Woolfest 2009

[jazzactivist]

This morning I have been to this year's Woolfest which is in Cockermouth in Cumbria. What a fascinating event, with loads of stalls selling everything to do with wool - weaving, knitting, felting, jewellery, raw materials, baskets and storage etc from all over the UK, and some international producers and sellers too. There are also different workshops and lectures on all day. As it is held in an agricultural centre there is a chance to also see the real origins of the wool with different types of sheep, goats, angora rabbits and alpacas all on show. At only £6 to get in and lunch and coffee reasonably priced it is a good day out, and on again tomorrow if anyone is able to go.

After spending too much money at the Knitting and Stitching Fair in Harrogate last year, my mission this time was to buy handmade buttons to make some hatpins for my felt berets. There were lots to choose from, but in the end I have landed up with some lovely wooden and china ones. I also couldn't resist some felting wool and some little gadgets that are supposed to make felting easier!

[Crocus]

Wow Jazz, it sounds like an amazing fair - I won't mind browsing about there. Your hatpins also sounds lovely too. You're really a very arty person - you'll have to open up that small craft business Jazz! xxx

[Gentian]

Lucky you Jazz, wish I lived nearer to that show or even Harrogate. Can't really grumble though as we have NEC and am trying to decide whether to go to the quilt show in August.
I'm just about to wash another fleece so will be felting again soon.

[eleanor2]

sounds like a very interesting event jazz.i cant help buying interesting buttons.

[dragonfly]

I would love to go but it is to far without planning.

I have been to Market Bosworth Festival today and they had lots of craft stalls with homemade items. There were cards, sewn and knitted items but also some unusual things. There was archery with crafted bows and arrows, unusual jewelry some of it enamelled, interesting glass and even medieval helmets and gauntlets. I bought some homemade soap for when my sisters visit next week. There was also an adult and childrens art exhibition and quilting exhibition. My friend and me have signed up for a quilting workshop.

[jazzactivist]

That sounds good, dragonfly. Were you tempted to try on the medieval items? I went to an Art on the Prom event today in Grange-over-Sands and was discussing Woolfest with some of the stall-holders. We all said how the price of wool has shot up since the Knitting and Stitching Show last year. Carded wool for felting was double the price! This is good for the small producers, but not so handy for those of us making items from it. I picked up an applcation form for a monthly stall at the Prom next year for my silver and felt jewellery. It will give me something to work towards...

[dragonfly]

No Jazz I didn't try them on. They have a lot of re-enactments at Bosworth Battle Field nearby and I think they were made for that. I have been to Grange-over-Sands a few times, we used to go to a garden show that was on every year at Holker Hall (I think it was that one) but havn't been for a few years. Good luck with your silver and felt jewellery project.