Getting involved with groups related to the art is the way to get new ideas, insight and support.  As a textile artist, you may want to locate other artists in your area or join international associations, such as: Surface Design Association or The Textile Museum Associates. 

Surface Design Association, founded in 1977, is an international not-for-profit organization dedicated to the promotion, education, and critical thinking about surface design.  Their current memberships include: independent artists and designers for industry; educators and craftspeople specialists, scientists, and manufacturing technicians; curators, entrepreneurs, gallery directors and students. 

This association is supported by more than 2,800 members representing a full spectrum of surface design practitioners from six national regions and multiple foreign countries exchanging ideas and opportunities.  The benefits of membership include four issues of Surface Design Journal and four issues of newsletter per year.  In addition to the journal and newsletter, you get the chance to run a complimentary non-commercial, small ad in the newsletter (30 words).