by Noella Noelophile® ![San Francisco School of Needlework and Design Co-Founder Lucy Barter smiles as she displays her diploma from England's Royal School of Needlework](https://noelophile.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Lucy-Barter2-e1668734011292.jpg)
Stand by–San Francisco School of Needlework and Design may be starting a new Christmastime tradition!
“Hopefully, this becomes something that’s a regular event,” says SFSNAD Co-Founder Lucy Barter.
“This” is the school’s new Fantastic Fiber Fair, happening on Saturday, December 3rd! More than 20 artisans–local, emerging, and established–will be on hand. They’ll be exhibiting all kinds of enchanting creations, showcasing the art of hand stitching, fiber, craft, and embroidery.
And, the other 364 days
But year-round, San Francisco School of Needlework and Design is something special. A nonprofit, their goal is to share and celebrate the tradition of needlework in the twenty-first century.
And while you may think you know needlework, a conversation with Lucy reveals a LOT of different aspects to the art. Maybe you were familiar with goldwork, whitework, blackwork and all the different types of needlework from around the world–but I certainly wasn’t!
What’s exciting about SFSNAD–as staffers affectionately call it–is that their approach is multifaceted. They offer onsite classes, with both staffers and guest lecturers. Not to mention online courses and introductory “Technique Taster” sessions, in case you’d like to try your hand at a new aspect of needlecraft. Needlepainting looks pretty tempting to me, but this is your choice!
Then, there are their free, worldwide “Stitch In” sessions. There’s one online session and one onsite, weekly, and everyone’s welcome.
Plus? The free biannual “Stitch at Home Challenge”. Here’s the link for information: SFSNAD’s next Challenge deadline is January 15, 2023 for online entries, and January 30th for work to be received for display in their “Hanging Thread Gallery”.
And Lucy has some exciting credentials, as she continues sharing her expertise. She trained, and later taught, at the Royal School of Needlework!