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Gizmo Project ID: fibercast

Skype ID: fibercast

Voicemail line: (508) 635-4416

Email: fibercast [at] gmail {dot} com

New England Podcasting

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Syndication

AlpacaEase program http://www.alpacaease.com

New podcasts I like:

Rural Radio http://www.acountrylife.com
Geek.Farm.Life with Andrew and Misty http://geekfarmlife.com

Podcasts I'd like to see:

competition obedience
endurance riding

What I've been doing -
computer problems
sick dog
what it takes to ship an alpaca out-of-state

Flax interview part 2
Johannes and Christian at FlaxForSale.com http://flaxforsale.com

Promo for Crochet Cast http://www.crochetcast.com

Contact info:

Gizmo Project ID:  Fibercast
Skype ID:  Fibercast

Voicemail line:  (508) 635-4416

Email:  caroline@thefibercast.com
spinningalpaca@comcast.net

Direct download: episode10.mp3
Category: podcasts -- posted at: 3:45 PM
Comments[6]

Those of you who know of my regular blog (Fiber Arts & Furry Critters) know that I've been dealing with computer issues.  At this point I think I have everything about ready to go as far as making the next podcast.  I've been busy with other things, though.  Right now I have three alpacas sold, and we're working on the paperwork and testing required for inter-state transport.  Last week the kids were home from school; I've been working on getting ready to put in a small garden; and I've been sleep-deprived for the last two nights while caring for a sick dog.  Indy is now at the vet, and I'm waiting anxiously to find out what's wrong with my buddy.

I hope to have a new podcast ready this weekend.  Sorry to keep you waiting.

Category: general -- posted at: 12:06 PM
Comments[3]

From Nancy Zeller: Jamaica, VT will be holding the 3rd Annual Jamaica Fiber Fest May 20th.  It will be up and down Main St - Contact: http://www.margiesmuse.com  They are expecting around 40 vendors!

Nancy will be hosting Michele Whiplinger, owner of Earthues natural dyes, for a workshop at her farm August 22-24 for an intensive 3-day workshop on Dying in the European Tradition.  Nancy's web site is http://www.longridgefarm.com - watch for further info on that.

April 15, 2006 - Denmark, ME SheepFest.  Small fiber festival, packs a lot of punch (and quite a few vendors) into a small space. If you know of a website for this event, please email me.

Listener Feedback

Lissette emailed me around the end of February and said that she's another one who keeps a sock in her purse in case she gets stuck somewhere.  She heard me mention it on a previous podcast, and said she thought she was the only one!   

I got a comment from Janet Szabo of Big Sky Knitting  Janet is the designer of the (FLAK) Follow The Leader Aran Knit-Along, and the author of several books, including one great book on Aran sweater design. 

------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Nancy Born wrote to offer some West Coast fiber arts festival information.  Seattle Knitting Expo, April 28-30, http://www.seattleknittingexpo.com/

Black Sheep Gathering, Eugene, Oregon, June 23-25, http:// www.blacksheepgathering.org/

Oregon Flock & Fiber Festival, Canby, Oregon, Sept. 22-24, http:// www.flockandfiberfestival.com/ (still 2005 info) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Irie also wrote with info on the Black Sheep Gathering.

Ellen Bloomfield wrote to suggest I do a program or two on alpacas.  Awesome idea, Ellen!

Today's interview - broken into two parts - is on raising and processing flax.  I spoke with Johannes and Christian Zinzendorf of The Hermitage.  They can be found at FlaxForSale.com and on a blog at FlaxNow

Direct download: Episode9.mp3
Category: podcasts -- posted at: 6:37 PM
Comments[3]

Canterbury Shaker Village - Canterbury, NH - Sheep Shearing Day, Sat. March 11  Admission is $5.00
http://shakers.org/programs/?show=FAMILY
From the website - "Spring is here and it's time for our small flock to get rid of their thick winter coats!  Join us to watch the shearing and get hands-on with spinning, carding, weaving and dyeing activities!"

