Farm Days Open House
May
11
10:00 AM10:00

Farm Days Open House

Come join us for a day of farm fun!

Tours to the farm at 11 am, 1 pm and 3 pm begin at Esther's Place. At the farm, you'll get to feed and pet the sheep. We gave the mama’s a year off so we don’t have lambs this spring but you’ll get to meet the little ones who are all grown up now!

Cuddle little chicks, create an adorable felted pin and enjoy drinks and cookies.

There will be spring kits and fibers and new yarns, needles and notions.

All of Big Rock Organics' transplants will be available as well!

We hope you'll join us for this fun-packed day!

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Sheep Shed Spin In
Apr
13
9:30 AM09:30

Sheep Shed Spin In

This will be a fun day in a beautiful large room with lots of natural light. All types of wheels, spindles and e-spinners are welcome. Join us for social spinning time! Participants can bring a sack lunch, pre-order a box lunch from Flyleaf Bakery Cafe located inside the Batavia Library or step out to an establishment in the local community.

Activities and amenities at the event will include a For Sale/Wanted Board (note that the Library will not allow sales to be made inside the venue). Business cards can also be posted.

Attendees are encouraged to bring item(s) they have made that illustrate how hand-spun can be used in knitting, crochet, weaving, etc. Please label items with your name, fibers used, methods used in prepping and spinning the fiber and any patterns used to create final project. Index cards will be provided on-site for those who need them.

We can't wait to see you!


Hosted by our two close spinning friends, Roxanne and Cyndy. Esther’s Place will be there in the morning to join the fun.


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Illinois Prairie Weaver's Guild
Apr
9
to Apr 10

Illinois Prairie Weaver's Guild

“In the Mind of the Artist” Presentation followed by a 2 day workshop : Nuno Felt Fusion, “An Exploration into Wet Felted Wearable Art“

During this inspirational workshop, you will pair a handwoven remnant or sample of your own with a nuno felted piece of yardage to create a unique, wearable piece of art. Students will learn how to make the felted  fabric while exploring how to creatively combine both fabrics. We will use a silk fabric base with wool and embellishments fused into the base through the wet felting process. Come with pattern ideas and your woven fabric and we’ll pull colors and textures to create a coordinating nuno felted fabric. Later at home, you’ll finish what you’ve begun, making a unique, one-of-a-kind garment like a vest, jacket, or bag.  

https://illinoisprairieweavers.org/programs/

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Weaver's Guild South
Mar
16
1:00 PM13:00

Weaver's Guild South

Wet Felted Clutch

1-4 pm

Join Natasha Lehrer Lewis, of Esther's Place as we create a beautiful felted purse! Use lots of different wet felting techniques to create a 6” x 12” clutch, complete with a flap. Use fun fibers for textures, plus learn about adding ridges and more. A beautiful piece of art that will make an elegant accessory for a dressy occasion. All supplies included and novices are welcome! Come explore felting with us!

https://sites.google.com/site/weaversguildsouth/home

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VIRTUAL: Esther's Place February WAFA Sale
Feb
24
4:00 PM16:00

VIRTUAL: Esther's Place February WAFA Sale

The enchanted, magical and mystical will be inspiring our colors for February's sale!

Lots of swoon-worthy hand dyed fibers coming to you today from our cozy little studio in northern Illinois.

Our fast paced, zany live show on our Facebook page will showcase new fibers! It’s fun and entertaining so please come join us!

Purchase during the live show to be sure to get these one of a kind treasures or shop the after sale album more leisurely. Either way, we have tons of exciting new things coming your way!

Here’s what we’ve been dyeing and creating:

- Natasha’s famous crazy batts… a blend of Rambouillet wool and magical add ins!!!!!!!!!

-Buttery soft and ultra vibrant Rambouillet wool top

-Swoon-worthy Luxury wool blends

-Hand dyed Mulberry silk top

-Hand dyed firestar nylon

-Hand dyed merino dk yarn 

-Hand dyed merino fingering yarn blanks! 

Shipping is $6 for orders up to $50

$9 for orders over $50

To purchase:

1. Comment # and how many

2. Send us a message with your email

3. We'Il email you an invoice via Square on Saturday

4. Once paid we ship! Your squishy mail will be on its way!

Thank you from everyone here at Esther’s Place …. Can’t wait to see you then!

