September 2023 WAFA Show Program

MEET THE TEAM

Withoutourteam,noneofthis wouldbepossible!

FounderEllen Zawada; OwnerofWoolandFiberArtsLLC

Wool and Fiber Arts Show Program Editor in Chief

Graphic Design

Ellen Zawada

Vendor Team - Heather Campbell, Lorna Violet (Mentor Program), Jean Story, Danielle Lefor Wallace, Candice Smith

Customer Team -(anything that happens publicly in WAFA) - Erika Lindgren, Heather Campbell, Molly Richter (craft-along), MAry Dillon, Katelyn Dunn, Candice Smith, Jessica Holt Pack, Amy Olshewski Bowling

Marketing Team - Raven Reynolds (social Media) Ellen Zawada, Tedi Jansen

Inclusivity Team - Liza Q Wirtz, Alaura Pittman, TeDi Jansen, Vidya Gopalakrishna Travis, Maddy McLendon

Education TeamTeDi Jansen, Alanna Wilcox

Tedi Jansen

Vendor Schedule

Pages 4-9

Crafting a New Career by Alanna Wilcox

Page 10-13

Romeldale CVM Sheep by Amanda Roberts

Page 22-24

Where are the WAFA

Vendors?

Pages 33

Vendor Guide

Page 36-42

Jessie Javete Fiber Arts

Palette of the Month

Crafted by Locals

Fiber Gnome

Photo by Andrew Correia

Fluff to Stuff Leaf Livestock

Opalessence Fiber Studio

FIBER FESTIVAL

Opalessence

Fairily

3L&S

Stitched By Mama Witch

22nd 22nd

Curly C'ewes

Rusty Spur Ranch and Creations

FIBER FESTIVAL

Forget

AriBo

Woolen

3:30 PM 4:00 PM 4:30 PM 5:00 PM 5:30 PM 6:00 PM 6:30 PM

4:30 PM 5:00 PM 5:30 PM 6:00 PM 6:30 PM 7:00 PM 7:30 PM

FIBER FESTIVAL

23rd 23rd 6:30 PM 7:00PM 7:30 PM 8:00 PM 8:30 PM 9:00 PM 9:30 PM

5:30 PM 6:00 PM 6:30 PM 7:00 PM 7:30 PM 8:00 PM 8:30 PM

FIBER FESTIVAL

CRAFTING A NEW CAREER: FROM PUBLIC EDUCATOR TO FIBER ARTIST AND INSTRUCTOR

By Alanna Wilcox

The term "back to school" can evoke a whirlwind of emotions, from childhood excitement to adult responsibilities. As we grow older, "back to school" takes on new meanings traffic jams, getting the kids ready, or perhaps, for teachers, a mix of all the above.

For me, "back to school" now marks a professional milestone. Around two decades ago, I decided to wrap up my undergraduate studies and transition from being a student to becoming a teacher by pursuing a master's in art education.

Around the same time, I stumbled upon the world of spinning when I sought to create embroidery thread for a crazy quilt project. This marked the beginning of my journey as a spinner and dyer.

My knowledge of spinning and dyeing deepened through workshops at fiber festivals like New York Sheep and Wool and the Finger Lakes Fiber Festival, as well as my enrollment in the OHS spinning certificate course. Concurrently, my love for the fiber arts grew, paralleling my development as a high school art teacher. In 2017, I completed my coursework and proudly earned the title of Master Spinner. Additionally, I selfpublished my first book, "A New Spin On Color," based on my certificate thesis. It explored innovative ways to spin dyed braids for different color outcomes

During this period, I juggled teaching workshops, motherhood, and the challenges of being an educator I yearned to teach the fiber arts full-time, so I ventured into teaching at a graduate level and crafting a fibers course in my district. Although the path to a full-time fiber arts career remained uncertain, it was a dream I held close, even as I contemplated post-retirement life.

Upon completing my first book, I knew it was time to pen my second, focusing on color and dyeing. For over 15 years, I had an idea that I believed could revolutionize how dyers work with color. I embarked on a journey of experimentation, extensive research, and collaboration with fellow dyers. The result was "Color Alchemy," a method that delves into the science and artistry of color, exploring how we perceive it, how objects reflect it, and how to wield this knowledge for precise dyeing.

Life had its own plans, throwing curveballs my way A series of events led me to make what I consider the most empowering decision of my life: leaving my career in public education to pursue a full-time career in teaching fiber arts and dyeing, all while embracing the life of a working artist. I became part of the "Great Resignation," realizing that life's true purpose is to live on one ' s own terms, guided by passion and fulfillment.

Despite my fear, the unwavering support from the Wool and Fiber Arts Facebook group during the pandemic made me believe this path was not just possible but very real. With my dyeing book nearing completion, I enrolled in a craft industry Facebook group to bolster my business acumen. Within that group, I shared the initial concepts of what I envisioned this learning experience to be something distinct from the typical course or YouTube tutorial. I sought guidance on how to craft something entirely unique The following September, I ran the inaugural beta test of my dye course, where I witnessed testers achieving astounding results and successes, further solidifying my chosen path.

This September marks my third "back to school" season running my online fiber instructional business. I’m so excited that I’ve found a way to blend my love for teaching, the fiber arts, and my passion for empowering others into my day job. It also marks the fourth iteration of the Color Alchemy Masterclass, with a growing community of fiber and color enthusiasts.

