Tour Leaders: Nola Fournier and Jane Fournier

Jane and Nola have been arranging and leading the New Zealand Journey for Interweave Press since 1995. With Jane living in United States and Nola living in New Zealand, they have a unique combination of knowledge and understanding of the craft communities in both countries; New Zealand culture, history, and current events; and people and contacts that make the New Zealand Journey much more than just a tour.

Nola is a Life Member of the New Zealand Spinning, Weaving, and Woolcrafts Society and served as the National President from 1986 to 1989. She is a well-known teacher of spinning, knitting, and other fiber arts classes in New Zealand and overseas.

Jane has belonged to the U.S. fiber community since she moved there in 1980. She holds the HGA Certificate of Excellence in Handspinning and has taught extensively at many venues, including Convergence and Interweave Press’ Spin-Off Autumn Retreat. In addition to the New Zealand Journey she has worked for Interweave Press as the craft and technical editor for PieceWork and Handwoven magazines.

Both Jane and Nola have published many articles in U.S. and New Zealand publications, including Shuttle, Spindle and Dyepot, Spin-Off, Handwoven, PieceWork, and Creative Fibre. They are also co-authors of the book In Sheep’s Clothing: A Handspinner’s Guide to Wool, which describes the characteristics and uses of wool from over 100 breeds of sheep. Jane and Nola continue to work collaboratively on other spinning and fiber arts projects.