Update, August 2010
The Fiber Focus Group is now closed. Ning, the hosting platform, started charging for the site and as I had started TAFA: The Textile and Fiber Art List in February 2010, I found that I did not have the time to manage both groups. However, these artists and businesses are still going, so the post remains relevant.Several months after I started this blog, I felt the need for a community of fiber artists and fair trade people who might use the group to share the experiences of their communities, serve as a critique forum and support group for each other and who had a genuine interest in the condition of the world. I looked around and didn't really find something that fit my idea of a social network, so I started one on Ning, The Fiber Focus Group. The group has grown to 335 members. Most of us are women who are exploring some aspect of working with fiber (sewing, quilting, dyeing, spinning, basketry, felting, etc.). Many of us have lived in several countries, speak multiple languages, and have an entrepreneurial spirit. I thought it would be fun to showcase some of the gorgeous pieces represented by our group. This is just a small sampling of what you will find by poking around in our Fiber Focus Group!
Gurumina, Sleeping Nymph Ring, $100 Czech Republic
Like what you see? Click on the links below the images to visit the stores. Overwhelmingly, we are on Etsy. But, you will also be led to 1,000 Markets, Artfire and personal websites. Want to learn more about this artist/producer? Each of us has a page on our Fiber Focus Group where you can see more photos and visit links to blogs and other sites. Copy and paste the artist's name into the search box on any page of our group. You can also see more work by other artist's not represented here by poking around on our Photos page, where all our images can be viewed communally.
Evie Zaccardelli of Bread and Circuses, The Subway, $195, United Kingdom
We meet through interactions on our pages, forum discussions and through groups that share similar interests. Would such a group be of benefit to you in your fiber art or textile journey? Come join us! And, of course, we do hope you will consider shopping with us this Holiday season! Don't forget to stop by my shop, as well! Rayela Art on Etsy. Happy Holidays!
