Sycamore Shoals State Park will host annual fiber show, sale Mar. 12 and 13

Published 12:05 pm Friday, March 4, 2022

The Overmountain Weaver’s Guild will have their annual Fibers Show and Sale the weekend of March 12 and 13 at Sycamore Shoals State Park. The show will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.

The Fibers Show and Sale will feature guild demonstrations of weaving, spinning, and knitting both days. Also, guild members and other local fiber artists will have a variety of natural fibers, handspun yarn, handwoven items and knitted products available for sale.

Attendees will have the opportunity to meet and speak with area fiber artists, observe them using fibers to create yarn and apparel, and try their hands at these heritage crafts.

New this year to the show will be a: Needle Felting Class taught by Jen Hanlon on Sunday, beginning at 12 noon and continuing until 3:30 p.m. The cost of the class is $65, which includes all supplies (two felting needles, needle holder, finger protectors, skewer, foam felting surface, project template & handout, core and topcoat fiber — enough to complete project and more!). The maximum number of class participants is ten, and the age restriction is 18 and older.

In this beginners level class participants will create a little bird! If you have a special favorite bird, bring a picture!

Jennifer Hanlon is a multimedia artist with a focus on fiber, especially needle felting. Originally from Western North Carolina, she participated in several shows, galleries, and was secretary of the Blue Ridge Fine Arts Guild for three years focusing on two-dimensional works. She took a break from crafting after marrying and moving to Vermont for three years. After moving back to the mountains here in Johnson City, she has gotten back into crafting and discovered needle felting in 2020. Needle felting is a great craft that takes patience but is so worth the effort when you see the results.

To register for the needle felting class, email Jennifer at: jenhanlon35@gmail.com. Fifty percent of class fee is due upon registration.

The Overmountain Weavers Guild was founded in 1972 to teach, stimulate, and furnish inspiration, information, and mutual assistance in the growth and development of handweaving, spinning, dyeing, felting, basketry, and related fiber arts. The Guild hosts programs and workshops for members throughout the year and educates the next generation of fiber artists through their beginning and advanced weaving classes every August.

The Guild is currently working on a variety of projects including weaving drafts (patterns) from the mid-19th century and growing a garden of plants to make natural dyes. This event is free and open to the public.

The Guild meets on the third Wednesday of every month at 10 a.m. at Exchange Place in Kingsport. Its hand-spinners meet on the fourth Wednesday. More information about the Overmountain Weavers Guild can be found on their website at omwg.net or by e-mailing the Guild at OvermountainWeavers@gmail.com. Information and the opportunity to sign up for their classes will also be available during the event.