Smithsonian Community Reef

Yesterday I had the fun of visiting Lovely Yarns, a yarn shop in Hampden (Baltimore). Lovely Yarns was holding a workshop for the Hyperbolic Crochet Coral Reef project (www.mnh.si.edu/exhibits/hreef/index.html) that will be displayed at the Natural History Museum from October 2010 to April 2011. You probably heard of the Coral Reef project traveling exhibit and this time it will be in Washington, D.C. They are asking local crocheters to contribute their own versions of the coral reef for the display. Much of the display will be from the Institute for Figuring, but they also use local crocheters. I had a great time and met people whose name I promptly forgot. I think there was a Jennifer, a Shannon, a Denise and maybe a Michelle. But I might be thinking "Michelle" because one of the participants reminded me of my cousin Michelle.
Anyway, Jennifer, (from the Smithsonian) came to do a talk on the history of coral reefs, the history of the hyperbolic crochet project and how the exhibit will be set up. You couldn't help being caught up in the love and enthusiasm she has for the project. I was already excited about it, but she definitely stoked the fire.
She recommend the Crocheting Adventures with Hyperbolic Planes which I already have as a place to get a start. There are also patterns on the interweb that will help a crocheter craft a coral reef.
If you are interested in this project (you can mail your finished reefs), check out this web site http.crochetcoralreef.org for more information. I am currently working on a pink (wool) brain reef that has so far been a lot of fun. I intend to count the stitches when I finally finish it (I plan to use all 12 ounces of the pink yarn). I already have plans for more reefs to make. Yeah, I know I should be making that curtain I keep swearing I'm going to finish - especially after ripping so much out.  But really, how many chances does a person get to make something for display at the Smithsonian?
I'll keep you posted on my ongoing project.
_enjoy_