Etsy Store Additions

I just added 3 new skeins of handspun wool to my Etsy Shop, Bless Ewe Farm.



It can take up to 6 hours to complete a skein, so I mean it when I saw they were lovingly created. Spinning is not a speedy craft. It takes time and patience, something that fits well with simplicity and they way I live my life. I also derive a lot of enjoyment from knowing my products are naturally made, comprising of natural resources that are renewable and not harmful to the environment. Please help me spread the word about using naturally derived resources.



I plan to do a lot more spinning this fall to keep the supply lines running. I am also going to start knitting a few items as well.

A Thank You...

Yesterday, my neighbor presented me with a gift, an antique table loom for weaving. Her son has been in my care for a few weeks. I was hanging laundry when she came outside and asked if I had a moment. I always do for a friend and I came over to chat. She handed me a card which said I was an inspiration to her and she was grateful for all I had done for her and her son over the last four years since she moved in. Since she arrived we have had barbeques together, I have watched her son off and on when needed and most recently I encouraged her to homeschool even though she is a single mom. Since making that huge leap of faith a few months ago and changing her son's mode of education I have encouraged her like any friend would and given her ideas and things to ponder. Our friendship has really blossomed.




But she is moving in a week and she said she wanted to give me something to show how appreciative she was for all I have done. Under a blanket was the loom and when I lifted it off I cried! It is the most thoughtful gift I have ever received from anyone, aside from my husband. I usually have a very hard time making friends, and usually feel more at home with my husband and kids than other people. I had no idea she felt this way and even now I am having a hard time accepting such a costly gift.

I can think of a few people in my life who have inspired me to become the person I am today. I wonder if I have ever made it as clear to them how much their friendship, advice and camaraderie have meant to me. In our busy, disconnected lives, are we ever so bold to tell a person that they are appreciated and loved? Would these people know how we feel about them? I had no idea how my neighbour felt about me until yesterday. I was just being me, lending a helpful hand or a listening ear to someone who needed one.

This may be a bit campy, but here goes...

To my sister, Jennifer, I adore you. You have been a fixture in my life long before my husband, my kids or any other person I know. You are my constant friend. I love you.

To my dear friend, Crystal B., recently moved north, you have listened to my endless prattle over many, many cups of coffee. You inspire me to be a better, more patient mom, who truly delights in being with her kids. I miss you already.

To my friend, Tammy, it was you who inspired me to begin homeschooling. It was your unwaivering faith that led me to believe that I too can accomplish and succeed at such a worthy parental role. For your encouragement, I thank you.

To Mrs. Fox, my elementary teacher-librarian, you inspired me to write, write and keep writing. It was that early encouragement then sent me on a path to win awards, accolades and ultimately to journalism school. For this work, I humbly recognize you.

And last but not least, to my husband, who has always believed in me when I found it hard to believe in myself. Thanks for obeying orders and not dying on me seven years ago.

I know this is a poor substitute for saying these things to the people in person, but after today I will make more effort to let my loved ones know they are truly loved.

Colour Wheel

This is what is currently on my spinning wheel. I ordered this lovely colour of VERY soft fleece. I also have a wildberry colour and another teal colour that I can not wait to get on the wheel. I am trying my hand at some fingerling weight yarn for socks.

I am not sure that I will want to sell it on Etsy. I might just end up keeping it for myself!

Biting the Bullet

I listed my first three items for sale on Etsy today. My shop name is Bless Ewe Farm, shocking huh? I managed to get my store up and running. The hardest part was deciding to go for it, each subsequent step seemed so much more do-able than that first decision.

My main goal in this was to have a purpose for my spinning. I spin an awful lot more than I knit, and I do not see that changing anytime soon. Having the shop provides me with something that will keep me creating and also challenging myself to try new techniques.



I am also the type of person that continually has my hands busy. I can be knitting dish clothes, sewing something small or spinning away with my wheel or drop spindle. I must say the articles and tutorials for sellers on Etsy are fantastic for helping newbies like me.

Once I decided what I was going to sell (first) I started looking at Etsy shops that sell similar items to mine and began collecting market data. I had to determine a price by comparing the prices on similar items. I also had to decide what type of packaging I would use for my items. I know a lot of fiber enthusiasts like to put their fiber in plastic bags but I loathe plastic bags. I decided a simple tag with a short description of the item would suffice. I also point out in my store policies that I ship using paper (to wrap the items in) and a combination of shipping envelopes or boxes. As much as I want to be competitive, I also want to be true to my convictions.




I reserved my Shop name months ago and I began developing my shop policies. I look to see what other similar shops policies were.

In the meantime, I have been spinning away, getting my items ready and finally today I decided on how I was going to take pictures of my items. Once those pictures were done, I started to list my items. It feels good to finally have this shop up and running. I don't imagine I will be keep too busy but in a small way it's a way for me to do something strictly for me and not the house, or the kids, or the husband. I think every homemaker needs their own "Etsy Shop" to give them some enjoyment.

Passing on the Passion

Photo taken by Sophia. I had put some books and yarn up for display for the 'students' to see.

I held a workshop at my house yesterday, sharing my passion for spinning with a small group of homeschoolers who wanted to learn. I taught them a bit about sheep, wool and the each got to use a drop spindle. I forgot to take pictures (silly me) but the day was a success. I am forever fascinated at how young people got straight ahead not caring if they make mistakes, not worrying about goofing up. By the end of the session all children had made good progress.

Despite being filled wall to wall with people, the house was almost completely silent as everyone concentrated hard. No one spoke. They all sat, concentrating with eyes on their drop spindles trying to work out the complexities of spinning. Once a person becomes better at eye/hand coordination spinning can be quite relaxing and enjoyable. For me there is nothing quite like working something with your hands and then enjoying the finished product. Whether it be bread, yarn, a newly sewn garment, something toiled over passionately can be worth more than gold.

Setting the Twist

There is one important step to spinning that often gets forgotten. It's called setting the twist.



Once in a skein, yarn must be soaked in warm/hot water for a few minutes before being dried. Now you can't just wring out your wool like you would while hand washing clothes. Here are a few rules for handling wool:

Treat your wool gently.

Never pour water over your wool, just place the wool in the water.

Do not twist, or wring out wool.

And please do not put your wool in the washing machine.


To dry your wool after it's been soaking, use a towel to roll the wool in while squeezing out the access water.




You have two options when drying. You could either hang your wet skein and attached a heavy weight to the bottom to stretch the skein out. You can do this by attaching a heavy can or draping something over the bottom to pull on the yarn. Alternatively you could also just hang the skein and add no weight which would provide a different look altogether for your yarn.



I use our indoor drying rack to dry my skeins. It works well. After a bit of manipulation I have found a good way to pull my skeins down giving it a bit of stretch.