A Woolly Summer

The Sassy Ewe has been one busy lady.  Spinning and knitting her way through events all summer long!

You can find Sue Ann, The Sassy Ewe, next weekend working her woolly magic at Hartwick Pines in Grayling, MI.  The annual Black Iron Days will be going on and The Sassy Ewe wouldn't miss it!

 Here is an excerpt from the Grayling Visitors Bureau:

"Hartwick Pines State Park will host the annual Black Iron Days Festival on August 23rd-24th, 2014; the largest annual gathering of blacksmiths in Michigan. Over 50 craftsmen and women will be on hand demonstrating their trade at the logging museum located at the park.

The two-day event, taking place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day, also will recreate the sights, sounds and scents of an historic sawmill cutting logs into boards. Watch woodworkers, weavers and wool spinners as they show how their crafts were done in the era before power tools. Full Moon Jam will be performing a mix of traditional and original music.

The Hartwick Pines Logging Museum is a field site of the Michigan Historical Museum that interprets Michigan’s white pine logging era of 1840-1910. Black Iron Days is sponsored by the Friends of Hartwick Pines. All proceeds go toward interpretive and educational programs at the park.

The park is located at 4216 Ranger Rd. in Grayling in Crawford County. The event is free, however, a Recreation Passport is required for vehicles entering Hartwick Pines. For details on the program, call the park at 989-348-7068." 

Come on down and meet Sue Ann and see her beautiful Wool andHandspun Yarn.  

You'll also want to see her lovely hand-knit items! Beautiful, Quality Knits!

Karkul Wool.  Charcoal and Dark Oatmeal.  Yummy!

Pretty Wool from Sheila Lingle of Lingle Lane Farm. 

Processed by Ohio Valley Natural fibers and spun by SA.

 More winter hats to add to inventory. Be prepared! ;)

Dyeing fun! Roving in roasting bag and then spun.

More roasting bag dyed roving and then spun.

Roasting bag dyed yarn. Wool from Sheila Lingle of Lingle Lane Farm. 

Processed by OVNF. Spun and dyed by SA.

Corner view of 2014 “Stars” Afghan. Measuring 52” x 41”. Weight: 29 ounces.

Handspun southdown wool from The Sassy Ewe. The afghan will be auctioned at the American Southdown Breeder's Association annual show/meeting with proceeds going to scholarship fund.

“Eddie” The Wonder Guardian. 

.Newest addition to The Sassy Ewe.

 Dyed Southdown Wool blended with Natural Alpaca.

Grinch Green!  Are Ewe Ready for the Holidays? 

Natural Brown Wool blended with a blend of Natural Colored Alpaca.

Lucious! ...and Soooooo Soft!

100% Wool.  Natural Grey with Dyed Southdown Wool.

A Great Color for the Man in your Life.

This wonderful hat was is the creation of a Sassy Ewe customer.

Isn't it GREAT!?

Thank you for stopping by!

Sue Ann is looking forward to seeing you soon!

The Season of Rebirth

After the long, long winter we have had here in Michigan, comes the welcome time of rebirth.  For a shepherdess, the "birth" part is the main focus.  With spring comes the welcome birthing of lambs.  One will find them, literally, springing up around the farm!

This past March 26th was Shearing Day at the farm.

Shearer, William Ricks, Shearing my Karakul Ram

Who can resist a new lamb...or two?

Certainly not Janet and Yvonne!

The Sassy Ewe, Sue Ann Carpenter with 2 new Karakul lamb twins.

They know the voice of their Shepherdess already!

The Shepherdess and 2 new Karakul twin lambs.

The lady loves her sheep and lambs! 

Farm Fresh Karakul Fleece

Farm Fresh Southdown Fleece

Southdown Lamb born March 2014

Southdown Twins born in April 6, 2014

Karakul Twin born March 2014

Southdown Twin born March 2014

Karakul Lamb born April 2014

I love this little lamb!  It looks as though he is saying "Who? Me?"

He steals the show!!!  :)

Weidman Craft Show Trifecta !!! Saturday, November 2nd, 2013

The Sassy Ewe 

will be at:

Weidman Eagles Club 

Saturday, November 2nd, 2013 from 9 am - 3 pm

Three area Weidman groups are hosting local Crafters & Artisans!

Saturday, November 2nd, 2013

Weidman Community Building (Bridge Street behind the bank) 9 am - 4 pm

Weidman Eagles Club (Weidman Road behind the Fire Dept) 9 am - 3 pm

Weidman Methodist Church (3200 N Woodruff Road ) 9 am - 2 pm

All 3 shows will be serving lunch.

There is a Bake Sale at the Eagles Club.

