One of the reasons I love craft so much, is because I love pretty things. Knitting, sewing and making in general means I can make pretty things. The process is enjoyable, it's highly addictive and at the end ... you get a pretty thing! If you're looking to get into craft, craft fairs are a great place to start. Craft fairs are shopping heaven for crafty folk, and this weekend my crafty pals and I headed to Fibre East - a festival of British natural fibre and craft, in Ampthill, Bedfordshire.
I bought this beautiful yarn bowl from Wendy Fowler - the only thing better than a gorgeous ornament, is a gorgeous ornament with purpose! - that's how I justify many of my purchases to hubby: ) SO, at Fibre East we stroked sheep, bought beautiful yarn and learnt a lot about how yarn is made. If you love craft, go there next year. If you're not into craft but have thought about it - go there next year. It's full to the brim with craft stalls and demonstrations, so by the time you leave you'll be itching to get started. Here is a little taster of the delights I found there.
The lovely Persuasion Cardigan by Jennie Atkinson ... I'm about to start making this myself so I'll let you know how I get on. I love Jennie's work. Her patterns are inspired by
old fashioned vintage designs and they're ALL so beautiful!
Yidan, my crafty pal stroking sheep before they get a hair cut .... (the sheep not Yidan)
This is Rachel from Coopknits - she's a bit of a celeb amongst my crafty sock-knitting obsessed craft buddies. She's big on sock designs but also had some lovely hat pattern. I've got my eye on her book Toasty.
Freyalyn's fibres - This is Freyalyn and her husband Mark - a lovely couple. Freyalyn sells beautifully hand dyed fibre for spinning and felting.
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Peekaboo! The lovely Wendy Fowler, and her lovely yarn bowls!
The lovely felting work of Thelma Russell - not only does she sell beautiful things, she also runs courses.
These cute bear kits are from Parvabrook and the yarn is made from their own sheep!
I bought the yarn above from Five moons ... it's hand painted and called Magical chocolate ooak. Isn't it a lovely autumnal colour? I think it's crying out to be scarf or cowl ... secured by one these buttons, which are little works of art from 'Button Mad.' If you can suggest a lovely pattern for it I'd love to hear your suggestions ...
Sue Stratford and her lovely knitted animals - aren't they cute :-) Handmade knitted toys are ideal for kids - much nicer and more thoughtful than cheap mass produced toys. She sells kits, yarns, books and patterns.
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Watching the ladies spinning and weaving. My friend Yidan almost bought on of these (spinning wheel, not one of the ladies) but she resisted, but it's only a matter of time!
Time for a picnic and a rest before we continue ... and a good look at what we'd all bought ...
Above is Jack Button - an extremely talented 21 year old designer who makes these gorgeous porcelain buttons. I love how he designed his stall.
Should I or shouldn't I??? of course I should, and I did!
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Spin city make yarn and these beautiful spindles! they are made from acrylic and many had pressed flowers in - they were so pretty, and are also made to order with whatever you want inside.
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Beautiful work by 'The natural dye studio' ... they sell lovely handmade yarn, patterns, kits and accessories, and had some wonderful crochet exhibited.
I LOVED Jenny Barnetts work. I was just transfixed by it, such beautifully made little creatures. She runs needle felting workshops and I fully intend to do one. She also does pet portraits!! I'd love a Ralphy and one of her rabbits (*cough cough birthday in August, cough cough*) ... ?
Lastly here is some beautiful hand dyed yarn (called Waterlillies) I bought from Ling and her husband (who could charm a prison guard into buying yarn!) Ling is a one woman dyeing machine of Whimzy, and works alongside Alice, the designer from the popular book Socktopus. (If, like my crafty pals you're also addicted to knitting socks - you need this book.)
So there you go. Fibre east. See you next year??
JM x
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Wow! This is heaven on earth! Wish I could`ve been there with you Jody May. <3
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