First Fiber Festival and Fantastic Friends!
Monday, October 1, 2012 at 7:22PM Last Saturday's Western New York Fiber Festival was absolutely wonderful! We couldn't have asked for more beautiful weather or a more perfect setting. Crisp Autumn air got everyone in a fibery mood!
This was the first time I've ever set up my own booth at a fiber festival, and I've been very excited and even more nervous, but it all came together with the help of some wonderful friends and a great sidekick.
My friend, Hannah (seen here posing with me!), really encouraged me to get it together and have a booth, so I made her help :) She was my right-hand girl for getting it all ready, setting up, selling and taking it all down. Oh, and for taking pictures!! Thank you Hannah!!!
And I can't forget my friends Petra and Jen who devoted themselves to cutting paper and packaging products all day last Thursday. Couldn't have gotten through that without you!
My parents are in town from Texas, so they had to see what all the fun was about. And my in-laws couldn't miss it either! Brendan, Morgan and Mike were with me all day doing various tasks for the festival. Did I mention I was on the planning committee as well? Brendan and Mike ran the jump rope maker until Sue (of The Critter Ranch)'s son Cameron showed up to help Brendan. Thank you family!!!
Jude and Dave (in-laws extraordinaire), Mike with Kat, and Janice and Bill (best parents ever).
One of the very best parts of the day was getting to see old friends that I only catch up with a few times a year, and getting to meet people I've only ever met on-line. What an amazing community of fiber friends we have here in Western New York. I am so blessed!
And now for some random fun shots of the day!
The Booth
Foofing
Sue Phillips of The Critter Ranch hard at work in her booth.
Brendan helping me twist up skeins (with Petra looking on!)
Petra and Renee having a great time!
Morgan telling me all about the great things she'd found (and it was her birthday, so she was a bit spoiled!)
Jen and Rich Johnson of Whispering Pines Shetland Sheep Farm with FOUR bags full!
Packing up after a long, wonderful day!!Now that the festival is over, I'm turning my sites toward Winter and organizing some classes to teach. I collected a lot of names and email addresses on Saturday for a E-Newsletter that will include more details. If you'd like more information, please feel free to give me your email to be added to the list. Off-hand, I know I'll be teaching beginner drop spindling, beginner knitting and the pattern "Wingspan."
inspiration fibers, sheep, wny fiber festival, wool in Family, Farm Life, Fiber
Reader Comments (3)
Amanda, it was a great day, so glad my 'gentle persuasion' (well, OK pestering) helped you decide to go for it, and I was happy to help. So many people admired your 'Wingspan' design shawl that I was wearing - I cant wait to take that class! So nice to hear you talking about why you and Mike started the Farm, the basis of your fiber business using fleeces purchased from other American farmers, sharing the bookmarks with the photos of your animals on, explaining the difference between roving, top, demonstrating using a drop spindle, talking about knitting and felting - and of course my English accent brought a little International flair to our booth! ....... it was a great day for Inspiration Fibers, you should feel very proud, and it was lovely to see all the support from your family and friends. Glad you liked my photos - you chose some great ones to sum up the day. Hannah
Hey my friend, it was a wonderful day! I am very happy you could pull it off. I am super proud of you and of being your friend! And in case you haven't noticed, I've been twisting some skeins along with the two of you :) And where was Hannah with her camera when my 5 and 7 year old were hammering away? With great deal of shame, I must admit my camera was safely tuck away in my bag.
Looked like a great day! Congratulations on your first fiber booth! I wish I could have been there but my job got in the way. I hate when that happens.