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FIBRATIONS 2012 at ST ANN's
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Marketplace & Demos at Fibrations
Guests strolling the grounds at historic St Ann’s can browse, shop, learn and create.
There is a Marketplace filled with hand-crafted items by local artisans. Curious about process and products? Ongoing demonstrations of knitting, weaving, spinning, crocheting and felting invite your participation. |
Organizers Stephanie Papik and Ryan Davis
Knotty by Nature Fibre Arts is an award-winning family business located in Fairfield. Stephanie Papik and Ryan Davis sell supplies and conduct courses on spinning, felting and knitting.
The organizers are delighted by the growing success of Fibrations and super team of volunteers. “This year we have 50 confirmed vendors, four guilds and several food booths,” says Ryan. A toonie raffle includes many treasures. |
Humming Bee Farm in Shawnigan Lake markets wool rovings from sheep and goats
www.hummingbeefarm.webs.com
Mother-daughter team at Fibrations 2012
Daughter Devon Stringer (left) and mother Sherry Wilby (right)
bring a variety of wares to Fibrations, including wool rovings and sheins of yarn in bright jewel tones. Undyed wool in natural shades is also available. |
Many colours and sizes of hand-dyed rovings.
“Fibrations is my favourite sale of the year,” says Devon.
Devon gets creative inspiration from the other vendors in the outdoor venue. Chatting with guests and connecting with customers are other highlights of the day. Knotty by Nature was one of Humming Bee's first customers, and they appreciate how Ryan and Stephanie support local farmers. |
Mother Angora goat with newborn kid.
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The farm's Suffolk Southdown sheep rovings are nature’s version of machine washable wool, and are very popular with customers.
Hand-dying the Mohair wool creates bright jewel tones seen at right, hanging to dry.
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Saori weaver Terri Bibby lives on Salt Spring Island.
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Terri Bibby looks forward to demonstrating Saori
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Carolyn Knight is Community Artist in Residence at the Fairfield Gonzales Community Association.
At Fibrations, she'll engage community with an Eco-arts Project called “Through Fairfield Seasons”.
Fibration guests can weave with invasive species (English ivy, blackberry and bind weed) while learning about our local Garry Oak eco-system. The free-form panels (below) serve as decorative garden pieces or protective barriers.
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In the large park that Fairfield Community Place shares with L’Ecole Sir James Douglas, a community garden site is underway. Local food and habitat security is a key focus.
The community garden (or Food Forest) recently launched. The FGCA is excited about the success of this cooperative venture. Carolyn says: "When people work together the results can be inspirational.” |
Carolyn looks at seed pods of a mature camas plant in Robert J. Porter Park. Victoria sits on the traditional territory of the Lekwungen people, who harvested camas as a dietary staple and trading item.
Funding from the BC Arts Council is gratefully acknowledged.
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Isis, the Egyptian fertility Goddess, gifted spinning and weaving to mortals. As early as 2500BC, she is shown holding a shuttle. Her priests and devotees wore white linen. (Hochberg, Spin, Span, Spun.)
Tierre Taylor studied millinery at George Brown College.
Hat-making highlights her skills with fashion, design and textiles.
Customer at Fibrations 2012
Tierre creates visual drama with luxurious fabrics and terrific textures, designing hats that are sophisticated, mysterious, jaunty and playful. |
Hats around town
Tierre Taylor misses the era when everyone dressed up before leaving the house.“Hats have such an impact,” says Tierre, “put one on and you are suddenly transformed.”
The millner (maker of hats) relishes an event like Fibrations to showcase her ingenious collection of headgear. “I’m excited to return to the orchard setting, filled with colourful creations and enthusiastic people." |
Because hats require so little fabric, the millner can choose quality materials and exotic accents. She enjoys exploring certain shapes and refining her product lines.
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Card, spin or weave with the Victoria Handweavers’ and Spinners’ Guild
www.vhwsg.wordpress.com
Brenda Nicolson with Rep Weave
Brenda learned how to Rep Weave at a recent conference in Bellingham.
Brenda believes that fibre arts are a vital piece of life. At Fibrations, Guild members are happy to help people weave some cloth. The Guild holds regular meetings to share techniques and welcome new members. |
Weavings by Laura Proctor.
Laura has a background in computer science. She notes the simiiarity of computer programming with the operating process of a loom. Every weaving pattern is planned by a series of 1’s and 0’s (or ups and downs) much like a computer program.
A weaving pattern printout looks like matrix arithmetic. “It’s the same thinking process but using different mediums,” she says. |
Drum carder demonstration
Laura Proctor demonstates a hand-turned drum carder. At Fibrations, guests can crank the handle and card some wool. The carding process staightens the fleece fibres and removes debris. The carded wool is now ready to spin into yarn.
The first drum carder was patented in 1784 in Birmingham, England. |
Flax to Linen Victoria demonstrate "seed to shirt" at Fibrations http://transitionvictoria.ning.com/group/flax-to-linen
Beatrice Keizers-Clark greets visitors at info table.
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Children learn how to make a flax mat
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Ken Dunn hackling flax
Ken Dunn and his late wife Denise were pioneers in Victoria’s Flax to Linen movement. “I enjoy the sense of community involvement,” he says. Ken is shown hackling the flax to produce finer and finer gradations of fibre. |
Beatrice spinning flax to yarn
As an educator, Beatrice delights in sharing information and involving children. “I savour the moment when the light bulb goes off,” she says, “and they suddenly understand the process.” |
Barb with rotary break machine
Barb Rimmer refines flax fibres with a rotary break machine. Furniture design students at Camosun College used computers to configure the precise wooden gears.
Barb’s photo book chronicles the group’s 100 day journey from seed to harvest. |
PHOTOS AT FIBRATIONS EVENT ON AUGUST 18, 2013
CROWDS ARRIVED EARLY TO ENJOY THE FESTIVE EVENT.
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Denise de Montreuil spins lace weight yarn from the wool of Bluefaced Leicester sheep.
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Hourly demonstrations included SUSAN ROMPHF & SILK FUSION. See: magbagsetcbysusan.blogspot.com
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Jane Richmond (left) with Shannon Cook, her publishing partner of ISLAND. See Jane's knitting patterns and more at: janerichmond.com
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Richard Wilby from Forged Fly Fishing uses fibre and steel to catch the big ones. Visit: forgedflyfishing.com
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Heather Thurston from Fibre Antics makes fine art creations. See more at fibreantics.ca.
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Sharon Broadley displays her luscious scarves and teatowels.
sbweaves.tumblr.com
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Lindsay Hill with handmade wool accessories from Nekkid Sheep. LindsayHill@NekkidSheep.com
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Johanne Byskov from the Victoria Handweavers and Spinners Guild, weaves a willow basket.
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Chandra Crowe with her Fibre Arts.
See: chandracrowe.com
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Members of newly formed MODERN QUILT QUILD OF VICTORIA. From left: Brenda George, Jo-Anne and Nicole Hannah, president.
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Heather Hannig from Conheath Farm sells wool for spinning, crafting and felting. 250 746-7334
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Organizers Stephanie Papik
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Kate Cino (right) with daughter Rachel at Fibrations 2013.
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