Please watch, it's simply delightful.

Wool Walking out the door . . . shipping day at WW.

Packing up a couple of special packages today. One to London . . . a Nursing Shawl knit with hand spun chocolate Merino wool sourced from historic Gore Place in Waltham MA. They host a fiber fest every spring, and I acquired this fleece on my first visit there, along with capturing some of my most favorite sheep portraits.

 

 

And, a special gift for Hanukkah -- sister to sister -- of four hanks of hand spun (and some hand dyed too) yarn: Swamp Flowers, Grey Skies-Touch of Clearing, Kiwi Grey, and Starry Skies Maine. Thank you so much AL for gift giving through WalkingWool. Hope your Sis has fun. 

Shoulder Seam -- Helpful tips from Berocco

Fibery Sugarplums Danced . . . Down the Stairs

So, the new WW Gallery is a two-story experience, linked by a magnificent Victorian staircase, complete with railings and posts that are of carved wood and quite simply, showstopping. With a little Murphy's Oil Soap, they easily glow with warmth and appeal. At least, that's what we're told by first-time visitors. So, know wonder we were inspired to "Deck the Hall (way)" with handmade fiber items of a petite scale (save for the "Andre the Giant" hand spun, hand dyed and hand knit mittens, that could easily sub for stockings at the fireplace mantel).

Getting ready for Shop Local - Small Biz Saturday . . . this weekend in Rockland.

After the delightful first-time Open House last week, and the constructive responses and feedback received from visitors and friends, we are poised for the start of the 2015 Holiday Shopping Season. We especially want to celebrate Shop Local - Small Business Saturday, November 28. Our hats are off to our local small business neighbors here in the MidCoast Maine region. We are excited to join their ranks!

If you visit us soon, he's a glimpse of what you'll find in store, and in store. . .

Pom Pom Garland Tutorial by Kristin Nicholas

1st Annual WalkingWool Studio+Gallery Open House is today

Holy Guacamole!
Another month has flown by so fast. The reason being?
First grandchild on the way (due date: TODAY!) . . .
and first Open House for WalkingWool Studio+Gallery.
Much to do but it's all very, very good.

"I can't wait any longer for the Open House!"

Summer Was Busy, And Now Fall Is Most Definitely Here . . .

Crafty projects were mostly garden and cooking related this summer. Lots of baking, grains, and recipe collecting. Experimented with the plants and fruits of the growing season in the dye pots and in the oven. Spun up some Alpaca and Perendale, and dyed Jewelweed, Turmeric and Golden Rod. Washed wool, planted seeds, enjoyed views of foreign sheep, and said goodbye to a special lady.

Alpaca, Border Leicester, and Romney 3-ply yarn made this summer.

Loving a Lupine Field

Thrilled to sell Pig Secret, and see it hanging in its new home.

British sheep spied by Zoe and Ru.

Greg Pinto's fish sculpture at Michael Good Gallery in Rockland.

The biggest head of lettuce we've ever seen.

Lyn and Steve saw sheep in a British cemetery.

Beautiful flowers at Tante Louise's funeral.

Sheep at Ru's family property in England.

Tante Louise, doing what she loved to do.

We got very good at baking bread this summer.

Washing a pot of Icelandic Sheep Fleece on the porch.

Now, the colder nights of October have arrived and I find myself stalling to go out and do the final garden chores/cleanup, walk Igby for a longer stretch, and instead turn to the warmth of my wool projects and plans for the future of WalkingWool Studio + Gallery, and our little family.

June 2nd Opening of Home Grown Artist installation at Primo

Once again, thank you to MK, PK, and JR for making this happen. It's up through June 30th. 

http://primorestaurant.squarespace.com/

Bio

Soon after being born in Yonkers NY in 1963, Lori Schafer relocated to farm country in Upstate New York while still in diapers. Surrounded by a menagerie of farm animals,

her love of them continued to grow and eventually found this love running alongside her love of creating art. A few decades later she founded WalkingWool™ Studio & Gallery—a name chosen because her love of sheep transcended all other animals, save for dogs. She spends the majority of her time making photographic portraits, spinning and dyeing wool, and creating wearable objects that celebrate the unique qualities of the “raw stuff.”

