Yesterday, Andy and I arrived in at the Southeastern Animal Fiber Fair early. There was hardly
anyone there - the weather was rainy, cold, and foggy.
We headed to the alpaca barn and met Charlie and Marion of CharMar Farm Alpacas in Liberty, NC. They brought three animals with them - Little Bit, Colors, and I can't remember the name of the chocolate alpaca. Little Bit had been bottle fed as a baby and loved having her face and head rubbed as she nustled up against me. I've never seen such an affectionate alpaca. Charlie said that Little Bit rules the roost!
Next, we went to the main building. This picture was taken in the morning and thank goodness for the vendors, business picked up considerably.
SAFF is much smaller than Maryland Sheep & Wool and has a more personable feel to it. There is a great variety of vendors, merchandise, and classes available. The vendors were set up along the two levels of the arena pictured at the left. They also had vendors and fleeces in another building / covered area. Animals occupied two buildings, as well.
A class, that I wish I had registered for, was taught by one of the authors of The Shepherd's Rug - braiding rugs using roving. This was an all-day class and the participants chose their roving, braided it, washed/dried it to felt it, and then coiled and sewed the braids together to make a chair mat. The roving braided chair mats, coasters, and rugs were beautiful. Softer looking - more heathery - and easier to do than their wool fabric counterparts I'm sure - no cutting fabric strips and worrying about the folds.
The vendors were such a treat! So many talented people.
Walter Turpening, from Kingsport, TN, was there with his made-to-measure benches, stools, and chairs. They were just as wonderful as I'd been told. Walt is a master at what he 
does. He even makes the cording he uses to weave the seats of the chairs. Quality workmanship at its best!
Rodney and Tammi Reed were there from Statesville, NC. They refurbish and sell sock knitting machines. They also had other supplies. Tammi demonstrated sock making on one of the old machines. She said that if not distracted, she can knit up a pair of socks in an hour or less. WOW!
Jane Voorhees' watercolors were on display and for sale in the form of prints, notecards, and calendars. Jane is from Asheville, NC and I just love her style! She really depicts the 'feel' of the mountains in her paintings.
Miss Babs, from Mountain City, TN, had a large booth full of yarns, fiber, and supplies. There was a knitter there demonstrating an entrelac hat knit in the round. There were entrelac hats on display from baby to adult in size. I bought two little skeins of yarn and the pattern to do a baby or child size hat.
Rug hookers were well represented by Sara-Beth Black from Asheville, NC. Sara-Beth is an extraodinary rug hooker! I love her sense of color and whimsy she incorporates in her rug designs and the materials she uses. She worked her booth with enthusiasm and taught how-to sessions at the front of her space. I'm positive she was able to add quite a few newbies to the rug hooking world this weekend.
Brooks Farm, from Lancaster, TX, was there with their huge selection of beautiful yarn. Their booth is always one of my favorites - at SAFF or Maryland Sheep & Wool. I love their colors and the handknit 
display pieces they have.
Judy Ditmore, of Interlacements, LLC was there with her awesome yarns and unique patterns. She came all the way from Colorado Springs, CO and was wearing her Hapi Wrap. I could see myself wearing this wrap over a pair of black pants and a shirt so just had to purchase the pattern. The colors and design would really pop over black.
The Unique Sheep, from Carrboro, NC, was also present with their beautiful yarns and rovings. I have used their lace weight yarn before and it's scrumptious!
Millenial Way Farm had the whole family there! Mom and Dad and was it 
five children??? all the way from Little Rock, Arkansas with a whole lot of angora bunny rabbits! I kept seeing the children - one or two at a time - dresses in red coats walking all over the place carrying angora rabbits. It wasn't until near the end of the day that I found their booth. What adorable/beautiful rabbits and children! The youngest little boy was even decked out in a bunny suit! The little bunny with the dark fur around it's eye was fascinated by my rings and bracelet. Just too too cute! Please click on the link above to see their beautiful rabbits.
Andy and I really enjoyed visiting with Jerry and Jean Womack from Georgetown, IN. Jerry makes the very popular Butterfly Electric Spinner and Jean sells beautifully blended wool/angora batts and yarns. I have been wanting a Butterfly for two years - have tried it out at shows, have read about it, have talked with people about it, etc. Everyone I've talked with absolutely loves theirs and raves about Jerry's customer service. So, I bit the bullet and ordered one. 
I can hardly wait until it arrives! I also bought 3 oz. of Jean's 
wool/angora/silk batts and want to spin and knit a neck warmer. What a great combination for such a project.
There were so many great vendors at SAFF this year! I hope they all felt the show was worth their efforts and I hope they come back next year!
WAIT! What was the cutest thing I saw at the show???? This 4-day old pygmy goat!!!! I actually first saw Star on Friday when she was 3 days old but took these pictures 
today. Undoubtedbly and hands-down the absolute cutest thing I've seen in quite awhile! I could have easily taken her home with 
me! Star's mother had triplets and decided that she could only take care of two babies. She rejected Star. Star's owner said that she's even tiny for a dwarf pygmy and had to bring her to the show to tend to her. Kept her in a small cat carrier! OH, I wish you all could have petted her! Just TOOOOOO cute!
Today, Andy and I headed to Waynesville, NC. We poked around the shops and enjoyed the metal art sculptures along the street. We took our time and smelled the flowers! We also had to stop a bit and listen to the band play. Their style was definitely heavy metal!!!! HA!
Then, we met Firecracker at Deja View Gallery. I couldn't resist snapping this photo - she was so sweetly posed. Firecracker is three years old and is deaf. Her owner said that she is famous - has been pictured in their local paper numerous times. She showed me a picture of Firecracker all decked out in a knit hat and scarf!
From Waynesville, we headed back toward Asheville stopping in Candler, NC at Blacksmith Depot. I knitted and napped while waiting for Andy to pick out a couple of blacksmith hammers and a nail thing. I know I'm real 
vague on the particulars but he's happy!
We also stopped by The Yarn Nook in Candler. This is my second trip to this store and Linda treats me like one of her knitting family. Very pleasant atmosphere in this shop and lots and lots of yarn! I got the cutest snowman family pattern and some yarn to make them. The snowmen will be like those fourteen bunny rabbits at Easter! Oh NO!
The weather this trip has been sunny to rainy to overcast to partly sunny. The temperatures have 
been mostly in the 60's during the day hours. The trees have not disappointed. Their colors have run the palette of reds, oranges, greens, and golds.
The sky -- well you take a look and see what you think.
The end to a perfect time in Asheville -- meeting up with Mary, one of my Richmond knitting friends, and dining at Pomodoros Greek and Italian Cafe!
Tomorrow, off to see Taylor near Charlotte, NC and then home!
