WAFA October 2023 Show Program

OCTOBER 2023

October 27, 28, 29

FIBER FESTIVAL

http://facebook.com/woolandfiberart

MEET THE TEAM Without our team, none of this would be possible!

Founder Ellen Zawada; Owner of Wool and Fiber Arts LLC Vendor Team - Heather Campbell, Lorna Violet (Mentor Program), Jean Story, Danielle Lefor Wallace, Candice Smith Customer Team -(anything that happens publicly in WAFA) - Erika Lindgren, Heather Campbell, Molly Richter (craft-along), MAry Dillon, Katelyn Dunn, Candice Smith, Jessica Holt Pack, Amy Olshewski Bowling Marketing Team - Raven Reynolds (social Media) Ellen Zawada, Tedi Jansen Inclusivity Team - Liza Q. Wirtz, Alaura Pittman, TeDi Jansen, Vidya Gopalakrishna Travis, Maddy McLendon Education Team TeDi Jansen, Alanna Wilcox

Wool and Fiber Arts Show Program Editor in Chief Graphic Design Ellen Zawada Tedi Jansen

Vendor Schedule Pages 4-9 Vendor Interview: Karen Szewc Page 10-11 Down Sheep by Amanda Roberts Page 18-19 Slippind Down the Rabbit Hole by Carole Bournias Pages 26-28 Vendor Guide Page 39-45

