The Life of a Shepherdess - Seasons... and Ewes for Sale

Summer passed quickly.  As time goes by the summers seem shorter and shorter.  The wisdom of the "Old Timers". Yes?  It isn't as though they didn't warn us!

I sent some of my "gals" for a visit to another Southdown Breeder last fall.  (Wink. Wink.)  Had a friend stop by her place to see the kids.  She snapped this photo, along with others, to let me see my sheep. I really missed them. Sheep really do know their Shepherds - and Shepherdesses.

Now the year is drawing to a close.  The holidays are rapidly approaching.  

Things are quieting down.  Well, a bit.    

Herd management is an important part of raising sheep.  I work hard and am proud of my herd.
With that said, I am offering some of my Southdown Ewes and lambs for sale.  All of them are eligible for registration with the American Southdown Breeders Association.

The one year old Ewes are $250/each. They have not been exposed to a ram, yet. 

Bred Southdown ewes are $325/each.

Ewe lambs are $200/each.

The Sassy Ewe is located in Barryton, Michigan.

~ ~ ~ 

I've also been busy knitting custom orders for clients.  Many of my items are made from the wool of my Southdown Sheep.  Hand-spun and Hand-Knit.  Sometimes hand-dyed.  Each item is made to order. 

Hand-spun, Hand-Knit Baby Set made from beautiful, soft, Southdown wool. 

Consists of Sweater, Hat, and Booties. $50/per set. Each set is made-to-order and requires a 50% deposit. Hand-dyeing is available for a charge of $10/set.

Made especially for the precious baby in your life. Heirloom quality.

Examples of some of the hand-spun, hand-knit, and hand-dyed items avail from The Sassy Ewe. 

Each item is custom made with beautiful, soft, Southdown wool. 

Wrap your precious bundles up in wool. Heirloom quality.

~ ~ ~

Thank you for stopping in for a visit!  Wishing you and yours a very Happy Thanksgiving!

Eddie, my trusty herd guardian, wishes to send you his regards, as well! 

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!

Keeping Busy

Even during the coldest days of winter, a Shepherdess has plenty to keep her busy.  The sheep still need to be cared for.  During the especially cold days we've had recently, that included carrying water to the sheep.

What a blessing it is to come back inside to a warm pot of soup, my dogs, and my spinning!

What do I have on my bobbin?  Currently I am working with a combination Southdown roving in Tranquil Sea Color combination.  It should be finished and off the bobbins sometime this weekend.

Here are some of the hand-spun, hand-knit hats that I made with my hand-dyed yarns.

CVM and Blue Face Leicester Roving and hand-spun yarn. This was processed for my by Ohio Valley Natural Fibers.  They do an exceptional job!

This roving and hand-spun yarn is a combination of 73% Mahogany Alpaca, 25% Brown Merino Wool, and 12% Silver Tussah Silk.  So Sweet!

This photo is of my dark brown wool combined with alpaca. I've spun this beautiful yarn into a Heavy Knitting Worsted-Weight Yarn.

This lovely, unique fiber is a combination of dark brown wool and alpaca, which I've combined with hand-dyed salmon-colored wool.

Made especially for U of M Fans!  

This is made using my Southdown wool.  I hand-dyed it Blue with just a touch of Maize.

Here are a couple of the batts that I had made up at Ohio Valley Natural Fiber.  

They are just wonderful!  Toasty Warm!  Thick and Rich 100% Southdown Wool.

You'll notice that they are much thicker than common quilting batts.  These make wonderful Comforters and Mattress Pads.

All of my Batts have SOLD OUT!

I have these Custom Made using my wonderful Southdown Wool.

If you are interested in purchasing a custom made batt, please contact me.

Sassy Samplings...

 YUMMY!  Violet & Pink Southdown - Hand Dyed, Handspun Yarn - 17 oz

SWEET!   Hand Dyed, Hand Spun, Turquoise Southdown!

SOFT!!! 8 oz of Black Alpaca.  10 More ounces to be spun!

UNIQUE!  Natural Brown Wool / Alpaca with Salmon colored dyed wool. 

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

Upcoming Events!

The Sassy Ewe will be at the Craft Show at Brooks Corners Church in Evart this Friday, September 13th through Saturday, September 14th.

On Sunday, the 15th, you can find her at SW Michigan Harvest Festival at Tillers International, Scotts, MI.

Stop in and take a look at the wonderful, natural, wool roving, hand-dyed roving & yarns, and more!  

Visit awhile.  Learn about the life of a Shepherdess, dyeing, spinning, knitting...and More!

Blooming Roses. Hand-Dyed by the Sassy Ewe from Southdown Sheep. Processing by Frankenmuth Woolen Mill.

Little Girl's Favorite! Pink & Purple Southdown Roving.  Fresh from Frankenmuth Woolen Miill.

U of M Colors for the coming season. 

Wool, Mohair, Shetland, Alpaca, Llama, Dog Hair, Wool.
Handspun Yarns in Natural Colors

 Handspun, Hand-Dyed Southdown

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.