Teachers
Jane Bynum
A knitter since childhood, Jane enjoys many different fiber arts and is currently concentrating on knitting, spinning and weaving. She extends her professional background in science to her arts, applying a technical, analytical approach to natural and synthetic dyes, fabric construction and garment fit.
Jane has taught workshops for Carolina FiberFest, her guild (Twisted Threads Fiber Arts) and other groups, along with one-on-one instruction. Her handknit garments and handspun yarn have consistently won ribbons at SAFF and the NC State Fair. Visit Jane at Red Gate Farm.
Mari Chiba
Mari learned to knit while serving in the Peace Corps in Armenia. During the long cold winters knitting helped her to stay busy, and her first project was a blanket. Mari began designing while living in China teaching English. Mari has been published in Knitscene, Twist Collective and Clotheshorse Magazines, and has upcoming patterns in Knitscene, Interweave Knits, and a book by Cooperative Press. You can see more of Mari’s work at: mariknits.com.
Cynthia Mollenkopf
Having studied with local, national and international feltmakers, Cynthia creates two- and three-dimensional artwork, as well as wearables including purses, hats and scarves. She is a founding member of the Southeastern Felter’s Guild, and a member of several local and international felting and fiber guilds and organizations. Her work has won several awards in exhibitions sponsored by the Fine Art’s League of Cary, and has been included in juried exhibitions at the Independent Art Company in Wilmington, NC, and the textile competition at the Southeastern Animal Fiber Fair in Asheville, NC.; and has been showcased at the Duke Eye Center. Most recently, Cynthia won 1st place in the Durham Arts Guild’s 55th Annual Juried Art Show.
Cynthia’s work can be seen at the Green Hill Center for NC Art and Cary Gallery of Artists.
Cynthia enjoys any opportunity to demonstrate or teach felting as she believes creating public awareness of the felting process and sharing the potential of this medium are ongoing opportunities. In an effort to share the world of felting to those outside of textiles, she has participated in cultural & visual arts boards and artist selection panels for municipal projects.
ARTiFELTs, Cynthia’s studio, is located in Cary NC. Husband, Scott, and children, Tyler, Matt & Katelyn, are her biggest fans and best inspiration.
Kate Shirley
Kate has a small farm in Holly Springs, NC. A shepherd of sheep for 20+ years, she found herself owned by a sassy group of Nubian dairy goats seven years ago. Wanting to find a use for the milk, after drinking as much as she could and making more cheese than she could eat, Kate embarked on the adventure of soapmaking from scratch. After years of experimenting with different recipes (some had less than stellar results!), she’d like to share what she learned with others. Kate especially would like to introduce soapmaking to those who may be interested, but were afraid to try because of working with lye and/or having directions that were confusing. Visit Kate at Humbug Farm.
Nancy Shroyer
Nancy knits, spins, weaves, dyes, designs, teaches, and invents in Cary, NC. Nancy’s philosophy is to make working with fiber easier for everyone. She has found many shortcuts, techniques and formulas that can save time and anxiety. This led to her to develop Nancy’s Knit Knacks, whose products are sold worldwide.