Mulch and More

Palette of the Month

Knitz and Pearls

Photo by Ellen Zawada Hidden Pastures Luxury Fibers

Nistock Farm

Rachel M Post

Kostelaz Creations

WOOL AND FIBER ARTS

FIBER FESTIVAL s ' y a d i Fr ule d e h 27th Sc PST

MST

CST

Eastern

8:00 AM

9:00 AM

10:00 AM

11:00 AM

Yarn By Kate

8:30 AM

9:30 AM

10:30 AM

11:30 AM

True Creations Woodturning

9:00 AM

10:00 AM

11:00 AM

12:00 PM

Wool-E Farm

9:30 AM

10:30 AM

11:30 AM

12:30 PM

Hens n Chicks Fiber Arts

10:00 AM

11:00 AM

12:00 PM

1:00 PM

Spinaway Farm

10:30 AM

11:30 AM

12:30 PM

1:30 PM

Macedo's Mini Acre

11:00 AM

12:00 PM

1:00 PM

2:00 PM

Gritty Knits

11:30 AM

12:30 PM

1:30 PM

2:30 PM

Puddin Ridge Fibers

12:00 PM

1:00 PM

2:00 PM

3:00 PM

Willow Oak Farm and Fiber

12:30 PM

1:30 PM

2:30 PM

3:30 PM

Ewe2Me2Ewe

1:00 PM

2:00 PM

3:00 PM

4:00 PM

StarKnits

1:30 PM

2:30 PM

3:30 PM

4:30 PM

liongate farm llc

2:00 PM

3:00 PM

4:00 PM

5:00 PM

Mulch and More Crafts

2:30 PM

3:30 PM

4:30 PM

5:30 PM

Stephino Stitches

3:00 PM

4:00 PM

5:00 PM

6:00 PM

2 B Ewe

WOOL AND FIBER ARTS

's y a d i Fr le u d e h Sc

FIBER FESTIVAL

27th

PST

MST

CST

3:30 PM

4:30 PM

5:30 PM

6:30 PM

Fantasy Fiberworks

4:00 PM

5:00 PM

6:00 PM

7:00PM

Alpaca Pines Llc Farm and Fiber Mill

4:30 PM

5:30 PM

6:30 PM

7:30 PM

Sheepishly Made & MCS Livestock

5:00 PM

6:00 PM

7:00 PM

8:00 PM

Knitspin

5:30 PM

6:30 PM

7:30 PM

8:30 PM

SpinGlitz

6:00 PM

7:00 PM

8:00 PM

9:00 PM

Timber and Twine

6:30 PM

7:30 PM

8:30 PM

9:30 PM

Crafted by Locals

Notes

Eastern

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WOOL AND FIBER ARTS

's FIBER FESTIVAL y a d r u t Sa dule e h 28th c S PST

MST

CST

Eastern

8:00 AM

9:00 AM

10:00 Am

11:00 AM

Melissa's Yarn Barn

8:30 AM

9:30 AM

10:30 AM

11:30 AM

Stitched By Mama Witch

9:00 AM

10:00 AM

11:00 AM

12:00 PM

Cedar Hill Fiber Farm

9:30 AM

10:30 AM

11:30 AM

12:30 PM

McKnitty Yarns

10:00 AM

11:00 AM

12:00 PM

1:00 PM

Rachel M Post

10:30 AM

11:30 AM

12:30 PM

1:30 PM

Clear Sky Fiber Arts

11:00 AM

12:00 PM

1:00 PM

2:00 PM

Lair of the LLama

11:30 AM

12:30 PM

1:30 PM

2:30 PM

YarnTravel LLC

12:00 PM

1:00 PM

2:00 PM

3:00 PM

KnitzAndPearls Fiberworks

12:30 PM

1:30 PM

2:30 PM

3:30 PM

Fairily Fiber Fun

1:00 PM

2:00 PM

3:00 PM

4:00 PM

Dunn Spunn

1:30 PM

2:30 PM

3:30 PM

4:30 PM

Mitten State Sheep & Wool

2:00 PM

3:00 PM

4:00 PM

5:00 PM

Curly C'ewes

2:30 PM

3:30 PM

4:30 PM

5:30 PM

Opalessence Fiber Studio

3:00 PM

4:00 PM

5:00 PM

6:00 PM

3L&S Farms

WOOL AND FIBER ARTS

FIBER FESTIVAL

s ' y a d Satur ule 28th d Sche PST

MST

CST

Eastern

3:30 PM

4:30 PM

5:30 PM

6:30 PM

Fresh Lotus Design

4:00 PM

5:00 PM

6:00 PM

7:00PM

Rusty Spur Ranch

4:30 PM

5:30 PM

6:30 PM

7:30 PM

Hidden Pastures Luxury Fiber Farm

5:00 PM

6:00 PM

7:00 PM

8:00 PM

Greenwood Fiberworks

5:30 PM

6:30 PM

7:30 PM

8:30 PM

Kostelaz Creations

6:00 PM

7:00 PM

8:00 PM

9:00 PM

Wild Hair Studio

6:30 PM

7:30 PM

8:30 PM

9:30 PM

Wine and Wooly Design

Notes

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WOOL AND FIBER ARTS

FIBER FESTIVAL s ' y a d n Su dule e h 29th c S MST

CST

Eastern

9:00 AM

10:00 AM

11:00 AM

12:00 PM

Jubilee Farms

9:30 AM

10:30 AM

11:30 AM

12:30 PM

Create Yarnworks

10:00 AM

11:00 AM

12:00 PM

1:00 PM

Windy Acres Fiber Mill, LLC

10:30 AM

11:30 AM 12:30 PM

1:30 PM

Frivolous Ewe

11:00 AM

12:00 PM

1:00 PM

2:00 PM

Merino y Vino

11:30 AM

12:30 PM

1:30 PM

2:30 PM

Susans Fiber Shop LLC

12:00 PM

1:00 PM

2:00 PM

3:00 PM

Whirlwind Ranch Inc

12:30 PM

1:30 PM

2:30 PM

3:30 PM

Zen Fiber Arts

1:00 PM

2:00 PM

3:00 PM

4:00 PM

AriBo Arts

1:30 PM

2:30 PM

3:30 PM

4:30 PM

Four Hearts Farm Mainely Fiber

2:00 PM

3:00 PM

4:00 PM

5:00 PM

Faith Hope Love Studio

2:30 PM

3:30 PM

4:30 PM

5:30 PM

Zephyr Creek Farm

3:00 PM

4:00 PM

5:00 PM

6:00 PM

Nistock Farms

3:30 PM

4:30 PM

5:30 PM

6:30 PM

Woolen Wench Fiber Arts

4:00 PM

5:00 PM

6:00 PM

7:00 PM

Sheridan Flats

PST

WOOL AND FIBER ARTS

FIBER FESTIVAL s ' y a d n u S edule Sch 29th PST

MST

CST

EST

4:30 PM

5:30 PM

6:30 PM

7:30 PM

Leaf Livestock Wool Co

5:00 PM

6:00 PM

7:00 PM

8:00 PM

Esther's Place

5:30 PM

6:30 PM

7:30 PM

8:30 PM

JessieJavete Fiber Arts

Notes

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WAFA VENDOR INTERVIEW

OCTOBER 2023

KAREN SZEWC OF LIONGATE FARM Eagle Point, OR

HOW AND WHEN DID YOUR BUSINESS GET STARTED

WHAT IS YOUR BUSINESS MISSION Our goal here is to preserve the blueface leicester sheep breed and provide high quality bfl wool products. As a felter I could never find quality felting wool in reasonable quantities and decent prices. So my wool shop was born. I cater mostly to needle felters but also carry handspinning rovings, hand spun yarns,and my own finished goods.

