I was purchasing some yarn at Close Knit Yarns in Wyckoff last week and picked up a flyer for the first ever North Jersey Fiber Arts Festival. I've been hearing a lot about the "fiber arts" lately - a term which encompasses all of the knitting, sewing, crocheting, quilting, lace-making, embroidering, needlepointing, spinning, felting, dyeing and other fiber and textile artisans. Maybe it's a sign of the times that the fiber arts are seeing a surge in popularity amidst this recession? Or maybe it's a result of the eco-friendly era we're living in this decade? I personally started knitting to give my hands something to do so I don't eat while I watch television, and to help me connect with producing something tangible. Doing public relations for technology companies required me to spend my days reading online, writing online, texting, chatting on IM and Twitter and talking via phone (repeat cycle) and I longed to see the physical results from my 60+ hour a week career. A lover of sweets, baking became my go-to stress reliever and at the expense of my figure, I began looking for another outlet. Oh, I still bake several times a week, but I enjoy reveling in my latest finished project and the excitement of giving it to whomever I've knit it for. A self-taught knitter (thanks to Susan B. Anderson's Itty Bitty Hats), I'm at often amazed at the creativity and resourcefulness that crafters employ not only in their work, but in their daily lives as well. (Why can't I think of these things?!)
Anyway, since I've recently connected online with other fiber artists (ooh - that sounds funny referring to myself as one!), I thought I'd share the details of the upcoming North Jersey Fiber Arts Festival: Finding Our Common Thread. Let me know if you're planning to attend and I'll arrange to say hello when I drop in myself!
When: Friday Oct 2nd 7:00 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. and Saturday Oct 3rd 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Where: The Unitarian Society of Ridgewood, 113 Cottage Place Ridgewood, NJ 07450
Admission: $8 (seniors $7) and includes a festival tote bag and free gift while supplies last
What: Workshops, demonstrations, lectures, food and shopping
Why: To interact with other fiber arts lovers, get ideas for new projects, learn about new crafts and just for the fun of it!
Plus: Children's activities, raffles, yoga for knitters, create a project to give comfort to those in need
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