Gathering of the Guilds

This past Saturday was the Gathering of the Guilds, in Harrisburg, PA. They had about 18 guilds total this year, with demo’s and lectures. You can also sign up for a class you wish. To give you some idea  of what is there where Needle pointers, Lace makers, Quilter's, Basket Makers, Bead and Jewelry Makers, Wheat Weavers, Handweavers, Sewer’s, Fiber Artists, Crocheters and Rug Braiders.

That's a lot of guilds in one place, it makes for a fun day. Not only do you learn a lot you can also purchase some items that the guilds have made. Or kits they have put together, plus a lot of them have free item or discounted books and such.

So if there is a gathering of the guilds in your area or close by to take a road trip, I strongly suggest you go. It’s a great day out and you are helping a group or groups survive and share there craft / art. It’s a win win all the way around.

Lace Days

This past Saturday was Lace Day’s in Lafayette, NJ. My annual trek to Lost Art Lacers, for there lace day.  You find out very quickly there aren’t that many lacers out there. Hence the name of the guild. One of the venders  that is normally there. Wasn’t this year, he sold all hand made items. That he made himself, that was a disappointment. The rest of the show was wonderful as always.

I got my self a new book on how to make lace flowers. You make each petal or leaf separately. Then attach them with florist tape. You have a wire gimp that lets you shape the leaves and petals. You also use a stiffener on each piece as well, this gives it stability. I haven’t made any yet but will soon.

I also picked up some linen thread and a pricker. Since I actually don’t have one I have been using a larger quilling needle to do the pricking. The day was a fun and full day, I look forward to next years event.

PA Farm Show 2014

Ed and I where able to make the farm show yesterday. Wednesday is my usual day so I can get fleeces and see the sheep to shawl competition. We leave Easton about 9am and stop at Esther's Dinner on the way in for breakfast. We end up at the farm show about noon. This gives us plenty of time to see the show and stay for the fleece auction.

We saw all the animals that where there. Say some poultry that we would like. I even say some kids that where just the cutest little things. but Ed said no, we would have to bottle feed them. I wasn’t seeing a problem with this.

We went to the family living section say all my friends that setup there. They also moved the Christmas trees to the main show floor this year. In that general area wagon, that’s all about wood. They have a display that you need to guess which item doesn't have any wood in it. It was the dollar bill. Which if you did not know is not paper at all. Its fabric, 75% cotton and 25% linen.

We did finally get to the fleece auction where I got five fleeces. They are something to get on a school bus by the way. All in all we had a wonderful day.

Happy New Year 2014

A Happy New Year to everyone!!!!!

Let me bring you up to speed with what 2013 had been like. The last major post I stated the truck was totaled. From that we got a mini van. Which in six weeks was also totaled. The money we got from that accident we put into the KIa to get that back on the road. and we have been accident free since. (Yes I knocked on wood.)

Since we didn’t have a vehicle for the months of April and May we weren’t able to sell. Which hurt a little since we still had rent on our spot to pay. Ed also got a second part time job. Evenings and weekends so he wasn’t with all the time when we where selling. There for I had the brunt of that this year.

The reason I have not been posting is our computer died. The computer we where given as a temporary, till we can get one we like. Can be very slow and hard to work with. I think we got that under control enough that I can post more.

In the middle of the summer Ed’s brother informed us he was moving out. So as of August first we have had the whole house to our selves. YEEEEEEES!!!!!!!! Sorry it’s nice having the whole house. As I said yesterday my studio is one room.  This house has a sun porch which of course means the whole one wall is windows. With that said the room is flooded with natural light perfect for a studio. The room is large enough to hold all my equipment, the only exception is my dying supplies, I left them up stairs in the second kitchen. I’m able to keep all my dying equipment totally separate and on a second level.

A new piece for my studio is a ridged heddle loom. This is the original Schacht loom that they don’t make any more. It came with a eight end per inch heddle. I am able to get the other heddles, which is a goal for this year.

We are working on the rest of the house little by little. We painted the living room and dinning room. Got furniture for the living room, a vintage 40’s – 50’s porcelain toped table for the kitchen, this table has wooden legs and a draw in the front for you silver ware  and to leaves that slid under the main top. It’s a cool piece that works very well for us. It also came with its four original chairs.

I think that brings you up to speed with everything. If I forgot anything I’ll let you know.

New Years Eve

I know I haven’t posted in months. I didn’t have a computer that I was able to do that with. So know that I can write posts I will probable post more. Pictures may be an issue write now, but well see.

This year has been a busy year, at lot of good stuff. Ed and I now the whole house back. So my studio is no longer in the living room, kitchen, bedroom. It has its own room. which is good since I got some new toys. Since we have the whole house we were able to host Christmas dinner. That went really well, so that is something that will do again.

Tonight will be Ed and I at home with some of our favorite foods. For a quiet New Year's Eve. So I will leave you with this tease and pick it up next year.

Lace Days 2013

In the midst of the accident I was able to take a few hours and go to lace days in Lafayette NJ. I’m able to make that one before we head to work in the afternoon. I always have a good time and see friends I only get to see once a year.

This year I picked up a book on lace for worship (which goes well with my weaving for worship book). I lost one of my tools so I replaced it, I also got a riser for my pillow. The last thing I got really isn’t lace making per say, but you could use it to make some gimp threads. It’s a Lucet, I’ve seen these before I just wasn't sure its purpose. Well it make a square cord, so in reality you could make your own gimp cord if you like.

Unfortunately there wasn't a bargain on a pillow this year. May I get one next year, we’ll see.

 

Update

Just to give everyone a quick update on what has been happening here. Our truck, which is are only vehicle was rear ended the beginning of this month. So from that time until now we have been working with there insurance company to get paid and get a new vehicle (just so you know you won’t get replacement value). Before I go any further no one was hurt, Ed and I weren't even in the truck at the time it was hit.

So for the money we where given we got are selves a minivan. We realized this was a better option all the way around. There is enough space to load up for flea marketing. We also have four seats total, which gives us the ability to take two other people with, we didn’t have that option with the truck. So in the end it did work out. It was just very stressful for the last couple of weeks. Thank God its over.