Workshops

Come and enhance your fiber arts skills, or try your hand at something new! A list of the workshops for 2019 will be available soon.

Workshop participants are granted FREE ENTRY into the festival! Due to planning for materials, space, and coordination, pre-registration is required. When the list of 2019 workshops is complete, the WORKSHOP RESIGTRATION FORM will be available. Materials Fees should be paid directly to the instructor during the workshop.

Below are some samples of previous workshops.

Needle Felted Gnome/Woodland Dweller with Michelle Collins

10:00am – 12:00pm

If you pay very close attention and are exceptionally lucky, you may find a gnome on your next woodland walk. If you are not that lucky, why not learn to make your own? Join Michelle for a fun filled workshop and go home with your very own needle felted wee sprite! Prior felting experience is helpful, but not necessary.
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  • Course Fee: $30
  • Material Fee: $15 Paid to instructor on day of class.

Michelle Collins

Michelle Collins is a mixed media artist and art teacher in Buffalo. She has been making art of one kind or another since she was a little girl and does not plan to ever stop. She offers fun, rewarding workshops to groups throughout the area and her goal is to spread the laughter and healing power of art all over the world, one workshop at a time. Website: CLICK HERE

Felted Wool Landscapes with Mary Fisher

11:00am – 1:00pm

Bring a picture or photo inspiration of your choice and learn how to ‘paint’ it with wool! Participants will learn how to layer colored wool to create a landscape scene or personal design, using needle felting techniques.
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  • Course Fee: $30
  • Materials Required: Foam pad and felting needle. Materials can be provided with a $15 fee, paid to the instructor on class day.
  • AGES 9 AND OLDER

Mary Fisher

Mary has been offering workshops at the WNY Fiber Arts Festival for the past 4 years. She also does home or group instruction upon request. Mary began needle felting about 20 years ago, first felting creatures for a puppet performance of, “The Ugly Duckling.” Landscape watercolor painting had been another interest of hers. “One day I decided to use colored wool instead of paint. It has been my medium of preference ever since.” Mary is a member of Common Threads spinning and dyeing group, and F.I.G. of Western NY. Mary can be reached by email at: mfaf52@me.com.

Reversible Cable Scarf with Erin Kosich

1:00pm – 3:00pm

Reversible cables are fun to create, with results that seem almost magical! The yarn we use for this scarf is almost magical, too….a combination of cotton, bamboo, and silk!
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  • Course Fee: $22
  • $18 Paid to the instructor on day of class.
  • Ages: 18yrs and older, intermediate knitting skills required

Erin Kosich

As the owner of the Embraceable Ewe Yarn Shop, Erin Kosich has been teaching knitting workshops at festivals for almost 20 years! She love teaching small project classes where her students can learn a unique new technique or two. Erin can be reached by email at: erin@embraceableewe.com.

Beginner Tapestry Weaving Workshop with Vanessa Lauria

1:00pm – 4:00pm

Create your own hand woven wall hanging in an inspired, fun atmosphere. You’ll learn the basics of weaving on a handheld traveler’s loom, receive 3 hours of hands-on instruction, and plenty of ideas and encouragement. Though you may not finish your small weaving in class, you’ll have all the tools (+ a detailed, step by step workbook) to feel confident finishing on your own. Basic loom kit is yours to keep for further exploration and weaving.
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  • Course Fee: $40 Includes access to yarn/fibers in class but feel free to bring yarn from home, or use yarn purchased from the festival.
  • Material Fee: $45 basic loom kit (+NYS sales tax.) Paid to instructor on day of class. Kit allows participants to complete their weavings at home and for future use. The Weaving Companion workbook covers everything learned in class plus additional techniques and fully illustrated instructions for finishing the tapestry. Kit includes: wooden loom (traveler’s size loom 11”x6”), 5” steel needle, 2.5” plastic needle, full color Tapestry Weaving Companion book, and 16 yds of warping cotton.
  • Additional warping cotton in pre-measured 24yd. bobbins will also be available for purchase for future projects at $3.25 each (+NYS sales tax.)

Vannessa Lauria

Vanessa Lauria is the weaver + maker behind pidge pidge. She weaves modern scarves, accessories and home decor that merge the craft of traditional weaving with a passion for modern color and texture. Her work is colorful and vibrant. She loves to experiment with unique fibers and play with unexpected color combinations. Vanessa has previously taught weaving workshops at MUSEjar in East Aurora, Makers Buffalo + SPoT Coffee in Buffalo, NY and in Joshua Tree, CA. She has a Bachelor of Fine Arts with a focus on Fibers from Syracuse University.
Website: CLICK HERE
Facebook: CLICK HERE

3-D Sculptural Felting with Mary Fisher

2:00pm – 4:00pm

Design a creature or sculptural piece from your own imagination or from an inspirational photo! Participants will form a 3-Dimentional form from wool using felting needles and a wire frame. Come and explore the art of needle felting 3-D forms with wool and wire.
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  • Course Fee: $30
  • Materials Required: Foam pad and felting needle. Materials can be provided with a $15 fee, paid to the instructor on day of class.
  • Ages 9 years and older

Mary Fisher

Mary has been offering workshops at the WNY Fiber Arts Festival for the past 4 years. She also does home or group instruction upon request. Mary began needle felting about 20 years ago, first felting creatures for a puppet performance of, “The Ugly Duckling.” Landscape watercolor painting had been another interest of hers. “One day I decided to use colored wool instead of paint. It has been my medium of preference ever since.” Mary is a member of Common Threads spinning and dyeing group, and F.I.G. of Western NY. Mary can be reached by email at: colourworks52@gmail.com.
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