Friday night we drove up to a wonderful restaurant my husband and I found on our way home from Vogue NY, called Price’s Seafood. It’s in a little town, right on the river that feeds into the Cheseapeake Bay called Haver De Grace.  We met friends Damon and Arlene and had a wonderful meal of fresh steamed blue crabs with Old Bay, of course.  It was so much fun to hang out and eat yummy food with friends!! We plowed through more crabs than I like to think about.. but it was SO GOOD it was worth it!

We went back to our hotel in Columbia and slept extremely well!! We got up super early and headed out to the fairgrounds. I was excited to wear my boot toppers from Arlene and knit shrug from Deb. It was going to be the hotter of the 2 days, so I knew it wouldn’t all last long.. but I was determined to get in some wearing time!  In the elevator there was a gentleman that looked me up and down and said “Sheep and Wool show person?” I guess it was obvious!

We met Arlene at the festival and headed in (a bit early) our plan was to go straight for the fleece show. We passed some lovely ladies tailgating breakfast in the parking lot! Brilliant idea, and I’ve marked it down for next year! Mimosa breakfast pre-shopping? Yes please!   We walked in and were surprised that things were hopping. People were walking around.. I even managed to score my “impulse” purchase- a beautiful SOFT silvery fawn leicester longwool pelt with 6-7″ locks. I love it.  On our way to the fleece show we were distracted by a booth in a barn that had beautiful coopworth fleeces..   the most varity in color and staple structre I have ever seen in coopworth and the farmer was extremely knowledgable and kind.  I grabbed 3 “unskirted”- which made them AMAZING deals- I’ve already skirted them and I was shocked at how little I had to throw out! Incredible deals!  Then walking through the barn to get to the main building for the fleece show we were distracted by an Islandic booth. Arlene got a beautiful pelt (had I not gotten mine, I would’ve gotten that one.. funny since Arlene says the same thing) and I got 3 fleeces. I’ve been hesitant to use Islandic since I’ve had experiences with it being very coarse. Lexi gave me some a couple months ago that was unbelievably soft so I’ve been on a mission to find more like that- and I am thrilled to say I have! These fleeces are also the score of the weekend! AMAZING color and staple! I’m thrilled!!    So before we even started 1 had 6 fleeces and a pelt!

The fleece show was so much fun! It seemed like there were less people there than last year..  and it actually seemed like there were less fleeces. I thought there were more on the floor under the tables last year. That didn’t keep me from shopping though, and I found 13 fleeces to bring home! Biggest excitement- 9lb extremely clean cormo with SIX INCH staple! (unheard of!), silvery white red ribbon romney, ecru and mushroom super crimpy red ribbon merino…  There are going to be some amazing fibers coming to the shop!!   I found some friends and they started to help me carry my “haul” to the car. I was impressed to learn Renee had found 9 herself at the show! She later told me that when she was checking out they said “oh yes, that’s a large purchase.. but the “big one” is still coming”  I guess they were referring to me!   It appeared so, since when I jokingly asked a man driving a crew on a golf cart if “you bought enough fleeces they would take you to your car” and he felt bad for me and said yes! He piled me and Arlene into the golf cart with all my fleece and zipped us to the “Mom van” (as Renee has dubbed it- thank God for that car.. we’ll get to that soon!)  I was SO grateful for that man! THANK YOU!!  I did feel bad though, since Renee had carried all hers by herself to the car..  Next time she gets the ride!  I was so excited to see one of the “Mom van” perks.. the hidden compartments under the seats! LOTS of fleeces fit in there!

After a rest in the shade and some water (and a shedding of the shrug.. too hot!) we went back to the festival! The next stop was for the amazing mohair roving I use for my Ethereal Cloud batts. Now, sure I *could* use commercial combed kid mohair top carded up for those batts.. but they wouldn’t be Ethereal.. just clouds.  This mohair roving is truly ethereal. It comes from a small farm in Virgina that blends 1st and 2nd clip kid, with 3rd clip yearling. It has the long staple that’s needed for “mohairy” or “boucle” techniques, but the fineness of kid.  I was able to get a lb in each of her colors (2 of the black). I love supporting small farms that love their animals. They had with them a Mama with her littlest twins. They were just angelic.. snuggling up together.

We spent the rest of the day wandering. We ate some yummy lamb. We met up with friends and ogled fiber and goodies. We pet lots of sheep and met wonderful farmers.  I got my glass shawl pins from Moving Mud.   It is a very large festival and it’s easy to get overwhelmed. We left late in the afternoon, before traffic got too crazy.  We went back to the hotel for some rest before our annual dinner at Clyde’s.   It’s so much fun hanging out with friends and comparing notes after a day of hard shopping!  Usually I go for their crabcakes.. but with Soft Shells on the menu, I couldn’t pass them up! It was a great end to a wonderful day!

