www.FiberArtFest.com

The October Workshop page has been updated.  We have some great workshops scheduled.  This year with the ISBONA Sheep Show, we have a workshop specializing spinning raw Icelandic wool.  It is a four hour workshop well worth the time and cost.  Though this is not a class for the new spinner, it is a valuable experience for those who already spin and would like to expand your experiences.

The other three workshops scheduled are equally interesting in their own right.  If time is short, we have a one hour workshop on how to use the hackle.  This ancient tool was used for changing the way fibers are carded and presented prior to spinning.

The sheep show application has also been posted.  I have not put Pay Pal on the Sheep Show page, yet.  However, it is my plan to do so.

The design of the sheep stalls is complete and we plan on start building them very soon.  They will be 3×4x6.  They will hold two adult sheep or three lambs.

Several of our exhibitors have been struggling to really find a hold on their niche at our festival.  From year-to-year, they have not been consistent with their sales and their message.

To really find out who our festival servers, you need to go back to our mission.

“… to provide an educational venue … for young and the not-so-young … “

You can imply from this snippet that we are working towards serving those interested in fiber arts for the first time.  Certainly, there are plenty of product and supplies for the seasoned artist to review and purchase.  However, it is those who are just starting out that we serve most.  This was truly highlighted at our June 2010 event.  New faces were everywhere.

Advertising went out to places where the artist may not be but those who were seeking more a city farming or homesteading lifestyle.  By focusing our advertising, we saw a jump in attendance and overall sales throughout the festival.  There were still areas that we can improve.  However, overall, year-over-year we did well due to our focus on the new artist, the city farmer and the homesteader.  Those who want more out of life and want that connection back to local agriculture.

These are the type of people we focus on.  These wonderful folk are our customers.

The belief that the June event is over is only further reinforced by how tired I still am after several days of downtime.  The weather did cooperate though it was very hot and humid.  Everyone asked for no rain and it was replaced with humidity instead.  The temps were only in the 80s; but, with the humidity nearing 90%, it felt much, much hotter.

A few minutes after opening on June 12th, 2010.

This picture seemed to capture the growth we have seen over the last several years.  There were over 30 assigned spaces this year.  It was a great site.  As we have come to expect, there were power shoppers looking around right at 10 AM.

Demonstrating how hand made brooms to a young person Three generations of one family petting Moose our Icelandic Ram

These two images I thought truly captured the mission of our festival, passing on fiber artistry and the sources of those skills of years past to others.

With all the great fiber art throughout the entire day, it was hard to find just a few images to include here.  However, these two great pieces shows the amount of work, skill and patience it really takes to care and create these wonderful and often practical pieces of art.

Hand Braided Rug

This rug would easily bring alive a whole room with its brilliant use of shades of red.  The tight weave would allow for many years of use.

Rovings

This is a great example of the many different natural and hand dyed rovings that were available.  This is mostly the basic start of most projects, the roving.  From here, you can do just about anything from knitting, spinning or felting.  You’re only limited by your imagination. 

A Lucet is a 16th century braiding tool.

This was the simplist tool I have seen and be used in fiber art.  Through a series of twists and pulls, using this tool, you can make a square looking, long braid.  The braid is then used for rope, rugs or a variety of other items.  This tool was used back in the 16th century.

One of our great festival friends and volunteer, Pennie Christie, brought her bottle lamb.  This little (or not so little) ewe lamb allowed many people to see how friendly lambs can be when properly handled.  Shadow was great to see by everyone.

We received some great feedback from the exhibitors.  At the end of the day, I made my usual rounds and talked to each exhibitor individually.   In 2011, we are likely to see similar attendance.  With our added customer base this year, we had a couple issues with traffic and lack of bathroom space.  We plan on correcting these problems.  Sales were mixed but attendance was way up.  I am likely to get the approximate attendance from the owner of Side Track in the next few days.   Overall, exhibitors and customers seem to have a good day.

The task list to accomplish before Saturday is not as large as I had thought.  However, everything seems to be taking hours to complete if all goes well.  Getting a flat tire yesterday just about completely absorbed all my day. 

We have tried to expand the advertising again this year and already have received some wonderful feedback.  The multi-media (radio, TV and newspaper) appears to be the best approach.  Now, to refine the mix to reach everyone effectively without breaking the bank is going to be our goal next year.

I am building a set of eight-foot-square stall panels for the June even as sort of a prototype for the stall panels we will need for the October show.  The design is simple and sturdy.  We are going to try it out this weekend and see how it goes.

Thursday night and Friday during the day, I will be creating the final layout for the booths.  I wait to the last possible second to make sure everyone is ready to go.  I start calling everyone personally this evening to determine when they will arrive and finalize any special requests.  So many festivals do everything via mail or e-mail or some other non-personal communication.  It is amazing how much a few minute conversation can put so many questions to rest.

This year we once again have our priceless volunteers doing so much.  Our signs will go out early on Saturday morning throughout town and at the end of the exit ramps.  That’s another map I need to generate.  We will have another volunteer getting exhibitors to their assigned spaces.  In year’s past, we have been able to move people around due to one reason or another at the last minute.  It all works out well in the end.

The weather looks like it is going to cooperate.  I was getting a little worried.  However, for the last several days the forecast has been getting progressively better.  I think we need to be prepared for a little rain.  But, it shouldn’t be a big deal.

Looking through the list of exhibitors this year, I have noticed we have quite a few first-time exhibitors not only to our festival but they have chosen our festival as their first-ever event!  This is truly exciting to me.

