Making Paper Beads

Normally when we hear the term "fibre art" we think of items made with yarn, fabric, and other textiles. "Fibre" however is a broader term which refers to any component made of composite materials or those matted into sheets...such as paper.  This year's Nova Scotia Fibre Arts Festival will host a paper bead making workshop by talented artist Diann McDonald who does amazing things with paper, from sculpture to jewelry.  Diann takes great delight in transforming ordinary pieces of paper into works of art.

This is the beginning stage of a piece entitled "Olive the Rug Hooker."

Here's Olive transformed by Diann's artistry:

Diann's latest papier maché sculpture, entitled Unity.

Diann says, "I enjoy creating beads from paper to use in my jewelry. This is a fun and relaxing hobby. Paper is a great fibre to work with and there are so many wonderful colours and types of paper to choose from...the beads are truly beautiful."

Diann's work is represented at The Papier Mache Resource out of the UK; you can see a gallery of her work here. 

For her workshop at this year's festival, Diann will introduce participants to paper maché bead making; paper will be formed into beads which are then glazed and used in a bracelet.

The ladybugs on the paper add a bit of whimsy to the bracelet. Diann supplies materials for the workshop however you can bring a favourite paper if you have one to incorporate into your own jewelry.

You can see more of Diann's work in her Etsy Store, Paper Me in Jewelry   

Click here to read the full workshop description on the festival blog.  The class will be held Thursday, Oct 16, 2014. For more information or to register for the workshop contact Diann  at 902-861-4749  or by email diannmcdonald@gmail.com

Pin-It Draw

The Festival Society of Nova Scotia is a not-for-profit organization which coordinates the annual Fibre Arts Festival each October in Amherst. There are many, many volunteers who work together and contribute long hours to make the festival be the success it is. One of the most exciting things taking place this year is a Pin It draw;  each $10. ticket (which comes with a festival pin) gives you a chance to win some exquisite hand made items...and the grand prize of a trip for two to New York City!

Generously donated by Amherst's fabulous new quilt shop  Mrs Pugsley's Emporium, the trip is part of Showcase Productions annual Christmas on Broadway tours:

Showcase Productions Theatre Tours has been sharing the excitement of “Christmas on Broadway” with Atlantic Canadians for 24 years, transporting you to an exciting world of culture, fashion and wonderment. Visit Grand Central Station, Rockefeller Centre, Macy’s, Saks 5^th Ave., and almost everything from Harlem to the Financial District. 

Tour package includes: luxury coach transportation to and from your pick-up location and New York City, 7 nights accommodations (including 5 nights in the heart of New York City and 2 nights in Maine enroute), 2 breakfasts, 2 group meals, a four-hour tour of Manhattan, a TKTS voucher for a Broadway performance, and the services of two tour escorts to help you along the way. While in New York, you will stay at The Muse Hotel. The coach originates in Halifax but makes pick up stops along the way so folks may board in Truro, Amherst, Moncton and Fredericton.  There is more information on this fabulous prize on the Showcase Productions website;  details are under Tour C-2 Halifax, NS – Muse Hotel, NYC​

Pin It tickets are currently available at Mrs. Pugsley's Emporium;  during the festival they will also be available at several locations including Festival Headquarters (Town Hall).  The ticket includes a guide with artist information for the various displays on the downtown walking tour. The draw for the prizes will be made at the close of the festival on October 18, with the trip taking place November 16-23, 2014.  Make sure you get a ticket to get in on the fun!  

2014 Brochure

Little by little, information about this year's festival is being added underneath the tabs at the top of this page. Please check back often for details on the amazing workshops and displays being offered.  To whet your fibre appetite, here's a snapshot of the newly released brochure.  You may have to enlarge the zoom on your screen to read the items; a proper, downloadable version will be added soon to the festival website.  You will also find copies of the brochure popping up in various locations around town...and beyond. Enjoy!

Stay Tuned!

The many volunteers involved with the Fibre Arts Festival Society Nova Scotia are hard at work ensuring that 2014 will be the best yet.  The website will be back up soon with the full schedule of amazing events to take place in Amherst, Nova Scotia, October 14-18.  You will be wowed by what we have in store for you this year!

Call For Entries: Fibre Arts Festival Society Nova Scotia 2014

Message from the Fibre Arts Festival Society Nova Scotia

​Artwork and Interior Gallery Installations

The Fibre Arts Festival Society Nova Scotia is extending a call to fibre artists for submissions of their work --- rug hooking, quilting, felting, knitting, crochet, needle and hand work --- to display at various locations during the 6th Annual Fibre Arts Festival Society Nova Scotia being held October 14-18, 2014 in Amherst, NS. Selected artists will have their works hang in a five-day exhibition. This award-winning fibre celebration opens with a catered evening reception and showcases art at the Fibre Festival Headquarters and at various venues in the historic town

​Proposals for Independent Projects

We are inviting proposals for local artists to organize and curate their own exhibitions, or to propose an installation of an existing piece or new installation. We encourage all approaches to fibre exploration.

Workshops and Classes

The Fibre Arts Festival Society Nova Scotia is extending a call to fibre instructors who wish to lead workshops and classes. We aim to offer a wide variety to those taking part. We will provide the venue and co-ordinate schedules. Deadline is March 1, 2014 with selected artists being notified thereafter.

So, what exactly is Fibre Art?

That's a great question. Fibre art is very diverse, but for the most part, consider it anything made from perishable materials that use traditional techniques. These might include rug hooking, tapestry or thrum mittens. We have exhibited a huge variety of techniques and media including miniature punch needle, kumihimo (the fine art of Japanese braiding), quilting, knitting, embroidery, crocheting and needle felting. And, of course, due to our somewhat insatiable appetite for all things fibre, all artistic genres will be considered and we are always open to new and innovative ideas.

To download a submission form, please click here. 
For more information or to participate in this year’s event, please contact the coordinator: coordinator@fibreartsfestival.com