Fiber arts event slated for late July

By KRISTINA DUDLEY World Staff Writer
7/4/2007

Spinning, weaving and knitting are not necessary skills in today's world of mass-produced clothing and textiles, but two Creek County women have generated enough interest in fiber arts to organize a two-day event in July.

Kate Lowder and Jane Deason, coordinators of Fiber Christmas in July, will bring in professionals from a five-state area to sell their wares and demonstrate silk dyeing, sheep shearing, basket weaving, spinning, weaving and knitting.

The event is sponsored by Lowder Colours Farm in Kellyville.

"We've talked about doing it for about 15 years. Several surrounding states have wool and fiber event festivals. To my knowledge, there isn't a fiber festival in Oklahoma," Deason said.

She said increasing numbers of people ? particularly those who knit or crochet ? are interested in learning to make their own yarn.

"More and more knitters are wanting to know how to spin so they can make their own yarn. This is the perfect opportunity for someone who knits or crochets to see how," Deason said. "Fiber covers a variety of textiles. It's not just wool from Grandma's sheep any more. Any kind of textile can be classified as a type of fiber. It's such a wide range.

"Everyone is so diversified. They don't just do one thing. Some people will start out spinning and go to weaving and to basket weaving."

Fiber can come from sheep, goats, alpacas, rabbits or even dogs and cats.

"You can spin anything," Deason said.

Deason said spinning has come a long way.

"In the 1970s, the equipment was primitive at best, and the choice of fiber was not good," she said.

Saturday's activities will include a skein competition, which will be judged that evening, and old-fashioned games will be held in the evening. Sunday events will include a show-and-tell breakfast, a gift exchange, and a silent auction ending at noon.

Proceeds from the two-day event will benefit Angel Horse Rescue program.

Tamie Semler is the president of Angel Horse Rescue.

"We take in abused and neglected horses from county law enforcement seizures which have (been) regarded as cruelty cases," Semler said. "We also have volunteers who buy horses who are bound for slaughter."

Semler said she has 11 horses at her facility and has just purchased more property in Inola to expand the program. Proceeds from the fiber art festival's silent auction will go toward horse feed and vet care.

"All the money goes directly to the horses," Semler said.

Christmas in July

When: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. July 28; 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. July 29

Where: Creek County Fairgrounds, 17808 W. Hwy. 66, Kellyville

Cost: Free admission

For more: Call 688-3365

By KRISTINA DUDLEY World Staff Writer