I'm feeling really awkward and oversensitive today.  Not sure if it's the lack of sleep from late-night carding sessions, or if it's the uncomfortable reality that I know I've got a huge "social" event on the horizon.  Blah.  I know that persnicketyness exists in every industry, but for some reason, I'm starting to lose even more sleep on braids vs. chains, hand-written labels vs. typed, my decision to buy superfine Merino over Polwarth, and carding multiple batt sets vs. OOAKs.

On a happy non-paranoid note, I'm nearly finished with hand-pulled rovings.

 
I just need to braid and label the contents of this box, and possibly card another dozen, and then it's time to move on to BFL batts, superfine Merino batts, and painted tops.

Oh, despite the worry about braids vs. chains vs. "loping" vs. skeining the rovings pictured above- I'm still undecided.  The fiber, Merino mostly, stores so much nicer in braids, and will probably withstand being handled better at MDSW.  I'm finding a preference for chains, however, and really need to mull it over.

progress

I've carded 15 lbs. of batts for MDS&W so far, and have about 35 lbs. to go, along with 25-30 lbs. of painted top.  I'm feeling very optimistic that I'll reach my production goals and that my tent will look FABULOUS. A few of these new colorways are really popping!

I'm going to post pictures this week because I need to document and remember the color formulas for the website, which is officially in hibernation until the conclusion of the Festival.

I now also know exactly where I'll be:  Lower Corral 21!  I've never been down in that area before, but I hear that it's near the area where Sheepdog demonstrations happen.  To get there, you'll want to walk past the Main Exhibition hall and then take a right into the grassy Lower Corral vending area.

Even if you have zero shopping interest, please stop by my booth and say hello!  I'd love to meet many of my online fiber friends.

Maryland Sheep & Wool

What a huge surprise! I just found out that:  1) a space opened up at MDS&W and 2) I was on the waiting list.  I remember blogging that I decided not to wait on the list and instead, go shopping with my toddler, but hey- this sudden twist is too exciting to turn down.  Unfortunately, this means that the Spring Batt line is once again on hold- which means I'll end up holding out for a Summer Batt line.  I had promised a give-away to go along with the launch of the repeatable batts, and still plan on doing so once Summer rolls around.

I’ll have a giant 10x15 space outdoors, and I’ve got lots of fiber to crank out before the big event. Due to the very short notice, I also have tons of fiber to order along with new dyes, a tent, better packaging, and promotional items like signage and displays.  It's overwhelming, and I was torn between shutting down the shop and saving everything I have for the festival versus having a sale to raise funds for all of these last minute expenses so I came up with a middle ground:

Everything in my shop is 10% off until Saturday morning with the code "Maryland10."  Saturday morning, I'm unlisting everything to be spun or sold at MDS&W.  This gives my fiber friends a chance to nab what they might have been eye-ing up along with an unexpected discount.  I'm hoping to clear out as much as possible so that I can start fresh with some new colorways and have less to re-package and re-label, so if you're interested in a larger purchase of $200 or more, use code Maryland15.

I usually dislike promoting large discounts because sales can devalue the countless hours of work that fiber artists put into their products, but these are unusual and unexpected circumstances.  Crazy life-twists happen to everyone, right?

HobbledeCLUB members, never fear!  Your April goodies will ship on time this weekend, and to my subscribers- the May theme will be announced tonight in my newsletter, and May shipments will go out following the festival.

I'm so excited for this opportunity!  If I would have known even a month more in advance, I wouldn't need to shut down the website temporarily, but I want to make sure that I can juggle a toddler and these last-minute preparations with as clear of a head as possible.

PS.  Here's a batt set that's getting listed tonight.  I liked the colorway so much that I carded 5 sets!  It was an original possibility for the Spring batt collection, and the name is "Thaw."

woolly hugs!
Liz