Our Spring Sale

tag for Brant inspired works

This year we took inspiration from the local Brant Festival that celebrates nature and the cycles that play out along our shores.  As part of the festivities we held a two day show and sale of members' works many of them inspired by the migration of the Brant goose.  We even developed a special tag for items inspired by the bird.

Brant and ocean inspired towel

The Brant festival organizers were very supportive and helped to publicize our event.  We appreciate all their efforts to make the entire festival a success.




As our membership grows so do the interests of the members and that is reflected in some of the new items that were included in Elegant Threads and More.  Several of our members are interested in working directly with raw fibers to create silk or wool creations.  In addition to nuno felted pieces the sale included silk fusion lights and wet felted bags and slippers.

wet felted hand bag

silk fusion lights, they glow from within 

The weavers had been busy with some spring weather related items.  Pieces in neutral or natural coloured yarns were popular.  The scarves on the right are so light you can see through them.

scarves

shawls

 







We still had plenty of eye catching items that expressed the maker's love of colour.  Many of the items were hand dyed by the maker using a range of natural and synthetic dyes and a range of techniques from immersion dyeing to hand painting.

hand spun yarn

hand woven scarves 

The set up crew did a wonderful job of turning the chaos shown on the previous post into a calm inviting show that encouraged visitors to browse through the display tables, ask questions and visit for a while.  We hoped visitors would find a piece that would talk to them and ask to be taken home.
We are happy to report that did happen.  Proceeds from the sale will help cover the rent on our studio and let us continue our guild programs. 

 








Thank you to the sale committee and all their helpers, both members and their conscripted family members.  Many hands are required to put on an event of this quality.  If you were able to attend we hope you enjoyed the visit.  If you missed it look for us at Qualicum Beach Family Days in May and at Art in Action in July.

Spring Sale and Bird Watching

Every spring the little fish whose remains are pictured above reminds us of the awesomeness of natural phenomena and how all living things are interconnected.  The herring spawn in March and April coincides with the arrival of Brant geese on their long journey to their summer breeding grounds.  Our area becomes a paradise for bird watchers and nature lovers and we celebrate with a month long Brant festival.
This year our guild decided to participate in the festival with a show and sale of our works, many of which have a Brant or natural theme.

flightless birds not Brant geese

 Today we were busy getting ready for our Elegant Threads and More event.  Members bring their sale items to our studio the day prior to the sale.  We never know what will show up or how many tea towels we will have to fit on the display racks.  It is exciting to see what new items and designs people have been working.  No matter what shows up our display diva, can come up with a prop or stand to display it.

Mr Fixit performing last minute adjustments

 Doug is working on a display for items inspired by the colours and symbolism of the Brant Goose itself.
Linda, Myrtle and Pat are busy sorting and hanging scarves and shawls and clothing so they can be moved to the sale area first thing in the morning.

where can I hang this ?

so many scarves

checking  out the hats

recording the inventory

Sylvia is recording inventory for the guild store.











When the doors to the sale room open tomorrow at 10 am, all of this chaos will have been brought to heel and you'll see an inviting display of unique hand crafted items.  Everything from silk fusion lamps and felted bags to mushroom dyed hats or rugs made out of jeans.

towels inspired by the ocean and Brant geese

The sale runs Friday and Saturday, April 5 & 6  from 10 am to 4pm at Qualicum Commons, 744 Primrose Street in Qualicum Beach.  There is parking in the lot off Primrose.