Avalon Springs Farm

In a yarn shop.....

2012-02-01T09:17:00.000-08:00

In a yarn shop you will now find MY YARN!!! Hurray!

I am so delighted that Mary Penxa, owner/proprietor of Two Rivers Yarns has a collection of Avalon Springs Farm yarn. Mary has a lovely shop in a cute little historic building in oh-so-hilly down town Brunswick, Maryland - a short drive from Harpers Ferry, WVA, or Frederick, MD. Reallly this is an important "brick 'n mortar" spot these days as there have been so many places that couldn't sustain themselves during economic hard times. Mary offeres a variety of your favorite national brand yarns as well as a nice collection of local indy-artisan products as well. Her shop has all the needed notions, books, and sundries, and a cozy spot to stop, knit and chat. Be sure to sign up for her email news and read about up comming activites and classes. I am thrilled to have my yarn there!

http://tworiversyarns.com/index.html

Hey it is fun to be blogged about!

2011-11-18T07:32:00.000-08:00

I know Kathleen via the internet - she is a member of Phatfiber. For those of you who know not of Phatfiber, it is a very cool sample box of all kinds of work from differnt indi-fiber artists about the country. Phatfiber has a store on Etsy - check it out. I have participated in eight so far, I think they are great. Kathleen participates too. Their home web site is: http://phatfiber.com/index.htm. I also read Kathleen's blog: http://kathleenspin.blogspot.com/ Super blog. Lots of write ups of different indi fiber artists. So this time she wrote about me/Avalon Springs Farm. Thanks Kathleen!

Review - Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival, 2011

2011-06-10T10:47:00.000-07:00

In a word .... WOW!

This show is the "end all, be all" of fiber festivals. Visit the website at: http://www.sheepandwool.org/ for information about next year and getting on the show catalog mailing list. The show is run by the Maryland Sheep Breeders Association (their website is: http://mdsheepbreeders.org/default.aspx ). It is mainly a sheep and wool show -- like the name says, :) , i.e. the animal displays, competitions, exhibitions, classes, vendors and even food are all about sheep, wool, chevron, and every conceivable sheep product.

However, over the years some other fiber folks have managed to appear, so you will also see some llamas, alpacas, goats, bunnies, and dogs in all kinds of displays and activities too - particularly as their cottage industry relates to the sheep industry. For example, there are sheep herding demos/competitions with dogs, and bunnies having their fiber combed, carded and blended with wool to make yarn. This also means that fiber vendors will have every imaginable wool fiber blend that is out there -- bamboo, silk, cashmere, hemp, chiengora, and kitgut too.

But that is not all... it is not just the diversity and volume of wool & fiber, it is also all the magnificent and creative applications for things to do with sheep, wool & fiber. There are supplies for, of course, the knitter, but also the crocheter, felter, needle-pointer, bead enthusiast, jeweler, textile artist, weaver, spinner, and fashionista! And all this material comes in every color under the rainbow! There are also classes to take, demonstrations to see, a shearing competition, all the animal displays, sheep dog trials (as mentioned earlier), a fashion show, the sheep competitions for all the different breeds, and a country mile of food vendors to top it off.

I have herd it said that between 40 to 60 thousand people come to the show if you count them from Friday afternoon thru to Sunday evening. When you glance up at the fields for parking, or down the main street of the fairgrounds -- it is absolutely believable. But the point is, the visitors & shoppers are more than handily met with a fantastic variety of things to see and do, eat and buy.

I had a wonderful time as a new vendor there this year. I was located at the base of the hill on the main walkway, in a section called "Lower Corral," (Booth LC19) I was across from the dog trials. It was lovely - green grass and shade trees about. The weather was gorgeous, couldn't ask for better! The shoppers were super and my vendor neighbors were delightful people. My whole family had a great time.

Homespun Yarn Party

2011-03-25T18:04:00.000-07:00

Wow, It is almost time for Homespun Yarn Party!! It is at the historic Savage Mill Mall in their Great Ball Room. It is so much fun and a delightful place to be. I will be there in booth #9. In order for you to read all about it and the different people there click on their blog at: http://homespunyarnparty.blogspot.com/

You'll know your there by their logo with the yarn in the background. I am also including a mall map and vendor map in this entry for your convenience. If you decide to come -- hope you do -- please feel free to print out the coupon I am picturing here in the entry as well. However, feel free to set your printer to "draft print or black and white print only"

This really is a wonderfully fun and social event, truly a blast. There are door prizes, a huge gathering of knitting, and tons of things to see and people to meet. Hope to see you there!!

Hello World... I got in! I got in! I've been accepted...

2011-03-20T16:25:00.000-07:00

Yes, I am so excited to be a part of Maryland's biggest fiber event, and perhaps the biggest fiber/yarn/sheep event on the East Coat - The Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival.

http://www.sheepandwool.org/index.html

It takes place at:

Howard County Fairgrounds
2210 Fairground Road
West Friendship, MD
21794-9604

Not hard to reach from major through ways, such as: Route 70, Route 32 or Route 144.

There is no under stating how comprehensive a show this is. There are huge animal displays, competitions, a fashion show, classes, art gallery, food - food - and more food, and vendors galore. Every thing sheep, fiber, and yarn related is there to be found in three sizes and colors.

The festival is sponsored by the Maryland Sheep Breeders Association:

http://mdsheepbreeders.org/default.aspx

I will come as a fiber vendor. I will bring all my Wool, Mohair, Llama, Alpaca fiber, yarn, roving and felt! I will display all my latest cottage mill spun yarn, my own hand-spun, and my newest dye work. Colors! Textures! Cool fiber blends!

Come visit my booth. I will be outside, down near the dog-trial arena.

Booth Number LC19!

I promise more information on this exciting news soon!

I participated in a TV show for WETA, On television now....

2011-03-16T14:48:00.000-07:00

Some number of months ago a production company for WETA, Public Television came to the Montgomery Farm Women's Cooperative Market in Bethesda where I work (for two different Board members/vendors and I have a small display of my own). The Board asked me to be the spoke's person for the market, so I had a video-taped interview with WETA at the market. It was definitely a thrill. There was a sit down interview part and a walk around the market part. I was told that all the footage would be cut down to a few usable seconds here and there in the total show. I just asked them to do what they could to make me look thin and young on camera -- ha ha. The topic was all about the market - today and its history. It was a lovely after noon and the shooting was fun. Well, the project is complete and the little vignette about the market appears in the show. I have not seen it yet myself, but I was given some promotional material (posted in the pictures). I do hope eveyone who watches enjoys it and finds it interesting and informative. Please feel free to let me know.
www.WETA.org

The program is part of a series called "The WETA Guide to.." and this one is the guide to Montgomery County -- The WETA Guide to Montgomery County.

http://www.weta.org/about/press/releases/401965
PRESS RELEASE

http://www.weta.org/tv/programsatoz/program/77622
VIEWING TIMES

Unique opportunity - come find me!

2011-03-07T12:04:00.000-08:00

---PRESS RELEASE---

Uniquities 4th Fiber Farmer's Market
Saturday, March 12, 1:00-5:00 p.m.

