DENVER FIBER FIESTA
6th Annual Denver Fiber Fiesta
Held in conjunction with the Great Western Alpaca Show at the National Western Complex, Denver, Colorado, May 4th - May 6th, 2012. Come join us! The Denver Fiber Fiesta will be located on the upper level of Stadium Hall of the National Western Complex.
Vendors will be bringing hand spun and mill spun yarns, raw fibers and rovings, out of a variety of natural fibers as well as tools to create your wonderful one of a kind item, including knitting and crochet supplies, needle felting tools, spinning wheels, drop spindles, and dyes. Browse a variety of hand crafted garments and home decor items.
New vendors are welcome!!! Please see the bottom of the page for more information on how you can participate!
ALPACA FIBER ARTS COMPETITION
Plan to participate in the Fiber Arts Competition! What a lovely way to show the public the art associated with the many uses of alpaca fiber! You can register by going to the online registration or with the forms below. Sue Olson will also be accepting registrations at check-in on Thursday, May 3, 2012 between 1pm and 5pm and also by mail.
 |
Fiber Arts & Skein Competition Rules [PDF] |
|
Fiber Arts & Skein Competition Entry Form [PDF] |
We are looking for volunteers who would like to help with scoring the entries. This is a wonderful opportunity to learn from a world known fiber artist. Judging is only on Friday beginning at 9:00 AM and will be completed by early afternoon. If there are times when you are not showing, and can spare an hour or two, please consider volunteering an hour or two and come learn from a great fiber artist.
For more information about entering the Fiber Arts Competition, or if you would be willing to volunteer an hour of your time, please call Sue Olson at 303-421-5618 or email esfarm@msn.com.
HANDS ON KIDS AREA
New this year, a "hands on" kids area with interactive demonstrations throughout the day at the upper level of Stadium Hall of the National Western Complex.
CLASSES
CLASSES will be updated through April 28th Demos and Classes will be held in the upper level of Stadium Hall of the National Western Complex
REGISTRATION FOR CLASSES: Please see individual class descriptions for what to bring and method of signing up for class
THURSDAY, MAY 3, 20129:00 - 12:00 READING VICTORIAN KNITTING PATTERNS Donna Druchunas $40
1:30- 4:30 SWATCHING VICTORIAN KNITTING PATTERNS Donna Druchunas $40
9:00 - 4:00 NUNO FELTING A SILK SCARF Carol Garnand $60 + $15 Materials
9:00 - 4:00 RIGID HEDDLE LOOM WEAVING Karen Kinyon $85
9:00 - 4:00 SPINNING WITH ALPACA - OPTIMIZING THE BEAUTY Pat Martinek $75
9:00 - 4:30 UNDERSTANDING VICTORIAN KNITTING PATTERNS Donna Druchunas $75
FRIDAY, MAY4, 2012
9:00 - 12:00 TWO COLORED STRANDED KNITTING Barb Dedecker $30
9:00 - 12:00 VICTORIAN BAGS: PINEAPPLE PURSE Donna Druchunas $40
9:00 - 12:00 FELTING ON SILK Carol Garnand $35 + $5 Materials
1:00 - 4:00 FOUR COLOR STRANDED KNITTING Barb Dedecker $30
1:00 - 4:00 GIVE SPINNING A "WHORL" Joy Getha $30
1:30 - 4:30 VICTORIAN BAGS: MISER'S PURSE Donna Druchunas $40
9:00 - 4:00 SPINNING EXOTIC FIBERS FROM A to Y Pat Martinek $80
9:00 - 4:30 VICTORIAN BAGS: PINEAPPLE PURSE, MISER'S PURSE Donna Druchunas $75
SATURDAY, MAY 5, 2012
9:00 - 12:00 DROP IN SPINNING HELP Joy Getha $10 per 1/2 hr
1:00 - 4:00 GIVE SPINNING A "WHORL" Joy Getha $30
9:00 - 4:00 PREPARATION OF FIBER FOR SPINNING Claire Walker $80
SUNDAY, MAY 6, 2012
9:00 - 12:00 DROP IN SPINNING HELP Joy Getha $10 per 1/2 hr
9:00 - 12:00 PICKIN, SPINNING & GRINNIN Kathy Martin $50
9:00 - 12:00 NEEDLEFELT AN ALPACA Pat Martinek $40
9:00 - 12:00 TWO COLOR SRANDED KNITTING Barb Dedecker $40
CLASS DESCRIPTIONS
BEGINNING RIGID HEDDLE LOOM WEAVING - Karen Kinyon
Participants will use Schacht "Cricket" and "Flip" Rigid Heddle looms to create a hand woven alpaca scarf. Participants will plan a project, measure warp, slay the reed, dress the loom, weave and finish a scarf in this one day workshop.
