Local Woman Introducing New Craft
FAIRMONT — Local artist Lisa Williams is offering a variety of fiber arts classes for members of the community.
Williams moved to Fairmont in 2020, opening the The Road Less Traveled Farm with plans to turn it into a community space.
“I want to have my studio where people can just come in,” Williams said. “If you just want to work on a project, you can come in and sit down and work on it. Have a cup of coffee, learn some spinning or do some spinning on mine if you don’t have one; just to kind of have a place where you can find fellowship.”
To push her farm toward that goal, Williams hosts a variety of fiber arts classes in her studio, including blanket-making, felted soap-making and needle felting, among other planned sessions.
During her needle felting classes, for example, attendees choose from a variety of premade kits with designs on a piece of canvas, a barbed needle, a sponge and various colorful fibers to work with.
The kits are purchased from A Wrinkle in Thyme Farm in Maine, a women-owned and run business. Williams provides extra fiber from her alpacas to fill in any gaps or provide substitutions if an attendee wants to change their color palate. During the process, a conversation often comes up naturally.
“You can get multiple generations sitting inside crocheting and knitting or something,” Williams said, “and there’s history being shared because everyone has a story.”
Coffee, tea and some snacks are provided.
Several class attendees are regulars, coming back every time a class is held.
“When you get into the process,” said Wendy Bozard, a returning class attendee, “ everyone is talking and having a nice time, snacking and working.”
Williams said she plans to begin a social group for local crafters during after-work hours and children’s crafting programs. For more information on upcoming classes and new programs, visit theroadlesstraveledfarm.com.
February 12, 2025