Join us at the Vienna Community Center
120 Cherry Street, SE, Vienna, VA 22180

Fiber exploration!
Our market features a unique selection of yarn, roving and other fiber supplies from local vendors and fiber producers, and admission is free!

The Spinning Circle, 1:00-5:00 p.m.
Spinners of all levels are welcome to bring their wheels, drop spindles and enthusiasm and join our Spinning Circle for the afternoon. Participants are invited to bring (or buy) fiber for Otto and Joanne Strauch to card into an art batt using the Mad Batt'r drum carder during their carding demonstration (w/fee).

Fleece-t-Scarf Demo, 2:00-4:00 p.m.
A dedicated team of six carders/spinners will hand card and spin yarn from raw fleece donated by Solitude (volunteer will weave).

Vendors: Avalon Springs Farm, Celestial Farm, Central Virginia Fiber Mill, Finnegan's Flock, Lawre's Laine, Mt.Airy Farm, Spirit Trail Fibers, Solitude, Three Bags Wool, Wild Hare Fiber Studio, Strauch Fiber Equipment, Uniquities Yarn Shop.

Contact Uniquities Yarn Shop at 703-242-0520 or on the web at www.uniquitiesyarnshop.com

ANNOUNCEMENT: Avalon Springs Farm has a booth at the Historic Montgomery Farm Women's Cooperative Market

2011-02-01T07:26:00.000-08:00

For FEBRUARY: Wednesday's & Friday's, 9:30a - 3:30p (regular weekday market hours). 7155 Wisconsin Avenue, Bethesda Maryland. See link below for more details about the market.

Yes , It is true! I am so excited to be there. In downtown Bethesda, Montgomery Co. Maryland, is the historic Montgomery Farm Women's Cooperative Market (just a few miles north of D.C.). It is a very neat old building, sitting right on Wisconsin Aveune, with large old windows and big double doors to welcome all those that want a taste of the past and a bit of an eclectic and multicultural collection of today. The farm market offers a variety of vendors, staples include: produce, butcher, fruit, baked goods, and flowers. There are many other specialty foods as well: a chocolate maker, French baker, farmstead cheese, authentic Indian food to name a few. There is also a pretty neat mix of other goods: a purse maker, several kinds of jewelers, and an entire flea market outside.

I am an inside vendor, located near the north exit. I started coming in January. I will be there for the month of February on the weekdays (every Wednesday and Friday) from 9:30 to 3:30. I will carry a good selection of my inventory: hand-dyed yarn and roving, family mill spun, hand-spun, dyed locks, and some felt. Fingers crossed for good weather. Come check it out.

The historic Montgomery Farm Women's Cooperative Market

7155 Wisconsin Avenue

Bethesda, Maryland

http://www.farmwomensmarket.com/

E.S.E., The Big E, New England Sheep Breeders Assn. Show Review (Blated)

2011-01-20T10:06:00.000-08:00

The booth before people.

Mary with center pull bumps from Singleton fiber.

The view, vendors as far as you can see.

New feature, pay via PayPal w/ card on line.

With regard to this show, I couldn't have more nice things to say.

It is very accessible from major freeways and there is plenty of parking, nearby hotels and restaurants. Coming in, you walk into a large exhibition room. In this room are special fiber animal exhibits, a fleece sale and a great fashion show. Then you pass through a large indoor hall into an adjoining building. (A building large enough for you and several friends to park your jet airplanes inside. Seriously!) The adjoining building opens up immediately to your left and right with food vendors and classroom areas, then as far as the eye can see are several hundred fiber art & craft vendors. Both structures are completely indoors, very good lighting, climate controlled, and handicap accessible.

I was there with my new friend who opened a new fiber mill in Md., Mary Singleton, Singleton Fiber. Next to me was my dear friend and true mentor, Greta Dise of Persimmon Tree. However, I saw many other fiber comrades - Lidya from Gurdy Run, Anita from Rose Spring, and Kate Bostic were there; I also met for the first time some folks I know through Phatfiber - so "Phun!".... but there were hundreds of us. You could buy everything from buttons, notions, and needles to yarn of every flavor imaginable, to larger things like wheels and looms. The place was a visual and kinesthetic wonderland.

The festival was extremely well attended - amazing in fact, for its' first year, several thousand. However, I must say... whether it was because of really nice wide isles, big enough space, people spread out time-wise over the weekend, it retained a calm, friendly, community atmosphere. So pleasant to shop, chat, enjoy. Can't wait to go back.

Wiley Winders

2010-10-28T07:12:00.000-07:00

I had the most wonderful time at my first spinning retreat. It was from Friday afternoon until Sunday afternoon at the campus of Wilson College in Chamebersburg, PA.

The College Campus was a wonderful spot. Wilson College was founded just a few years after the civil war. It is an all women's college. Many of the buildings are historic and the whole campus is surrounded by beautiful mature trees. I have posted a picture of one of the twin buildings that founded the school (in white). We stayed in a dorm, and ate in the school cafeteria - the food was surprisingly good. Everyone at the retreat also brought homemade dishes to "keep our strength up" while doing such marathon spinning. Our retreat was in a large conference room inside a great big stone building (double door entrance also pictured). I describe because the atmosphere was inspiring.

Our group was probably about 25 spinners large. The first day was filled with introductions and socializing and spinning. Saturday was a true work day. Everyone in the group made a brief presentation about a favorite fiber art project they had produced in the last year. Because I was new, I talked about what I was making at the retreat itself (also pictured). The presentations were fascinating - scarves, shawls, socks, puppets, - wool, silk, mohair, alpaca, - spun, woven, painted, - interesting appliques, new techniques, unusual and individual art & craft.

The theme for this year was working with color. We were provided with two huge bags of wool fiber in two colors, close to a dozen hand-dyed fiber bags of wool and mohair, natural alpaca and other exotics in several colors... and told ready, set, go!! It was so fun. People chose all sorts of gorgeous combinations. Folks had there choice of several pickers and carders of different styles and effects. I brought some dyed locks to contribute to the table too. Everything got used up!

There were all different levels of spinners and weavers and plenty experience in the room that you could find several someones to answer a question about anything fiber related. With so many there, there were also many different wheels to look at, admire, and even give a spin. Some people worked on long standing projects, but most jumped right in the pile of fiber at hand. It was a great time.

This group doesn't actually have any official name, however, I titled my post "Wiley Winders" because on one conversation I had with one of the organizers - she mentioned that at one time they were thinking of naming themselves after one of the original spinners in the group that they loved and missed who had passed away not too long ago (her last name was Wiley). So my title is done with warmth and fondness for the super weekend. I came home so artistically rejuvenated and inspired. I truly can't wait to do it again.

Fall Fiber Festival & Sheep Dog Trials, Montpelier - Review

2010-10-18T11:03:00.000-07:00

This was the 23rd Annual Show and my second time attending & vending at this event. It is at the estate of James Madison's Montpelier in Orange Co. VA. The link is: www.fallfiberfestival.org

I was so worried about going to this show the whole week before I left. There was a huge storm sweeping up the East coast dumping record amounts of rain. In nearby Baltimore MD they got 8 inches in 24 hours. I had herd that it was much worse further South. There was a lot of gossip about years past being rain soaked at this show too. The festival grounds are located on a beautiful pasture on the estate; there is a field for the many many tents and an adjoining one for the sheep dog trials. However, Mother Nature saved us at the last moment. The sun came out, it was breezy, the weather for the show was dry and gorgeous. It just felt like fall.

