Tuesday, October 25, 2011

I Fell in Love with This Guy at Rhinebeck

I don't know his name or where he comes from, but we seriously bonded over the weekend.


Every time I neared his pen, he would lean against the rails to get close to me, then set his little chin in my hand.  He's an angora goat, and if I had a slightly bigger yard,  I would have driven off into the sunset with him.  

As always, there were many beautiful animals to pet at the New York State Sheep and Wool Festival: puppies, bunnies, llamas, alpaca, sheep, goats.  I made my rounds each morning before the show opened to visit them all, and to see what wild and wonderful items the other vendors had for sale.  

The show started slowly on Saturday morning.  We had lots of rain while setting up on Friday, and, coupled with the soaking upstate got  from Hurricane Irene, it turned the parking fields to mud.  The crew had a difficult getting attendees parked in a timely manner.  But once they were parked, boy, did they buy!  We were so busy Saturday afternoon that my head was spinning and I could hardly wait to get to bed Saturday night.  Sunday was busier than usual as well.  We were so glad to see our old friends and customers and to meet new ones.  They made this year's show a banner year for us.  We are already signed up for next year!

My apologies for not posting earlier -- I had orders to fill and kits to make up and it has been a busy week.  The last two shows have been wonderful, but we are low on inventory and we have two more shows coming up, so we are working as fast as we can to get things out to customers.  

In the meantime, here are some photos to look at.  I hope to have more soon -- Clara came up for the day with her fancy camera and took a bunch.  When she sends them to me, I will post them.










Monday, October 10, 2011

October Sky

Indian Summer is here -- 80 degrees again today.  I feel as though we should be swimming instead of picking pumpkins . . .   I just checked the weather report for this weekend in Rhinebeck and it looks like it will be perfect -- upper 60s and mostly sunny.  That means all the knitters at the Sheep & Wool Festival can wear their newly knit sweaters while shopping for more yarn . . .

Cairo and I had a lovely walk on the beach this morning, marveling at all the butterflies landing on the Montauk daisies that are in full bloom. 
Now it's back to work. My studio is full of hooked pumpkins and Happy Scraps (my newest marketing idea for bits of wool I never seem to use) that need to be inventoried and packed up.  Hope we will see you this weekend!

Friday, October 7, 2011

One Week from Today . . .

I will be on my way to Rhinebeck, for  our 5th year as vendors at the New York State Sheep and Wool Festival.  I love this festival -- I love the sheep and all the woolly stuff, I love the crisp air and autumn leaves, I love the crowds and the apple cider doughnuts . . .  You will love it, too, if you join us!

Dates: 10/15/2011 to 10/16/2011

Description:
More than 200 wool artists, fiber, craft vendor, culinary programs, specialty foods. Unique family festival, Halloween Tunnel, Frisbee & Flyball dog demos, haunted house, petting zoo, kids' activities, petting zoo. Rain or shine.
Location & Contact Info:
6550 Springbrook Ave
Rte 9
Rhinebeck, Hudson Valley, NY, 12572
Phone: 845-876-4001
  

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Monday, October 3, 2011

Scenes from the Southern Adirondack Fiber Festival

We had a great weekend up north.  We enjoyed our time at the Festival, and at the home of Barb's friend Martha.  Much smaller than Rhinebeck, the SAFF was charming and much easier to manage.  We had time to talk to customers and fellow vendors, which is always a treat.  I sold one of my biggest rugs and am ever so happy it has a new home.

Here are some unedited photos -- I just don't have the time to pretty them up.  The New York State Sheep and Wool Festival is less than two weeks away and I need to work on my inventory!