Maine Fiber FUSION set for June 5-6, 2021

Rabbits from the Daylily B True Rabbitry, in Windsor.

A baker’s dozen of Maine fiber farmers and artists will be selling their products on Saturday and Sunday, June 5 – 6, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., at The Fusion of Windsor, 243 Ridge Road (Rte. 32), Windsor, just a half mile north of the Windsor Fairgrounds.

Hawthorne & Thistle Farmstead, in Washington, will have fleeces and yarns from her Jacob sheep and angora goats, and other farm products.

Maine Fiber Fusion will be held outdoors, rain or shine, free to visitors, with Maine CDC pandemic guidelines observed. A wide range of products from sheep, angora rabbits, alpacas, and angora goats will be available.

Several 4-H fiber farmers will be on hand to assist and to accept donations for their programs. There will be a door prize drawing on Sunday at 2 p.m.

This event is a small, one-time, substitute for Maine Fiber Frolic, which has been held at the Windsor Fairgrounds annually.

As the Frolic was canceled again this year due to the pandemic, three fiber friends approached The Fusion of Windsor owner, Antoinette Turner, with the idea of holding a smaller event at her site. With Toni’s enthusiastic support, the Fiber Fusion team – Sandra Grecenko, of Windsor, Steph Grant, of Washington, and Jude Hsiang, of South China—began contacting other Maine fiber farmers and craft folks.

Anyone interested in fine yarns, spinning fibers, and knitted, crocheted, and felted items will find quality, locally-grown and created products. Fiber tools will be available for sale as well.

Visitors are encouraged to bring their spinning wheel, knitting or crocheting and join the fun.

Kelly McKenzie, of Cedar Valley Fibers, in Albion, will bring her handspun and hand dyed yarns, fibers and knitwear. Sandra Grecenko, of Daylilly B True Rabbitry, in Windsor, raises several varieties of angora rabbits and sheep and offers yarns crocheted items. Steph Grant, of Hawthorne &Thistle Farmstead, in Washington, will have fleeces and yarns from her Jacob sheep and angora goats, and other farm products.

Jude Hsiang, of Versicolor, in South China, dyes yarns using traditional plant materials, and knits, sews, and weaves when not giving dyeing workshops. Linda Russo, of Maine Fiber Barn, and Theresa Morin, two alpaca farmers in Whitefield, will have fleeces, yarns and knitted hats scarves, mittens, and toys for sale.

Alice Seeger, owner of Belfast Fiberarts, will bring spinning wheels, looms, other fiber tools, and some luxury fibers. Alice teaches weaving and other classes at the shop, which also has a membership option for studio time.

Beth Acker, of Acker’s Acres Angoras, in New Gloucester, will be selling angora yarns and fibers, and other products. Anna Barber, of The Barber’s Bunnies, in Bremen, also raises angora rabbits in addition to offering yarns, knitwear, nuno felted and needle felted items.

Janet Beardsley, of Catawampus Farm & Fibers, in Minot, raises Colored Angora goats and Jacob Sheep, and will be selling wool, mohair, and hand-painted yarns. Amanda St. Peter, of Gray, is yet another Jacob sheep shepherd.

Lee and Alan Fernald, of Broken Road Farm, in Hartford, will bring raw wool and roving for spinners as well as other sheep, goat, and rabbit products. Susan Kendrick, a shearer, in New Gloucester, will have raw wool from seven different breeds of sheep.

These fiber farmers are just a few of the many Maine folks who have participated in Maine Fiber Frolic in the past—selling their products, giving demonstrations, and leading classes. All are hoping for the return of Maine Fiber Frolic in 2022.