Lots and lots of people attended. I had wonderful sales and saw many customers that came to find me from the previous year. For the last two years I have been in the first tent. They are huge 3 pole circus like tents. This year was even better because last year the tops of the tents were striped with yellow, so everything inside had kind of a yellow tinge. This year all the tents were white. Everything looked beautiful!!

It is also so much fun going over to get a glimpse of the sheep dog trials. Many of my customers are walking about with sheep dog paraphernalia - leashes, little seats to see the show, shepherd walking sticks. Very neat. There are also several fiber animal displays that include sheep, llamas, and goats.

New single-ply skeins featuring my goat Smokey

I brought a basket full of my hand-spun!

It was truly a success and I can't wait to go again next year!

Shenandoah Valley Fiber Festival Review

2010-10-12T11:47:00.000-07:00

Shenandoah Valley Fiber Festival - October 2 & 3, 2010

Check out their site at:

Shenandoah Valley Fiber Festival

This year at the festival the weather was gorgeous!! The sun was out, there was a breeze, tad bit warm part of the time, tad bit chilly part of the time. The acorns were falling too. This is a really nice place to go to for fiber shopping because of the lovely fairgrounds; the whole area in which people walk is under a slight canopy of very old and tall trees. After you come in an park the first buildings you come to are animal exhibition areas. This year there were fiber vendors all the way to the front in these buildings. There were classes in the old rabbit building, and a ever expanding tent city most of the way back to the indoor craft buildings. There were a few more food vendors there this year too. That was nice. I was in the same building as I was in last year. I really enjoyed seeing everyone again this year. However, the show has really expanded and there were a lot of new people too. It was great that some loyal shoppers of Avalon Springs Farm found me right away - "ya'll come on back now!" again next year!

Pretty Doe Pictures

2010-09-19T10:38:00.000-07:00

These photos are just a few weeks old. I took them just before these girls were shorn. They hail from Persimmon Tree Farm in PA, but are now in my breeding program. The darkest one (profile) is a relative of a gorgeous old buck I sold this year, named York. I haven't thought of a name for her yet. The tan girl that appears with a friend is named Deerie. Her mother is nick-named "the Deer", so we thought it fitting -- plus it's just fun to call her and say something like "oooh, come over here Deerie". The last one, looking like she just herd something, was a little camera shy, and keep hoping all over the place. Her fleece is beautiful too, and so soft you just want to curl up in it. Proud parents.

2010-09-03T16:31:00.000-07:00

Hello Andrea,
I have something fun to relate to you. I had seen your convo/email to me, and I was so curious I had to go look at your blog. VERY COOL. I really like the artistic use of the picture with the window and shadow. I had such a good time browsing and reading in your blog, I kind of used up all poss. allotted time on the computer. I promised myself as soon as I sat back down again, I was going to convo/email you a thank you note. Well, just as I sat back down today, I got an email that mentioned I sold something on ETSY - always makes me happy - then I notice it was one-and-the-same item you had posted in your blog. So now this is a double thank you!! Definitely felt honored to get your mention, and now again thanks because the traffic paid off. Warmly & Appreciatively, Karen 3 September 2010 7:30pm EDT

Please take a look at Andrea's neat blog all about fiber art at: http://natrlobsessions.livejournal.com/115577.html

New Mill

2010-08-13T16:03:00.000-07:00

Mary and Dwayne Singleton opened a new mill in downtown Frederick, MD.

I have gotten to know the Singleton's as a new customer in their new and growing business. Mary is a wonderful spinner and fiber enthusiast. They have made roving for me several times and it has sold very well. They also came to the EAGMA annual show, and they were a vendor announcing their new mill.

The Singleton's have a new commercial space very close to the Frederick Fairgrounds, and they have put a lot of T.L.C. into the new space. It is essentially a big garage bay slip that is part of a row of light industrial spaces. There was a metal worker in this spot before. Now Mary painted it a calming shade of blue, and put in a very cool white & speckled cement floor treatment. It looks great!

There is a brand new picker with a custom built room attached to catch all the fiber. Their carder is affectionately named Rita (after the Patron Saint Rita of impossible causes). Lots of drying racks are about the room, multiple sinks, a tumbler and bump winder. And the fiber orders are rolling in.

Their new mill was just written up in the Frederick Post. I have attached the article.
Commercial cottage fiber mill opens in Frederick

Chaffetz, Weiner say we are getting fleeced; lock horns with angora goats

2010-06-13T07:54:00.000-07:00

Chaffetz, Weiner say we are getting fleeced; lock horns with angora goats

THE EXAMINER, Salt Lake City & Baltimore

Countdown: Snake scares actress

2010-06-10T19:54:00.000-07:00

Countdown: Snake scares actress

GOATS MAKE IT ONTO KEITH OBERMANN SHOW ON "ODDBALL" SEGMANT

Weiner, Chaffetz Call for End to Mohair Susidies

2010-06-10T18:51:00.000-07:00

Mohair subsidies get reps' goats - POLITICO.com Print View

2010-06-10T15:53:00.000-07:00

Mohair subsidies get reps' goats - POLITICO.com Print View

POLITICO, Marin Cogan

POLITICO: Ben Smith: Congress - Weiner, Chaffetz, goat

2010-06-10T15:48:00.000-07:00

POLITICO: Ben Smith: Congress - Weiner, Chaffetz, goat

BEN SMITH, POLITICO - PRESS RELEASE

US House Morning Whip-Up, June 10, 2010 | Liberty Pundits Blog

2010-06-10T15:41:00.000-07:00

US House Morning Whip-Up, June 10, 2010 | Liberty Pundits Blog

LIBERTY PUNDITS

Outdated Subsidies

2010-06-10T15:30:00.000-07:00

Outdated Subsidies

FOX & FRIENDS, MORNING SHOW VIDEO

Your Evening CLICK: Seen and heard in D.C. - POLITICO STAFF | POLITICO CLICK

2010-06-10T15:01:00.000-07:00

Your Evening CLICK: Seen and heard in D.C. - POLITICO STAFF | POLITICO CLICK

POLITICO CLICK

Goat spears Rep. Weiner, draws blood

2010-06-10T14:47:00.000-07:00

Goat spears Rep. Weiner, draws blood

THE HILL

2010-06-09T17:33:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow is a very exciting day... I will be traveling to the Nation's Capitol with two goats, Arthur and Lancelot. I will be taking them the the front of the Rayburn House Office Building. My goats will be meeting two Congressmen, (D) Anthony Weiner of N.Y and (R) Janson Chaffetz of Utah. They are going to be part of an announcement of the Congressmen supporting the Mohair Subsidy.