SKILL LEVEL: Beginning AGE LEVEL: Teens - Adults Cost is $85.00 per person and includes all supplies and use of loom.
REGISTRATION: email Karen Kinyon kkdstudio@hotmail.com
____________
TWO COLOR STRANDED KNITTING - Barb Dedecker
In this class you will make a ski band using 2 different colors using a Norwegian design. Participants MUST have the basic knitting skills of casting on, knit, purl, and binding off. This class will teach you how to nit with two different colors using both the English and Continental methods of knitting, plus emphasis will be placed on controlling tension, which is essential when knitting with more than one color. This is a fairly easy project that will be started in class and can be finished at home.
SKILL LEVEL: Advanced Beginner AGE LEVEL: Teens - Adults Cost is $30 MATERIALS NEEDED: US size 5 circular needle, 16 inches long, (gauge for this project is 6 stitches to one inch, so appropriate needle size) one stitch marker, measuring tape, yarn needle, approximately 50 yards of sport weight yarn in two different colors. One dark and one light recommended.
REGISTRATION: email rapunzelsexoticfibers@gmail.com
____________
FOUR COLOR STRANDED KNITTING - Barb Dedecker
In this class you will make a ski band using 4 different colors using a Latvian design. This class is for advanced intermediate knitters. Participants will learn how to knit with 4 different colors, using both the English and Continental methods of knitting, plus I will be emphasizing how to control your tension, which is essential when knitting with more than one color. This project will be started in class and can be finished at home.
SKILL LEVEL: Advanced Intermediate AGE LEVEL: Teens - Adults Cost is $30 MATERIALS NEEDED: US Size 5 16 inches long, (gauge for this project is 6 stitches to one inch, so appropriate needle size) one stitch marker, measuring tape, yarn needle, approximately 50 yards of main color and 25 yards of 3 other colors in a sport weight yarn.
REGISTRATION: email rapunzelsexoticfibers@gmail.com
____________
GIVE SPINING A "WHORL" - Joy Getha
Interested in learning how to make yarn? In this 3 hour class you will learn how to use a drop spindle, how to use a wheel - with no equipment purchase required! Feel free to bring your own equipment--drop spindle or wheel!
SKILL LEVEL: Beginner AGE LEVEL: Teens - Adults Class Minimum 12 Cost $30 Per person and includes all supplies
REGISTRATION: email Joy Getha jgetha@yahoo.com
_________
FELTING TO SILK - CAROL Garnand
The focus of this 1/2 day class will be to learn techniques of felting on hand-painted silk. One 12"x12" silk square will be completed by sessions end.
Felting has become increasingly popular in recent years usually focusing on wool. A marriage of silk with other fibers wherein the fibers bind together is known as "nuno felting" . (In Japanese "nuno" literally means new fabric which was a term coined in Australia to name this process). It's a technique which I now use often in my scarf and jacket designs. Response from customers for this has been very enthusiastic.
This is a fairly simple technique that involves alpaca roving (my choice due to its softness, ability to be easily felted and hypoallergenic properties), soapy water, pressure and of course the painted silk scarf. A 12"x12" square of silk will be completed as part of the class.
SKILL LEVEL: Students must have enough physical strength to either apply pressure with their feet or hands in a rolling motion for short durations of several minutes. MATERIALS: $5 Materials fee includes supplies provided by the instructor including dyed and natural alpaca roving, painted silk squares, and other supplies for felting process.
REGISTRATION: e-mail: carolsilks@gmail.com
|
____________ |
NUNO FELTING A SCARF - Carol Garnand
The focus of this one day class will be to learn techniques of felting on hand-painted silk. One scarf will be completed by day's end.
Felting has become increasingly popular in recent years usually focusing on wool. A marriage of silk with other fibers wherein the fibers bind together is known as "nuno felting" . (In Japanese "nuno" literally means new fabric which was a term coined in Australia to name this process). It's a technique which I now use often in my scarf and jacket designs. Response from customers for this has been very enthusiastic.
