The Spindle Tree

Latest News -

March 2010

Retail Tenancy Update

Rather than go into a detailed history the key events have been dot pointed. If you have any queries on our position please email us and we will repsond to your query.

  • We submitted our application on 25th September as agreed with Salamance Arts Centre (SAC). They acknowledged this and we even had a verbal indication that we would have a reply within two weeks. 
  • We received a phone call on 30 October 2009 to advise that an advert would be run the following day for expressions of interest in retail, office or studio spaces at Salamanca Arts Centre.  The advert appeared in the Saturday Mercury, 31 October 2009 with a close date of 30 November 2009.
  • On 11 November Spindle Tree wrote to SAC requesting advice on the outcome of the process we entered into at the end of September. The response from SAC did not address our concerns and talked about the November 30 close date.
  • Spindle Tree directors' reviewed the business plan in light of the revised application requirements. A new retail tenancy application was made on 30 November 2009.
  • We received a letter advising we had a meeting with SAC on 14th December 2009. Representatives from the Spindle Tree met with the SAC assessment panel for approximately 15 minutes. During this time we were advised we would be notified mid January 2010.
  • 19th January we received a letter that offered us a one year tenancy with conditions attached. It also advised that we could reapply during the second half 2010 when expressions are called for the 2011 year.  Conditions imposed are:
    • Spindle Tree is to continue to increase the percentage of stock that represents a contemporary expression of the arts
    • Spindle Tree is to ensure that planned workshops outlined in the application and business plan are presented
    • Spindle Tree engages with a contemporary expression of the arts through the high level traditional craft skills of the cooperative, in particular through passing these skills on to young and emerging artists, and other community sectors.
  • We wrote to SAC requesting a review and for the period of tenancy to be increased from 1 year to five years. We do not believe any business can operate with just a one year tenancy. We also requested clarification of the conditions imnposed.  In a separate letter we wrote to the Board raising a number of concerns. 
  • We have received a response from SAC which offers us a two year tenancy instead of the one year tenancy. However they have not addressed our queries about the conditions.

Modular Beanie Fame

All of our members are talented and many do not make a show/fuss of their skills or successes. So time for us to do that for them. Judy Blackburn's pattern submission to Yarn Magazine features on the cover of Issue 17 - the most recent. Congratulations Judy.  So race out and purchase a copy and start knitting the modular beanie now. It is good to know that Judy is contemplating further foray's into the design publishing world. 

Coming on the 28th March 2010 - Weaving Exhibition

The Spindle Tree will be holding an in store exhibition featurign four Tasmanian weavers - Joy Rees, Sylvia Parr, Mary Williams and Di Kearney. The exhibition opening will formally occur on the 29th March 2010 at the shop. More information on the exhibiton will be posted as it comes to hand.

Spindle Tree Mohair

What is this? Well we decided that for our twentieth year celebration we would like to create a combination of colours that represent the Spindle tree. The Spindle tree is used to create spindles for spinning. It is a lovely flower and looks a treat when the tree is covered in bloom. A couple of our members have the tree in their gardens. So Ailsa (the dyer) visited a few of the gardens and came up with the colours that she felt best represented the Spindle Tree.

The group gave the nod and we now have a bright and soft version of the Spindle Tree Mohair. It is available in 100g hanks or if you want a larger order just contact us to arrange.

Tassie Towns - Hand dyed mohair

After Ailsa's creation of the Spindle Tree colours we decided we would also feature the Tassie Towns hand dyed mohair. This is handdyed mohair that will always be available in the shop or to order.  The colour combinations used reflect the colours of the town and/or the region around it. As we expand the range they will be added to the yarn page.