Preview of The Market Place at CNCH 2012:

The Market Place committee for CNCH 2012 has been busy and the contracts are coming back from the vendors!  The CNCH conference website (click on: The Market Place) has a full listing of the vendors to date and more will appear on the list as the contracts are finalized.  So check back often.  Day registrants will have full access to The Market Place on May 19 & 20, full registrants get an early look on the afternoon of the 18th.

For the next couple of weeks, I am going to highlight the vendors who are already signed up – doing it alphabetically, but starting with the middle of the alphabet (speaking as someone who never got to go first, because my last name has always been in the middle).

One Third of the vendors so far:

Habu Textiles   www.habutextiles.com This is a fabulous shop in the garment district in New York City which specializes in unique and marvelous yarns imported from Japan. Takako also carries unique textiles from Japan.  If you have never seen Habu yarns, this is your opportunity to be amazed by the variety of materials that can be made into yarns.

John Marshall   www.JohnMarshall.to Textile treasures of Japan abound on John’s website: Kasuri, Karamiori, Katazome, Tsutsugaki and much more. As he says on his website: “feel free to ask after specialty items or odd-ball artifacts from Japan. You never know what has been stashed away in my trunks over the years!” Enjoy owning some treasures of your own after you visit his space at the conference.

Just Our Yarn  www.justouryarn.com Handpainted luxury yarns and fibers for weavers, spinners and knitters.  From their website:  “We design our yarns to indulge your senses.  Immerse yourself in our soft sensual fibers of silk, camel, cashmere, angora, lambswool and merino.  Revel in the luscious colorways ranging from subtle earthy hues to exceptionally vibrant colors.”

Kalabandar       Handwoven scarves from India and Southeast Asia

Knit Cook               Original knitting patterns, unique food items and seeds

Kumihimo to Go  www.accentbead.com Kumihimo books, fibers, endcaps, beads, silk and ribbon for the braider, embellisher and jewelry maker.

Loom in a Tube    www.loominatube.com Portable looms, kits, books, weaving and braiding supplies.  Rebecca Smith writes that she created “a product line that would bring the opportunity to learn to weave to a lot more people in a lot more places.  By providing the tools, materials and instructions for learning to weave in one convenient format, I strive to make learning to weave accessible, affordable, and fun!”

Marion Jewels in Fiber   www.jewelsinfiber.com Jewelry made with fiber techniques, do it yourself supplies including bonded nylon cord and kumihimo supplies.  “Marion combines mini-macrame, cavandoli knotting, half hitching, kumihimo, braiding and cord-making of silk and nylon threads with as many as 500 knots per square inch with copper wire, semi-precious stones, fossils and crystals” into wonderful works of wearable art.

Nebo-Rock Textiles    “Fiber from my own animals, roving, mill and handspun yarns including mohair locks, fleeces, handknit and handwoven scarves, hats, sheep and angora goat skins”

Start your shopping lists now!  Contact the vendors and let them know that you are excited that they will be coming to Oakland and please support them with your shopping dollars – they are making the efforts to bring their wares to us.  Invite all your fiber friends to come to The Market Place – there are items for knitters, crocheters, embroiderers, fiber artists, quilters, and those who love to wear and use wonderful textiles and jewelry.

Watch this blog and The Market Place tab for more vendor information!

Posted in 2012 Conference, CNCH News, Fiber Arts, Spinning, Weaving.