For almost a decade, the world of fibers has been congregating each year in Ann Arbor, Michigan for the Fiber Expo. This festival is all about celebrating artisans, craft makers, fibers themselves, and just about anything associated with natural fibers. At the Fiber Expo you’ll even find the animals that are used for these products like alpaca, sheep, angora rabbits and more. Once you walk in the doors at the Washtenaw Farm Council Grounds, you’ll see exactly why part of the festival mission statement reads, “To bring natural material and fibers into the hands of people”.
Another fun and interesting aspect of this festival is the classes and workshops that are available for you to participate in. The classes range in subject and size, but they all embody the spirit of the festival. Whether you're learning how to take care of Angora rabbits, making a gourd basket, or learning to spin with a drop spindle, there are a wide range of fun activities to learn about. This is a great festival for any of you that love handmade arts and crafts. Artisans and craftspeople have many booths selling unique items like wearable ceramics, alpaca clothes, stained glass creations, and custom woodwork. If you’re looking to buy rare and hard to find yarns, string, and related supplies this is the ultimate location. Many of the vendors come from all over the country to sell their “hard to find” items. We interviewed Event Representative, Connie Hydel, about this unique event and all the fun within.
RAL: Tell me about the event and how long it has been up and running.
CH: Fiber Expo is an event based upon fiber - wool, alpaca, grasses, angora rabbit, camel, etc., accessories for fiber crafting, anything from the animals themselves to finished goods created by our vendors. This is the ninth year for Fiber Expo Fall and it will be the 4th year for Fiber Expo Spring (which is April 9 & 10th, 2016).
RAL: How many vendors participate?
CH: For Fall Fiber Expo we have between 80 and 90 vendors, for Spring Fiber Expo we have around 50 vendors. The spring event is quite new and still growing.
RAL: What is the typical demographic of those who attend?
CH: I see families with children coming to see the animals and shop a little, dedicated crafters and artisans of all ages, and both sexes coming to purchase materials to work with, to get ideas, and to talk to other artists. So, generally 20 - 80 years old with families sprinkled in. We see quite a few moms bringing their children to introduce them to different aspects of fiber, or to purchase more material to work with. Parents also bring children along to see animals and shop. October is a great month for early Christmas shopping!
RAL: What makes the Fiber Expo unique?
CH: The animals that come to the show and the aspect of what you can do with their fiber. The vendors at Fiber Expo are eager to talk to people about their passion for fiber. Classes are available in many different fiber venues during Fiber Expo. They can be seen on the Fiber Expo website.
RAL: Take me through a typical day at the festival.
CH: As you walk into the large barns at Washtenaw County Fairgrounds, the home of the Fiber Expo, the first thing you’ll notice is the size of the venue. Rows upon rows of vendors are selling everything from animals to raw fiber to finished goods (sweaters, scarves, gloves, wafer thin shawls), as well as passing along their experience and knowledge. A lot of the vendors are superior artists in their particular area and you can tell that from their products. Some of the vendors import their products from areas that have low income and showcase the wares from that area. Many of the items are one-of-a-kind and you won't see anywhere else. Whimsical and practical, cuddly and warm, cute and HUGE (the camels) are just some of the adjectives that can be applied to Fiber Expo. Those attendees not familiar with how fibers are processed will learn more about the steps taken to turn these materials into wearable items. For those people who are already familiar with fiber and it's uses, this is a terrific place to shop for your own materials, to get ideas on new projects, and to talk to people who have the same interests.
RAL: What can people expect for local lodging during the event?
CH: There are bed and breakfasts around the Ann Arbor and Saline area as well as hotel accommodations. Ann Arbor is a very eclectic area featuring lots of dining establishments, quaint downtown stores, a college town that hosts University of Michigan football games and artists guilds, bookstores, and antique stores. The only time the lodging hits maximum is if there is a football game at the same time as the festival. A few lodging options in the area include Bell Tower Hotel, Campus Inn - Ann Arbor and Lamp Post Inn.
RAL: Why should people come to the festival?
CH: If you have an interest in any type of fiber-related craft, you can find materials and specialty items (handspun yarn, hand-dyed material and yarns and wool, hand-crafted buttons, etc.) you may not be able to find elsewhere.
For more information please visit the festival website.