This is a fairly simple technique that involves alpaca roving (my choice due to its softness, ability to be easily felted and hypoallergenic properties), soapy water, pressure and of course the painted silk scarf. A scarf of either chiffon or paj silk will be completed as part of the class.
SKILL LEVEL: Students must have enough physical strength to either apply pressure with their feet or hands in a rolling motion for short durations of several minutes. MATERIALS: $15 Materials fee includes supplies provided by the instructor including dyed and natural alpaca roving, painted silks scarves, and other supplies for felting process.
REGISTRATION: e-mail carolsilks@gmail.com
____________
DROP IN SPINNING HEP - Joy Getha
Short on time? Would you like some spinning instructions but cannot commit to a three hour class? Drop by and see Joy. Bring your spindle or wheel or try hers! In a half hour you can: Learn a plying technique or learn ohw to use a drop spindle. In an hour you can learn how to: Spin on a whell or learn how to control your twist better. Would you like to learn another technique? Call Joy or drop by to discuss your idea for a time and cost estimate.
Skill level: All Age level: All Class maximim: 4 Advanced reservations taken
REGISTRATION: email Joy Geha jgetha@yahoo.com
____________
PICKIN, SPINNING AND GRINNIN' - Kathy Martin
The advanced beginner spinner will be guided in the use of a triple picker on mohair locks and/or alpaca fiber followed by the fun side of spinning from a handful of fluffy fiber and locks. Triple pickers can be frightful looking and some say they will ruin your fine fibers. Used carefully and gently, pickers are a great tool to prep mohair and alpaca. Spinning straight from the handful can create a thin/thick artsy yarn. The spinner will learn how to create this novelty yarn ‘outside the box’ of the normal consistent yarns and will create one or more skeins of artsy yarn.
SKILL LEVEL: Adults MATERIALS: Includes use of triple picker and 6 oz of alpaca or 8 oz mohair and binding yarn - Additional fiber available for sale from instructor. Participants need to bring a working spinning wheel and lazy kate.
REGISTRATION: e-mail kathy@gotmygoat.com
____________
UNDERSTANDING VICTORIAN KNITTING PATTERNS - Donna Druchunas
(Or sign up for just one: Reading Patterns 9-12, Charts and Swatching 1:30-4:30)
Have you ever found a beautiful pattern in an antique knitting book with bewildering instructions that gave you a headache? In this class, we will look at several Victorian knitting patterns and discuss how to interpret the instructions for today's knitters. We will discuss gauge, sizing and materials and will look at a glossary of knitting terms that compares those from Victorian times with modern terminology and techniques. We will also learn how to chart lace and texture patterns to make them easier to work with. We will go over the basics of charting using graph paper and pencil, and we will also learn about a variety of charting fonts, spreadsheet tools, and software programs for Mac and Windows.
SKILL LEVEL: Intermediate Knitters (basic knitting skills plus experience with knitting lace and reading charts.) MATERIALS NEEDED: Any spare yarn for swatching and appropriately sized needles.
REGISTRATION: email donna@sheeptoshawl.com
____________
VICTORIAN BAGS: PINEAPPLE PURSE, MISER'S PURSE- Donna Druchunas
(Or sign up for just one: Pineapple Purse 9-12, Miser's Purse 1:30-4:30)
In this class, we will discuss a variety of knitted purse designs from the Victorian era. We will knit a Pineapple Purse and a Miser's Purse from Victorian knitting patterns and discuss how to interpret the instructions for today's knitters. We will discuss gauge, sizing and materials and will look at a glossary of knitting terms that compares those from Victorian times with modern terminology and techniques.
SKILL LEVEL: Intermediate (basic knitting skills plus experience with knitting lace and reading charts.)
MATERIALS NEEDED: Any spare yarn for swatching and appropriately sized needles and two skeins of fingering weight yarn n yellow and green (or the colors of your choice), size 3 double-pointed needles (or 2 circulars or 1 long circular for magic loop), basic knitting tools.
REGISTRATION: email donna@sheeptoshawl.com
_________
SPINNING WITH ALPACA - OPTIMIZING THE BEAUTY - Pat Martinek
Alpaca is lovely to spin and use once you know how to optimize its natural beauty. Learn to make eye-popping yarns that are soft, airy, warm, colorful, textured, blended and stable. Spin and blend with other natural fibers. Learn to remove excess vegetation while stabilizing your yarns. Class will emphasize lots of spinning.
