Southeastern Animal Fiber Fair

Southeastern Animal Fiber Fair

FarmGirl's Clara and I are second from the right. 2009

I'm so excited about traveling up to Asheville to SAFF for the weekend. I've twisted Noah's arms (it took both) so he'll be coming along and will be helping me show my Jacob Sheep. He will also show a couple in the Youth Show.

In addition to seeing many different wool sheep breeds, llamas and alpacas, there is a spectacular Fiber Fair with vendors coming from all over the country! Yarns, roving, fleeces, supplies, art, etc. Three whole days of technicolor fiber! And friends, too!

In addition, I'll be trading one of my 2010 ewe lambs for a pretty ewe lamb from Patchwork Farm in GA and I'm buying a yearling ram from Swallow Lane Farm in GA. This will invigorate my Jacob breeding program quite a bit!

Beginning 3-D Needle Felting Classes

Beginning 3-D Needle Felting

Choose one of the following dates/times:

* Saturday Oct. 9th, 2:00pm - 5:00pm

* Sunday Oct. 17th, 2:00pm - 5:00pm

Participants will learn the basic skills of making legs, a body, a head with ears and how to attach them to make a 4 legged critter of your choice (you can even decide at the last minute what your critter is). You will leave with a completed 4 legged animal.

$60.00 + $15.00 material fee (foam pad, needle, 1 oz. of white wool).

Only 4 participants per class, so reserve your spot today.

336-971-3834

FarmGirlArts@triad.rr.com or FarmGirlArts@gmail.com (for gmailers).

http://farmgirlreneweables.blogspot.com/

Eliza's Magic Dragon

Meet Eliza's Dragon.

Eilza has yet to determine whether it is male or female and if it has a name. I was commissioned by Eliza's mom to create a dragon for her because her sister has two and Eliza has none and they liked my work. I interviewed Eliza about the colors: "The back will be orange, the tummy is red, the scales on its back are pink, the head is yellow, the wings are purple and the tongue is red!" Very helpful. Realism is my thing, so making up this dragon was a real stretch!

The best part of the process was having Eliza and her mom stop by the farmers markets to see how the dragon was progressing and being attacked by an unattached tongue! She came by to get it last Friday and attacked me with a complete dragon! FUN!

The Sophies (Last one, I promise!)

Sophie's owner, Jeff, sent me the following pictures of

Little Sophie's introduction to Sophie.

Looks like a little tete-a-tete to get things off to a smooth start.

"Ok, we can live together."
"Be sure to keep your eyes on the humans, though. They worry me sometimes."

Sophie's Portrait

Here are a couple pictures of the real Sophie. She was the model for the felted dog in the previous post. Husband had me sculpt Sophie for wife's birthday. "She went nuts!" he said. Glad they liked it.

Making Contact

I must hand out 50 or so cards every week at the Farmers Markets. That's putting out money rather than bringing it in, but it's also making contacts and connections. Yes, I do sell some needle felting wool and yarn every now and again and I do get commissions for all kinds of critters, but slowly. I just hope that everyone who took a card to get back to me on a commission doesn't show up 3 weeks before X-mas!!!

I love sitting at my booth, needle felting away and having folks of all types come up to see what I am doing. Some think my work is way over-priced and hurry their children away. Others really get all the work that goes into each animal: feeding the sheep, shearing them, getting the wool washed and carded, dyeing the wool, not to mention the actual sculpting process. Those in the latter category tend to think I'm not charging enough. Interesting!

I'm just grateful that I can make money doing something that combines my love for animals and my ability to sculpt!!!

At The Farmers Markets

I offer my sculptures and wool products at three farmers markets:

Krankies Farmers Market: Tuesdays 10am - 1pm.

Reynolda Village Farmers Market: Fridays 9am - 1pm.

Winston-Salem Farmers Market (Dixie Classic Fairgrounds) Saturdays 8:30am - 11:30am.

Look for more frequent posts here.

Thanks!