with Audra Otto February Vendor Interview of Blackberry Blossom Farm

by TeDi Jansen

HOWDIDYOURBUSINESS GETSTARTED?

I got 3 Nigerian dwarf goats for my 9th birthday and fell in love with goats. After discovering fiber and learning to spin from a friend and mentor, I bought my first registered Pygora goat in 2018. Since then, through retaining babies and bringing in other registered Pygoras, my herdhasgrownto14.Mymomandsister decided to start a shetland sheep herd 2 yearsago,andboughtastarterflockof4 sweet sheep from good friends of ours. Theshetlandflocknowconsistsof9ewes and 2 rams. (That's me showing In the yellowshirt)

WHATISYOURBUSINESS'SGOAL

I want to be able to provide luxury and unique fibers to people in all situations, and with that, promote rare breeds of animals and advocate for homegrown and sustainable fiber and other goods. My goal is to provide our animals with the best of treatment and process their giftoffiberwiththeutmostcare.

Tellusaboutyouranimals

We have Pygora goats, Shetland sheep, Nigerian Dwarf goats, chickens, horses, cats and dogs. I love all of the animals, but I have a soft spot for the goats becauseoftheirbigpersonalities.

WASTHERESOMEONEWHO INSPIREDYOUINYOURFIBERARTS JOURNEY?

My mom is vet, and when I was little, she’d often let me ride along on farm calls. One of theclinic’sfrequentclientswasafiberfarmer who raised Pygora goats and hand processed their fiber. She was, and is, very sweet and helpful- she taught me how to spin, care for Pygoras, and sold me my first Pygoragoat.SheisstillaclosefriendandI’ve learnedsomuchfromher!

WHATISYOURFAVORITEFIBER BLEND?

Myfavoriteblendoffiberis50%Pygoracloud, 50%fineshetlandwool.Ofcoursethisblendis special as it contains homegrown fiber from the animals who are like pets to us, but the fibersalsocomplementthemselvesverywell. ThesilkysoftPygoraistheperfectbalanceto thewarmandsquishyshetland.

HOWDIDYOULEARNYOUR CRAFT?

The lady whom I bought my first Pygora from taught me to spin and card batts. My mom has encouraged me all along theway,andgiftedmemanyofthetools and resources needed to shear, wash, dehair, card, dye, spin, and knit our homegrown fiber. Lastly, I’ve learned so much from this WAFA community and been inspired to step out of my comfort zoneinnumerousways

WH AL FORYOU?

I love that this community is able and willing to support one another and is genuinely happy to see others succeed. WAFA weekend is something everyone looksforwardtoandsomanyfriendships havebeenmadethroughWAFA.

ISTHEREANYTHINGELSEYOU'D LIKETOTELLUSABOUTYOUR BUSINESS?

I love to try new things and experiment with different colors, textures, etc The beautifulsceneryandnatureofsoutheast MN is the perfect inspiration for fiber projects.

www.ariboarts.com

AriBo Arts is Iowa fiber artist Erika Lindgren. She specializes in One-of-aKind batts for spinners and felters as well as unique hand dyed apparel. In addition, she makes other hand processed fiber from small US farms, spindle kits, handspun yarn, stitch markers, fiber themed jewelry, handdyed project bags, along with knitted and woven items.

LIVE Sunday at 1:00 pm eastern

Forget me Knot Farm & Fibers is a family operation run by Amy & Brian Bowling, Madeline Krawciw & Zane Hardy. We breed, show, and raise llamas. We have alpacas and angora rabbits for fiber. The fiber part of the farm started in 2020. Since then we have started to specialize in llama products, blended batts with the softest fibers I can find, and unique combinations.

LIVE Friday February 24th 6:00 pm eastern

.While you’re with us, get the fiber for the project ewe have been dreaming about, or maybe just add to your stash. Merino/Teeswater/Cotswold/BFL/Gotland

/CVM/Finn & some unique Crossbred Fleeces

Hello from Leaf Livestock Wool

Co., a lamb and wool farm, located in Northwest Illinois. We raise beautiful Natural Colored Columbia /Rambouillet sheep, Polypays, Merinos and Columbias. I would love for everyone to enjoy the finest spinning fiber and yarn that I am privileged to grow and use for creating. They physical and emotional rewards that accompany raising sustainable lovely wool go far beyond the beauty of the final product! We will have a variety of our Illinois grown wool available during the show; see you then!