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Calling all FIBER Breeders

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T O P I C R E V I E W
grace gerber	Posted - Jan 24 2011 : 11:38:10 AM I know that there are tons of farmgirls out there who LOVE their FIBER animals and can not imagine a day with getting their hands into that lush fiber and creating something or just fondling it for hours. I am thinking out loud here but have you needed a bit a help in caring for them, finding a way to get those bags of fiber out of your barn and into the hands of some talented folks, needing a kick start to your creative thought process while you sit in the cold barn waiting for your newest addition to the farm - Well, what you say we talk to each other, share thoughts and make 2011 the best fiber year every! So let's talk Alpacas thru Yaks - Everyone kind of fiber under the sun and in the barn.... Grace Gerber Larkspur Funny Farm and Fiber Art Studio Where the spirits are high and the fiber is deep http://www.larkspurfunnyfarm.etsy.com http://larkspurfunnyfarm.blogspot.com http://larkspurfunnyfarm.artfire.com
25 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First)
grace gerber	Posted - Jul 11 2011 : 06:08:55 AM Sheri WOW... Love it. I know what you mean about pictures - I spend sometimes more time trying to get a correct picture then I did in making the product. It is really hard to catch the color changes when they are not like the ones that some folks call yarn... Great job... Enjoy the spinning.. Grace Gerber Larkspur Funny Farm and Fiber Art Studio Where the spirits are high and the fiber is deep http://www.larkspurfunnyfarm.etsy.com http://larkspurfunnyfarm.blogspot.com http://larkspurfunnyfarm.artfire.com
Sheep Mom 2	Posted - Jul 10 2011 : 5:00:57 PM Here are some pictures of the wool I have been working on. I know you wanted to see it Grace. It's hard to get true color on a picture. The color of the first picture is pretty accurate as far as hue goes but the one on the wheel shows more of the different colors in the single. Blessings, Sheri "Work is Love made visible" -Kahlil Gibran
grace gerber	Posted - Mar 27 2011 : 10:01:24 AM Oh Sheri it is like a gerbil wheel - we go round and round and never seem to get ahead but it is a great wheel at least in my view. I know what you mean I am still trying to get fleece done from fall and now I have Cashmere blowing out right now. Plucked three of the girls alread and have some of the big boys to do but this weather just is not seeing eye to eye with me. It never seems to... Just when I went to take pictures of the new yarn my brand new camera went wonky and the lense is half in half out. After trying all that the service folks said to do it is now going to have to be shipped back to Canon. Really I hate Techno things... So I guess the universe wants me to be working on other things - like I don't have a million. Here is my latest question for your fiber folks - What would you say is your worst fleece on the farm and what do you do to make it usable? One year I took the worst fleece from a sheep who was very ill and had tons of breakage in the fiber and made "Organic Bird Nest Stuffin" That's right. I took it to a high end art show, packaged it up very cleaverly included the story of the sweet sheep who was so very ill and what we did to save her. Then took a great picture of her and put it on the display. I had my youngest son talk about her and her story and within a couple of hours we sold out - made more for her fleece that year then for the top ones. Go Figure! Love to hear your story or stories Grace Gerber Larkspur Funny Farm and Fiber Art Studio Where the spirits are high and the fiber is deep http://www.larkspurfunnyfarm.etsy.com http://larkspurfunnyfarm.blogspot.com http://larkspurfunnyfarm.artfire.com
Sheep Mom 2	Posted - Mar 26 2011 : 9:13:01 PM I'm still plying some of the blue and white. I ended up with two full bobbins so far and still have about a half left to ply. I have some merino that I have been spinning for making baby things. Almost shearing time if things ever dry out and warm up. Then I will have my hands full of skirting and washing again. Thanks for the compliments on my work. Blessings, Sheri "Work is Love made visible" -Kahlil Gibran
grace gerber	Posted - Mar 26 2011 : 6:02:50 PM Wonderful job Sheri - I love the two ply with the blue and white - great! I am fighting with my camera tonight - lens stuck half in and half out so I can't get new pictures of the yarn I have been spinning but hopefully soon... Me and techno crap... Thanks for sharing your yarn pictures... What do you have planned next?? Grace Gerber Larkspur Funny Farm and Fiber Art Studio Where the spirits are high and the fiber is deep http://www.larkspurfunnyfarm.etsy.com http://larkspurfunnyfarm.blogspot.com http://larkspurfunnyfarm.artfire.com
Sheep Mom 2	Posted - Mar 26 2011 : 3:34:40 PM This is what I have been working on. The first picture is of a single from some Shetland that I dyed last fall. The plied is of that single and some white. The third is some lace weight after it was washed. Blessings, Sheri "Work is Love made visible" -Kahlil Gibran