Sunday we slept late and had a relaxing check out. We got to the festival grounds around 10:30 to no traffic and pleasant cool weather! I was so excited to wear the circle shrug Deb made with my yarns for me! On our walk to the main building we chatted a bit with a shepard who was walking a beautiful wensleydale ewe.  He told us that not only was she being sheared later, but her fleece hadn’t yet been claimed.. so we quickly called “Dibs” .. On her white sister Laurie’s fleece too!!

The rest of the day I spent in the Cloverhill Yarn Shop booth talking with customers about my yarns and fibers. I did get a break to visit a bit with Otto and Joanne Strauch. I love them and it’s always wonderful to catch up! I also met Richard Ashford, who is a wonderfuly nice man. I use the Ashford Knitters Loom and it was great to talk to him about it.  Renee did some more shopping (yay fleeces!!) and saw lots of the stuff we didn’t the day before.  I did purchase a couple beautiful copper and crystal shawl pins from the Cloverhill booth (one I can use as a hair pin) and some funky mill end cones for weaving/plying.  Before we knew it, load out time had arrived and we were breaking down the Cloverhill booth, and then on the road.  We STUFFED the Mom Van! Renee had 22 fleeces, I had 24 (including ones I picked up from a farmer that I’d paid for earlier).. so we had a barnyard in the car, plus the 22 lbs of roving, plus the cones, plus our luggage..  Thank God for those under seat compartments!

We treated ourselves to one last Maryland delight and finally had *softball sized* crabcakes at G and M!  I think these are now going to be my 3 yearly meals each weekend! G and M has the best crabcakes I’ve ever had! It was awesome!!

We made great time home and I’m already washing and dyeing up things I got!!  Carolina Fiber Fest is in 10 days!! I have LOTS to do until then! I’ll post my location when I get it!!
Can’t wait until MDSW 2013! But I can’t think about that now.. too much to DO!

Enjoy our photos- Taken by myself and Renee Jones

I had wonderful examples in the front- a large shrug knit by Debra Lambert (freeform designer extraordinaire and owner of Picasso Moon yarn shop in Sarasota FLA), a beautiful vest spun and knit by one of my wonderful oldest customers, a nuno felted sequins shawl I made, and my “doodle” scarf that I knit inspired by the “scribble lace” but without the purls!

I had a table full of wonderful knits by more amazing friends- a super fun slouchy hat knit by Renee Jones (Carolina Fiber Co) with my wildplied yarn, the amazing boot toppers/legwarmers knit by Arlene Ciroula of SpinArtiste (more about these later) and wonderful scarflette knit with my yarns and my dyed mohair by Susan Dingle. The pattern is available for Download on Raverly! These are the first of many patterns that are going to be released (some will be free and some will be for purchase from the designers) that are written for and feature Jazzturtle yarns! YAY!! SO excited!

I also have some lovely lariats and necklaces made from my yarns that will soon be available online.   I can’t forget the second beautiful vest that my friend April spun and knit from my fiber.   I’m so happy with how my booth has progressed in the year since I was here last.
When I see it laid out like this I realize HOW much spinning I’ve been doing!!

My NakedSpun yarn line has been very popular since it’s debut in New York. I got the most amazing fleeces that I just can’t dye. It’s such an amazing rainbow of neutrals! I still have some of these amazing fleeces to spin- I’ve been hoarding them like gold. The perfect black Wensleydale, the multi shaded BFL/Cotswold curls, the red Kid Mohair and the 8 inch snow white Corridale..   I have a few more fleeces coming, and I’ll be on the search for more at Maryland Sheep and Wool next weekend..

These yarns are all “Naked”, but with the texture and whimsy my yarns are known for- sparkle, feathers and all sorts of goodies- these NakedSpun yarns continue to delight as yarns or as instant eternity scarves!  I even saved a few skeins for myself- Debra is working on something right now that will highlight these yarns in the most amazing ways…

My current obsession.. extreme FringeSpun Suri Alpaca… This is all the length and drama of my Teeswater extreme FringeSpun- but with the amazing natural color and fineness of Suri Alpaca! This fiber is so soft and fine I have to spin it dirty and then wash the yarn, because if I washed it first the locks would just fall apart.

