The Fiberists Present: The Fiber Night Market (Free Admission)

Wed., Nov 15, 2017

7:00-9:30 PM

NextStop Theatre Company
269 Sunset Park Drive
Herndon, Virginia 20170

One night only pop-up market

The concessions will be open throughout the evening serving a selection of snacks (cookies, gourmet popcorn, candy), a light bar of wine, beer and select cocktails, and other non-alcoholic beverages.

There is no cost to attend and plenty of places to sit and craft or sip and shop. The first row of seats in the theatre is reserved for those who would like to bring and spin on their spinning wheel.

More info here

Maryland Alpaca and Fleece Festival Spinning Class

I will be teaching:

Core Spun Art Yarn with Alpaca Fiber for Beginners to Advanced Wheel Spinners

Saturday, Nov 11, 2017 from 11 am - 1 pm

Howard County Fairgrounds

2210 Fairground Road

West Friendship, Maryland 21794

Fee:  $50 class fee + $10 student materials fee

Size Limit:  15

Corespinning Alpaca Cloud Yarn

In this class, you will learn how to make the softest, fuzziest yarn from alpaca fleece using the corespinning technique which takes advantage of the beautiful airy insulating properties of this particular fiber. Corespinning is an easy to pick up technique that is very forgiving for beginners and shows off textures and colors very well. This style of bouncy yarn is great for blankets, hats, and quick-knit wearables for those cozy winter nights by the fire.
 
Skill Level/Prerequisite:
• Basic wheel spinning (singles)

Student Required Equipment and Materials:
• Spinning wheel (with large orifice preferred)
• “Grabby” mohairy blend fine/lace weight commercial yarn for core
• Fiber will be provided, but it’s recommended to bring about 2-4 ounces of carded or    loose fleece or roving and add-ins if desired
• Additional fiber and core yarn can be purchased from instructor

Register here

Fibernate's Fiber Farmer's Market & Spinning Circle

Saturday, March 25, 2017

1:00 – 5:00 pm

Join Fibernate's fiber market with over a dozen vendors for an afternoon of fiber love! The market includes vendors and fiber producersoffering the best in local fiber, yarn, and fiber arts supplies.

Admission is free, and open to the public

The Spinning Circle 12:30 – 5:00 p.m. Register ($20)

ames Lee Community Center, 2855 Annandale Rd #101, Falls Church, VA 22042

Sunday, November 6, 2016

Barnes & Noble Booksellers Springfield

6646 Loisdale Road
Springfield, VA 22150

View Map | Get Directions

Twist: the Art of Spinning by Hand

Nov. 5 - Dec. 17, 2016

BlackRock Center for the Arts
12901 Town Commons Drive
Germantown, Maryland 20874
http://www.blackrockcenter.org/twist/ 

I am really excited to be part of the this exhibitiion featuring handspun yarn and wearables, handmade spinning and fiber tools, and live spinning and collaborative events.

TWIST: The Art of Spinning by Hand is a dynamic exhibition and “happening” curated by Jennifer Lindsay that brings together the art, craft, science, technology, and community experience of contemporary hand spinning. TWIST features a curated display of handmade tools, fiber, art yarns, art, and art-to-wear by sought-after artists and makers including Jonathan Bosworth, Stacey Budge-Kamison, Katharine Cobey, Elysa Darling, Jill Duarte, Thomas Golding, Seth Golding, Obe Golding, Steph Gorin, Bee Hahn, Mary Hamby, Ed Jenkins, Michelle Kaston, Mike King, Esther Rodgers, and Emily Wohlscheid. TWIST encourages both new and experienced spinners to participate in a collaborative installation, community spinning events, and to explore the Spin Lab in the gallery.

My photos from the Exhibition

Read the write up in the Germantown Patch

OPENING RECEPTION: Saturday, November 5 | 5:30 – 7:30 pm | FREE

Curator Jennifer Lindsay will deliver remarks and introduce artists at 6:00 pm.

COMMUNITY ART DAY: Saturday, November 12 | 10:00 am – 1:00 pm | FREE

Drop in for hands-on activities and demonstrations focused on hand spinning. Enjoy learn to spin sessions and gallery tours of the exhibit.

IMAGES (clockwise from top left): MIKE KING/THE SPANISH PEACOCK (spindle); STACEY BUDGE-KAMISON (handspun); KATHARINE COBEY (“Portrait of Alzheimer’s”); ELYSA DARLING (corespun); JONATHAN BOSWORTH (spindle) WITH ITW FIBER; STACEY BUDGE-KAMISON (art batt) AND GOLDING FIBER TOOLS (spindle); GOLDING FIBER TOOLS (Dragonfly Wheel); ED JENKINS (spindle), PHOTO BY ALLISON JOHNS; ELYSA DARLING (spinning art yarn)

Uniquities Fiber Farmers Market 

Sunday, July 24, 2016 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm

at American Legion Patriot Hall on Center Street in Vienna, VA

Registration is now open for the Spinner's Circle.  The cost is $20.00, which entitles you to early entry (12:30 pm) and a reserved seat to spin for the entire afternoon.  Please call Uniquities at 703.242.0520 to reserve your seat.