grace gerber	Posted - Mar 26 2011 : 1:18:52 PM Anybody working on fiber???? Are we all trying to get caught up on outside work?? After all the winds here I am picking up all the things that have been blown in on the farm from who knows where. I did post some new batts on my Etsy to show you what I have been working on - would love to see what you have been up to? Grace Gerber Larkspur Funny Farm and Fiber Art Studio Where the spirits are high and the fiber is deep http://www.larkspurfunnyfarm.etsy.com http://larkspurfunnyfarm.blogspot.com http://larkspurfunnyfarm.artfire.com
grace gerber	Posted - Mar 21 2011 : 4:46:23 PM Oh my gosh you sound just like me. I grew up in the city but had a neighbor who had chickens and horses. I would take the hair from the horse and do craft things out of it and any stay feather was far game to me... It was not till I was 36 did I purchase this farm and started my learning - background was in law not ag... So never say it is too late but just in the right time for where you needed to be. The moment I taught myself to spin it was like I found the missing part of my soul - it is almost impossible to explain to others but it was like I found that language that I was struggling to express for my whole life. I truely am excited for your new adventure. Grace Gerber Larkspur Funny Farm and Fiber Art Studio Where the spirits are high and the fiber is deep http://www.larkspurfunnyfarm.etsy.com http://larkspurfunnyfarm.blogspot.com http://larkspurfunnyfarm.artfire.com
modjeska	Posted - Mar 21 2011 : 4:01:28 PM I wish I was closer too! I have wanted to learn to spin since I was 12. It's only taken me 35 years to get started. LOL When I was 8 I would take the long way home from the school bus so I could pass the neighbors house that had sheep. I would walk around the barb wire fence and pluck all the wool off. When I got home I would separate the black from the white, wash it, iron it etc... Sure has taken me along time to realize this dream. Lisa
grace gerber	Posted - Mar 21 2011 : 10:40:04 AM Oh I wished you where closer I would glad sit with you and teach you. I teach folks from as young as 5 years old to as old as 82 years young. They way I also teach is you never pay for a class unless you leave being able to do everything that was taught and feel secure about what you have learned.... In the beginning I had three teachers who where horrible and after spending much time and tons of money I sat down and taught myself. So since that time I have created many ways to teach depending on how the student learns best. I know once you learn the skills you will be as hooked as the rest of us. Let me know how I might help. Grace Gerber Larkspur Funny Farm and Fiber Art Studio Where the spirits are high and the fiber is deep http://www.larkspurfunnyfarm.etsy.com http://larkspurfunnyfarm.blogspot.com http://larkspurfunnyfarm.artfire.com
modjeska	Posted - Mar 21 2011 : 08:42:03 AM Grace, sorry it's taken me awhile to respond, computer problems. Thanks for the tip. I have been trying to find someone who can teach me. The wicked stitch is 2 hours away so too far to go for lessons. I may go in May for an all day drop spindle workshop. Can wait to get started so I can join in on all the spinning discussions! Lisa
grace gerber	Posted - Mar 21 2011 : 08:11:50 AM Hi Rebecca The Suri is a tricky one for blending - it has the least amount of crimp if any so you might want to consider a long wool. As for the other your bunny would be great - a super halo with the alpaca would make an incredible baby weight yarn. I also love to use the bunny to make cocoon inserts in the spun single alpaca. I love finding new blending recipes for the different fibers that come into this farm and have delveoped also blending recipes that will assist when there are issues with the fleece that spinning by themselves would not be correct. Hope to hear from others - we only grow by sharing. Grace Gerber Larkspur Funny Farm and Fiber Art Studio Where the spirits are high and the fiber is deep http://www.larkspurfunnyfarm.etsy.com http://larkspurfunnyfarm.blogspot.com http://larkspurfunnyfarm.artfire.com
AngoraAmora	Posted - Mar 20 2011 : 7:28:24 PM I haven't spun any alpaca yet. Just received some last month. Wasn't sure what I would blend it with. I have 2 different kinds of alpaca fleeces that were given to me. One is suri and one is huacaya. Both very different looking. I raise angora rabbits myself. Only other fibers I have used is silk, merino, bamboo and some wool that I have no idea what it is. So this will be a fun thing...always love something new to do. A hoppy life is a happy life angoraamora.com angoraamora.etsy.com
grace gerber	Posted - Mar 20 2011 : 6:47:52 PM So no one blends with alpaca?? Grace Gerber Larkspur Funny Farm and Fiber Art Studio Where the spirits are high and the fiber is deep http://www.larkspurfunnyfarm.etsy.com http://larkspurfunnyfarm.blogspot.com http://larkspurfunnyfarm.artfire.com