Spinning Wheel Sleuth - a newsletter about spinning wheels and related tools
Florence Feldman-Wood  http://www.spwhsl.com/

American Textile History Museum
http://www.athm.org

Spin-Off - build your own cigar box charkha information
http://www.interweave.com/spin/
pdf file - http://www.interweave.com/spin/projects/Cigar-boxCharkha.pdf

CrochetCast - Jeannie Gist in Texas

CandieCast - Candie Cooper - podcast about jewelry making

AussieKnit - Kate in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia (love the accent!)

Musings of a Peaceful Knitter - Lisa

Time2Knit - Donny

WeaveCast - Syne Mitchell, Seattle

Music - Brobdinagian Bards http://www.thebards.net

Colonial Spinning Bee
Sunday May 21, 1 to 5 pm, at the "Old Chelmsford" Garrison House, Chelmsford, MA
http://home.earthlink.net/~judycat/id2.html
Judy Cataldo

Gore Place Sheep shearing festival
Saturday April 22, 10 am-4 pm, at Gore Place, Waltham, MA
Admission $10 - Children 12 and under are free
Spinners who bring their wheel and demonstrate are also
admitted free
http://www.goreplace.org/events/sheepshearing2006.htm

Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival
33rd year for the MD Sheep & Wool Festival
This year they are featuring the Lincoln breed
Admission and parking are free
May 6 & 7 - 9 am to 6 pm on Sat, 9 am to 5 pm on Sun.
Weather is variable - always the first full weekend in May
http://www.sheepandwool.org/
NO DOGS ALLOWED

NH Sheep & Wool - http://www.yankeeshepherd.com/
Hopkinton Fairgrounds in NH, May 13 & 14.  Sheep to Shawl competition, special Juniors division
Alpaca show

Shepherd's Harvest Sheep & Wool Festival -
same wkend - May 13 & 14  Washington County Fairgrounds, Lake Elmo, MN
Free Admission, Free Parking!
http://www.shepherdsharvestfestival.org/
The Festival was started in order to provide a venue where wool producers, wool consumers and wool artisans could come together and share the excitement of working with sheep and their fantastic product - wool. Gradually, the Festival has grown to include other fiber animals such as Angora rabbits, alpacas, and goats.
Live entertainment each day. Demonstrations are ongoing for sheep shearing, herding dogs, rabbit agility, spinning and knitting.

Massachusetts Sheep & Woolcraft Fair is May 27 & 28, Cummington, MA  http://www.masheepwool.org
No dogs allowed ; bill themselves as one of the oldest New England sheep fairs ; admission $5.00 per car.

Aug 19 & 20 is the 2006 Michigan Fiber Festival
http://www.michiganfiberfestival.org/
Allegan County Fairgrounds, Allegan Michigan
Not much more info on their website yet but there is some contact information

Wisconsin Sheep & Wool Festival, September 8 9 and 10
Jefferson County Fairgrounds
Johnson Creek, Wisconsin
http://www.wisconsinsheepandwoolfestival.com/
Admission is $5 per person, children under 8 are free.  Admission is also free from 5 to 8 pm on Friday

Vermont Sheep & Wool Festival
champlain Valley Expo Center in Essex Junction, VT
September 9 & 10, 2006
http://www.vermontsheep.org/festival.html
At this one there is a company that rents RVs

Finger Lakes Fiber Arts Festival
Hemlock Fairgrounds, Hemlock NY
Sept 16 & 17 2006
http://www.gvhg.org/fest.html
Countdown on their site - only 192 days until the next festival!
Fleece, skein and garment competition info is prominently featured on their front page.

New York State Sheep & Wool Festival ( http://www.sheepandwool.com/),
also known as Rhinebeck because it's held at the Duchess County Fairgrounds in Rhinebeck, NY.
Admission is $10 per person.  In 2006 it's being held on October 21st and 22nd, but according to their own literature it's always held the 3rd weekend in October.  Norm Hall wheels

Additional fiber festival information
http://www.thistlecovefarm.com/fiber.html

Direct download: episode8.mp3
Category: podcasts -- posted at: 2:36 PM
Comments[1]

Sorry the podcast is late. It will be a few more days. The kids are home on school vacation, and that means everything is a little off schedule right now. In the meantime I have created a one-minute promo. As always, feedback is welcome!
Direct download: fibercastpromo.mp3
Category: podcasts -- posted at: 1:39 PM
Comments[0]

