Madrona Fiber Arts Winter Retreat – 2009
Today was an important day for many fiber fanatics in the NW (other areas too) – the much anticipated opening of registration for the Madrona Fiber Arts Winter Retreat. The Madrona retreat is an annual event that takes place in Tacoma, WA each Februrary, where knitters, spinners, crocheters and weavers gather to take classes from internationally renowned teachers. It also provides an opportunity to shop at a market filled with vendors from all over the west coast and just commune with folks of a like mind – those who love fiber.
As luck would have it, the registration opened early – I believe by about 2 hours. I just happened to notice this at 11:30 this morning (it was scheduled to open at 1:00 pm), so I took the opportunity to sign up for several of my first choice classes with no problems. Meanwhile, there are many people who waited until the announced time and didn’t get into some or all of the classes they wanted. Based on what I’m seeing on Ravelry and other online communities, some of these folks are pretty disapppointed – some even mad – about this fact. Let’s put things in perspective though.
Last year, when Madrona registration suffered a Web traffic jam that literally shut down registration moments after it opened, I had to take 2nd or 3rd choice classes. I did get into one of my first choices, but otherwise settled with other ones. But you know what? I got just as much out of those classes as I might have out of my first choices. In fact, they stretched me a little bit outside of my comfort zone – that’s a good thing in my opinion. So maybe not getting into first choice classes offers one an opportunity to expand their skill set by trying something new. Or maybe it helps narrow down ones choices! With so many great classes being offered, I had difficulty making my final choices, and actually made some of them last minute while registering.
Anyway, I realize the system isn’t perfect but no matter what form registration takes moving forward, it’s likely not going to please everyone – no matter what. I say just be calm, put your name on a waiting list if you have to and hope for the best. Or just go down to the event to shop and hang out with like-minded crafters, and maybe even attend the banquet, a pretty special event in an of itself. Hopefully I’ll see you there!