Saturday, June 18, 2016

Barnes & Noble Booksellers Springfield

6646 Loisdale Road
Springfield, VA 22150

View Map | Get Directions

9th Annual Homespun Yarn Party 

I'm pleased to announce that 222 Handspun will be at HYP this year. This free event is held in the Great Room of the historic Savage Mill just off I-95 in Maryland.  There is plenty of parking available and shops and eateries at the mill.

In addition to some great yarn and fiber vendors, they also have:

• free lessons on knitting, crochet, spinning, and maybe more
• fabulous door prizes to be given away throughout the event 
• weather-permitting, a sit and spin/crochet/knit area out on the deck

Sunday, March 20, 2016, from 12-5pm 

8600 Foundry Street, Savage, MD 20763

Check out the website for more information.

NoVa Mini Maker Faire 

Sun, March 13, 2016 11am – 5pm

I will have a booth at the NoVA Mini Maker Faire in Reston, VA. I will be doing spinning demos and selling yarn and fiber as well as Learn To Spin and Kool-Aid Dye Kits. Last year was a bit hit with the kids (and adults too) so come and learn to spin or stock up on some locally sourced fiber.

Reston’s South Lakes High and Hughes Middle school campuses are at 11400 South Lakes Drive, Reston, Virginia 20191

http://makerfairenova.com/

Friday, November 13, 2015 7pm – 10pm

5520 Cherokee Ave, Alexandria, VA 22312 (map)

Calling all local spinners and knitters! I'll be at the first Fibernate Friday Night and 222 Handspun Trunk Show

Bring your needles, spindle, wheel, or current works in progress and spend an evening with fiber friends. I'll have handspun yarns and spinning fiber for sale and some free samples and goodies to to play with. I'm also bringing my super duper Majacraft Fusion Engine drum carder if you'd like to card some batts and try it out.

Caroline will have have patterns to share for quick holiday projects.

There's plenty of free parking and refreshments will be provided.

Please REGISTER here if you plan to attend. 
Admission is $10.00 and is payable at the event.

I'm honored to announce that my weaving entitled "Secret Garden in the Eye of the Storm" will be on exhibit at the Bellefonte Art Museum in October and was featured on the event page for the exhibit. This was the final project I completed for the Journey to the Golden Fleece CourseI took last year and was selected along with 19 others to be on display as part of their fiber arts festival. 

"Secret Garden in the Eye of the Storm" 

Circular Weaving with Handspun Yarn by Elysa Darling 2014

Featuring works by hand-spinners and fiber artists from around the world. Fiber artifacts and demonstrations with loom, great (spinning) wheel and flax break!

1st Sunday Opening Reception: Sunday, October 4th, 2015 from 1 - 4:30 p.m. Reception and FREE art class

Special Event: Sunday, October 11th, 1-4:30 p.m. Making Dreamcatchers, a special drop in art class for children and adults! No reservations required, but plan on 1 hour for the class. Children 6 - 12 years, $15 and all others, $25.

Welcoming Guest curator and fiber arts teacher Judith Finkelstein.

Bellefonte Art Museum for Centre County
133 North Allegheny Street, Bellefonte, PA 16823
814-355-4280

Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 1:00 - 4:30 pm OR By Appointment

Saturday, August 22, 2015 from 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM

Blue Ridge Arts Council - 305 E Main St # 1, Front Royal, VA, 22630

$60 Basic admission charge for all SpinQuest participants. Includes participation in group activities, fiber 'Quest Kit' containing at least 4 oz. of fiber, and a seat in the spinning circle.

Classes are $18 additional per class. This includes materials for the class.

Marketplace Only: free admission

I will be vending again this year and teaching a special mini class in the afternoon:

Designing a Story Yarn 

This is an hour long condensed version of my story yarn workshop where you will learn how to design and create a narrative art yarn using color, texture, and spinning techniques to tell your unique story. 

Skill Level: Includes intermediate and advanced spinning techniques.

Basic materials are included but it is suggested that you bring with you:

1) Fiber: Anything you like, but in particular washed fleece, dyed locks, yarn cones, fuzzy mohair blend lace weight yarn for corespinning, sparkle, beads, shells, feathers, or any other found objects that can be spun are good choices.