Of course I haven’t forgotten my funky corespuns.. I had a wall of those in all textures.. plied, not plied, smooth and with goodies like disco balls and troll dolls! People are always laughing at what I can “get into” my yarns. The Budweiser yarns are always a big hit with the guys!

Of course I had a very dramatic display of my tailspun yarns- short, extreme fringe, shaggy and plied.. I have them all. Solids, brights, multi colors..  These are also amazing for edging, adding into projects a bit at a time, dollhair and of course just wearing as instant eternity scarves..
I just love all the colors played out in the display. I will have some of these at the CloverHill Yarn Shop booth at Maryland Sheep and Wool next weekend
This year I put a couple pieces in the official Stitches South Fashion Show. This first piece is the most amazing circle shrug/shawl knit by Debra Lambert. You can see (and hear) more about Deb’s creative process in wondeful interview on Spin Artiste. This piece is really just a large circle with 2 big button holes for the arms!
Measure out your back and start on big double pointed needles- moving to circulars when you can. The key is to switch from handspun to commercial as you go.  When you come to the width of your shoulders, add your big button holes and keep knitting in the circle.. knit until it’s as large as you want  If you like the ruffles on the sides increase extra on the last rows.

It was so wonderful to see this piece walk out.. the room made an audible gasp when this beautiful model turned around and everyone saw the back. It was pretty spectacular!

I also had a wall full of batts for spinners and felters. I put a cobweb felted shawl in the fashion show as well and was giving out instructions to make it at the booth! I see lots of new felters on the horizon now! It’s fun to pass on an addiction!!

It was such a fun show! It is always so much fun to meet customers and see their creations! I love meeting other designers and knitters and dyers- there are some cool cross projects coming this year..
I love eating in Atlanta- we went to Flip Burger Boutique TWICE! haha!!

The most amazing part is sharing my yarns and creative ideas with people.
Having them walk away inspired for what they can possibly get onto their needles or hooks. These boot toppers that Arlene knit were some of the biggest hits of the weekend! Everyone with a pair of boots wants a pair of their own.

I’m super excited because Arlene is giving this pattern away for FREE on Spin Artiste. This is the second pattern released that has been specifically written for and features JazzTurtle yarns! Arlene is posting this pattern on Sunday night, along with a fun giveaway for knitters and spinners so you can make your own!! Be sure to check out Spin Artiste this Sunday to get the pattern and get in on the fun!

Now onto spinning and carding for Carolina Fiber Fest. I’m sending inventory out to CloverHill Yarn Shop for their booth at Maryland Sheep and Wool festival today! Jolene and the crew will have my batts and yarns for sale!

Then Carolina Fiber Fest is here in Raleigh at the State Fairgrounds during the AG Fest, May 18-20.  I’ll have a booth and am teaching some fun spinning classes. Registration is open until May 11!

I’ll be working like a crazy person until the fests are over, then am planning a HUGE update in the etsy shop before we head overseas to Holland were I’m teaching a workshop! There are still a few spaces left if you’d like to join us! Check out the “workshop” page for details!!

Until Then- Welcome to all our new customers and friends! We hope to see you at a festival soon. Be sure to check out Spin Artiste later today to see Deb’s creative process, and on Sunday to get in on the boot topper fun!!

Back to the dyepots I go!

xo

At SPINQUEST- you will:

Shop from the amazing independent fiber producers (Wild Hare Fiber and JazzTurtle Creations included)

Join the spinning circle and transform your Quest Kit (a mystery fiber pack)  into yarn or other unique creation – you might win a prize!

Learn and practice new techniques! Hourly Teaching demos featuring art yarn techniques by Esther Rodgers,  Jazzturtle Creations  & Melissa Yoder Ricks, Wild Hare Fiber Studio.  There will be 6 techniques demonstrated during the day.

SPACE IS LIMITED so sign up now for the advance price of $75 (which includes your Quest Kit) — Door price, $85 if there are remaining pots.  Call 540-635-9909 to register or e-mail kcrump@blueridgearts.org  if you wish to send in payment through the mail.  Only 40 spots available.  Credit Card payments are accepted.

Only want to shop the vendors and can’t stay for the SpinCircle? Market passes are $5 at the door.

If you are interested in applying to be a vendor, here is the pdf of the application:  Vendor Application – Please email your completed application to thespinartiste@gmail.com.