A longtime artist, Lori Schafer has worked at iconic NYC art museums and galleries. She is a dedicated vegetarian, and spent many years creatively absorbed with the fruits of her existence. A multiyear series of large scale vegetable drawings were inspired by her involvement with CSA farms. A juried competition sponsored by The Fitchburg Art Museum culminated in having those works displayed in the museum for three months. She has been selected over three decades to exhibit throughout the Northeast United States.

Lori received her BA Cum Laude in Fine Art and German from St. Lawrence University, and studied art history at CUNY Grad School for several years. She has also lived and travelled abroad extensively. She currently resides in Rockland ME with her husband Jeff and dog Igby, and is thrilled to work as a Host on the Primo Team for a third exciting season.

Statement

My approach with farm animals is up close and personal, just as it was with vegetables.  It would not be possible for me to get too near to them, and even take home pieces of their existence (wool fleece) to handle, transform, and celebrate. Even the fiber dyes I work with have a natural origin, whether they grow wild, or are cultivated in my gardens.

Taking the portraits is my way of bringing the animals back to the studio with me so that I can constantly savor the joy I get being near them. How can anyone not adore these beautiful and peaceful creatures? Clearly, I cannot!

WalkingWool™

Celebrating the Divine Ovine©

walkingwool.com ~ 774.345.0838  ~ walkingwool@gmail.com

Home Grown Artist Exhibit at Primo Restaurant in Rockland ME

Thank you so much to Chef Melissa, Price, and Justin for giving me the chance to show my farm animal portraits to the Primo community. The show runs from June 2 - June 30, in the Fireplace Room on the first floor of the restaurant. Here is a peek at the menagerie on view . . .

TRULY A MUST-VIEW! Captured: America in Color from 1939-1943 – Plog Photo Blog

Captured: America in Color from 1939-1943 – Plog Photo Blog

Seeking a little peace?

Read this from my friend in fiber Betsy . . . her blog is a delight to read and view.

Taking Commissions!

It's never too early to be thinking about gift giving, whatever the occasion may be. As I go through my materials, ala "spring cleaning" and such, I realize I have so many lovely hand spun, hand dyed, and other luscious yarns and fleece at my disposal. Though my studio is sooooo much smaller than I'm accustomed to, the supplies are plenty.

So, I've a few ideas I'd love to continue to reproduce, and am today officially launching a Request for Commissions for 2015. Here are a few of the lovely possibilities that could be yours, or someone you love. Customization is of course available, and open to discussion . . . view on.

Birdie for Everyone.
Needle felted sheep's wool, in some cases naturally dyed with plant dyes. A little cutie to hang, stand, or . . . wear? Depending on size you'd like, let's say +/- $12.00. 

Making Friends.
A mix of hand spun, hand dyed and lovely commercial yarns hand knit one at a time, but making a perfect pair. Can be hung by a yarn string. Depending on materials, color and size, let's call it +/- $35.00

Lettah Sweatah.
Haven't you always wanted one? I wasn't born in the 50s, but I sure was born FOR the '50s. Obviously, this is easily customized, for you or a dear one. Pick a color, size and letter, and consider it +/- $18.00

Teddy Heart.
He sure is a looker, and a hugger, and a keeper. What's your favorite color? Just let me know your specs, and we'll talk. He'll be pleased to be yours. Consider it roughly +/- $40.00

   

Little Mammal. 
Am I a sheep, a bear, dog or cat? I could be so many things to you, no? All materials and sizes considered, I'd say approx. +/- $12.00

    

 

Just Beachy.
This lovely peach colored BAMBOO fiber I hand spun into lovely singles yarn, than made an oh-so-soft rope for the evah surprising Southeastern Oyster shells. This ensemble is particularly nice against lots of exposed skin, don't you think? And, all in all, it's much lighter weight than you'd expect. We can talk color, fiber, and other specs. Let's start the convo at +/- $35.00.