Time is flying by so fast. Where has the summer gone? My family has enjoyed another year on the 127 Yard Sale and its 500 miles of fun (Promise to post my finds soon!), and we spent this Saturday enjoying the sights at the Steam and Gas Engine Show in Baraboo, WI. As always, it offered a HUGE flea market, an antique chainsaw exhibition, loads of vintage engines, a tractor show, great food, and several buildings housing wares and occupations from days gone by. A person could spend the whole weekend enjoying the sites! :)
Here is a view into the large building that houses the Blacksmith Shop. It is open from each side, so that spectators can watch the Smithies at work. (If you enter from the front of the building, there are chairs set up for the visitors.) They have a table next to their work space with newly crafted items for sale. It was amazing to see these skilled Artisans at their trade. :)
Onward to another building housing the Print Shop. There was beautiful old printing presses and loads of gorgeous type on display. Here is one of the machines in progress. The gentlemen were busy working and full of information about the beginnings of the printing press. I was told that there are some of these machines still in use today in specialty shops that deal with ornate printing. This press in motion makes such a rhythmic sound. The printer can print a copy every 1 1/2 seconds, when he gets his timing down. And remember... he is placing the paper by hand! I thoroughly enjoyed this machine and would love to have one of my own... *sigh* Could you just imagine the gorgeous cards one could create?? ;)
A little memento from the guys in the print shop. :)
The women's center is another one of my favorite haunts. (That is where I learned the process of doing beeswax candles last year.) This wool spinner caught my attention. Here he is applying his trade. The table displays all the various tools involved in processing various forms of wool. Isn't the yarn lovely? Like the rhythmic hum that draws me to the printing press, the pedals moving to the spinning wheel gives me the same sense of peace to my soul. And unlike the expense that will never see me owning a press, this little wooden dandy is more likely to be in my budget! ;)
Here is a close up of some of the tools of the trade. I have not decided how to process our sheep's wool yet. Farmerboy has decided to do his shearing in early Spring, so I have a while longer to decide. I had thought of getting a set of carders like the one in the upper left corner of the picture.
**NOTE** While walking the flea market, I was able to watch Larraine Bertrang from Long Lane Farm carding some of her Alpaca wool. She was using the hand carders (resting one on her leg and brushing with the other hand). The results from her work were for sale in bags on her table, along with some raw wool in need of carding. It was a fascinating process to witness, and I am so glad that she shared her wares and talent at the show.
Here is a closeup of wool yarn that was available for purchase. Behind the yarn, you can see a drum carder. I cannot remember if this one was electric. An electric drum carder would be ideal to own. It would be a lot pricier but would save a lot of wear on my arms!
Have you ever felt roving that was a mix of baby Camel hair and sheep wool. It is BABY SOFT! What an amazing combo... :)
It is hard to believe that this event has passed for another year. There are so many other buildings that did not make it into this post... *sigh* It will be something to look forward to sharing next year! :)
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