One of my new BFF's, Maggie, came to SOAR this year. I first met Maggie when I visited her mom's shop to teach a class this summer. I was delighted to find Maggie there, she was a really great class assistant in my kitchen sink yarn class, helping everyone out with the drum carders and spreading the Maggie-Batt love.
Maggie is a very natural spinner. She started a year ago with a drop spindle and now has her own wheel, a Schacht Ladybug! Maggie and I both share a love of ladybugs... I especially like the way Maggie spins without looking down at her hands. I like to practice that method too. You can see Maggie in action here.
At 7 years old, Maggie is the youngest recipient of the SOAR scholarship. Maggie arrived for the retreat sessions and took 4 different classes with top notch teachers. Maggie tells me that dyeing yarn with Sara Lamb was her favorite - she's a girl after my own color-loving heart. SOAR can be a hectic place for anyone, let alone a 7 year old. Luckily my other BFF, Beth (Maggie's mom), was there to keep Maggie grounded and also get her to bed on time, and Maggie's other friends Denny and Abby kept her laughing (and swimming).
Maggie has been selling her Maggie Batts and saved up over $100 to spend in the market at SOAR. I know she got a pencil sharpener with a spinning wheel on it, some pretty dyed roving, and a special spindle made by Magpie
Besides being such a good spinner, Maggie also has a quiet, gentle, joyful soul. Maggie made a new friend at SOAR, Quilla, a 12 year old girl who was visiting for a few days. Maggie taught Quilla to spin on a spindle, then guided her expertly to the Schacht booth to get her spinning on a Ladybug too. Just like her mom, Beth, Maggie is growing up to be a expert proponent of fibery love.
I expect great things from Maggie and I will enjoy watching her grow up, gain even more expertise and skill and make us all proud.