Since 1997.

I have a degree in fashion merchandising and design.

I am a multimedia crafter.

I started making sheep.

Then i bought a small acerage, bought some sheep and started making sheep out of my sheep. Then, i attended a craft show bought a felting kit and that was it! I am a fiber farmer and felter for life.

WAS THERE SOMEONE WHO INSPIRED YOU IN YOUR FIBRE ARTS JOURNEY

I had the most amazing livestock mentor, Marilyn, who took me by the shirt collar, and taught me everything she knew. She has passed on and I hope I am doing her proud

KAREN SZEWC OF LIONGATE FARM

HOW DID YOU LEARN YOUR CRAFT? I had the most amazing livestock mentor, Marilyn, who took me by the shirt collar, and taught me everything she knew. She has passed on and I hope I am doing her proud

WHAT FIBER ANIMALS DO YOU HAVE? DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE? DO YOU HAVE OTHER FARM ANIMALS? We have plus or minus 50 Bluefaced leicester sheep at any time. They all have names are are like big dogs.there are 5 barn cats, 3 italian maremma livestock guardian dogs (mira, zero and trini) and an english shepherd dog named rip

DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE BASE/ BLEND/ FIBER? WHAT IS SPECIAL ABOUT IT? Bluefaced leicester of course.

Those tiny purled locks speak to my soul and my fingers just have to make sheep out of them.

WHAT MAKES WAFA SPECIAL FOR YOU? The community of WAFA is so special. It builds community forges new relationships and brings fiber minded individuals together. To me that is so important in this digital world it feels good to get back to basic human interaction.

ARIBO ARTS

LIVE Sunday at 4:00 pm eastern

www.luxuryfiberdiva.comt

LIVE Sunday 5:30pm eastern

Zephyr

Creek Farm

Romeldale Top - Targhee Top - Cheviot Top - Shaniko Yarn - Peg Looms

Crafted

BY LOCALS October 2023

LIVE Friday 9:30pm eastern

Exploring the Forgotten Gems: Down Sheep B Y

A M A N D A

O F

W I L D

R O B E R T S

H A I R

S T U D I O

What are down breeds of sheep? The term ‘down breeds’ is applied to a number of breeds of sheep, including: Southdown, Hampshire, Dorset, Oxford, Shropshire, and more. Southdown sheep are known as the original ‘down breed’. Southdowns were developed in Sussex, England in an area locally known as “the downs.” In general, the down breeds of sheep can trace their development and origins back hundreds of years, many to the 1700s and to the southern part of England.

While the down breeds originated in England, many of them have made their way to the US and trace their American beginnings back to the 1800s or earlier.

Most of the down breeds are considered a meat breed or terminal sire breed and were developed and bred for this purpose with their wool as a byproduct. In general, down breeds are heavier built and have a shorter staple length wool than the long wool breeds.

They also produce faster growing, heavier lambs and can do quite well in pasture-based systems. Down breeds are known for wool that is springy with plenty of loft. However, while their wool was not a major consideration during breed development their wool is considered semi to medium soft and has become a top choice for socks and other everyday garments. Wool from down breeds is considered “resistant to felting”.

However, it will felt and is a choice for some needle felters, depending on the project.

Photos: Tunis Sheep from Mitten State Sheep and Wool

The majority of

down breeds produce white wool that takes dye easily.

Southdown sheep have played an important role in the development of other breeds, some of which may not immediately come to mind as a down breed. For example, Suffolk sheep were developed in the 1700’s when Norfolk Horn ewes were bred with Southdown rams. Suffolk sheep have wool much like the other breeds which popularly make the list of down breeds.

Suffolk are also the wool breed in the US with the most registrations, making them the most numerous wool breed in the country.

While Suffolk are very numerous, some of the down breeds

are

not

so

fortunate.