SKILL LEVEL: Moderate Skills, students should be able to spin a continuous yarn. MATERIALS: All fibers are provided. Students need to bring a spinning wheel in good working condition or a hand spindle, hand carders and/or combs if available, lazy kate and extra bobbins.
REGISTRATION: email pcmartinek@gmail.com
____________
SPINNING EXOTIC FIBERS FROM "A" TO "Y" - Pat Martinek
Take a spinning tour around the world! Take a twirl with angora, alpaca, camel, cashmere, dog down, llama, mohair, paco-vicuna, silk, yak and others. Learn how best to prepare and spin them. Learn double drafting, blending, finishing for a stable yarn, and best uses for your unique yarns.
SKILL LEVEL: Moderate Skills, students should be able to spin a continuous yarn. MATERIALS: All fibers are provided. Students need to bring spinning wheel in good working condition or hand spindle, handcarders and/or combs if available, lazy kate and extra bobbins.
REGISTRATION: email pcmartinek@gmail.com
_______________
NEEDLEFELT AN ALPACA - Pat Martinek
Make your own felted alpaca! Students will learn needlefelting techniques and use wool and alpaca fibers to make a 4"x6" statue of your favorite alpaca. Lots of natural fiber colors will be available to customize your pieces.
SKILL LEVEL: No experience needed.
_______________
ALPACA FIBER PERPARATION - Claire Walker
As any of my former students will tell you, I believe the three most important ingredients to producing great yarn is PREPARATION, PREPARATION, PREPARATION! This class will teach you my methods of preparing huacaya alpaca fiber for spinning. We'll prepare fiber for spinning in the morning, and in the afternoon we'll spin. Bring your spinning wheel and/or your spindle.
SKILL LEVEL: All Levels MATERIALS: At least 2 oz. of raw (not washed) huacaya alpaca fiber at least 3 inches long, a dog comb with both widely spaced and closely spaced teeth (no slickers or brushes please), a lap cloth (canvas or leather work well), Bounce dryer softener sheets, hand lotion, handiwipes, a small paper bag, and paper and pen for taking notes. If you have them, bring a drum carder and/or hand carders.
REGISTRATION: email claire@wetmountainvalley.us
BARB DEDECKER has been knitting for over 30 years. She took beginning lessons from qualified instructors in both crochet and knitting in her early 20's, and has since taken lessons from such expert instructors as Cheryl Oberlee, Sidna Farley and Nancy Bush, just to name a few. With expert instruction she has tackled more advanced knitting which includes Selbu gloves and mittens and advanced lace knitting. Her classes include beginning knitting and crochet, how to correct mistakes, beginning lace knitting or HOW NOT TO BE AFRAID OF YOUR STITCHES, Estonian braids, two color stranded knitting, four color stranded knitting, socks, mittens, gloves, booties, hats, etc.
DONNA DRUCHUNUS loves yarn of all kinds and sizes. Her curiosity about knitting results in long trips to unusual places and the study of a variety of languages. Her previous books include Arctic Lace: knitted Projects and Stories Inspired by Alaska's Native Knitters and Ethnic Knitting Discovery: The Netherlands, Denmark, Norway, and The Andes. Visit Donna's website at www.sheeptoshawl.com for information on where she's been traveling and what else she's making.
CAROL GARNAND I always loved fabric, sewing and dressing up. From the time I was a little girl my grandmother and mom taught me to sew. In fact they made all my clothes-double-since I have a twin sister. By our teens my sister could tailor coats. Not me! I was always trying different ways to make spectacular clothes.I found my way to silk painting as life was falling apart. Totally self-taught (except for those wonderful artists friends who share) I turned to silk painting to piece my world together. I combine my love of sewing with the vibrant world of colors on silk. Seasonal scarves, art hangings, and table coverings are designed and executed as unique art and wearables. I now have a studio in north Boulder, CO Carol Silks, where I can create to my hearts content. Over the past ten years I have developed a line of fall, holiday and spring scarves. Each season brings new colors, patterns and techniques. Seasonal scarves, art hangings, and table coverings are designed and executed as unique art and wearables.
JOY GETHA is a fiber artist who lives in Parker, Colorado with a very understanding husband and son. She learned to knit over 40 years ago and learned to spin in 2000. She has won many awards and ribbons for her spinning and knitting. She has taught dozens of people to knit and quite a few how to spin. Her "day job" is a systems engineer for a major high-tech contracting firm. She loves to teach: she has taught everything from spinning, knitting and dyeing to computer science at the college level. Her knitting buddies in parker are great fans of the classes she offers at the Twisted Knit.
