Last weekend was a Demo at the Carp fair
This was another great demo weekend. It was cool to start and we got to wear our wool. Later we added it to the display. It was lovely and sunny.
I was doing beads again and spinning on my drop spindle. I taught Lynda how to make a bead, just for fun. She is a fellow felt lover at the beginning of her journey.
Jan got a shot of me with some kids. They came in waves so I either had non or more kids than pencils. I stole Jan’s picture from the guild facebook page.
The beads proved useful too. Lauri has an old wheel that she made some new spindles for. they were a little short but also a little wide at the orifice end. We solved it by cutting a bead and using it as a spacer. Sorry I didn’t get a picture.
Linda was not just slacking off making beads she was working on her cool Master Weaver loom. Invented not to many years ago by a man whos wife could no longer use the foot peddles or leavers on a regular loom. Lynda is adding some extra weft for interest. She is sitting on the back side of the loom
Lynda also brought her husband along and he was doing carding. He had a great time making batts and talking to lots of people. He wants to come to more demos. Lynda says she will have to get a family membership in the guild now.
Jan was spinning on Saturday. Here she is winding off single yarn into a wrist ball so she can ply it. Her husband (the blacksmith) made her a tool. She had been steeling his books to wind off her yarn. When she is done she turns it around puts her hand through the middle and takes it off onto her wrist ready to ply. The tool works really well, but it has no name. He calls it a pre-plyer. That is descriptive but not a great name. Woolly Winder would be perfect but that is already taken.
Mary was there with her circular sock knitting machine too. It is a very cool machine.
The most interesting thing I found while out looking at the displays was 2 dye tools. I can’t remember the name of them. They were in with a great cast iron display. I love the painted pieces. I was going to ask about them but the owner was not around.
That was my weekend. I hope I haven’t board you with to demo posts in a row. I will have to get on and make something interesting for next time.
18 thoughts on “Last weekend was a Demo at the Carp fair”
Hi Shepherdess Ann, I always love your posts and they are never boring…I enjoy reading and seeing what other people are doing around the country, fiber-wise at least 🙂 Oh, and the farm animals too…
Just wanted to tell you that those ‘dyeing things’ are called tjaps, I think it is pronounced chop, sort of! Sometimes Dharma Trading Company gets them in and they sell out immediately. As far as I know they are used in batik, for applying the wax designs.
Thanks for taking the time to take us all on a tour of the fair!
~Nancy
I am glad you enjoy the posts. It is fun to see what people are going where they live. Thanks for giving me the word. I knew it started with a T. I’ve seen them at Dharma. The ones I like are always the most expensive and sell out first.
Ann, it looks like a great fair. So, many fun things to do and see. Thanks for sharing!
Fairs are always fun. Thanks.
tjanting tools made for doing batiks! those were really cool!
They really are really cool. One day I would love to see them in use where they come from.
Very enjoyable post – it’s lovely to be able to see things that I wouldn’t get to see otherwise because of distance. Thank you Ann.
I didn’t know there was such a thing as a circular sock knitting machine! Everyone looks so friendly and happy – must’ve been a great fair.
The country fairs here are lots of fun. There is lots to see and do without ever going on a ride. The sock knitters where popular in the late 1800’s and through the 2 world wars. You can still buy them new.
I also enjoyed seeing all the fun! For those interested in buying Tjaps, you can buy them from Artistic Artifacts online or in their store in Alexandria, Virginia. They also have lots of fabrics from all over the world as well as all the notions and ephemera one might want for fiber art and mixed media.
Looks like a really nice demo weekend. Good the men are getting involved too. 🙂 Here’s a link to a Youtube video that shows the batik process with the tjaps.
Oh, I guess it’s the entire video 🙂
Thanks Ruth. It really is a cool process. I think we are up to 6 men in the guild. They are joining slowly but only a couple of years ago we only had 2.
HI Ann, I enjoyed your blog, and was very envious because it looks like people were wearing sweaters. I’m waiting for it to cool off enough here (central Florida) to be able to bring out at least my light sweaters, lol! I am so ready for fall. I love fairs like this, and being an Ohio farm bred girl, I have great memories of state and county fairs.
We did start with sweaters and shawls on but were down to our shirt sleeves by mid afternoon. I love the fall weather when I can put one a big cozy sweater. We were so busy I didn’t get to go see any animals being shown.
I always enjoy reading about the endless fairs, markets and demo days you go to Ann 🙂
And I’m always envious!
I am glad you enjoyed it. My next one is a big makers fair.
Ann, please continue posting about the wonderful fairs in your part of Canada! Those of us who can’t experience the fiber festivals in person really appreciate it! It’s a joy to see young and old celebrating wool and arts and crafts.
Thanks, people really seem to enjoy seeing it all and getting a chance to get their hands in all stages of the wool.