The

Livestock

Conservancy lists Southdown as “recovering”, Oxford and Shropshire as “watch” and Horned Dorsets as “threatened.” Horned Dorsets should not be confused with their more popular counterpart, the Polled Dorsets. Horned Dorsets were imported to the US in the 1860s. The Polled Dorsets originated from a mutation within the Horned Dorset breed. The mutation caused the sheep not to have horns or to be polled. Today, Dorset sheep are known as the most numerous white-faced wool breed in the US, based on registrations recorded by the Continental Dorset Club.

Both, Polled and Horned Dorsets have the down-type wool, but shepherd’s personal preference for no horns has caused the Horned Dorset to decrease in popularity.

The down breeds are some of our oldest sheep breeds, but may be over looked by the fiber artist. However, they should not be. The springy, medium soft wool can make a great addition to the dye pot for your next project.

Photos: Various Down Breeds from Sheepishly Made & MCS Livestock

https://www.faithhopelovestudio.com/

Larry & Maureen have raised alpacas for over 18 years and are proud to offer a variety of alpaca items this month. Alpaca fleeces (Suri and Huacaya) will be available. Rug yarn - made here at our ranch- in a variety of colors and combinations.

Rovings, batts, and yarn will also be offered.

www.Macedo's Mini Acres.com

LIVE Friday at 1:30 pm eastern

SUSANS F I B E R

S H O P

LIVE Streaming Sunday 2:30 pm eastern www.susansfiber.com

LIVE Friday at 6:00 pm eastern

ER AND TWIN B E TIM

THINGS THAT GO

BUMP IN THE NIGHT LIVE SALE

OCTOBER 27, 9:00PM EST Join us for mini fiber bumps, farm fibers and beautifully functional fiber tools

Slipping Down the Rabbit Hole Carole Bournias -Fluff to Stuff When I was a young child, I always struggled with something to do to keep busy. With 4 (much) older brothers & sisters, the time they were away at school left me with nobody to tag along after. I think I became the bane of my mother’s existence with “Mama I’m bored”!

When I became old enough to hold a needle without impaling myself, my mom showed me how to do cross stitch and other embroidery stitches. I made many samplers, and still enjoy embroidery and crewel work to this day. Next, she showed me how to make simple clothes for my Barbies, I spent many hours happily fashioning simple skirts, dresses, and shirts.…. every fabric scrap was a treasure! When my legs grew long enough to reach the foot pedal, I graduated on to the sewing machine, where I learned to make myself things to wear!

One day I saw my oldest sister doing something with 2 needles and a ball of yarn, just clicking away. What is this magic I thought?

She gave me a set of needles and showed me quickly how to cast on & knit. The next day I managed to drop the needles & everything came off & undone. I spent that day trying to start over & over & over to no avail, and by the time my sister got home from work I was just about in tears. My mother didn’t knit so she couldn’t help. It only took one more minute of instruction to find out what I was doing wrong….I wasn’t slipping the stitch off the needle! After that, I was off knitting until that ball of yarn was gone! I decided I wanted to make a poncho that I saw instructions for in a magazine. I ran down to the neighborhood dime store and bought some Red Heart yarn (hey, it was cheap) and got started. It took me quite awhile to finish it, but finish it I did…mistakes & all! I wish I had kept my first handknit item.

So, as the years went by, I picked up crocheting from my other sister. These fiber arts kept my hands busy throughout the next decade. After I was married and my kids were starting

school all day, I was looking for something part-time to earn a little extra $. I saw an ad for a knitter and promptly contacted them. I was hired by this small cottage industry, and knit a bunch of sweaters for her, and then she asked if I would come with her and help vend at the Maryland Sheep & Wool festival! I was thrilled!

That weekend in Maryland was truly the start of my slip down the rabbit hole! I had found my people!! There were cute Jacob sheep, spinners, knitters, all kinds of fiber, tools, & equipment. I was in heaven! When I got back I took a spinning class, and promptly bought my first wheel, an Ashford Traditional. I spun & spun & spun, selling some of my work in the yearly local sheep & wool festival my boss would have on her farm, and winning blue ribbons for a sweater & handspun yarn at our local 4H fair.

