Textile crafts off all sorts - plus demonstrations of spinning, weaving and felting - are featured this weekend as part of a special Whatcom Weavers Guild show.
Karen Perry, president of the guild, said there will be several kinds of looms on display, along with different types of spinning wheels, including a demonstration of drop-spinning, one of the earliest methods of spinning, Perry said.
""That's a very elementary form of spinning - spinning the fibers into yarn," she said.
Visitors will be able to observe the entire craft process, from raw wool to finished product, she said.
"People will not just be able to watch someone do it - but try it out as well," Perry said.
Projects and demonstrations will be appropriate for both children and adults. Demonstrations will include a guild member who is a felter.
"She's going to have a kind of studio set up so that people can practice doing it themselves," Perry said.
The event is from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 19, in the Whatcom Museum's Lightcatcher galleries, 250 Flora St. near Grand Avenue. Cost for the "Fiber Arts at the Lightcatcher" show is $3, which includes admission to the museum galleries. Admission is free for members of the Whatcom Museum and the Weavers Guild.
Perry said visitors can expect to see an array of original creations, including linens, garments, basketry, jewelry, fiber arts, felted pieces including purses and hats - and even a journal of handmade fiber-based paper. Some items will be offered for sale.
In addition, Perry said there will be a "heritage display" of various creations that members have produced over the club's 40-year history.
Perry said she enjoys explaining her craft to people, and loves the way people marvel at the intricate looms with parts that have foreign-sound names such as treadles, heddles, warps and shuttles.
"People, especially kids and guys, are fascinated by that," she said. "Guys like it because it's a machine. They like to see how it works. Women are more fascinated by the end product."
GINGERBREAD HOUSE CONTEST
Deadline for entries is Tuesday, Nov. 29, for the Port of Bellingham's annual Gingerbread House Contest, which features edible structures that push the boundaries of the term "gingerbread house." Past creations have included everything from simple winter scenes to intricate representations of the Space Needle in Seattle, the Whatcom Museum's Old City Hall galleries and Whatcom Middle School.
There were 90 entries last year.
Structures and scenery aren't limited to gingerbread, however.
"You can use any kind of edible material," said Marie Duckworth, the port's community relation coordinator.
Delivery date is Wednesday, Nov. 30, for entries that will be on display at the Bellingham Cruise Terminal during the annual Holiday Port Festival from Friday, Dec. 2, to Sunday, Dec. 4.
It's free to enter. Prizes are awarded for first through third place in each category.
Categories include: business/nonprofit; family; individual adult; professional baker/caterer; senior citizen (age 65 and older); youth age 5 and younger; youths grades K-3; youth grades 4-8; youths grades 9-12.
For the first time, entries can be submitted online at this webpage. Call 360-676-2500 for information or to receive an entry form.m.