grace gerber	Posted - Mar 17 2011 : 10:43:45 AM Here's a new question that has been talked about one FB with my fiber friends - WHAT is you favorite fiber blend with Alpaca I feel there is no hard and fast rule but I was amazed how many gals thought there was only one fiber to use. What you think?? Grace Gerber Larkspur Funny Farm and Fiber Art Studio Where the spirits are high and the fiber is deep http://www.larkspurfunnyfarm.etsy.com http://larkspurfunnyfarm.blogspot.com http://larkspurfunnyfarm.artfire.com
grace gerber	Posted - Mar 17 2011 : 10:41:01 AM No worries Lisa - When I find used wheels they do go out of the shop quickly. I do have an incredible artistan antique wheel but I think that would be out of your price range if you are just starting. So good luck on the hunt - do you have a local guild that would let you try out different wheels so you will know which one best fits your body?? There really are differences that should be considered when purchasing a wheel and they measurements of your body will tell you what wheel you will be able to spin for hours without any body aches... Again, good luck. Grace Gerber Larkspur Funny Farm and Fiber Art Studio Where the spirits are high and the fiber is deep http://www.larkspurfunnyfarm.etsy.com http://larkspurfunnyfarm.blogspot.com http://larkspurfunnyfarm.artfire.com
modjeska	Posted - Mar 17 2011 : 09:25:08 AM Grace, I think I would rather have a wooden one. thanks anyway. If anyone else hears of one please let me know. Thanks, Lisa
grace gerber	Posted - Mar 17 2011 : 06:46:40 AM Lori my Ashford Traditional has sold but I have a Babe Wheel left if interested. Grace Gerber Larkspur Funny Farm and Fiber Art Studio Where the spirits are high and the fiber is deep http://www.larkspurfunnyfarm.etsy.com http://larkspurfunnyfarm.blogspot.com http://larkspurfunnyfarm.artfire.com
modjeska	Posted - Mar 16 2011 : 12:15:21 PM That's ok. Sorry you couldn't find it. Iam very interested in one of you wheels. Please let me know what you are asking for the ashford traditional. I've been reading your blog. Although I haven't checked it today. so sorry about your goat. It sounds like she is in very good hands. It's amazing what animals can over come. My thought and prayers are with you. Lisa
grace gerber	Posted - Mar 16 2011 : 09:29:55 AM Maggie so sorry for the delay - life around here has been more then off the rails. I sell my Rose Gray Alpaca for $6.00 per ounce raw and I do not have 6 pounds to sell at this time. I might suggest that you should go to a shear day at a farm who might have several alpacas in Rose Gray and then do the work to skirt, wash, pick and then card into roving. A good Rose Gray without breaks get's top dollars... Again, sorry for the delay information as to what has been going on here is on my blog. Grace Gerber Larkspur Funny Farm and Fiber Art Studio Where the spirits are high and the fiber is deep http://www.larkspurfunnyfarm.etsy.com http://larkspurfunnyfarm.blogspot.com http://larkspurfunnyfarm.artfire.com
grace gerber	Posted - Mar 16 2011 : 09:22:51 AM Lisa I am so sorry but I can not seem to find your message on FB - I am not too swift on it so I might be looking in the wrong places. Could you send me the message thru here?? If not, can you tell me where to find yours on FB.. Sorry for being such a mess on this. Grace Gerber Larkspur Funny Farm and Fiber Art Studio Where the spirits are high and the fiber is deep http://www.larkspurfunnyfarm.etsy.com http://larkspurfunnyfarm.blogspot.com http://larkspurfunnyfarm.artfire.com
modjeska	Posted - Mar 13 2011 : 5:14:59 PM Grace, I sent you a message on FB about the wheel. Thanks. BTW it's snowing here. It was 76 on Friday, Crazy! Lisa
AngoraAmora	Posted - Mar 11 2011 : 5:27:38 PM Lisa, I have the ashford Traditional and they say that's a good beginner wheel. I love mine. I also have the Louet s15, but I like my ashford traditional better. Just bought a jumbo flyer for my traditional. I can spin straight angora on it with the regular flyer pretty thin now. I love it. A hoppy life is a happy life angoraamora.com angoraamora.etsy.com
modjeska	Posted - Mar 11 2011 : 4:58:21 PM Grace- I am such a beginner I don't know what I want. What would you suggest? Someone said the country spinner was good and another one ,luret idk, hahaha thats what a newbie I am! I have wanted to learn to spin since I was 12. I am 47 now is the time!!! All this talk about sheep is making me want some of them too. Also did you see I got the book you reeccommened? I found it on Shepard hill farm site for $22. They must not know it's out of print. Hope your little one is doing better. Lisa
prairielandherbs	Posted - Mar 11 2011 : 10:34:24 AM Grace! oh how exciting. Okay I am needing about 6 lbs finished weight - 6 lbs roving, so I know I will need more fleece than that but am not sure how much is a typical loss on alpaca due to washing/skirting. Let me know what you have availalbe and a price. Thanks!

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