Dog Days of Summer and Spinning Tales

Posted on August 24, 2012 by Joan Schnieber

Do you know where the term the ” dog days of summer” originated? When I was younger I thought it was because it was too hot to move and would imagine a dog finding a cool spot to sleep. Turns out it’s not far from the truth. Dog days are considered the hottest days in the Northern hemisphere from late July through August. The term Dogs Days comes from the ancients siting Sirius, the dog star being in close proximity to the sun causing the hot weather.

Speaking of dogs, I spun some dog hair for my neighbor, Lena. Lena is in her late 80’s and is unable to get around but she is still quite active and is a very talented knitter. She made a beautiful dog sweater and asked me to spin her some yarn made of the dog’s hair. In fact, this dog unknowing donated his own hair.  Dog hair is not the easiest to spin but I find blending it with wool makes the job easier.The end result is well worth the trouble. Dog hair yarn can be so soft and very warm. Lucky dog!

 

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Too hot to handle

Posted on July 1, 2012 by Joan Schnieber

The lazy days of summer are upon us. The temperatures have been hovering over 90 degrees for several days and will stay there for the next week. I have a hard time sitting still normally but I am learning to slow down with this heat. I watch how my animals react to this heat. They seek shade under a tree or to cooler areas in the barn. Smarter than us humans.

So please take it easy when you are outside, drink plenty of water and slow down to enjoy the warmth on your face. Think like my sheep and take a nap in the shade.

Peace and stay cool, Joanie

 

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Jenny Jump Farm Tour Because We “Felt” Like It

Posted on June 11, 2012 by Joan Schnieber

This past weekend we had planned a farm tour and demonstration for a group of Cub Scouts from Ridgewood, NJ. I have learned knowing you audience is crucial in creating a fun experience. Besides meeting the animals I had to think of a project that what would interest the boys ages 5 – 13.  I thought making a felted pouch would be fun.  I did a practice run using wool and a bar of ivory soap with water. It took only 15 minutes to make a pouch.  All this could be done in under an hour.

As the day arrived, I set up four stations showing the care of sheep and the progression of making wool into a finished garment. Great, now I am ready for anything or at least I thought I was.

However, in place of the Cub Scouts we had their sisters and two younger bothers along with their mothers show up for the tour. The Cub Scouts had decided swimming was more fun than a visit to a sheep farm. So much for planning ahead. Despite the change, we all had a great time. The kids loved petting Josey, the sheep and feeding Arbee and Max carrots. Since there were only four kids they had a chance to spin and felt wool. Children catch on quickly and were spinning their own yarn within minutes. The adults also enjoyed making felted pouches and were a great help with the little boys.

Their finished pouches were amazing and each one was quite unique. They combined white, gray and black roving giving each an interesting texture and free form look. We all were so involved including my husband who took some great pictures. Many thanks to Ellen for taking some pictures of the pouches.

Well, I hope they come back again next year and I will be sure to take some pictures of the finished pieces.

Please click on picture for full view in the gallery.

 

 

 

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Reconnecting with the Earth – Fiber Craft Studio Festival

Posted on June 4, 2012 by Joan Schnieber

Fiber Craft Studio Festival

June 3, 2012

“Today, more than ever, the crafts have the mission
to reconnect the human being to the Earth and her substances, bring
healing to the senses and soul, and foster the creative capacities of the human
being”

– Renate Hiller

I have had the pleasure to meet some great people since I have been in the sheep and fiber
business. Renate Hiller is one of them. Renate with Mikae Toma have a mission
to bring back the simple task of making things with your hands. Their passion is working with fiber and natural plant dyes. I am honored they feature my Jacob fleeces in
their fiber program.

I was fortunate to participate along with my friend Peggy Van Beek in their annual Fiber Craft Studio Festival in Chestnut Ridge, NY. Their clients come from NYC with their
children to spend a day in the country. It was amazing how calm and focused the
children were when creating their own felted cloth, dyeing yarn with plants, or
making little birds out of wool. Of course, Po,the yearling Jacob ram, was a big hit with the kids. Po was a complete gentleman and loved having the kids and adults scratch his back.

Our day was cut short by a thunderstorm but spending the day with friends, sheep and fiber is a good day anytime. I had a chance to take a few pictures before we had to pack up.

