Written by The fair is rapidly approaching and we still need some volunteer demonstrators. There is a sign-up sheet on the bulletin board at the guild. If you have a special talent, unique piece of equipment (like that sock knitting machine) and would like to demonstrate for a few hours, by all means let me know(send me an email so I can let the fair people know). I already have bobbin lace making on the list for this year. If three or four of you want to come out and do a hands on knitting, crocheting demo or something else, get together, pick a time and put it on the sign in sheet. I’ll have to pick up the sheet by Saturday, 20 July.
The fair opens 26 July and the last day of demonstrating is Saturday 3 August. I pack up on Sunday, so we’ll demonstrate until 930 on Saturday.
Saturday/Sundays the fair opens at 11 and we finish at 930pm. You don’t have to stay the whole time, if you can come for a couple of hours – that will be fine (that would be long enough to give me a break from demonstrating). If we are lucky like last year, we will be able to park right next to the building.
Monday – Friday, the fair opens at 5 and we finish at 930. If we can park next to the building, the back gate opens before 5, which means, if you get there by 445, you shouldn’t have to wait in line to get in. In particular, I need someone or two for Wed, July 31st as I have band practice that night.
Once I know who is coming and when, I can make arrangements regarding parking passes. Family members (who are not demonstrating) have to pay to attend the fair. If they are demonstrating have them sign up so I can make sure we get the passes right.
Here are the pertinent facts:
1. The building is air conditioned, insulated and the air conditioning works fine. There is a real bathroom in the back of the building with running water. It has a big step to get into it (over a foot high). Bring some bottled water. The fair is nice, but drinks are expensive.
2. No costumes – dress nice, but for warm weather. If you get chilled in air conditioning, bring a light shirt/sweater/shawl for night time. Last year I wore polo shirts and never got overheated or chilled.
3. This is a teaching type of demonstration. It is very hands-on. The visitors are allowed to touch and try everything. [The only exception would be for something like a knitting machine – we’ve learned that doesn’t do well – but I have a toy one we can pull out.]. No selling. If you are really concerned about someone touching your wheel and messing up the yarn on it – don’t bring your wheel – show up and use my Ashford.
4. This is a good beginner demonstrations. We’ve never had such large crowds that you feel pulled in nine different directions. Occasionally we might have two family groups show up at the exact same moment. If such a thing happens, there are plenty other things in the building to go see while they wait their turn.
5. Of course, you can slip away for a half hour or so, to go get something to eat or poke your nose through the other buildings. Let one of the other folks in the building know that you are slipping out – they are usually good about keeping an eye on things (and we’ll watch their stuff for them).
6. I will have my Ashford wheel, a floor loom (with instructions so you’ll know what to do). Small belt/rigid heddle/inkle looms, my cards and wool to card, drop spindles, weaving sticks, knitting dollies set up around a table for the kids and adults to try. They can also try using the big floor loom. I’ll bring extra yarn/roving. I don’t have a lot of stuff about knitting/crocheting because I don’t knit.
7. I usually have an area for samples of weaving/spinning, knitting. If you have something and you don’t mind people touching, let me know and I could use it on the table (I haven’t had a lot of time for weaving, so I’ve been using the same samples for a few years now). Please tag it with your name, so I can get it returned. Or, if you want to bring it with you and take it home, we’ll squeeze in a place for it
Questions – please email me at woolbuddy@aol.com or call in the evenings 540-854-7035.
Bonny
