Dona raises silkworms and does a demonstration each day of the fair, explaining how to raise them and how to reap their silk.
I was surprised at how big a silk worm is. I don't know what I expected, but this wasn't it.
She brings them in a plastic tub, filled with mulberry leaves. Keeping them supplied with mulberry leaves I learned is no small deal. It's the only thing they eat. How many of us have mulberry trees???
The Foothill Fiber Guild has an abundance of weavers. Carson Sierra Spinners and Weavers Guild, my local guild, aspires to grow some of our own. I drool over the articles that are entered in the handwoven category each year. The FFG group absolutely inspires me. I have to say that the CSSW ongoing push for education has prompted a growth spurt and I hope to see some entries like these in the next couple of years.
And this is where I'll gloat. We are so lucky to have a lot of fiber producers submit to the Nevada State Fair. Our wool show has grown and we hope will continue to grow. This year our wool judge is Mark Eidman and I'm really nervous. Last year our wether Mickey Mouth was given reserve grand champion. I've seen Mark judge, and we're going to have to skirt our fleeces a whole lot better this year if we're going to see any acknowledgement. I guess by now you've figured out that I'm a fair junkie.
6 comments:
The Fair looks like a lot of fun!
In response to your question about the Plymouth Library tag on LibraryThing: I have the great good fortune of living in an area that is densely populated w/ good libraries. There are 3 very strong community libraries within 9 miles of my house. And the entire 5 county area of SE Michigan is on a Library Network that very efficiently does interlibrary loan. So, I've decided to keep track of which library the book came from. It seems the easiest way to search that is by using the tags.
PS: I did read Devil in the White City...great read!
I wanted to enter some items our county fair this year, but since I wasn't willing to enter anything I wasn't willing to lose, it didn't happen. Years ago a dear friend of mine entered a quilt she made out of old blue jeans and won reserve champion. And it was stolen before she could pick it up. :-(
Lovely reporting on silkworms! I also really liked your photo of the grrl all the guys want to talk to.. that crafty imp:)
Looks like a lot of fun, a lot of temptations, and a lot of interesting things to learn. Though I've dabbled with silk, I've not gotten up the nerve to try my hand at silk worms. Has there been anything to buy so far???
Yes....fiber fairs are all so wonderful!
I had no idea what silkworms even looked like, much less how big they were!
Enjoy the Fair.
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