On Special Note: Tomorrow morning the Congressmen and the Goats are scheduled to appear LIVE on Fox Morning News Show at 8:30 a.m. EST. It is always possible that the spot will be bumped if it is a busy news day, but as it stands my goats have a very exciting morning ahead of them.

To be continued...
Tune in to Fox Tomorrow morning. How fun.

kjs

2010-05-19T10:54:00.000-07:00

Made it into a RED HOT Treasury on ETSY! How fun. Take a look. Usually the posts only last a little while. http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=131840
This one is published by someone I know: Melanie Pitts, MacGreggor Hollow farm. Her link is on my links list - to the right and below; she is listed as "Melanie who makes goat soap".

Don't be discouraged if you miss it. If or whenever I make it into another I'll keep posting here. A "Treasury" is a visual collection of items on Etsy. They usually have a connection to each other or theme, for example: color, occasion, medium, personal connection to the maker.

Always, Karen

Phat Fiber Sample Box: Avalon Springs Farm Locks Giveaway!

2010-04-23T20:44:00.000-07:00

Phat Fiber Sample Box: Avalon Springs Farm Locks Giveaway!

I am so excited to be a post on the PhatFiber Blog. It is a really wonderful article. I am so glad to get PHAT!!

Farmer sees art in raising Angoras - The Frederick News-Post Online

2010-04-12T14:02:00.000-07:00

Farmer sees art in raising Angoras - The Frederick News-Post Online

I was so excited to be featured in the Frederick News Post. It appeared in the "A" Section in the Sunday Edition, 4/12/10. It also appears as the "Top Story" for this week's Mt. Airy edition. Above is the link on the web. It was fun that all the color photos were included too. I feel very honored. Thank you Frederick News Post & Nick Stern. Always, Karen

2010-03-29T14:17:00.000-07:00

Hey World, Just got posted in a Treasury on ETSY. Really kind of a compliment. A treasury is a collection of favorite items someone has put together; usually they have a theme or continuity -- for example: all in the same color scheme, or all glass, or all about a particular topic. Here is the link -- I think it is good until Wed. or Thurs.
http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=122399

Karen

"The Diamond Fiber"

2010-03-12T07:00:00.000-08:00

Recently I have been doing a lot of volunteer work for EAGMA for their big show in June. One project, lately, has been making some handouts about Mohair that we can have at an information table. I have been working with my friend Greta: researching, compiling, writing, producing. Below is an excerpt from one -- it is basically a list, but I thought it was interesting.

UNIQUELY MOHAIR PROPERTIES:

APPLICATIONS - It is an incredibly versatile fiber. Mohair is used in all kinds of yarn and garments in a practical sense, but also used artistically in tapestry and rugs.
CARE - It is very easy: wash in tepid water with a small amount of detergent, do not agitate, rinse and air dry.
COMFORT - Mohair is not scratchy, and not a skin irritant - as some natural fibers can be.
COMPATIBILITY - Because of the features in this list, it is an wonderful choice to blend with other natural fibers, such as: angora, alpaca, cashmere, llama and wool. It makes wonderful blended roving, yarn and finished products.
DURABLE - Mohair fibers can be stressed with out damage. It endures through both time and hard wear.
ELASTIC - It can be stretched up to 30% and return to its original shape.
HISTORIC - Angora Goats which produce Mohair have been a domesticated farm animal and source of fiber for over 3000 years.
INSULATE - The individual fibers are hollow, so they resist conducting heat, better than wool, even when wet.
LIGHT WEIGHT - It is a smooth fiber which makes it ideal for yarn and garments.
LUSTER - Mohair is extraordinarily luminescent; it brilliantly absorbs dye and displays vibrant color.
MOISTURE SMART - It is very tolerant of, and effective at, absorbing and releasing moisture. This makes it an excellent choice with reference to weather and human perspiration.
NON-FLAMMABLE - Mohair will not burn unless it is exposed ot a direct flame.
PRODUCTIVE - Each goat can be shorn between 2 or even 3 times a year to get a 4 inch staple length of fiber, each fleece weighing on average more than 4 pounds.
SHRINK RESISTANT - Mohair shrinks much less than wool; the smooth fibers do not felt as easily as wool.
STRENGTH - Mohair is stronger than steel of the same diameter.

So that is why they call it "the Diamond Fiber." Pretty cool, hey! --kjs

2010-01-21T17:42:00.000-08:00

2010-01-21T17:33:00.000-08:00

Oh my goodness, it has been a long time since I have written. I feel the need to keep this a little more up to date. Here are a couple of topics I will write about in the coming posts. A review of the Montpelier and Shenandoah Fiber Festivals; wintering proofing the goats; skirting fiber, and the EAGMA show in June.

Currently working on making a lot of roving for sale at spring shows. Lots to keep busy with the animals in the cold and wet weather we have been having. Have succeeded in updating and increasing the inventory in the ETSY site. Have done a lot of volunteer work for EAGMA and the future EAGMA show, sale and fiber festival that will take place in June at the Great Frederick Fairgrounds. Back soon. Always, Karen

An inner connection between this little tea pot and making yarn from my goats

2009-08-16T14:49:00.000-07:00

An inner connection between this little tea pot and making yarn from my goats:

This little tea pot came to me as a birth-day gift from the owners of my favorite little tea shop, Zen Tara Tea. Guy & Methee knew I was drooling over this tea pot for months. It became an instant treasure. Thank you Guy and Methee.

So it just came to me why I like it so much, I am really attracted to both visual and kinesthethic pleasures in one package. I think it is truly a long standing inner artist thing with me. At different periods of my life I would have called myself a painter and a potter/ceramicist (back and fourth several times), now I identify with the fiber art. However, in each period, I had a desire to create from both senses.

The concept is pretty obvious for the pottery... people that love to create with clay must feel comfortable with both the tactile aspects of building & throwing the clay and the visual aspects of working with shapes in space and the colors of those shapes. As a matter of fact, if you are having a cup of tea in a room full of potters, you may hear them discuss this very inner leaning one way or the other - it seems for most it is not equally distributed passion. For some potters, the clay is simply an interesting canvass for what they can do with glaze and color. For others it is the opposite, its all about the joy of seeing that wet clay take shape between your own fingers.
To understand the painter connection, I must explain a bit about myself. I have spent time learning to paint and draw realistally, but I think I hit my most interesting stride when I let go a little and did things a bit more abstractly in graduate school. I would like to revisit that some day. The point is I think I am more like Jackson Pollock than Rembrandt. Not that I made things that were unrecognizable -- its not about the subject matter at all. It is that I feel that Pollock had more of a full body physical relationship with his media while Rembrandt was an accomplishment of brain to hand. I'm sure its not exclusive either way. But, it is intuitively clear from looking at the resulting work that with Pollock, there was for him an emphasis and joy that was about how that paint felt as it left his hand and met the canvass.
Fiber art is very much about color and how something feels -- that is what it is all about from the art part. Yes, it can also be craft. You can produce things that are not just to be observed, but also to be used, worn, knitted, felt, experienced... but it is a really perfect marriage of color and texture. The goats in my pastures are shorn, skirted, washed and dyed by me. I am working with the animals a bit like they are my living media. Then I am shaping and adding color to thier fiber like a canvas... and I throughly enjoy it.

