Luxurious fiber such as cashmere, angora rabit, vicuña, alpaca, yak and silk. I would also like to be able to create art yarn and find the perfect application for these textured yarns.

    Reply
  • April 17, 2016 at 8:58 pm
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    This year I just want to be able to let go and immerse myself in creating using fiber, spinning and weaving. Having had a serious wake-up call last year, I now have shifted my priorities and know I need to focus on my creative side.

    Reply
  • April 18, 2016 at 1:22 am
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    I would like to spin some alpaca and learn how to spin and ply without barber poling! I have mostly spun art yarns!

    Reply
  • April 18, 2016 at 4:22 pm
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    I’m looking to spin lots of colourful, textured yarns to use in expressive garments in knitted, crocheted and woven fabrics. Really looking forward to stepping back out of the safe spinning rut I’ve found myself in 🙂

    Reply
  • April 18, 2016 at 5:45 pm
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    I want to expand my spinning knowledge and expand my creativeness in a way that is fun and challenging and I think Fiberygoodness has their finger on the hot button to this industry’s and business success and look forward to finding my niche that will separate me from my peers in this medium.

    Reply
  • April 18, 2016 at 8:37 pm
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    This course would be so exciting to take!

    Reply
  • April 19, 2016 at 2:37 am
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    Dear Ladies,

    Good evening.

    I want to experience “Fearless” spinning in “Overdrive” with “Desire and Intention”.

    Have a wonderful rest of your day.

    Thank you,

    Miss Dahlia

    Reply
  • April 19, 2016 at 2:47 pm
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    I would love to learn something other than the basic 2 ply worsted. I’m stuck in a rut!

    Reply
  • April 20, 2016 at 3:22 am
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    I want to spin to a specific project of my own design – in my own dyed fibers! I haven’t decided if it will be woven clothing fabric or perhaps knitted. That is my goal for this year….or as soon as I can do it! 🙂

    Reply
  • April 22, 2016 at 3:29 am
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    I am looking forward to spinning my recent trials of dyeing thru the dyeing secrets course…beautiful fibers…Teasdale, border leicster, cheviot, merino, and beautiful silk blend rovings….looking forward to trying tailspinning , as well as trying to spin thin lace weight. Just watch Jan spin, inspiring…. as a newer spinner…I am exploring and learning all fiber techniques…learning so much from dyeing course and the blending course…looking forward to join you all on the journey to the Golden Fleece.

    Reply
  • April 26, 2016 at 12:12 pm
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    Hi

    I hope to be introduced to lots of new yarns and fibres. I love trying something different. I am a proud Cantabrian and would love to produce something for next year’s festival in Christchurch. We are spoilt for choice of fibres here in New Zealand and I want to make the most of it

    Reply
  • April 27, 2016 at 7:02 pm
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    My spinning goals are to learn how to make lockspun, funky yarn and also to improve my consistency with single spinning.

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  • April 28, 2016 at 6:37 am
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    Hello
    I am happy to do the course with you all and hope i can follow with my english (i am from Switzerland). My wish is to go out of my spinning comfort zone, to do somthing crazy and wild and then weave it in my shawls and more, and to find my way. I Love all Natural fibers but my favorite is silk and i like to mix it with other fibers. ?

    Reply
  • April 28, 2016 at 4:45 pm
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    I plan to process, dye and spin as many types of fleece as possible. Keeping good notes on progress.
    I recently set up an Indian Head Spinner, which to my surprise made wonderful bulky yarn, easily!
    My first wheel was an Ashford Traveller (with jumbo flyer accessories) which I have just sold.
    My new Aura (which I have been able to purchase on layaway) will be here in May!

    Reply
  • May 1, 2016 at 6:51 pm
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    I really hope to get more into spinning art yarns. When I first started, I wanted to spin a thin, smooth yarn and I think I’ve achieved that. Now I need to relearn how to go a little wild. I’ve been so obsessed with smoothness and even gauge that I think I forced the inspiration for texture right out of my head!

    And oh my gosh, winning a scholarship to this would be a dream come true. I can’t afford to become a student right now and it hurts my heart. I want to expand my horizons so much!

    Reply
  • May 1, 2016 at 11:44 pm
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    I have some camel, alpaca and llama I need to spin as well as some silk noils and sari silk thrums I would like to card with maybe marino, maybe something else. I haven’t spun in a very long time and feel the need to start again. This course would be just the thing to kickstart my creativity, which has been stagnant lately.

    Reply
  • May 4, 2016 at 11:57 pm
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    I have always been a follow the rules, stay within the guidelines and don’t deviate type of person. My spinning up to this point has been regimented and counting the treadles and measuring the TPI and WPI. Earlier this year I went though a serious illness and during recovery I realized that life is not only precious but deserves to be lived somewhat capriciously. So I decided to let go and see what happens!! I am so looking forward to this course and the refreshing and eye opening world that I think will come along with it. Thank you for the opportunity!

    Reply

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