Saturday, December 3, 2011

More On Sale

I would not do justice to our members' talents, if I did not allocate a second posting to more photo's from our recent show and sale.  So, I am starting with this little felted figure who is clinging to the side of the shelf among the rugs, runners and bags.  He is half hidden in the second photo, a surprise for the observant!  Who thought you could play "where's waldo" at a fiber art sale?

I just had to include this photo of a red felted vest because of the season and because it goes along with the Xmas tree and santas in the following picture.  The vest is one of the many items of clothing that were on display at the sale.  If you are wondering about the items on the white shelf then check the close up photo below.  They are baskets made from bull kelp.  What else would you expect if you shop in an area called "Oceanside".


We had a good selection of accessories including felted hats, toques made from handspun yarn and scarves of all styles and colours.

The spinners in the guild showed off their craft in both handspun yarn and in finished items.  And for those shoppers that wanted a little something to set off that special gift we had a variety of small items like the every popular lavender sachets. 

Thursday, December 1, 2011

Annual Show and Sale November 2011

Our annual show and sale is the highlight of our fall activities.  It involves a huge effort on the part of the entire membership.  Even those that don't put items in the sale pitch in to help make it a success.  It is our major fund raising event as commission from the sale goes towards guild activities and our resource centre. 
The sale is always full of surprises.  It leaves me amazed at the ingenuity of our members.  Every year they come up with something new and unique like these needle felted Santa's.  So, even if you have been to our show in the past you will always find something you haven't seen before.

This year we were blessed with a sunny morning to do our set up at Rotary House in Qualicum Beach.  While the exterior of the building is being dressed with Xmas lights organized chaos is happening inside the building as we rush to get everything in place before the doors open. 
There are totes full of everything from hedgehogs to tea cozies to unload while tables need to be dressed, Xmas trees need to be set up and shelves assembled. 

Our guild members have been very productive this year.  I believe it has something to do with the study groups and educational activites over the past year.  They encourage members to turn their new knowledge into a creative pieces of work.  The "dressing team" have the challenge of taking all those inspired items and organizing them so that they complement each other.  They never know what they have to deal with until the containers are opened.

In spite of all of our planning and worrying we had everything in place when the doors opened at 11:00.
So, after a mad rush, the spinning wheels started to do their magic and calm spread over the hall for a short time.  Then the serious shoppers arrived and we all welcomed them with open arms.