So the direct line from tea pot to yarn is this... The perfect tea pot - one that has beautiful form, proportioned parts, visual flow of parts to body, beauty in its texture and color, and ease of use is the Holy Grail of the functional ceramic work; it is masterpiece --- so always be on your personal search for your perfect tea pot, it is a great joy. Even though I didn't make this teapot (wish I did), its my personal perfect pot. When looking at it, it told me why I love to do the art I am now doing -- making fiber art from the fiber on the goats in my own back yard. I think I owe a better understanding of myself to observations of the beautiful little teapot.

Karen

http://www.zentaratea.com/

What does the job entail

2009-06-15T09:45:00.000-07:00

I have noticed over time that people will ask me similar and overlapping questions. For instance, when selling livestock I get asked: "Is this work?" and "Can I really make money?" Or, when selling fiber & yarn I get asked: "Do you do this all yourself?" and "Is this hard to do?" It is hard to figure out how to answer these questions in a quick one sentence answer. I can say "Yep" or "Nope", but I don't think I'm really telling the truth because they are really just bigger questions than that.

I have often tried to tell folks that owning a small farm, doing fiber art, and trying to sell your products is not just one job; it's three! When the operation is bigger than a sole proprietorship, then most people only do one aspect of the operation rather than doing it all (the pitching hay guy, to keeping records person, to making the business cards guy, to skirting fiber, to retail). And each aspect of it will take up as much time as you can give it, perhaps a little more, so you've got to love it.

To have livestock:
To do this part you have to have a love for nature and a tolerance for little sleep (at least on occasion). You will need a little land -- that is one reason we do goats, because they are very efficient space wise. You will need a truck for everything that is large, sticky or stinky. You will need a continual flow of a little bit of money for hay, grain, regular medical supplies, and barn and fence stuff to name a few things. A good bit of your time each and every day for watering, feeding, and general tending to. You will need to go outside when you most want to stay inside -- because it is icy and you need to check that their water hasn't frozen, because it is dreadfully hot and you need to check that they are not out of water, because you think there is a new baby being born and you're too excited to wait until the morning, because you hear something barking in the night and you must check that everyone is all right, because your intuition tells you someone isn't feeling well.

In return you will get: a rush of delight and perhaps gluttony to greet you and even knock you over every time you enter with grain, an incredibly peaceful moment sitting in the grass with your animals just enjoying the sun and shade, the elation of the birth of that baby and it being something expected or unexpected, a vet bill, and exhausting save and a gruesome loss -- and it will all happen over and over again.

Yep it is work, but if you like it - you honestly like it, it is good work.

To do the fiber art:
Granted I have not been doing "fiber" art all that long, but I have been an art teacher for a dozen years and I have identified myself as an art-person my whole life, so I feel qualified to answer this question at least as a little better than a beginner. You will need: some time and some inspiration, as in any art form. It takes time to develop skills and perfect what you are doing. There are many creative decisions to make along the way: will everything be one of a kind (as in painting or sculpture) or will you work on themes and movements (as in ceramics and photography). You need a "soup to nuts" understanding of the medium. You can't really do this well unless you try using your own products. Many aspects of fiber art is making something that another person will use in some other way -- if you are selling dyed locks or yarn; someone will make them into something else; or if you are making a finished product like a weaving or scarf, someone else will still handle and use that product. And, sometimes you are making the final thing.... the audience will either like or not, hang it on their wall or not. It is both craft and art in that way.

There is a lot of time involved and a lot of steps involved. You are starting with a very raw material -- hair, fur, fiber. It is also messy. Some art is orderly and neat, some craft is small and microcosmic. This is not, it is big, splashy and sometimes even smelly. It is also a bit weather dependent, you can only get your raw material at certain times of the year, and then only when it is dry. At different stages the fiber needs to be wet, wet & hot, drying out, or spread out on your table.

I'm not totally sure if this one is a choice or just in you at birth as a need to create. ...So is it a job? or is it a calling? - not sure, but again, if you like it --- you just can't help yourself, you like it!

To Sell things and Make Money:
Well, it is hard to be a "Jack of all Trades" and a "Master" of them all too! The making of money centers around two main skills as I see it: 1. being good at administrivia and 2. being good at selling/retail/presentation. Neither are my strong suits, but some aspects of each are interesting to me.

To run a farm and know if you are making money you essentially have to balance your expenses against your costs - just like anything else. But a farm is very "human" in its unending need for more to be poured into it. Prioritizing, and not doing things before you have the capacity to really do them is crucial. Spending is easy. Selling is less easy. There are quick ways to dump what you produce for less than its value to produce it, but that is a last and desperate solution to try to sustain your farm. So selling at good prices is your survival, and getting clients is your survival. I maintained and sold livestock for 10 years before I got into the fiber aspect of the Mohair cottage industry. I always struggled to sell enough animals at good enough prices to make what I wanted to put into them. When describing different aspects of this story to other mentor farmers (beef cattle, dairy, egg production, field crops, small scale livestock, to name a few) I always got immense sympathy and empathy from them. No matter what the scale (short of enormous corporate farming) all farmers seem to be united on the plight that it is very difficult to eek out a substantial living from farming. Much is beyond your control, it is labor intensive, and the public demands extremely low prices. That being said, I always managed to make enough to keep trying, keep hoping, keep making things more efficient, keep getting better at the selling & keeping better records. But if you are making things from what your farm produces, bear in mind that you are really running almost two businesses -- farming being one set of expenses and income, and as in my case, fiber art being a second set of expenses and income.

The parts of this that I have found interesting are: I like a challenge. There is a part of retail and dealing with the public that can be a pleasure (even if not always). The necessity of salesmanship has gotten me to forge new relationships, friendships, and professional activities. I have expanded to the Internet and learned many new things. I have gone to the public instead of waiting for the public to come to me. I enjoy graphic art and that is a big part of presentation of a product, so I have found that pleasant too.

The take aways:
- There is no end to the amount of time and energy your small farm will absorb.
- Owning livestock has a lot of highs and lows, you need to love it. I do.
- Making products from what your farm produces also requires inspiration, dedication and skill development.
- Recognize these activities as a full fledged business if you want to make money. I think it is attainable with will power.

So the short answers I give out to the public at the moment they ask are....
"Yep, it is work. I think you can make money. Yes, I do, do it all my self. And, no, its not hard if you enjoy it. Oh and Mam, that is twenty dollars plus tax; I think you'll find that it is very soft and a lovely color. I would be delighted to answer any of your questions." Well, and now you know some of the other things I'm thinking -- and feeling, I do love it.

Saturdays at The Market

2009-05-03T18:08:00.000-07:00

Before it is light on Saturday mornings I walk across part of my dew laden back yard to my neighbor's house, coffee, peacock feathers, eggs, and yarn in hand; and we drive into the city as the sun comes up. Not many other folks on the road. Sun up by the time we get there, we unload her van. Although its flowers, it feels like clowns out of VW Bug, because its so amazing how much plant material can be packed in there.

