Forgot about the fiber event in Wooster, Ohio..... oops!

After writing the entry for today I realized I had forgotten to tell you all about the Great Lakes Wool and Fiber event that my youngest daughter and I attended on May 29th.
This event was held in Wooster, Ohio. About a 2 hour drive one way for us. It was a nice peaceful drive. Great for bonding time with my daughter. We had such fun talking and laughing the entire way to and from this event.
And even though my daughter put on as though she really did not want to go to this event.... she had a great time. We enjoyed all the fibers, vibrant colors and all the other things one sees at these events.
First we had to find a parking space. Found a space behind the barns near the horse race track. We found out way to the barns that had angora goats and took a few photos and looked around. Then found the barn with sheep that were all waiting to be sheered. That was interesting to watch and see all of the sheep waiting. Took a photo or two there.
We then found the large building with vendors. The very first vendor had such gorgeous wools for spinning and much, much more. Bought a variety of very beautiful wools for spinning. They also had pencil roving which I had been wanting to try.
We spent several hours in this building visiting all the vendors booths, looking and buying when we found things we liked and/or wanted. Also found the vendor I had bought my spinning wheel from in April at the first fiber event we went to. It was nice to see her again. She remembered me and asked how the spinning was coming along. I told her I was actually doing well and enjoying it. She had lots of great information to share with me and we enjoyed talking. Bought some gorgeous shawl patterns from her that I had been trying to find online since I bought my spinning wheel and had hoped to see her again at this event to buy these patterns. She even had these shawl collar type of patterns that are great for using small quantities of handspun. I plan to start knitting a few of these once I have the wool spun that I chose for knitting these.
I found a vendor with lots of back issues of Spin Off magazine. I bought all the back copies that I did not have. Lots of great information in these magazines for a newbie to spinning like myself and also for the more experienced. Lots of patterns for using handspun can be found in these magazines also. I plan on subscribing to this magazine.
My daughter was getting a good laugh along with me with all the fiber we fell in love with and bought. She was such a sweetheart.... she offered when we had several bags we were carrying to take these back to the van. She made several trips back to the van. I wish now that I had taken a photo of all that we brought home with us. Seriously.... it is not as "bad" as you may think.... but it is indeed enough to keep me busy spinning.
I ran into a few other vendors that were so helpful at the last wool event I went to. It was so nice to see them again and visit. I asked a question if this was the only building with vendors..... NO..... there are "2" more buildings filled with vendors. Yikes! I then knew I would definitely go home with no money left from what I had stashed away for a few weeks from sales from the market. I was wrong though.... I did manage to save some $$$. LOL!!!
We went through the next 2 buildings, bought a few more things. Also bought some things to experiment with.... silk, alpaca, Llama, angora. I also found a vendor that had closed a yarn store and was selling yarn for very low prices. Stocked up on wools for felting projects. Also found a vendor that I had written to and she had some natural color lopi wool yarn for a very good price. I plan to dying this soon and will use this for a sweater from one of my Lopi knitting pattern books.
The very last place we visited was where they sell the fleeces that had been sheared earlier that day and judged. I was so tempted..... but.... NO.... I did not buy one. I figure I need to learn more before I even think about buying a raw fleece to wash, clean and card for spinning.
We stayed up to the close of the day for this event and drove home. We discussed all the fun we had together, planned on what to create with the wool we chose to buy.
Oh..... Now that I have been telling my husband all about the sheep, alpacas, etc. and shared how people are going into raising alpacas for retirement suppliment...... he is now considering this. Especially since his job is looking very unsecure again. He actually is researching and reading links to things I am sending to him to look at. Who knows if this will actually transpire into something.... but he is researching and now trying to get me to go visit a local farm that has alpacas, that will help with getting others started with this as a business. I might be getting that big building I have wished for.... for my crafts..... but not just the crafts.... now for alpacas too. And along with this would be an actual farm.
I will keep you all updated on the research for raising alpacas.