Flowers & Fiber Flow at Maker Faire Detroit!

Maker Faire Detroit 2011 was filled with makers of many disciplines showing off what they do and inspiring people that they, too, have the power to make.

The waterfall and some flowers went up on the fence of The Henry Ford on Oakwood Blvd. on Friday night, July 29, in anticipation of the festivities July 30 and 31.



This year we were indoors safe from the heat and humidity so (unfortunately) typical of Michigan summers. We engaged Faire goers with the joy and love of knitting and crochet. We taught the basic knit stitch so people could add onto the waterfall as well as some basic crochet stitches to make flowers. Depending on an individual's skill level and/or determination, simple chain flowers to some very sweet picot petal flowers were made.



There were many Faire goers who graced the booth and project with their enthusiasm and generosity. It was fun to see different styles of knitting and crochet and to hear people's stories. I have to give extra special acclaim to a young man who himself was teaching circuit soldering with the Ann Arbor Hand's On Museum. Not only had he never crocheted before, he was left handed with only right handed tutors available. Nevertheless, he persevered with aplomb and surprising agility and made a wonderful flower. It is this spirit and energy that is the embodiment of Maker Faire. It should give us all hope for the next generation that will be in leadership. Thank you, Tyler, for your unwitting gift of optimism.

Thank you all for sharing your time and energy. I am proud to be in the family of fiber with you!



There was interest in the patterns used at Maker Faire. The following are links to the flower patterns used:
String of Flowers
Morning Glory
Picot Flower
(I divided the Picot Flower pattern into individual flowers, so that the inner flower and outer flower became two separate entities.)





I must thank with all my heart the team who pulled this all off. Lisa Cieri, for her work and artistry in constructing and installing the waterfall and flowers. Elizabeth Najduch, who hung in there both days taking pictures, providing tactical and flower-tying support and teaching even though she would have rather been poked in the eye (yet never gave that impression). Carolyn Lynett, who came to cover when there were volunteer cancellations and stayed when those who were supposed to show up never did. Her expertise during those long hours and help in the set-up was invaluable. Daisy Lovain, who heard of this crazy, whimsical project, signed on without question and shared her knowledge and good humor. I truly could not have done it without all of your help and I'm deeply grateful for your benevolence and goodwill.



Now I know why at the Academy Awards they start playing music to get the people off the stage. No project like this can be done in isolation and the collaboration that ensues is humbling and energizing. Thank you to all who infused this project with their self and their spirit. Even though I feel this phrase is overused, in this case it is exactly what I feel in my heart: I am honored by your kindness and thoughtfulness.

Water is full of fiber

At least our water is. As Maker Faire Detroit approaches, we are busy putting the final touches on the base waterfall that Faire goers will be adding onto. Lisa Cieri's brilliant artistic flair gave life to the plain rag fiber stitches.



Now, if you are saying to yourself, "That looks nothing like a waterfall" or "This heat must be getting to them," I want you to think Expressionism rather than Realism.

It's more Van Gogh's "Starry Nights"


(public domain)
than Achenbach's "Abendstimmung in der Campagna."


(public domain)

Put yourself in the mindset of Henry Moore's "Reclining Figure"


(photo credit: Andrew Dunn)
rather than Michelangelo's "David."


(photo credit: David Gaya)

Can you see it now? I knew you could.









(I'm in no way comparing this work to these masterpieces, just trying to give you a feel for our inspiration and approach.)

Flowers are also being made so Faire goers don't feel too shy when tying on their own creations. Plus, they're so gosh darn easy and fun to make!



Maker Faire Detroit will have something for everybody. It even has things that you didn't know you were interested in. It's an event where you can expand your vision of what is possible. You can say to the Maker at the booth "I can do that" and they won't be offended. In fact, you'll be encouraged to do so!

In our world where we're told all the time to buy, consume, repeat, it's easy to become lazy in body and mind. Maker Faire is that alarm bell (complete with LEDs and shooting flames) to snap out of it! Do something! Make something!

Visit The Henry Ford for more information or to buy tickets in advance (you can also buy tickets at the door.)

I look forward to seeing Yarn Geeks representing at Maker Faire Detroit 2011!

Plug in with Yarn: Flower Power!

We are plugging in with yarn again this year at Maker Faire Detroit, only this time with flowers and hydro!

In the interest of simplicity (and acknowledging that hindsight is 20/20 and making a site name very specific may not have been the smartest idea but embracing naivete and moving on.....) this site will be documenting the journey of Maker Faire Detroit 2011's project: Flower Power: Making Waves with Yarn!

This year we will be celebrating once again the magical crafts of crochet and knitting as well as celebrating Detroit, the city of "the strait." (The city's name comes from the French "de troit" meaning "of the strait," an endowment of the original European settlers of this area.)

We will be yarn bombing decorating the fence of The Henry Ford with fibery goodness in the forms of flowers and water.


(artist rendition)

Currently, we are hard at work constructing the base waterfall onto which faire goers can add their creation.


(Raw material for waterfall.)

The waterfall will be mainly knitted but this does not mean crochet stitches are not welcome. At Maker Faire we will be teaching people basic knit stitches if they are unaware they need to learn this skill.

And, as we all know, July waterfalls bring crocheted flowers. (OK, so it may be my own particular delusion a bit obscure, but, trust me, it's true.) Crochet flowers are easy and fun to make and they also are an excellent way to learn crochet stitches. In a short time, you can learn the enchanting craft of crochet and have a finished product!


(These take no time at all. And, yes, there are some knit stitches there.)

Again, we will be teaching these basic stitches and/or giving guidance if letters like sc, dc, and tc mean something to you. There will also be an opportunity for knitters to make flowers, too, as there are some simple, quick-to-make patterns. To be honest, knitted flowers are not difficult to make but they do take quite a bit of time to do (versus a crochet flower). They also are not the most beginner (as in never picked up a pair of needles before) friendly item to make. However, if you have some knitting practice under your belt, they are a fun way to learn increases and decreases.

So! Now what does one do with this flower or water once crafted? Tie it onto the fence! That's right, hundreds of mini yarn bombings adornments to create one large yarn bombing art intallation!

Last year's Maker Faire Detroit made it clear that:
1. People like to get loopy.
2. Those people are awesome.
3. If a bunch of people do something small for a general purpose, together they can create something great!



+



=



Get your fiber geek on at Maker Faire Detroit 2011 at The Henry Ford July 30 and 31!