My next door neighbor is Marilyn Rooze, The Flower Lady of the Montgomery Farm Woman's Cooperative Market in Bethesda, Maryland. The Market is a unique little spot from times gone by. It is an old historic building that has always been this Coop. Back in the Great Depression wives of struggling local farmers in upper Montgomery Co. Maryland, got together to "save the family farm" by bringing their goods down towards the commerce and activity of Washington DC. There are 11 members on the Coop Board including Marilyn. Most of them several generations down from the original "farm wife". However, Marilyn is new; she has only been at the Market for 43 years. (Goodness!)

She has a quaint little booth by the back door -- crowded with color and the luscious aroma of all her flowers. She also has a corresponding space behind and out side in the back parking area. I usually tend to the outside, especially when the weather is beautiful. Marilyn has a wonderful touch with all things natural. She can beautifully blend the most unpredictable colors with flowers. Her work is amazingly artistic, elegant and naturalistic looking. Absolutely not at all the commercial flower look.

As a painter, my self, I was surprised how much goes into this craft. You are working with space, shapes, color, texture -- and sense of touch and smell! People interact with flowers! A painting is on the wall, a bouquet is at the center of our dinner table. I wish more of the world would slow down enough to "stop and smell the flowers."

With the exception of a little lull just after lunch the day goes by very quickly. The public can take a lot out of you. The noise, counting change correctly with a silly 6% tax calculation, the cars, people rushing, and the constant moving of plant material... it can be a tiring day. But some how, I am addicted to it. I think I like all the different vendors, eccentricity of the flea market, the historic nature of the building and atmosphere, the being out side, food, color, and people -- there is a pleasant social aspect to all of it. I also have been learning a lot from Marilyn. I enjoy learning about the plants themselves; I love to garden. But, I also am learning about flower arranging and of course, retail (oh joy!). I jest, but I've already admitted to thinking its fun.

I can't say how thrilled I've been that lately Marilyn has encouraged me to bring some current samples of my yarn down to the market to display in her booth space. The nice thing is that it is getting some attention too. I get lots of complements, and a few sales. Here and there people are beginning to associate me with my own farm and goats.

At the end of the day we pack it all up and take it back to Marilyn's little farm house. After all, they are plants -- each one needs different care with regard to temperature tolerances and watering and the right amount of light to look their best on the next market day. When I get home, my husband looks at me playfully and says, "Why are you so tired, its a few flowers and a potted plant you sold today?" I return the volley with "Honey, I'm taking my shoes off, what's for dinner?"

Colored Angora Goat Breed History

2009-04-14T09:03:00.000-07:00

The acceptance of the Colored Angora Goat as a recognized breed by the fine fiber and livestock community began in the early 1980's. Colored Angora Goats are essentially an outgrowth of the traditional white Angora Goat. The White Angora Goats have been agriculturally maintained for thousands of years.

Occasionally an Angora goat bearing color would by born of two white Angora parents. It was not some thing that shepherds of Angora goats were unfamiliar with despite its rare occurrence; it was just a product that was routinely culled from the herd.

Isa Jennings, a current breeder of CAGs (Colored Angora Goats) in Oregon U.S.A., is credited with making the first observations of this phenomena as an asset and not a detriment. She came across a faded red buck from a herd of registered white Angora goats; she also obtained a brown doe. Her idea and intent was to breed them together and see if the color could be sustained. She collaborated at this early stage with a good friend in Idaho, Linda Mercer, and they formed a partnership.

It was clear that they needed to find more examples of this phenomena in order to do breeding long term, so they traveled through the Navajo Nation in the South West, United States in 1985. This region of the country has plentiful Angora herds as well as a variety of other goats. The fruit of this trip was a small group of goats that were mostly black or reverse badger patterned goats. At this point, they published their experience and observations in an article in the Black Sheep Newsletter.

The Black Sheep Newsletter was a publication started and edited by Sachiye Jones, as a way to develop a relatively local market for wool producers. The newsletter has historically been in conjunction to the, now well known, Black Sheep Gathering. Black Sheep Gathering is a big show and sale that began as a small pot-luck event in Rickreall, Oregon U.S.A. in 1974.

The article was successful in galvanizing some interest and continuing the project; people emerged that were fascinated by the concept of the Colored Angora Goat. In 1990 Linda Mercer began the process of record keeping for the future breed. This led to work done in '91 by four people: Isa Jennings, Linda Mercer, Sharon Chestnutt and Roly Thompson. Ultimately, it was Sharon Chestnutt that created the functioning and lasting registry. She simplified the paperwork and developed the database; by the end of 1992 the Colored Angora Goat Record (CAGR) was up and running.

In time there were several means for inclusion in CAGR (eventually CAGBA): first, registry by virtue of direct offspring descending from the original recognized goats. Second, a continuation of the principal observation that color occurs naturally (although rarely) in traditional white herds, therefore, AAGBA, American Angora Goat Breeders Association registered white goats would be accepted as genetic donors. Third, (which took time to develop) should a breeder be successful in out crossing white and other colored Angora goats with a secondary goat breed used for lending color, that goat could be inspected, evaluated and accepted. Rigorous standards for passing were developed. It has been a necessary tool in order to have a large enough genetic pool to draw from to establish a viable and sustainable breed whose development continues today.

It is easy to see why interest in Colored Angora Goats has grown so much. They have all the attributes of the traditional whites with the new and exciting assets of a wide variety of natural colors. These colors include: many tonal values of black, silver, and gray; a wide range of tints and shades of red, tans, and browns. And, the fiber retains its excellent luster, reflective qualities, and shine through the color.

The number of breeders increased and the number of goats continued to increase. This eventually led to the desire for a larger organization whose primary mission was the protection and development of the record into an official registry. This is where this story becomes the story of the history of CAGBA, the Colored Angora Goat Breeders Association. CAGBA officially organized in 1999, and opened its corresponding Registry in the summer of 1999. Sharon Chestnutt continued on seamlessly in the role of keeper and operator of the data base.

Today, CAGBA has a Constitution and By Laws, Non-Profit Tax Status, a Board of Directors, Elected Officers and Regional Directors through out the U.S. and Canada. It has developed a strict breed standard, method of training inspectors, and numerous inspectors in the U.S. CAGBA also sponsors a National Show, and there are many regional shows in association with the organization and/or this breed.

Research and Bibliography:
CAG Breeders Consulted -
Greta Dise, Persimmon Tree Farm, PA
http://www.angoragoat.com/persimmon/

Web Sites -
Black Sheep Gathering, Inc.
http://www.blacksheepgathering.org/

CAGBA
Both on the web and in the Inspectors Training Manual
http://www.cagba.org/

Hats off to Emily... or maybe "hairs off" to Emily!

2009-04-05T04:55:00.000-07:00

We just had 20 goats shorn, whew!

I can not believe how I am so exhausted and I didn't do the shearing. Larry and I just moved the animals about, caught the next one to get a hair cut, picked up and bagged the new & beautiful fleeces.... and watched.

