Hmmmmm...that's llama and alpaca speak for 'hi', and one of the many voices you'll hear when you visit the farm with spinning wheels spinning, shuttles sliding across fabulous fibers, and students concentrating just before their 'ah ha' moments as they grasp the joys of re-creating fiber into one of a kind treasures with their own two hands !     UPCOMING FIBER WORKSHOPS- AUGUST 2011                        Fleece Study Workshop - Saturday August 20, 2011  (9am - 12pm)  Want to learn more about the different types of wool and how (and why) to spin them ? This comprehensive fleece study - put together by Jackie Bland - will be a great opportunity to get your hands on FORTY different breeds of sheep … Jackie will give a ~ 3 hr presentation, with sample yarns and swatches (and lots of tips and advice on how to wash and prepare the fleece) You’ll have (40) different breed samples to take home w/ you and spin on your own. Here’s info from Jackie’s website: This fleece study kit is comprised of 40 different breeds of sheep. You will be working with one ounce samples of raw fleece from each breed. Included with the kit is a loose leaf notebook containing work sheets, research and source information. The kit contains samples of some rare or endangered breeds as well as some of the more common breeds. It also contains a few breeds you will never want to spin again. You will not only be able to spin up small skeins of lovely wool, you will learn about the origin of the breeds and keep notes for future reference on the worksheets. Also listed with each breed is a source for you to get additional fleece if you like the sample.                                                                                            CLICK HERE for REGISTRATION "Tools of the Trade" Workshop - Saturday August 20 2011  (2pm - 6pm)   Unravel the mystery of the various fiber tools used in processing natural fibers. While handling different wool types, you'll learn how (and why) to use a picker, hand cards, drum carders, wool combs (single row and multi pitch), flicker, hackle and diz to create rolags, punis, batts, top, roving, color and fiber blends, and more ... Let the fiber 'tell' you how it wants to be prepped, and you'll see the effects in your yarn as you spin true woolen and worsted yarns and variations in between. Students should be able to spin a continous yarn, either on a spindle or a wheel. Bring a wheel or spindle(s), note/index cards, and (if you have them) hand cards, combs, etc. If you have (clean/washed) fleece that you'd like help with, bring a few ounces and see what magic you can learn.                       Please contact me to let me know your registration is on its way - class size is limited so all can get their hands on a variety of fiber tools !                    - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -                            SPINNING WORKSHOPS with Patsy Zawistoski !       * A Spinner's Tune Up - Friday, March 18, 2011 Incorportating a wide variety of spinning skills, this workshop will help you explore and understand the decisions you need to make to spin the yarn you want - choosing the drafting style for desired size and twist, finishing your yarn, etc. A great ‘warm up’ for weekend class !     * Color Options/Blending/Luxury Fibers - Sat, Sun March 19 & 20, 2011   Explore the possibilities of yarns that can be spun from a single painted roving, as well as blending fibers and colors on hand and drum carders. This day and a half workshop will be a combination of Patsy’s “Color Options in Spinning” with the “Blending/Luxury Fibers” classes, using painted (wool) rovings, and (dyed and natural) angora, mohair, llama, alpaca from animals on the farm    Both workshops are appropriate for spindles (bring several different weights) as well as wheels. Students should be able to spin a continuous yarn. Bring extra bobbins, a lazy kate, a kniddy knoddy and hand cards if you have them. Also bring a large beach towel or small tarp to set your wheel on as we'll be spinining in the barn (on sand).  These will be fun filled days of  learning new fiber tips and techniques while spinning amidst curious looks from the fiber family just outside the barn doors.   Note:  A big 'thank you' to Patsy Z - and all who participated in the spinning workshops! Quite a colorful weekend - and a memorable one - with the hailstorm of the century ! Your support is sincerely appreciated. Be sure to watch site for info on 2012 workshops!
Searching for fiber to spin or felt ? Choose from a variety of luxury fibers -raised, sheared and processed on the farm - alpaca, llama, angora, mohair, and a variety of wools (sheep breeds vary in their fleeces) - from natural colors to hand-dyed - with many one of a kind batts blended w/ fibers/colors all processed here. Need yarn for knitting, crochet, or weaving ? Select from handspun yarns or learn to spin and/or weave your own !!     Contact us for small group lessons -  beginner spinning, weaving, felting (flat and 3D sculpting). Gather a few friends, call to schedule a morning and/or evening class, and have fun learning ! Materials and equipment supplied.                     *** Dealer for Schacht Spindle Company ***     Now carrying Schacht Spindle Co. spinning and weaving products and accessories. Come take a spin on a LadyBug, Matchless or Schacht/Reeves spinning wheel, or check out the cute Cricket - easy to warp, weave and create a project in just a few hours. If you're considering portability with a bit more capability (size of project), you'll 'flip' over the Schacht Flip rigid heddle looms! Three widths, 2 heddle ready, choice of 4 size reeds, and it folds with warp, project in tact so you can take it with you ! Want more options with pattern weaving? Try the Wolf 4 - 8 harness looms.   Purchase of any equipment includes personal instruction to get you started - and when you're ready to learn more, sign up for classes to see just how limitless your creativity can be!    Our promise to you:  'hands on' support - as the fiber arts (and sales!) should be ! Thank you - for your support!      FROM HOOF TO HANDSPUN...AND BEYOND                                                                                                                           (Keep watch for info on 2011 fiber day - more workshops, classes, demo's - and of course, plenty of fiber animals to oohh and ahhh over!)   Join us for a day full of fiber fun on the farm! Meet the various fiber animals raised on the farm (llamas, alpacas, angora goats, sheep, angora rabbits, Scottish Highland cattle) and try your hands at different fiber arts during afternoon demo's in spinning, weaving, felting, dyeing and rug hooking and sign up for an afternoon class to learn more.   10 am - 12:30 pm - Introduction to Fiber Animals and Fiber Preparation (shearing, sorting, picking, carding, combing, etc)  -         (note: one hour lunch break -many restaurants within a few miles) 1:30 - 4 pm - demo's of spinning (wheel and spindle), weaving (rigid heddle, inkle and 4 harness looms), dyeing, felting, rug hooking, etc. Sign up for future classes to be held at the farm	Support your local farmers!   Support your local farmers! All proceeds from sales and classes go towards feed and care of animals.   DEALER for SCHACHT SPINDLE COMPANY