KATHY MARTIN put in her time in the non-fiber related rat race and now enjoys the full time caretaking of her spinner’s flock of 18 demanding Angora goats in the Brighton, CO, area. She spins, dyes, knits, crochets, weaves and enjoys fiber outreach. Wynham Farms and gotmygoat are synonymous with her online ventures and wool market booths where she can be seen spinning novelty and exotic yarns.
PAT MARTINEK Pat Martinek learned to weave and spin from a Navajo family while in high school. Since then she has continued to weave and spin and learn a variety of other fiber art techniques. She teaches, sells her work, makes commission pieces, and otherwise tries hard to use up her fiber SABLE (Stash Amassed Beyond Life Expectancy). Her specialties include spinning unusual natural fibers, especially dog hair of many breeds. She has taught at many Front Range venues including TACtile Arts Center, Gypsy Wools, Recycled Lamb, Handweavers Guild of Boulder, Washington Heights Art School, Golden Fiber Arts Studio, and private homes. She has published in Spinoff Magazine and her work has been featured in recent newspaper articles in the Wall Street Journal, Golden Transcript, and Boulder Daily Camera. Her handspun yarns have won awards from Longmont to Taos. She is current president of the 390-member Handweavers Guild of Boulder. Her website is: www.TheFyberCafe.com
Claire Walker of Westcliffe, Colorado, is a full-time fiber artist and raises alpacas (and one paco-vicuna) for their fiber. She has won many awards for her handspun yarn, including five Silver Medallions at the Taos Wool Festival and several Grand and Reserve Champion ribbons at the Estes Park Wool Market. She has written many fiber articles for Alpacas Magazine, judges handspun yarn and fiber arts competitions, demonstrates spinning at alpaca and paco-vicuna events, and teaches many different fiber arts.
Vendor Application
DEADLINE: April 4, 2012
The Sixth Annual Denver Fiber Fiesta is being held in conjunction with the Tenth Anniversary of the Great Western Alpaca Show. This show is held at the National Western Complex from May 4 to May 6, 2012. The Alpaca Breeders of the Rockies is pleased to host this show once again and invites you to participate in this wonderful
event featuring natural fibers and artists and over 1200 alpacas representing 200 plus farms throughout the United States.
Fiber Fiesta Vendor spaces will be on the upper level of Stadium Hall and will also include: The Fiber Arts Competition & Show; The Photography & The Arts Competition & Show; The Alpaca Skein Competition & Show; The Alpaca Fleece Competition & Show and Fiber Artists Demonstrations. Fiber Arts classes will once again be offered beginning on Thursday, May 3 and offered through Sunday, May 6, 2012.
Space Assignments will be on a first come, first serve basis. The cost for booth space will remain the same as for the previous two years.
- All booths are 10’x10’
- $75.00 per booth for the first booth & $25.00 for each additional space.
- One parking pass is included in the first booth price (valued at $15.00)
(Additional parking passes will cost $15.00) - Electricity is available (You will need to provide a 50’ construction grade cord)
- Tables & chairs can be provided (tables are 30”x 8feet) $6.00 per table & $2.00 per chair
- Displays may be set up beginning Wednesday, May 2 between 10:00am-8:00pm
- Displays must be set up by Thursday, May 3 by 8:00pm
- Drive-in is available for set-up and take-down (a cart could be useful)
To reserve your booth space(s) please complete the vendor application and mail your application with a check made out to “ABR” and note “Denver Fiber Fiesta” on your check. Mail to: Alpaca Breeders of the Rockies (ABR), PO Box 1965, Estes Park, CO. 80517 An e-mail confirmation of your booth reservation will be sent to you.
Upon arrival please check in with Sue and/or locate the Vendor Layout Map at the ABR Information Table on second floor of Stadium Hall. Your space will be marked on the floor with tape and the tables & chairs that you ordered, will be in your exhibit space. If they are not please ask before moving tables & chairs from another location. Thank you.
For vendor questions or information, please contact:
Sue Olson, Fiber Fiesta Coordinator 2012
303-421-5618 / esfarm@msn.com /303-475-8387 cel l 8895 Alkire Street, Arvada,CO 80005