In the decade that we have had these goats we have been through several shearers and even learned to do it ourselves. In the beginning we had a fun shearer; he was born in the U.K. and spent a good deal of his youth shearing in Europe and then down in Australia. Huge guy & had a personality that matched. But, as our luck would have it one year he informed us he would only be doing sheep from now on and no longer goats. We panicked. We bounced around, one year begging a guy to drive 7 hours down from New York - also very good at what he did, but not a practical solution. Another time begging the guy who supplies our feed to do it, just because he had seen it done and was brave enough to try. He had owned a few sheep at one time so he wasn't completely new, and he was genuinely helpful. Then for a while we had the husband of someone who we bought animals come. Also, very helpful because we were desperate, but again not a permanent solution. Next we found our first, female shearer. She was extremely nice to our animals, but it took her a long time to do them, and we would never get through the whole herd. As a matter of fact with all of the acts of kindness, some here or there wouldn't get done, and increasingly we would have to try doing a few ourselves. The most important person to us on that scale was our feed and fence guy, Kevin. He of all the folks was the first, perhaps because of his patient nature, to put the clippers in my hands and slowly teach me how to do it.

Larry and I were quickly realizing that if we were going to have these animals we were going to have to learn how to do "everything" that involved their well being. For goodness sakes, I had assisted in a C-section on a goat once -- how could shearing be harder than that! Well, darn it, it is! Thank goodness there are some aspects of Maryland that are still very Agriculturally oriented. We have a rare thing over here, an annual "Shearing School". So, off I went.

It was wild! A brief talk about how to clean some clippers, a note book full of hand outs, and then out to the barn. It was snowing that day. It stuck in my mind, because, how would these animals stay warm once they were shorn? There was about 4+ inches of slush and mud every where that would suck your boot off. My feet were wet and freezing. There were about a 15 of us trying to learn and 2 teachers, and the farmer that was lending his flock. All 15 of us terrified of hurting his sheep. Okay, so next, a teacher leads a 170 lb. sheep up to you - turns her head back towards her hind and flips her over into your legs, and tells you to begin. Believe it or not -- there is a connection to BALLET, here... When you shear there is a position one, position two, a pliea, a courtesy, and an ever reaching arch. It is a bit of a dance, only your holding this 12 lb. pair of razor sharp clippers, so maybe it should be better described as ballet meets surgery, all in the barn yard. The weight of the animal is all on you, you glide the clippers along the curves of the sheep's body, keeping them as parallel as you can, intuitively predicting were the next lumps and bumps are going to be as they are revealed under the wool. You are totally terrified of armpits, shins and nipples. And the sheep just wants the whole thing over with -- and, of course, you identify with the sheep. From the first day to the second several of the contestants did not show up. Was it all the snow... hummm, I think not.

So after this experience, we had the awesome and daunting responsibility of shearing our own herd. And somehow, we limped along doing it our selves for a couple of years. At the beginning of each session you feel like you've never done it all over again. Then you get going, and you feel good because you make a little progress and it is hard work. Then you nick one/cut one. Uuuugh! That is the worst; you empathize with the animal so, you almost can't continue. But, they hop up after their done, forgive you for their boo boo and are happy to have their coat off. At the end of doing 3 or 4 you have tons of tiny hairs stuck all over yourself, and all you want to do is shower. Larry and I would muddle through it. We would both be nervous, inclined to both be back seat drivers, but still need each others support. We wrecked a lot of fleeces, but we got through it with out hurting any animals.

Then we found out about Emily! Emily's family had sheep while she was growing up. When she was a young teenager her family's shearer quit on them too. Emily had the where-with-all to give it a go and shear her family's sheep. She will tell you it was instrumental in learning. She then applied to the shearing school. The stinkers at the school turned her down saying she was too young (my guess both ageism and sexism). She applied the following year and they let her in -- good thing, she knocked their socks off. Now, she teaches there. Emily is still very young, but definitely born to do this job. Of anyone I've ever see shear, she leaves the cleanest looking animals, has the fewest second cuts, extremely low in nicks -- she is just great! Furthermore, she came and did 20 in an evening, no problem.

Perhaps, it was a good thing that we had to learn. For the moment, however, it just deepens my respect, appreciation and admiration of what Emily dose. Hats off Emily! Promise us you will take good care of yourself!

To contact Emily:
Chamelin Shearing
Phone: 443-244-2702
Email: aeriedairy@yahoo.com
Web: chamelinshearing.com

YarnParty

2009-03-16T10:15:00.000-07:00

Sunday, March 15th from Noon to 5 p.m. was Yarn Party at Historic Savage Mill. The idea of Yarn Party is a little bit different than many other textile and fiber enthusiast shows. Yarn Party is also a "party," in other words it is also a social event for the shoppers. The set up reflects this...

The vendors were all placed in a promenade like ring in a huge hall; the center of the ring had a large grouping of big round 8-12 seat tables. Folks came in walked the ring of vendors as well as mixed and mingled in the center with other shoppers. The inner "party" tables were all full the entire day with people sitting and knitting, crocheting, spinning and working on an array of different kinds of textile art projects. There was also a series of instructional classes that people could attend through out the day.

The day was a very grey, wintry, drizzling rainy day. At first, I wondered whether it would bring people to an indoor event or keep them at home and out of the weather. We had a little more than an hour to load in and get set up in the cold misty rain. By the time the doors were to open, there was a line around and through the mall building to get in. It was standing room only within 20 minutes after twelve. The whole day was a buzz of people, fiber conversation, door prizes, class announcements and sales. Hurrah! Everyone was carrying some unique bag full of art and textile supplies, new projects and stash material.

I have found that folks sheepishly complain about having too much in their fiber/textiles/yarn/art supply "stash" the same way they complain about having too many books on their bed side table.

So, yes, they came, and they seemed to enjoy the shopping and the party. It was an high energy event!

I, Avalon Springs Farm, shared a booth with Lisa Check of Flying Goat Farm.
Some of the things I brought were:
Lots of dyed locks in an array of colors, raw fleeces, skirted & washed fleeces, my two current yarns, some silk scarves, and rovings (mohair in two colors and a llama/mohair blend in two colors).
Some of the things Lisa brought were:
Mohair rovings in two colors, some hand dyed cotton blend yarns, some alpaca hand dyed yarn, silk scarves, and hand made cards of her photographs.

We both had a great time. We both socialized a lot our selves. I invited a friend of my daughters and she came; it was fun to see her. I also invited Marilyn Rooze, The Flower Lady of the Farm Woman's Market of Bethesda (who I work for on Saturdays). It was great to see her; it was a fun role reversal because suddenly I was in charge of "the booth." Lisa and I, also connected with some other local Angora Goat farmers we know from Pennsylvania. And we did some official networking for other shows and events we hope to be a part of in the future; that felt very productive -- there is nothing that can replace meeting people in person.

So, the day was a great success! Thank you Yarn Party!

We know that we were photographed by some Yarn Party volunteers and were informed that those photos will be available to us at some point after the show. As soon as I get them I'll add them to this post.

Karen

So why "Endangered Species Chickens" ?

2009-02-26T04:10:00.000-08:00

Well actually the first question is usually more along the lines of are there such things as endangered species chickens. And, the answer is: "Yes, there are."

