When you are just getting started in the world of fibre arts and fleeces it can all seem a bit overwhelming. Julie Schneider shares her story of how she went from a novice spinner to the proud owner of a freshly washed fleece. We are happy to say that Festival workshops are helping her along the way!
Category: 2017 Profiles
Dye For Ewe
Allyson Schneider introduces us to her dyeing business - Hi, I'm Ally and I co-run Dye For Ewe. We specialize in self-striping, "fairy farts"/mini rainbow and speckled yarns. All yarns are hand dyed in small batches to ensure quality. How did you get started in fibre arts? At the age of 6, I had driven [...]
The Sheep-ish Spinner
Suzanne Budlong of Winnipeg answers our new vendor questions today - Hi! My name is Suzanne and my business is The Sheep-Ish Spinner and I sell handspun yarn. Quite a bit of my yarn is hand dyed using either plant material or food colouring, but I also have a lot of stock that is acid [...]
Bijou Canoe
Meet Lori Ebbitt of Bijou Canoe, and welcome her to her first Manitoba Fibre Festival as a vendor. I sell an eclectic mix of handmade pieces with components from many different passions that I incorporate into jewelry.I fell in love with weaving after I took a workshop and, as with most crafts I get involved [...]
Nojo Textiles
Johanna Giesbrecht, originally from southern Ontario, now runs "Nojo Textiles" in Winnipeg. This is her first year as a vendor at the Manitoba Fibre Festival. Welcome! "I sell accessories, jewellery and home decor that utilizes knitting, crochet, weaving and hand spun yarns. My first foray with fibre was when my mother taught me to knit [...]
Noble Ruby Designs
Welcome Selma Brown of Noble Ruby Designs in Niverville, Manitoba to her first year as a Festival vendor -- "I sell hand dyed yarns. I dye primarily superwash yarns with a variety of merino blends and weights. I started crocheting as a young girl in grade 3 and learned to knit in grade [...]
Handmade by Shelley
Meet Shelley Parham of Headingley, Manitoba, another new vendor in our 2017 market - My business name is Handmade by Shelley and I'm a quilter. Many people think that quilts are only bed covers, but I love making wall hangings, throw quilts, baby quilts, etc. My interests range from traditional to modern quilt styles. I [...]
Rita St. Amant – Fibre and Mixed Media Art
Saskatchewan artist Rita St. Amant joins the Manitoba Fibre Festival market for the first time this year. Rita's booth at the Festival will feature pieces in wool felt, cotton and silk. The arts have always played a large role in Rita's life. Born and raised in southern Saskatchewan, she is a self-taught, grassroots artist [...]
Pine and Paddle
The latest in our "getting to know the new vendors" series -- Pine and Paddle answer our questions about their inspiration and their products. Add them to your Festival shopping list! We are Pine + Paddle and we are a mother daughter team making products for your home and cabin. We focus on simple and [...]
Rug Hooking Groups in Manitoba
We are pleased to welcome back volunteers from Red River Ruggers and Prairie Edge Rug Hookers to demonstrate their work at the Festival. Val Jackson of Beausejour offers this introduction to anyone who would like to get involved -- Rug hooking is both a craft and an art form. Basically, wool strips are pulled up [...]
Cindy Hoppe Fibre Artist
Meet Cindy Hoppe from Biggar, Saskatchewan and her wonderful fibre art work. We are pleased to welcome her as a first time Manitoba Fibre Festival vendor this year. Cindy Hoppe Fibre Artist: I make jackets, sweaters, ponchos, vestments and wall hangings using primarily wool. How did you get started? I took my mom’s [...]
Queenston Crafts
Lynn Gibson of Queenston Crafts in Winnipeg describes her passion for upcycling and sewing with natural fibres -- I make upcycled wool, cashmere and angora mittens from thrift store sweaters. I machine wash and dry the sweaters to encourage shrinking and felting of the wool so the mittens are thick and warm, and also line [...]