FIRST – Kat

I’m writing to you to ask your help in keeping me weaving on the 60 inch industrial production AVL loom at the Mendocino Wool and Fiber Mill in Ukiah. The weaving is going incredibly well, and we’re finally at the point where we can start taking bulk orders, but we need a little help over the next few months to sustain us. We need $300 a month to continue paying off the purchase of the loom as well as a little bit extra to support me as I am currently spending out of pocket for gas and other expenses. I’ve set up a patreon account so the people can donate as little as a dollar a month toward helping us keep the loom functioning in Mendocino county and help support me as an artist. Patreon is a great website that allows people to support artists monthly, offering rewards and low payment tiers. Please visit patreon.com/thewillowspider to donate what you can and see behind the scenes pictures and stories about what I’m working on. Anyone interested in large blanket, scarf, or fabric orders please email Matt Gilbert.

You can follow me on Instagram and the mill at Mendo Wool

Thank you for your support!
Kathryn Rossum,  The Willow Spider

 

SECOND – Albertina

Earlier this year, Albertina and her daughter Melissa, who have been coming to Calif. on a tourist visa all these years (could it really be 40?!!) were stopped at the San Francisco Airport, visas confiscated, and turned back.  This is a big financial hit for them to be out the airfare as well as the marketing opportunity to sell textiles that support an extended family and much of the community of Santa Catarina Palopo.  They cannot apply for a visa again for five years, so we are trying to figure out ways to help.
Admittedly there were red flags– Tina had already priced things to sell.  She usually puts the tags on once she gets here.  And Melissa is pregnant and apparently showing so the official intimated that she was here to have her baby.  One of the scary things was that they did an internet search and found that she had been teaching at Pacific Textile Arts and other places.  We have tried in the past (at Mendocino Art Center) to get official teaching visas and its nearly impossible.

If you want to help financially – to help offset the airfare and lose of income, please contact either Jan Hudson  or Rachel Cruz  and they can receive funds from you and pass on to Albertina’s family and community,