I found out about endangered species chickens from two sources:

1. The American Livestock Breeders Association, http://www.albc-usa.org/

2. Murray McMurray Hatchery, http://www.mcmurryhatchery.com/

The A.L.B.C. had a booth at the Maryland Sheep & Wool festival one year around the time I started my farm. The person running the booth was very friendly and interesting; she wore an A.L.B.C. tee shirt with a beautiful line drawing of a chicken which started our conversation on the subject. It stuck in my head that when I "someday" got chickens in my own backyard I would find ones that were endangered. I had a friend, Karen L., who had chickens, but she got them as adult layers. There was a place in Westminster, MD that used to do that a long time ago, but the diminishing profit didn't allow them to continue. It wasn't what I wanted anyway. Southern States also sells intoxicatingly adorable peeps every spring that I was always temped to get, but again, it wasn't what I really wanted to do. Then I found McMurry Hatchery on the Internet. I loved the artwork on their catalogs. A silly reason to be attracted to them over any other hatchery, but it got me to look further. McMurry Hatchery, to my luck and surprise, has a supportive relationship with the A.L.B.C. In their catalog they have a section on "rare breeds"; they publish statistics siting the A.L.B.C.

Hurrah, I found my source for birds, and it was really fun choosing.

Over a ten year period I have had a number of flocks. I usually like to keep a flock around 30 birds; it just seems the right size for the coop that I have. Birds generally have a nice laying span of about three years. It takes them about six months to start laying from peeps. Then the very first eggs they lay are called "pullet" eggs; they are miniature sized eggs. Very cute. You could have a 10 egg omelet with "pullet" eggs and be telling the truth when you said you ate the whole thing. When we are finished with our birds we found a local family that doesn't mind butchering them, and they eat them. It feels complete. Our family eats plenty of chicken, but I just don't want to think about a pet being on my own plate. And, sometimes we have lost chickens to predators.

Goodness, chickens have a lot of predators. It seems, humans aren't the only ones that know they taste good. Lots of predatory birds will try to swoop down and take them away from above, then there are the sneaky foxes, also plenty of rodent like creatures that attack in the night. Believe it or not we lost an entire flock --26 birds, to a family of MINK. Yep mink, right here in Maryland. If it weren't for some lingering snow on the ground, our local trapper would have never figured out how they were getting in, and exactly what was getting in. He found the foot prints and distinguished them from a few other leading suspects. He actually got the lead male, and then the problem stopped. My last 9 birds were in a dog create hanging from ropes tied to the ceiling beams of our barn, at this point, trying to keep them safe.

So, we have tried lots of different kinds of birds over the years; we stick with those on the A.L.B.C. lists. They prioritize the list from "a bit worried" to "urgently small numbers" (my terms). We find combinations of birds that are about the same size & weight, so no one has any advantages at the feed trough. I love all the different colors of the chickens.

The answer to the title question:

The reason that some chickens are on the "endangered" list is the concept that once upon a time this great country, and other places around the world, were not so encroached upon by humans. Then there was a much greater variety of chickens and locally specific different kinds of birds. The loss of that physical space is one reason, but the mass production, commercial egg laying industry, and large corporate size farming practices have also tremendously reduced variety. The public wants uniform big white eggs, and sometimes uniform big brown eggs. This means that really only two or three kinds of chickens are in mass demand to lay all these eggs. That diminishes breed variety.

We are not actually breeding the birds our selves, so in one sense we are not increasing numbers that way. But, the folks that work solely on bringing these birds back can't do it without being able to out-place birds. So we are happy to give a home to some and increase total nation wide numbers that way. That is important. Plus all the folks that eat our eggs know this story, and we work to increase awareness, also important.

Buy local, eat fresh. Save an endangered breed of chicken. A good thing; I think.

On Luna

2009-02-22T10:22:00.000-08:00

Luna is our guard llama.

Llamas can have an invaluable trait, to protect and guard the farm. Not every llama has the interest or instinct to do this, or if it is in there somewhere the assertion of this trait can highly vary. Luna has got it.

I will never forget Luna being trained by our past guard llama, Curnonnus, to do the job.

For many years the dominant guard for our farm was a llama named Curnonnus. People often asked us about his name, it comes from Celtic folk lore. Curnonnus was a "guardian of nature". Curnonnus was a loyal and loving great uncle to every kid goat on our farm. He truly bonded with the goats. I will always have an image of him sitting under a tree, getting some shade in the midday sun, completely surrounded by all our goats. The kid goats playing around him and often on him, or sleeping in the safety of his side. Curnunnos was a master guard. He patrolled the fence lines. When he stared in a direction, you knew he saw something....sometimes you could find what he was looking at, and sometimes with only your naked eye you couldn't, but you knew something was there. There were times he announced things with a snort and a bugle call like humming noise (sounds like a contradiction, but you'd have to hear it to know). There were also times that he just rounded up all the goats and put them into a corner of the field or into the barn. He did this by galloping around and using his long neck like a boom (of a ship) to visually push them into a direction -- where he was looking usually. An awing sight, but one that also brought alarm.

One summer when Luna was old enough -- Curnonnus decided -- he taught her to be a guard like him. Over a period of several weeks he made her do exercises of rounding up all the goats. He snorted, spit and nipped at her hind to scold her if she didn't do as he indicated. Some of the non-verbals were beyond what we under stood. But, boy 'o boy, we understood when she goofed up. On one such occasion, near the beginning of these events, Curnonnus stood in the corner he wanted Luna to bring all the goats to, Luna ran around in a large looping pattern to scoop up all the goats and get them to run to the corner with Curnonnus. Well, she left about three of them, yearling goats -- more inexperienced with patterns themselves, out in the field. When she came to the corner, like mission accomplished, chest beaming, Curnonnus threw a fit. Screeched at her, wrangled his neck wildly -- like and excited person talking with their hands, spit at her face and nipped at her tush. Luna ran back out there and struggled to get the mixed up nervous goats, but she got them.... and all immediately calmed down.

Honestly, I don't think she ever made another huge mistake like that again... even thought these exercises continued to go on for some time. The two of them patrolled fence lines together, and one after the other; ran from one corner of a field to another, made occasional noises; and stared off at distant focal points as if they had laser pointers on the tips of their noses.

I have an ache in my heart to have to report it, but Curnonnus is no longer with us. However, he did his job elegantly and lovingly. Now Luna is a very fine guard. She is priceless, and we should always remember that.

Welcome

2009-02-22T09:38:00.000-08:00

Avalon Springs Farm is a small farmette located in Mount Airy, Maryland U.S.A.

We have been raising Angora and Colored Angora goats for just a bit over a decade now. We have a standing herd size of about thirty to forty goats. We also have a guard Llama, named Luna (who is currently expecting -- we are very excited), and we have Alpacas too. We have three gelded males, one stud, and two breeding females, and one new baby! We also have a flock of endangered species chickens & several peacocks.

My education and career has been in art; I've been a public school art teacher for eleven years. Currently I am an at-home Mom and full time fiber artist & farmer.

Our farm website is: http://www.avalonspringsfarm.com/

Our on line store is: http://www.avalonspringsfarm.etsy.com/

We are delighted you have come to read, please enjoy....