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Antioch Fine Arts Foundation Classes
Feb
19
to Feb 20

Antioch Fine Arts Foundation Classes

  • Antioch Fine Arts Foundation (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Fabulous Felted Hat

Monday Feb. 19th 10-4 

Create a hat with wet felting- using soap, water, and wool fibers- over a bubble wrap resist which we guide you through creating. Embellish with unique fibers and shape and sculpt it to your own personalized style. Complete the look with a fabric ribbon and ideas for creating accessorizing pins to switch and change out. From a cute cloche to a fancy fedora, bring inspiration and ideas for this fun day-long workshop! 

Magical Felted Fairy 

Monday Feb. 19th 6-8:30 pm

Learn how to create a completely poseable figurine with needle felting and wire armature! Then add wings, hair, dress it with fabrics and fibers, and create a cute base with moss, rocks and embellishments. It can be a fairy, an angel, or even modeled after someone you know as a sweet gift. The example as pictured is just one idea but you are encouraged to customize it completely for you! All supplies included and beginning felters are welcomed! 

Cozy Custom Slippers

Tuesday Feb. 20th 10-4 pm

Learn how to create a pair of the best slippers you will ever sink your feet into! From sizing and selecting fibers, we'll make a felted pair that you actually sculpt around your own feet! Add beautiful embellishment fibers and get ideas for adding needle felting detailing post-class. It's an amazing process to take from fleece to foot! 


Register here: https://antiochfinearts.org/art-classes/

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Antioch Fine Arts Foundation Classes
Nov
17
to Nov 19

Antioch Fine Arts Foundation Classes

  • Antioch Fine Arts Foundation (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

We’ll be coming for the weekend and offering three unique classes….

  • Friday Nov. 17th 1-3 pm Wet Felted Flowers (perfect on a purse…)

  • Friday Nov. 17th 6-8 pm Needle Felted Bird

  • Sat. Nov. 18th - Sunday Nov. 19th 10-3 pm both days Wet Felted Purse Workshop

    Create a purse with pockets, a gusseted bottom, handles and more! An in-depth workshop exploring a wide range wet felting techniques

Register here: https://antiochfinearts.org/art-classes/

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Spring Open House
May
13
10:00 AM10:00

Spring Open House

Come join us for a day of farm fun!

Tours to the farm at 11 am, 1 pm and 3 pm begin at Esther's Place. At the farm, you'll get to feed the sheep and watch the little lambs frolic!

Cuddle little chicks, create an adorable felted pin and enjoy drinks and cookies.

There will be spring kits and fibers and new yarns, needles and notions.

All of Big Rock Organics' transplants will be available as well!

We hope you'll join us for this fun-packed day!

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Christmas at Esther's
Nov
19
10:00 AM10:00

Christmas at Esther's

Join us for the festivities!

  • Visit the farm at 10:30 am and meet the sheep.

  • Pick up some winter vegetables from the farmstand

  • Felting make and takes

  • Hot cider, cookies and more!

  • Shop new kits, fibers and yarns here at Esther’s Place

  • Festive music and decorations to inspire your holiday creativity!

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Classes: Antioch Fine Arts Center
Nov
12
to Nov 14

Classes: Antioch Fine Arts Center

  • Antioch Fine Arts Center (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

We’ve got an amazing weekend planned at the Antioch Fine Arts Center! Register directly with them for these fun classes!

Felted Flowers

Friday Nov. 12th

2 pm OR 6 pm

Hand dyed Nuno Felted Scarf Class

Sat. and Sun. Nov. 13-14th 10-4 pm

Artist Reception

Sun. Nov. 14th 5-7 pm

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Fine Art of Fiber
Nov
4
to Nov 7

Fine Art of Fiber

This fabulous event comprised of three fiber art guilds and countless pieces of inspiration is a feast for the eyes! Exhibits, vendors and a fashion show, all in the beautiful backdrop of the Chicago Botanic Gardens. We will be vending and Natasha Lehrer Lewis' work will be exhibited. 

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