2nd Annual Fiber Arts Fiesta

The Alpaca Breeders of the Rockies are pleased to host the 2nd Annual Denver Fiber Arts Fiesta in conjunction with the 6th Annual Great Western Alpaca Show held at the National Western Complex, May 2-4, 2008.

This event will be held in the upper level of Stadium Hall along with the Fiber Arts Competition, Photo/Art Competition, and Fleece Show.  Signage and a site map will direct the public upstairs.

VENDORS

To help promote public awareness of the many ways to utilize alpaca fiber, there will be vendors selling yarn, rovings, raw fleece, and related books and yarn supplies.

Although alpaca fiber and blends are encouraged, we hope to have a wide selection of natural fibers for all the fiber arts’ enthusiasts.

There will be ongoing demonstrations by vendors.

Become a Vendor --- Vendor Application [PDF] [Word] Due April 14, 2008

DOOR PRIZES

Vendors will be given door prize tickets to hand out to the visiting public.  Tickets will be drawn daily at lunch time for door prizes supplied by participating vendors.  You do not need to be present to win.

CLASSES & WORKSHOPS

In addition, some fiber arts workshops will be held;  a list follows for which you can personally contact that instructor to sign-up.

Pickin’ Spinnin’ Grinnin’  - a 2 hr. workshop for advanced beginner spinners will demo how to use a triple picker to pick mohair locks and spin from a handful of fluffy fibers.  The spinner will learn how to create a novelty yarn ‘outside the box’ of the normal consistent yarns.
> Register for this Workshop [PDF] [Word]

Spinning Demonstration - Meet Joy Getha, a fiber artist who resides in Parker, Colorado.  She has been knitting since age 8, and spinning since 2000.  She has won numerous awards, including Best in Show and Judge's Choice, for her beautiful yarns and knitting at the Elbert County Fair.  She teaches knitting and spinning at yarn shops, including Yarn Arts of Parker.  Alpaca is her fiber of choice. Joy will be doing a "spinning demonstration" from 9:00 am to noon on Friday, May 2nd and Saturday, May 3rd in the upstairs area of the stadium, which is also the location of the Denver Fiber Arts Fiesta, Fiber Competition, Photo/Art Gallery and Fleece Show.   From noon to 1:00 pm, Joy will be demonstrating Navajo Plying.  Navajo plying is a neat way of making a 3-ply yarn from one continuous single yarn.  It is a great way to ply multi-colored singles and keep the colors distinct.

Eye Dazzler Alpacas Fiber Arts School will be offering complimentary classes in knitting, spindle spinning, needle felting and wet felting during the Fiber Fiesta on the 2nd Level of Stadium Hall in the National Western Complex, Denver. Stop by our booth, see what’s happening, and take a class.  All levels of expertise are welcome. No prior sign-up is required.

Knitting Coffee Cuffs Ongoing instruction by Rosemary Thomas
Stop by our booth to learn to knit with the magic loop, straight needles or double points.  You will learn two different cast on techniques, the icord and the tublar as well as other knitting techniques as you knit Coffee Cuffs, perfectly suited for keeping your to-go coffee nice and warm.  Instruction is free with purchase of kit.  Bring your needles if you have them with you.

Drop Spindling Ongoing instruction by Rosemary Thomas
Drop spindling will include instruction in learning to “ply on the fly” so that when your spindle is full, you have a completed ball of yarn, plied and ready to go.  Of course, beginning spindling instruction will be offered as well, with particular emphasis on spinning lace weight yarn.  Instruction is free.  Spindles and roving are available for purchase.

Note:  Knitting and Drop Spindling are on a drop-in basis.  The instructor will be available all weekend.

Wet Felting Saturday, May 3, 10:30-Noon or Sunday May 4, 10:30-noon
Judy Sims-Barlow, Instructor
Wet felting is an ancient art that is gaining in popularity.  In this class you will learn how to use alpaca fiber, water and detergent to form a small coin purse.  Class is free with purchase of kit.

Needle Felting Saturday, May 3, 1:00-2:30p
Karin DeYarman, Instructor
Learn the basics of needle felting by making an alpaca tree ornament. Starting with a pattern, the student will learn to shape the alpaca using fiber and needle felting needles.  There will be a variety of decorations available to customize your tree ornament.  Class is free with purchase of kit.

Teen Knitting and Crocheting - Grace Thomas (age 15) will offer two projects aimed at our teenaged audience.  One project, knitted from the alpaca/tencel blend, "Punch" in bright, tropical colors, will make a holder for your cellphone, ipod, or mp3 player.  Grace will show you how to do the Turkish cast on, how to stripe with the jogless jog and how to finish with the I-cord bindoff.  The other project is "The Fishscale Scarf," which is a very easy and very cute crochet project.  Both of these projects are available as a kit.  The Fishscale Scarf will be offered at 3:00 on Saturday.  In addition, instruction is available on a drop-in basis for both projects.

 

If you would like to teach a class, please contact Barb Dedecker, Denver Fiber Arts Coordinator, at 720-733-9294 or barb@rapunzelsfarm.com for more information.

 

 

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