Check out the Fiber Craft Studio’s website for more information. Be sure to view their gallery. They have taken knitting to another level. Simple but eloquent.

 

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Easton Farmers Market

Posted on May 21, 2012 by Joan Schnieber

I had the privilege to participate in another sheep to shawl demonstration held last Saturday at the Easton Farmer’s Market. It is the oldest open aired farmers market in the US since 1752.  The vendors produce was amazing. I plan on going back every week to get my veggies, cheeses and artesian breads.

The two shawls made from Jenny Jump Isabelle’s fleeces were completed from the last demonstration and will be auction off in the fall to raise money for the Leigh Valley Zoo.

The shawls made from this event will be used for to raise money Food Alliance in Easton. We were using Jenny Jump Everest’s fleece. It was so soft and a dream to spin. I never had a chance to spin my fleeces from the individual sheep since I usually sell the best ones. I can’t wait to see the shawl. I was so proud my fleeces were chosen for these two events.

 

 
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Update from the Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival

Posted on May 18, 2012 by Joan Schnieber

I can’t believe another  Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival is over. It was great seeing old friends and to meeting new friends. The pictures say it all. Can’t wait until next year.

Hope to see you there next year.

 

 

 

 

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Who are your teachers? Mine is a horse called Buddy

Posted on April 21, 2012 by Joan Schnieber
I have been reflecting on how and what I have learned in my lifetime. There are teachers and there are students. I have been both but for the last year I have been the student. Since I retired I have had the opportunity to follow my passion of riding. My teachers have been my horse Buddy and my trainer Lara Delorenzo at 7 Springs Farm in Pittstown, NJ.

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I have learned to wait and to be better prepared for what is being asked. This was hard at first since the past 30 years was all about meeting deadlines and getting things done quickly. A horse won’t allow to happen if you want to develop a true partnership.

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Conversations From the Skirting Table

Posted on April 21, 2012 by Joan Schnieber

The spring in New Jersey has been unseasonably warm and dry making the job of skirting fleeces and enjoyable experience. I was very fortunate to get a head start on skirting process when the sheep were shorn in March. With the help of my friends from the North County Spinners Guild, they were able to get the first round of skirting done.  Careful handling during the shearing process is critical in keeping the fleeces clean.  There is nothing worse than  finding a clump of manure tags or hay in the middle of a fleece. I was lucky to have experienced friends helping out.

One of the reasons why I had so much help with skirting the fleeces was I had donated two of my Jacob fleeces  for two sheep to shawl demonstrations.

The first one was held at the Leigh Valley Zoo on  April 7, 2012. Jenny Jump Isabella’s fleece was so soft and spun up easily. The shawls will be auction off as a fund-raiser for the zoo later this fall. The second sheep to shawl demonstration will be held at the Easton Farmers Market on May 19. Hope to see you there!

 

 

 

 

 

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2012 Shearing Day a Huge Success at Jenny Jump Farm

Posted on March 13, 2012 by Joan Schnieber

Fleeces just off the sheep

After

We had the best shearing day since I can remember. The weather was warm, sunny and I had so many good friends to help manage the many activities that happen in a two-hour time frame.

The first task is to catch the sheep and keep them contained in the barn. This is no easy feat if you raise Jacob sheep you will understand. I have had many jump over a 4 foot wall like it was stepping over a log on the ground. Second is they do not like strangers nor do they like to be shorn.
I am very lucky to have friends who love to help and have become invaluable in during shearing day. Paul Corrigan, Liz Lennon and Suzanne Forbes have been coming to help for several years. Unfortunately Liz was not able to join us. However, I had friends from the North Country Spinners Guild come to help for the first time. Jean Sattler, Jill Lang and Eleanor came to help skirt the fleeces. This is the first time my fleeces were skirted during the shearing. I donated two fleeces to Jean for two sheep to shawl contests being held in later April and May.
I did not have much time to take pictures but my wonderful husband did. Check out the pictures on his  blog at ThompsonPhotoArts
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Shear Delight – Shearing Day is Almost Here! March 10, 2012

Posted on March 2, 2012 by Joan Schnieber

Liz Lennon gathering a freshly shorn fleece

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Shearing day is only a week away. We are scheduled to start on March 10 around 9 AM. Our shearer Tom Horton is fast so get here early or you will miss it. Space is limited so please call me if you plan to come.
Freshly shorn fleeces will be available for purchase.

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