Then, when kids were no longer kids, it was time to find some full-time work. Regretfully I stopped my knitting job to enter full time employment as an electrical panel builder, which had nothing to do with fiber art but required hand coordination & dexterity, so I was good at that & loved my job! Anyways, I continued sporadic knitting & spinning, Along the way I picked up a Matchless spinning wheel along with the wheels so I could cart it around easily.

Fast forward to 2019 or 2020 and finding this Wool & Fiber Arts group on the wonderful internet! I had met Ellen a year or two prior, during a class at the Michigan Fiber Festival, and remember being so impressed that she had all these ideas of how to grow her business. I don’t remember how I found out

about WAFA, but I joined up right at the beginning, and I slid down into the rabbit hole at warp speed! I was occasionally being a vendor during the WAFA monthly live sales, but I needed a way to keep my costs down. I can’t have any sheep, but dying? I could do that! I watched videos, signed up for a virtual class, bought pans from Amazon, relegated an old crockpot, & bought dye. The first couple of times weren’t so great, but with the knowledge & support of WAFA vendors, I’m getting better! I also made a blending board, and bought a carder to assist with my hand-dye adventures. I have so much fun blending fiber into batts with my carder!

The past few years I have been doing a lot of commission spinning of chiengora. I love spinning singles on my Matchless, but the fine singles of the dog brushings took FOREVER to ply. I decided to try an electric wheel, so added one to the herd. Game changer! And the level-winder makes it perfect! I almost exclusively use it for plying, unless I am spinning a traditional yarn from well prepared roving or top. I found when spinning some of my fiddly art yarns (and very fine singles) there is too much stopping and starting with the electric wheel.

Next came weaving. I had SO much handspun yarn, and knitting takes sooo long, this was the perfect thing to use up some stash. Can’t be that expensive, right? I was able to find someone getting rid of their rigid heddle loom in my town at a really good price, so I grabbed it. And oh well, might as well get a tapestry loom too! And a warping board. And more heddles for double width & 4 shaft weaving. Recently I’ve been becoming very intrigued with floor looms...watching Opalessence Studio unwind yards of the finest fabric just makes me swoon! Also on my bucket list is circular weaving. I have seen amazing things done with that craft!

So as of today I have slipped pretty far down the rabbit hole, but haven’t reached the bottom yet. It is an easy slide, but the work of so many talented fiber artists is such an inspiration, as is the invaluable help from our peers in this group. I still want to weave enough fine fabric to make something to wear. I want to try needle & wet felting. And macrame. And bobbin lace. And………!

Fairily Fiber Fun

NEW fiber club listings! Join Kim and friends on fantastic Galaxy Adventures October through February and study 5 breeds of sheep while discovering fiery facts about 5 planets!

Fairily Fiber Fun is your source of local GA SE2SE wool, hand dyed batts, roving and top, felted items, Unicorn Power Scour, and Brother drum carders

LIVE Saturday 3:30pm eastern

3L&S FARMS

M I C H I G A N

R O M N E Y

www.3lsfarms.com

Warm up for the Holidays with Romney Fiber & Furnishings. Bundles of Fiber Kits for Holiday Gifts or Crafting, Romney based Finished Items for Gifting.

LIVE Saturday at 6:00 pm eastern

October WAFA Sale Saturday, October 28th at 8:00 pm EST

https://Greenwoodfiberworks.com

www.SpinGlitz.com

www.liongate.org

LIVE Friday at 7:00 pm eastern

LIVE Saturday at 2:30 pm eastern

Sunday at 7:30 pm eastern

Hello from Leaf Livestock Wool Co., a lamb and wool farm, located in Northwest Illinois. We raise beautiful Natural Colored Columbia /Rambouillet sheep, Polypays, Merinos and Columbias. I would love for everyone to enjoy the finest spinning fiber and yarn that I am privileged to grow and use for creating. https://www.leaflivestock.com/

LIVE Friday at 6:30 pm eastern

www.knitspin.com

Knitspin is Small Family Business, We hand dye fiber and yarns.

LIVE Friday at 8:00 pm eastern

www.nistockfarms.com

VENDOR GUIDE

fiber, garments, and jewelry

VENDOR GUIDE

Fresh Lotus

VENDOR GUIDE

VENDOR GUIDE

VENDOR GUIDE

VENDOR GUIDE

VENDOR GUIDE

Wool-E Farm We raise Romney sheep for the beautiful wool fiber

Raising Romeldale/ CVM and Teeswater/BFL Sheep in the Thumb.