PRESS PHOTOS BY BEVERLY SPRINGER Despite rain and wind, over 50 area artisans brought their wares and knowledge to share during the recent Lehigh Valley Fiber Festival held in Macungie Memorial Park. ABOVE: Dean Bender and Beth Ann Rheem display paper quilted art pieces from Beth's Quilting and Crafts.

PRESS PHOTOS BY BEVERLY SPRINGER The fine art of nature photography is the specialty of Cindy Karchner. As stated on her business card, Karchner works to “Capture the beauty and wonder and magic of nature one moment at a time.”

Duckfibers, a business run by Melissa Miller and named by her young daughter, offers a variety of yarns and samples of handmade clothing. Melissa wears and stands before examples of her handiwork.

From left to right, Emmaus resident Dennis Kilian looks on as his wife Laurie, shops.

Hobbyists Celeste Angello and Brandi Fogel demonstrate the operation of circular sock knitting machines. Angello also restores antique sock knitting machines.

From left to right, Sharon Boehme, Nena Asquith, Sue Jones and Cindy Garr, members of the Lehigh Valley Chapter of the Embroiderers' Guild of America, demonstrate needlework and encourage visitors to join the guild.

Originally from Peru, Macungie resident Susana Reigner enjoys browsing at the festival.

The DiMaggio family, of Allentown, from left to right, son, Tommy; mom, Mary; son, Frankie and baby, Elizabeth, share a day out at the festival.

Emily Phillips, a teacher from the Rising Roots Home School Co-op, brings her students to the festival for a fiber arts field trip. Pictured are, back row: left to right, Emily Phillips, Maddie Barnett, and Frankie DiMaggio; front row: left to right, Miranda Phillips, Stephen Phillips, Ellie Barnett and Tommy DiMaggio.