Oh this fleece. This special beauty is a true ‘Unicorn’ fleece for me. One that is from a very significant farm, a remarkable flock, founded by an exceptional man, & tended by a truly special earth angel, sheep whisperer, shepherdess. (story in thread) #fiberarts #fiberartist #yarn #spinningyarn 🧶 - ThreadSky

willows-spindles.bsky.social • 24 days ago

Oh this fleece. This special beauty is a true ‘Unicorn’ fleece for me. One that is from a very significant farm, a remarkable flock, founded by an exceptional man, & tended by a truly special earth angel, sheep whisperer, shepherdess. (story in thread)
#fiberarts #fiberartist #yarn #spinningyarn 🧶

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Comments

renningerwoolco.bsky.social•24 days ago

This is so wonderful!! Dominique is such a kind soul, it doesn’t surprise me that she agreed to part with a fleece. Treasure Sally!! 💕

willows-spindles.bsky.social•24 days ago

She truly is 🤍
And I covet Sally with pure gratitude 💕

willows-spindles.bsky.social•24 days ago

It started w/ reading 'Vanishing Fleece', by @claraparkes.bsky.social - a book that touched my heart so deeply for many reasons. Through this journey, I fell in love w/ the story of Eugene Wyatt- a man who brought 5 world-class Saxon Merino rams from AU to start his farm, Catskills Merino, in 1990.

willows-spindles.bsky.social•24 days ago

He, his sheep, & Dominique (the shepherdess), were endeared to me. After finishing the book, I cried over the loss of friends & the state of the wool industry. I vowed to do everything that I could, as a traditional spindle maker & fiber artist, to help the wool industry in my own small ways.

willows-spindles.bsky.social•24 days ago

But I also selfishly dreamt of feeling a connection to the farm from the book, the special sheep, & amazing human who loved them. After perusing their online shop, knowing that they sold clean carded wool & yarn, but not raw fleeces, I emailed asking if it would be possible to obtain a raw fleece.

willows-spindles.bsky.social•24 days ago

I feel connected to wool by processing it. Being highly tactile & sensory focused, the feel, smell, & whole process is how I most enjoy experiencing the the things that I love. Much to my surprise, I got an email back from Dominique! I was not expecting that as she tends her large, glorious flock.

willows-spindles.bsky.social•24 days ago

However, I was kindly told that fleeces were not for sale & I came to terms w/ the fact that spinning processed wool would be my connection to this iconic farm. We started exchanging emails & formed a connection - a true gift all its own. It came upon shearing time… & she agreed to send me a fleece.

willows-spindles.bsky.social•24 days ago

This is Sally... the daughter of the 1st pure bred Saxon Merino ram that Eugene brought to the US. Despite the fact that she’s otherworldly, & the finest, most beautiful fleece that I’ve ever seen...she’s part of their story. The story of Eugene, his dream, & his world-class Saxon Merinos...

mariannewest.bsky.social•23 days ago

Just borrowed the book. Thank you for telling us about it. Enjoy your fleece!

willows-spindles.bsky.social•23 days ago

I hope you enjoy it as much as I did 🤍 Thank you!

victoriarowden.bsky.social•23 days ago

Thank you for sharing such a special fleece and beautiful story with us all! The connection is truly wonderful. ✨

willows-spindles.bsky.social•23 days ago

🤍🐑🤍

bookishbitch42.bsky.social•23 days ago

What a wonderful story. The photos are incredible. I love playing with raw fleece too, though rarely do it as much lately. (Also your spindles are gorgeous.) This sounds like a book I need to read.

willows-spindles.bsky.social•23 days ago

It’s a beautiful book! I highly recommend it to any fiber artist 🧶
And thank you for your kind words 🤍

bergere.bsky.social•24 days ago

Stunning fleece!

whistlinggirlknits.bsky.social•24 days ago

Dominique is such a gem. Her tenderness and strength in sustaining this beautiful flock through the loss of Eugene and beyond are so inspiring. I love that you’ve built this friendship with her and are able to work with this gorgeous fleece.

willows-spindles.bsky.social•24 days ago

I agree…. such an incredibly special & inspiring human. I feel so grateful to have met her 🤍

cheekyredhead.bsky.social•24 days ago

Oh my! That looks amazing!

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