Lots of changes here since May. Had a total of 8 lambs this year. One Registered Icelandic ewe lamb is staying. Her twin brother was sold to another breeder last month. Also have one half icelandic wether staying. My hubby likes his colours and personality. So he will be the companion for the Icelandc ram and supply fleece for the fibre mill in future. That should pay his keep in the long term.
With the chickens, ran the incubator and had 7 easter egger hens, 2 brown egger hens, 8 guinea fowl and an assortment of roosters hatch out. So lots of green eggs and lamb in our future:) The ducks did not hatch. Think the current drake is firing blanks:(
The Turkey poults have grown. Had a raccoon attack that killed 2 of them, but we still have 4 doing fine. One tom may make it to the table for Christmas dinner. That would leave a trio of Narraganasetts. Should be enough to get some eggs to put in the incubator next spring.
Bought a lot of 10 khaki campbell ducks in August. That brings the duck total to 14. We need one of the ducklings to be a good drake. Would like to be able to set some of those eggs for next year too.
In fact hope to be able to offer Narraganasett poults, Khaki Campbell ducklings, Easter Egger Chicks and Guinea Fowl keets for sale next spring and early summer. Plus of course keep some for our own freezer and breeding replacements. Next thing here may be building one of those whizbangchicken pluckers!
Graintime!!!
At The Torch
Not alot happening here. Now that the temperatures are not at 90+ that will change!
With The Pliers
Continue to play with chainmaille patterns and their use as links for the lampwork beads stockpiled from last year. Turning out tried and true earrings, bracelets and necklaces.
In The Mill
Ah, Another area of activity!! Mill was up and running July 1st 2010.
Have been processing our own farm grown fibres, fibres bought from other farmers or the wool co-op in Carleton Place and of course custom processing for others! Next addition here will be a fibre tumbler...looking at several different ones now to pick the best for us. Have truly developed a love for covered fleeces! Enough so I think my sheep are getting coats again this winter.
Meanwhile, as time permits, I am listing the home grown fibres processed (and also in some cases dyed) on Etsy and eBay.
Been busy learning the shipping ins and outs.
Right now our turn around time is under a month, but that will change as we get more custom work in.
For now we only go from fleece to roving. Eventually I see a spinning frame, steamer, skeinwinder, ballwinder and felting table. But I am determined to grow only as the mill can support each addition. We supplied it a building, water system and the initial equipment, now it has to supply for itself and for us:)
On The Road
This is a new section that will now and then say where we will be or where we have been.
We had a booth at a local event this year in Verona. The event was the Cattail Festival. Featured Jewelry, loose beads, and fibre in both roving and batt forms. Sales were fair given that we are still fairly unknown and it rained for half of this outdoor event. Was certainly a learning event dealing with a market tent in high winds and heavy rain:)
In October we will be going to The Duchess County Sheep and Wool Festival ( Rhinebeck). This year we are not looking at selling, is mainly a look and see trip. Have not been to Rhinebeck in 8 years. Next year or the year after we may look at the cross border selling issues and see if it is worthwhile for us. For sure next year we will have a booth at the Sheepdog Trials at Kingston. Had some of our fibre there this year, Thank you to Kim at Cornerstone Fibres!
Sorry no pics for this area. Were too busy keeping the booth up to get a pic of it this time!
In future though who knows?
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