Fiber Day in Asheville

The Southern Highland Craft Guild whose headquarters happen to be in Asheville, sponsor many activities during the year at the Folk Art Center on the Blue Ridge Parkway. One of the many goals of the guild is to educate the public of the many crafts practiced and developed in the Appalachian Mountain range area. Many of the crafts seems quite simple (like corn husk dolls) but they were the bread and butter for many folks way back when.

 The guild has many weekends during the year to highlight one particular craft. There is a wood weekend, clay weekend, glass weekend and fiber weekend. There is also a heritage weekend which features things like sheep shearing. Last week was Fiber weekend and featured many areas of fiber including, spinning, weaving, tatting, quilting, beading on fabric and marbling. It's always great fun for the entire family with activities inside the center and many spilling out onto the lawn in back. Each artist is given a table to display their craft, do demos or work on projects. People wander through and can watch, ask questions and in the case of marbling, participate in the activity itself.

 This year the Embroiderer's Guild of America was invited as special guests to show and demo their beautiful work.

 Many use story boards which are wonderful visuals for learning.

 Here's our own Georgia Bonesteel demonstrating quilting as well as finishing the beautiful quilt you see in back of her.

 And Elizabeth who does the most darling and clever folk art quilts.

 We had a crochet artist whose booth was covered head to toe with beautiful hand made items including little crocheted foot covers - not good for mountain climbing but certainly pretty if you're sitting still.

 Martine House who is just in a class by herself, was showing her amazing beading techniques. She is wearing one of her creations and one featured below.

 Not only does she create these beautiful pieces but figures out how to put them together.

 I was the marbling lady which I really enjoy as I love working with the kids.

 Outside were spinners along with their animals.

 Who couldn't LOVE that face.

 There was a live Indigo pot for people to try. I would have loved to do a piece but my marbling table was too busy.

 Dee Dee Stiles who has been a member of the guild a long time is known for her natural dyeing, walking in fields to collect berries, leaves etc. anything to create the beautiful color you see hanging in front of her.

 I had some adorable children trying marbling for the first time - WOW...they did great.

 There were 7 colors (all bright) for them to pick 3 or 4 - most wanted all 7.

 Here is Luke with his finished piece, also wearing a very "fashion forward" plastic bag smock to protect clothing. Moms did appreciate that.

And along with the little kids, we had some "big kids". This very nice man really got into the spirit, loved his piece and reminded him of the Incredible Hulks fists....Did I mention Big Kids....  ( - :