2) Spinning wheel with large orifice and 2-3 bobbins (at least one large)

3) A print out of words or a picture of a story that you want to tell: For example a movie, song, sonnet, artwork, fairytale, folktale, myth, legend, fable, dreaming/songline, etc., or just about anything that has a point of view, characters, or narrative and inspires you. Don't worry if you don't have one - random stories will be provided for inspiration. 

See you there!

Sunday, July 26, 2015 from 1-5 PM

at Madison Wool in Madison, CT

In this workshop you will learn how to design and create a narrative art yarn using color, texture, and spinning techniques to tell your unique story. We’ll look at influences in traditional and contemporary storytelling, the meaning of colors and building palettes, selecting fiber, and creating texture by combining different fiber prep and spinning methods.

Fee: $45 ($20.00 deposit holds your space). To register, contact Madison Wool at 203-245-5921 with your information and deposit (credit card). 

Skill Level: Includes intermediate and advanced spinning techniques.

Materials To Bring With You:

1) About 4 oz. of fiber. What type of fiber should you bring? Anything you like, but in particular washed fleece, dyed locks, yarn cones, fuzzy mohair blend lace weight yarn for corespinning, sparkle, beads, shells, feathers, or any other found objects that can be spun are good choices.

A selection of 222 Handspun art batts and loose fiber packs will be available for you to purchase.

There will be a free fiber sharing table that you can sample from. You are also welcome to bring your own special fiber to play with, share, or trade with other attendees.

2) Spinning wheel with large orifice and 2-3 bobbins (at least one large)
3) A print out of words or a picture of a story that you want to tell: For example a movie, song, sonnet, artwork, fairytale, folktale, myth, legend, fable, etc., or just about anything that has a point of view, characters, or narrative and inspires you. 

Sunday, April 19, 2015 from noon to 4pm

at their corner of the Endless Summer Harvest Warehouse

I will be doing a drum carding demo at Solitude's wharehouse event. Bring your wheel, knitting, crochet and hang out. There will be house specials and I will also be bringing some of my handspun yarn. Check out Solitude's website for details.

Sun, March 15, 2015 11am – 4pm

I will have a booth at the NoVA Mini Maker Faire in Reston, VA. I will be doing spinning demos and selling yarn and fiber as well as Learn To Spin Kits. Last year was a bit hit with the kids (and adults too) so come and learn to spin or stock up on some locally sourced fiber.

Reston’s South Lakes High and Hughes Middle school campuses are at 11400 South Lakes Drive, Reston, Virginia 20191

http://makerfairenova.com/

Holiday Trunk Show and Spin in at Madison Wool

Sunday, December 21, 2014 from 12:00-5:00 PM

I'll be at Madison Wool in for a trunk show and spin-in on Dec. 21st. The event is free and this time we have a holiday theme. Take a break from shopping or wrapping and join us as I will demonstrate techniques and inspiration for holiday themed art yarn!  Spin to use as tree trim or to wrap those special last minute handmade gifts. You can buy some ready-made 222 yarn to knit, or grab a holiday themed fiber kit and spin along. Refreshments provided, come join the party!

Sunday, August 31, 2014 from 12:00-5:00 PM

I'll be at Madison Wool in Madison, CT for a trunk show and spin-in on Sunday Aug. 31 (Labor day weekend). I will have plenty of spinning fiber and handspun yarn for sale. Come meet me and gather round for spinning and drum carding demos. I'll be showing color and texture building techniques to make the ultimate funky and creative handspun yarns.

222 Handspun will be featuring a Wes Anderson Inspired Ltd. Edition Collection in four color palettes for your spinning pleasure: The Life Aquatic With Steve Zissou, The Darjeeling Limited, Moonrise Kingdom, and The Grand Budapest Hotel. Each jumbo batt is a super soft smooth hand carded blend of Merino and Corriedale Wool with Angelina and Bamboo.

SpinQuest 2014

Sponsored by Wild Hare Fiber Studio and Three Ravens Fiber Shop

Saturday, August 23, 2014 from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM 

Blue Ridge Arts Council in Front Royal, VA

A fibery adventure awaits! SpinQuest is for handspinners who want to explore the creative potential of this traditional craft. Enjoy various spinning and fiber prep demonstrations, games and activities while spinning and checking out the spinning-focused vendors. Each participant will receive a 'Quest Kit' containing approx. 4 oz. of fiber provided by the vendors to use in the days activities. This year's theme is 'Au Naturelle' - creative spinning with naturally colored locks and fibers. Only 35 spaces are available so register today!

Sign up for a reserved space ($90): https://www.eventbrite.com/e/spinquest-2014-tickets-11819583693