Charlene Virts, Marketplace Coordinator

“Fiber Connections, celebrates all the connections that are made as a result of the coming together of fibers and people. We weave for our families and friends, connecting us socially. We weave for sale, connecting us with clients. We weave for fun to connect with our inner child, and we weave to connect with our creative selves. Without fiber connections you would have no spun yarn, no weaving, no felting, no braiding and no wonderful fiber arts guilds to bring us all together.”
–Fiber Connections theme description

I love this description of our conference theme. It reminds me of a time when I watched a young girl in a toy store marvel at the dolls and other toys she saw in the shop. She was so excited she could barely stand still as she exclaimed, “Look at that, mom. I want one!” When I attend weaving conferences, I must admit that I’m not all that different from that girl I saw that day in the toy store. Yarn, looms, dyes and finished artwork; astoundingly creative finished products that put a great big smile on my face. The plans for Fiber Connections in 2023 continues this time-honored tradition of bringing us all together – connecting us with the love and appreciation of the fiber arts, creativity and beauty. At the conference, we are expecting hundreds of participants, more than 35 vendors and an exceptional group of over 30 instructors.

As the coordinator of the conference marketplace, it’s my role to bring together the vendors and all conference participants as we share in the appreciation of the fiber art that connects us. From vendors sharing their wares with appreciative fiber fans, to conference participants having an opportunity to talk with folks attuned to their art and craft, we hope you will include a visit to the marketplace while attending the 2023 conference.

The marketplace will be open only to conference participants on Thursday June 15 for a special “Shopping Extravaganza” sponsored by Heddlecraft®.  The general public will be welcomed on Friday and Saturday. The marketplace will include yarn, fiber, looms, spindles, shuttles and most anything you can imagine. My memory is jogged as I look back on past fiber-related events. “Look at that! I want one!” My husband asks me, “How much more do you need?” The truth is “just a little more than I have.”

If you are a vendor, the 2023 conference is an opportunity for you to spend time with folks who are looking for your products and insight, and I encourage you to reserve a booth space. Vendors from past conferences have been genuinely pleased with the support that each conference committee has provided, offering a breakroom, presentation space, and a room full of fiber enthusiasts.

We hope you will join us. And, feel free to get excited because we’ll be smiling right along with you!  Here is the link to the 2023 Marketplace Vendor Packet.

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