
Clockwise from bottom left: Student learning to spin, Faire entrance, Pedal-powered seed cleaning machine, Anti-GMO car topped by a turnip genetically modified with fish genes, Fire by Friction
A gracious sun shining on green fields greeted comers to the Whatcom Skill Share Faire. Colorful pendant flags directed people to open-sided tents where dozens of local people demonstrated and taught their craft.
What an extravaganza of sharing! You could try your hand or take a workshop about:
Home skills like making a felted soap ball or goat cheese
Animal husbandry like horse “whispering” or making a chicken tractor
Fermentation and Brewing like home brewing beer or sourdough
Survival Skills like tying knots for everyday use or making fire by friction
Gardening, like making compost tea or scything to cut plants
Workshop skills like building a solar oven or keeping your bike in shape
Health care like distilling herbal remedies or kaleidoscope yoga
Life processes like green home funerals or the art of telling a good story
An outdoor stage kept the air alive with music and stories. Vendors offered their wares and literature – from the Whatcom Folk School and emergency preparedness to herbal tinctures and hand-crafted jewelry.
We videoed fiber artists carding, spinning and weaving; a pedal-powered seed cleaner machine refurbished from the early 1900s; making fire from friction; and low-cost rocket stoves.
We were astonished at the sheer scale of the event. It must’ve taken a lot of organizing, cooperation, and volunteers to produce. It radiated in celebration of generosity and eagerness to share, all the while deepening the bonds of community in this northwest Washington region.
We salute Transition Whatcom for their second annual event, and hope many other communities are inspired to do similarly.
Hi Janaia! So nice to meet you both at the Skill Share Faire in Ferndale, WA. You made filming fun and easy going. Looking forward to the program. I’ve shared your blog entry in our spinning groups blog.
Maybe we’ll see you at the Oct 19 & 20 Fiber Fusion show in Monroe, WA? ANother fabulous grassroots event – website has lots of great info.
http://www.fiberfusion.net
Very best to you both!
Carol “The Director”
Spin Drifters Spin Group ~ Fiber Arts
Camelot Ranch Alpacas