My first piece was done with a traditional cobweb felting method, using some hand dyed merino top. Merino is wonderful for felting because of the shorter staple, elasticity and softness.  It felts quite quickly, so 3 rounds in the dryer gave me a soft, lacy scarf. I added bits of sequins novelty yarn and angelina before I wet it, and everything “stuck” with no problems.  I even fulled the scarf in the dryer, dunking it into hot water and then allowing it to “thump” around on no heat. Every couple minutes I would pull it out, stretch it back to it’s original size (this gives the fabric strength), dunk it back into hot water and put it back into the dryer for another couple minutes.   I keep going until I feel the fabric is strong and I like the texture it has. Then a quick iron if I want it pressed and voila!

Next I wanted to see if my batts would work as well as the top. I created a technique similar to that of the traditional cobweb- except the way the fiber is laid out is a bit different since the fiber prep is different.   What I was really looking to see is how heavy the fabric would become and how the texture would enter into play.
I used a bright batt I carded with merino, farm wools, locks, silks and sari silk waste and ribbon.  Once again I was able to create a soft, lofty shawl that feels weightless.. except this time within the cobweb was texture. Amazing texture!  Wool acts as “glue” so it really seals in all that amazing “stuff” that traditional cobweb felting might not allow.

The most wonderful thing about felting with batts, is that the fabric becomes reversible! Equally amazing on both sides!!

Next I combined the 2 techniques.. traditional cobweb, with the more textured technique I’d come up with. I used beautiful hand dyed merino/soysilk top dyed a couple years ago by Mandie from Ewe Give me the Knits. She blends her top on her own “Beast” so she makes the yummiest, and most unique blends!
I added textural “bits” with silk velvet, sequins yarn, iridescent fabric and sari silk threads.  I then added some of my signature extra long teeswater locks for fringe.  This created the amazing smooth traditional cobweb look with that funky texture that I love..  and OH so amazing fringe!  I think I will now be dyeing tops and locks in the same pot so I have matching fringe to use for the next batch of feltings!!

So not only have I become obsessed with the shawls and scarves.. but I’ve moved into accessories as well!! My amazing friend, artist and teacher, Victoria Cleg, came over and taught me how to wet felt a purse!! OMG I’m totally in love!!  I carded up a batt of alpaca, merino. shetland, cormo, mulberry silk and lots of angelina.
I used Suzanne Morgan’s technique of bringing a sander into the felting process, rather than just rolling.   This fulled the fabric much faster and with much less work.  Important to be SMART when using power tools with felting (ie water!!)  Wear rubber shoes and make sure what you are working on is well covered with plastic and DRY before you apply the sander.  After I shrunk the base of the bag I needle felted beautiful multi colored cotswold/bfl locks onto the bottom.  I used locks from the same fleece to spin the handle (tailspin, coil then chain ply) so it all complements.  Then I secured the handle with hand made tree branch buttons from Asheville.   I LOVE the final result!

Finally, I’ve started felting “sheepfriendly” pelts using the technique in Lexi’s new book, Handspun; New Spins on Traditional Techniques.

I used for this “pelt” a beautfiul Jacob fleece I got at Alpaca Yarn in Alpharetta. It was sheared so beautifully that it unrolled in a blanket.  The locks were perfect and the colors were just fantastic!  Renee and I spent the afternoon enjoying the early Spring sunshine and felted it into this beautiful SheepFriendly pelt! I have 4 more Jacob fleeces to felt like this, and I’ll be on the search for more to felt at Maryland Sheep and Wool!!

These scarves, shawls and this first pelt will go up in the shop soon! If you see something you’d like reserved please let me know   This weekend I will list Ethereal Cloud batts (perfect for felting or spinning boucle or Lexi’s Mohairy technique from Handspun)

Happy Spring and I’ll have some new nuno and cobweb shawls with my Ethereal Cloud batts next week!

I’m in super prep mode for the Spring festival season! I have Stitches South, Maryland Sheep and Wool and Carolina Fiber Fest all in the course of a month! Then it’s onto Holland to teach and then back to Stitches Midwest!!

I’m spinning, carding, dyeing, weaving and knitting as fast as I can. I will be updating the shop randomly during the next few weeks.  You’ll find a preview of what I’ll have with me at these upcoming shows.  There will be lots of new NakedSpun yarns, along with Extreme FringeSpun and CloudSpun, as well as the classic Jazzturtle textured creative spun yarns.  I’ll also have lots of textured batts, dyed locks and Ethereal Cloud batts coming.. all are perfect for the techniques in Lexi’s new book.

Speaking of the new book, I have a limited amount of autographed copies available.

I will update the shop this weekend with new yarns, along with a few batches of hand dyed locks for tailspinning and Ethereal Cloud batts for Mohairy and amazing for felting!  See you soon!