If you ' re reading this with a hint of envy, dreaming of leaving your day job to pursue a fiber arts career, know that I've walked in those same shoes, wondering how it's possible It's not easy and demands sacrifice, yet the rewards are profoundly fulfilling. More than confronting my fear by departing from my public education career to embark on an uncharted professional journey, it was summoning the courage to attempt and transcend the belief that I had to postpone certain dreams and joys until later in life that has brought a new sense of clarity into my life that continually reignites my passion for creative exploration and growth.

I am deeply grateful to the fiber community for their unwavering support. If you have a passion to learn or transform your career in the fiber arts, believe in yourself and lean on the community for support. I'm here as one of your cheerleaders, shouting, "You can do it!" If you start pursuing your dreams now, you might just find yourself celebrating this anniversary with me next year during "back-to-school" season

Handspun and dyed gloves (left) were created with the colors from the sunset photo (right) using

THE PERFECT PROJECT BAG FOR ON THE GO… OR KEEPING YOUR PROJECT SAFELY TUCKED AWAY AT HOME.

Not quite a tote and not quite a drawstring bag!

It’s great to grab and go with everything for your project right there.

Holds your work in progress and is sturdy enough to travel.

With a cavernous yarn holding space.

And an opening that doesn't bunch up and make it hard to access the things inside.

We’ve got just the right project bag for ewe

Available in 3 sizes. All bags are limited edition or OOAK

Larry & Maureen have raised alpacas for over 18 years and are proud to offer a variety of alpaca items this month. Alpaca fleeces (Suri and Huacaya) will be available. Rug yarn - made here at our ranchin a variety of colors and combinations. Rovings, batts, and yarn will also be offered in September.

ByAmandaRobertsofWildHairStudio

What color are Romeldale sheep? What is the difference between Romeldale sheep and CVMsheep?Thosearequestionsthat,asaRomeldale/CVMbreederIamfrequentlyasked.

Romeldale sheep were developed in the early 1900s when A. T. Spencer bred his flock of Rambouillett ewes with New Zealand Marsh Romney rams Romeldale sheep were further developedandestablishedbyJ.K.SextonandGlenEidmen.Originally,theRomeldalebreed was an all white sheep. However, in the 1960s colored lambs began showing up in the Sexton and Eidman flocks. Mr. Eidman became interested in the colored lambs and began to keep and select for colored lambs, specifically the CVM or California Variegated Mutant color pattern. The CVM pattern, also known as the badger pattern, is a sheep with a lightcoloredbodyanddarkunderbelly,darklegs,darkstripesonthefaceabovetheeyes,adark striponthechestfromthechintotheunderbellyandadarkareaaroundthetail.Today,the CVM pattern has become the most frequent color pattern within most Romeldale/CVM flocks.TheCVMpatternismoredominantthanmostothercolorpatternsmakingiteasyto breed for and maintain within a flock. However, there are a number of other color patterns found within the breed. The dark blue and light blue patterns are both common within the Romeldale/CVM breed along with other variations of those patterns, such as the Swiss or PaddingtonBluepatterns.The‘blue”patternsareexpressedasdarkbodieslegsandfaces

with small white markings on the face. There arealsosolidwhitesheepstillfoundwithinthe breedaswellassheepthatcarryaprominent spotting gene. The spotting gene combined withtheCVMoroneofthe‘blue’patternsadds variationtothestandardcolorpatterns.Some sheepalsoexhibitablendoftwopatterns.One example of this that I have frequently in my flockisacombinationoftheCVMpatternwith one of the blue patterns. This results in an individualthathasthedarkCVMmarkingsbut also has a medium to dark body, making the fleece not quite as dark as one of the ‘blue’ patterns but much darker than a traditional CVM. Romeldale/CVM sheep also have both the black and the moorit color genes adding another layer of variation which can combine withanyofthepatternspreviouslymentioned

Some of the publications note that the Romeldale/CVM breed is known for fleeces that darken with age instead of becoming lighter as most other sheep breeds do. My personal experience as a shepherd for the breed is that some bloodlines and some individualsstillexhibitthistrait,butnotall.

From the fleece standpoint the color options within the Romeldale/CVM breed are many creating a natural rainbow for shepherds and fiber artists. Some fleeces may be an almost solid color, but many of the fleeces will have natural color shifts and variations. Romeldale/CVMsheeptrulyareabreedwhich offerthefiberartistnexttotheskinsoftfleeces inarainbowofcolors

A Romeldale/CVM lamb exhibiting one of the ‘blue’ patterns

Classic CVM patterned lambs

Romeldale/CVM wool in a variety of colors.

Romeldale CVM Sheep

A few of the vendors that will have Romeldale CVM available: Wild Hair Studio, Cedar Hill Fiber Farm, Harvest Hill Acres, Hidden Pastures Luxury Fiber Farm, Natural Cycles Farm, Zephyr Creek Farm

Romeldale CVM Sheep

ZEPHYR CREEK FARM

https://www.etsy.com/shop/zephyrcreek

VENDOR GUIDE

fiber, garments, and jewelry

VENDOR GUIDE

VENDOR GUIDE

Fresh Lotus

VENDOR GUIDE

VENDOR GUIDE

VENDOR GUIDE

VENDOR GUIDE

We raise Romney sheep for the beautiful wool fiber

Raising Romeldale/ CVM and Teeswater/BFL Sheep in the Thumb.

Wool-E Farm