After FAAF, I am likely going to sleep for a week and then get the pictures uploaded.  There is always a great number of folks with smiles and fiber to show off for the camera.

Over the next two weeks, our advertising will start.  We have print and radio ads throughout the area.  It is truly exciting to see everything come together.  Our exhbiitor’s listing has grown and have some new first-time exhibitors. 

If you haven’t checked us out on Facebook, please do.  We post snippets just about every day now about one thing or another.  Most of our exhibitors have Facebook pages as well.

We are now on Ravelery.  I have put an entry there for our June 12th event.

The days are clicking down quickly.  The advertising is out and I have already received several comments about what people have heard or seen.  What is great is that our customer focus is on the new fiber artist.  Our advertising and our mission are tightly wound (excuse the pun) and are working together well.

A few days ago I received a call from one of our exhibitors.  There was a discussion about payment, placement, weather and everything about the June 12th show.  Since we do not manage by committee and I can bend my own rules whenever it fits the need of the festival, I was able to work with this exhibitor about their placement.  I feel that we can be more responsive to our exhibitor’s needs since I don’t have to consult with anyone or worry about last-minute changes like so many other festivals need to do.

The 10 day weather forecast looks great.  Right now, they are forecasting upper 70s and low 80s with partly cloudy skies.  I’m crossing my fingers that it stays that way.

We will again have a special menu for the exhibitors this year.  I am working with Side Track Ice Cream to produce a portable lunch in a box that the exhibitors can order with several options.  It will be delivered personally to everybody’s booth.

It’s been a while since I last wrote.  So, I’ll try to get everything caught up here.

FAAF is on Facebook now and we are posting snippets of different things every day.  It has been great to interact with so many people about their likes and wants about different aspects of fiber art.  I look forard to keeping people up-to-date.

Our June event is growing.  We have been receiving exhbitor’s application just about every day now for the last week.  I expect more to come in as the date gets closer.  Since it is an outdoor event, many exhibitors wait until the last minute to send in their application.  This has the added benefit of knowing (or at least the forecast) weather will be for that day.  However, our spaces are first-paid first-served.  So, those who get their applications in first, get the spaces closest to the incoming customers.

For the October event, we have booked a sheep judge and we are looking for a few good volunteers to assist with just about every aspect of the event.  I should have the sheep show application up on the website in the next few days.

In regards to farming, we have had a wonderful crop of lambs this spring.  Just about every color and shade that Icelandic sheep come in, we seem to have this year.  Definitely more rams than ewes this year.  But, they are all fun to watch.

We started a small brood of Black Australorp chickens too.  Twice daily, I go out and feed and water them in their heated tank.  It will be nice when they can go out and wonder around with the rest of the hens.  They should lay brown eggs throughout their life.

Well, only a few weeks until the June event.  I’m looking forward to it!

The Icelandic Sheep Breeders of North America (ISBONA) has decided to have their Annual Group Meeting (AGM) at our festival in October.  This is a great honor and we are coordinating the meeting as well as our new sheep show already.  The classes are being put together now and I am searching for a judge.

The Michigan Llama Association (MLA) has decided to help with our “Llama Show Off” demonstration.  We will have a large outdoor pen with obstacles setup.  Anyone from the public can walk a llama through the obstacles for free.  Of course, we will have handlers available to assist.

We have confirmed that we will have our sheep shearer back in October as well.  This was very well received.  Our entire flock of 40+ sheep will be sheared at our October festival.

For our June event, the City of Marshall has rezoned the river front area near Side Track Ice Cream.  This new zone allows for one-day events and festivals without having to renew or issue new permits.  I have also talked to the owner of the business right next door.  Last year, we accidentally setup on their property and if it weren’t for their generosity, we would have had to move nearly have the exhibitors somewhere else.  This year, we will talk with our friendly neighbors before the event to ensure there are no issues this year.

It is going to be another great year of growth for FAAF.  Both venues are scheduled to run rain or shine.  As always, admission and parking continue to be free.

After our successful first-time October two-day festival (even with the bad weather), we discussed the possibility of having a sheep show in 2010.  We toured the barn and it appears to have everything we will need.  At this point, we are startnig to work with folks interested in putting on a sheep show and working out the details.

On the farm, fall has definitely come in full force.  The apples dropped with the leaves this year.  Our Icelandics really enjoy eating up the dropped apples.

We lost our dear Lunetta with what was likely a bacterial infection.  Harley also appeared to have it as well.  However, since we saw similar symptons in Lunetta, we were able to treat Harely.  He looks a little skinny but appears to be recovering well.

We started putting together breeding groups for the sheep last week.  Moving sheep around is always an experience.  Rarely do they ever go exactly where you want them to go.  If someone not from around the farm were to watch the humans running around herding the flock around, I am sure they would be completely amused.

Our October FAAF is done.  After talking with several exhbitors, we had a great weekend.  The rain certainly had an affect on the attendance.  However, those who did attend were there to learn and purchase interesting items.  We had patrons in booths up until we closed on Sunday.

The Art Quilt Exhibit, Sheep Shearing demonstration and Sheep-to-Shawl event all went over well.  There were people looming over our demonstrators and exhibit all weekend.  We are looking forward to all our demonstrators returning next year.

By Sunday morning, the owner of Turkeyville came out and talked with me regarding setting up next year’s dates.  October 2 & 3, 2010 is booked.  I have already talked to the shearer and will be talking to the others soon to finalize plans for next year.

We had a great first year at Turkeyville.