It has been some time since I last wrote you and there are a few things that I want to share with you. Of course, the studio and shop have been closed to the public, but that hasn’t stopped me from spinning, weaving, and dyeing. And the online shop has produced orders, which has helped.

Just after Christmas, I purchased a motorized drum carder by Strauch. It has made life so much better, carding lots of fleece quickly, and taking the strain off the back. So, I have decided to become a Strauch dealer and will be selling all of their products as seen on their website:http://www.strauchfiber.com/

Also in January, I began to act on an idea that I have had for about a year. I love creating art yarns from my Wensleydale sheep fleece and have developed a series of 10 colourways inspired by nature. The first two have been launched, “Storm” and “Moss and Lichen”. I will be showing how art yarns can be incorporated in your crochet, knitting, and weaving projects. They are so colourful and textured and can be used in so many ways. Below are photos of the first two and the next two will be called “Salem Lavender” and “Tide Pool”. Hope you like them.

Something exciting coming up this week is the First European Wool Day, hosted by EWE (European Wool Exchange). This is a foundation based in Cyprus, chaired by Alberto Costa and dedicated to supporting the wool producers, crafters, and manufacturers of Europe. Please take the time to read what it is all about at https://www.ewe.network/strategic-concept. And tune in to the European Wool Day on Friday, 9 April, to learn what is going on with wool across Europe. Irish Fibre Crafters will participating with a video about what we do and why we love wool.

The last thing I want to tell you about is a natural dyeing workshop that I will be co hosting with my friend, Leslie, at her Grove Hill Farm in North Carolina. We have scheduled it for the 25/26 September and this will be the first time that I have been back to N.C. since October 2019, due to Covid 19. I cannot tell you how excited I am and thrilled to be able to travel outside County Clare again. So, if you have any friends that are interested and could attend, have them get in touch.

I am also looking forward to teaching more classes at Irish Fibre Crafters, probably in the summer. I will be holding classes in spinning, dyeing, felting, among others and will have them posted on our website. https://www.irishfibrecrafters.com/workshops-at-irish-fibre-crafters

Natural Dyeing Workshop

By Sandra King of Irish Fibre Crafters (all the way from Ballinruan, Ireland)

Hosted by Grove Hill Farm – Old Fort NC

September 25th & 26, 2021 Time: 9 am to 4 pm

Cost $175

Well, that’s about all I can tell you this time. I hope that you have found time and inspiration to be “Covid” creative these past few months. As for myself, I am looking ahead with anticipation and hope to hear from you and see some of you very soon.

Stay well and all the best,

Sandra

HOW I AM BEING "COVID" CREATIVE