A Cookie Walk at the church.

Table Spaces are Still Available!  

Please call: 989-644-3257 or 989-506-2647

Shearing Day

Today was shearing day at the farm.  One escapee, and all the others were shorn.  Unfortunately, taking pictures while wrestling sheep is impossible.  Really pleased with the quality of the fiber, here at the farm. Here are a couple post-shearing shots.

White Karakul ewe lamb.  Freshly shown.  Showing wonderful breed characteristics.

Fleece from White Karakul ewe lamb is at least 6".

Fleece from the Black Karakul ram is a good 6", as well.

Black Karakul ram lamb fleece is about 6" long with sunburned tips.  

Find Fibers by The Sassy Ewe at Wisconsin Sheep & Wool !!!

September 6th-8th, 2013 will find many of my favorite people at the Wisconsin Sheep & Wool Festival ! While I will not be able to attend in person, some of my fibers will be available through Maple Row Farm at E 963 & 694.  Maple Row Farm is owned and operated by Bob & Deb Cline in Sherwood, Michigan. You will not find better folks anywhere!

The Sassy Ewe... Hand-Dyed Southdown roving. A recent shipment from the mill.

 Another beautiful Southdown Hand-spun yarn by The Sassy Ewe.

 Tunis Wool, Fawn Alpaca & Dyed Mohair. SWEET!
Processed by Ohio Valley Natural Fibers. Exceptional quality.

A Combination of Hand-Dyed Southdown, plied with a Natural Colored Wool/Alpaca Blend.

 Natural Colored Wool & Black Alpaca. This combination creates a very rich, dark brown shade. Wonderful hand.

 Natural Colored Wool, combined with Hand-Dyed Southdown Wool/Mohair blend in Turquoise. This is a dream to spin. 

Some of my Color Combinations...

The Sassy Ewe - Sue Ann Carpenter

~ The Sassy Ewe ~

Sue Ann Carpenter

For several years, Sue Ann Carpenter simply admired the Karakul Sheep she would see at the MSU Rare Breed Livestock shows. In 1988, Sue Ann finally gave in and purchased 4 karakul sheep. A ram named Fire, and three ewes, which she named Flame, Fudge & Freckles. These Karakuls were “off colored”, which means “other than black”. Later that same year she picked up 5 more ewes and another ram.

The following year, 1989, Sue Ann's son, Dan, decided he wanted to show Southdown Sheep in 4-H. By this time Sue Ann had learned to spin and was becoming more educated about the wonderful characteristics of the Karakul fibers. The fibers were natural colored, long, and spun wonderfully.

Remembering the beginning of her fibery journey, Sue Ann laughs. Then says that she had a wonderful mentor in Marie McFadden of Marshall, Michigan. Sue Ann was to discover that Marie had some ulterior motives of her own. Good Motives, to be certain! Over the years Sue Ann purchased 2 spinning wheels and took over the task of promoting wool within the Calhoun County Sheep Club.

To quote Sue Ann, “The more you do, the more you learn.” She learned to pick (clean the debris/hay from) and wash her own fleeces. Not all mills are able to process the long fibers well. Each type of wool has its own characteristics. They feel differently from one another. Have different strengths, lengths, and specialty uses. For instance; in addition to spinning Karakul for knitting or weaving, it felts wonderfully.

Previously she had been paying someone to dye for her. However, the colors where not what she hoped for. Sue Ann began dyeing her own fibers. Not only was she able to achieve the colors she wanted, this helped to keep her costs down. Which results in savings for her happy clientele. Her colors are bold, deep, rich...they have life. Can you say YUM-MY?!

Sue Ann specializes in fibers from both Karakul and Southdown sheep. To supplement her offering, she also uses wool from various other breeds; along with other natural fibers. Most often these fibers come from other local sheep breeders. Sometimes she blends these in the roving. At other times plys the fibers. The resulting product is an exceptional experience in color, texture, and earthy goodness. If you are interested in a truly decadent experience, you can arrange for Sue Ann to have some of her Southdown made into bats. These luxurious bats make a an exceptional comforter. Not only are they unbelievably warm – they are light and airy. No sweating or suffocating necessary. Southdown wool breathes! It is a heavenly experience.

Sue Ann has shown and exhibited sheep at both local and state levels. Currently she has 9 adult Karakuls, (which includes the 15 year old, Miss C!) and 6 Karakul lambs. She also has 24 adult Southdowns and 13 Southdown lambs.

Sue Ann Carpenter, AKA – The Sassy Ewe – is a favorite among her peers and the public. She has a wonderful product. She is a true lady and an exceptional woman. While out and about, Sue Ann is always happy to share her time and her knowledge with inquiring minds.