sheep!

reprinted with permission of sheep! The Voice of the Independent Flockmaster

May/June 2012

Southern Flockmasters:
2012 Carolina FiberFest is a Must See Event!

by Carolyn Beasley, CFF Chair

2012 marks Carolina FiberFest’s fourth with Got To Be NC Agfest. Promoting small farms and independent fiber suppliers continues to be our primary goal.

From Florida to New York and Connecticut, Missouri to Texas, Carolina FiberFest draws a cross-section of Americans with an interest in fiber arts and skills. What was old-fashioned is now all the rage. It’s chic. Popular. Hot! Hip. Fiber connects the past to the future.

Carolina FiberFest was born six years ago after like-minded fiber fans asked why not have our own event in eastern NC? We have the population, the interest and fiber devotees.

The first two Carolina FiberFests were held in the great outdoors. Farmers brought animals for display—several breeds of sheep, angora rabbits alpacas, llamas, even a herder demonstrated his skills with a dog and sheep! A shearer delighted the crowd. There’s nothing more thrilling for hand spinners than to pick out a sheep whose fleece they’d like to buy, watch the shearing and then buy the fleece. And they experience a vital satisfaction and real connection when they process the fiber.

Most volunteers from the first two years still volunteer today. They represent spinning, weaving and knitting guilds in North Carolina, generously giving skills, knowledge and resources to demonstrate for and nurture interested visitors—and find time to shop!

Local fiber shops bring depth to classes and demos at CFF with hands-on activities for weavers, knitters, crocheters, spinners, felters, lacemakers, machine knitters, charity knitting groups. Sheep-to-shawl, continuous strand weaving and skein and garment are popular competitive events.

Because CFF is now part of Got To Be NC Agfest, we’re able to showcase fiber-related pursuits to many who wouldn’t otherwise see them.

Folks who come for carnival rides, a classic car show, antique tractors, draft horse contests, boat show, bluegrass music competition, BMX bike jam, food and wine expo, petting zoo, pony rides, etc., interact with farm people to better understand life outside the city, closer to the land.

Admission is free. Visitors come and learn, go home and earn using their new skills and knowledge.

For more information, visit CarolinaFiberFest.org

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