Reminder - New England Textile Arts SPA Knit & Spin - Doubletree Hotel, Portland ME http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NewEnglandTextileArts/

Email from Marianne Billings, asking me to mention *her* local fiber festival. Shepherd's Harvest Sheep & Wool Festival Mother's Day Weekend, Washington County Fairgrounds, Lake Elmo, MN http://www.shepherdsharvestfestival.org/

Claudia's spinning retreats - http://www.countrywool.com section on the front page for "Weekend Retreats"

Northeast Handspinners http://northeasthandspinners.org/ The Gathering Nov. 3 to 5, 2006 Loon Mountain, NH http://northeasthandspinners.org/html/nha-events.htm

Also got an email from another listener who had problems downloading the mp3 file.  If you need help setting up computer/ itunes/ ipod (or another mp3 player), please feel free to contact me.  I may be able to help.

http://www.noipodrequired.com/

Email from Lesley Prior regarding her Bowmont Fleece.  Leslie is at http://www.devongoat.co.uk/  By the time I emailed her with some questions, about 4 hours later, it was all sold out!

Nancy Zeller of Long Ridge Farm - http://www.longridgefarm.com/ Contacted me about CVM fleece.

New podcast from Alex Anderson - Alex Anderson Quilt Connection - heard about it on Annie Smith's "Quilting Stash" podcast, and found it in iTunes already.  Alex Anderson's podcast can also be found at http://www.alexandersonquilts.com/podcast/index.phpm

Podcast User Magazine http://podcastusermagazine.com/ THere is also one in production that will be coming out in print at http://id3mag.com/

Public Service Announcement from blind & visually-impaired podcasters at http://www.blindaccessjournal.com petition at http://blindwebaccess.com

Promo for Phedippidations - http://www.steveRunner.com

Interview with Helen Thelen  http://www.baycolonyfarm.com

IAGARB  http://iagarb.org/

giant rabbits http://news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/hi/newsid_4690000/newsid_4694200/4694270.stm http://www.local6.com/news/3547722/detail.html

Contact info: Voicemail # (508) 635-4416 Gizmo Project, Skype - "fibercast" email

Request for intros from listeners

Direct download: Episode7.mp3
Category: podcasts -- posted at: 3:29 PM
Comments[4]

Intro from 6620 West
http://6620west.com

Regular blog and steek pictures
http://fiberarts.typepad.com

New England Textile Arts' SPA Knit & Spin weekend, Doubletree Hotel, Portland Maine, Feb. 18 & 19
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NewEnglandTextileArts/

Brenda Dayne of Cast-on Podcast
http://cast-on.com/

Rhonda of the Knitting News Cast
http://knittingnewscast.blogspot.com/

The newest rising star among the crafting podcasts -
Whit Larson at About Time.  Wonderful! 
http://www.about-time.us/

What to do with raw fleece?

First of all, you have to find raw fleece.  What do you want?
What do you want to do with it?

Fiber Festivals
Farm days/ farm visits
Online vendors

What kind of fleece?
Sheep wool - heavy grease / low grease
alpaca / llama
mohair - angora goat
angora rabbit
cashmere

Sheep wool -
washing - HOT water

Washing mohair:

http://www.fiber2yarn.com/selection.htm

Washing alpaca / llama / anything else that's low to no grease -
lukewarm water, less soap

drying

preparing to spin -
carding - hand cards or drum cards
combing
flicking
grab a handful and go

http://www.icanspin.com

Direct download: Episode6.mp3
Category: podcasts -- posted at: 9:09 PM
Comments[2]

Episode 5 of The FiberCast - Interview with Ted Myatt of Ontario, Canada, the Knitterguy.  One of his readers has dubbed him "The Obi-Wan of Lace Knitting."  He has a blog at Knitterguy.typepad.com, and another he is keeping with Katherine Matthews at The Princess Diaries

Also:

New free pattern - Aran Weight Victorian Lace Shawl by Michelle Ciccariello at Elann.com; YahooGroup for an Aran Weight Victorian Lace Knit-Along

Sharon Miller's Heirloom Knitting site

Mentioned in the interview -

Lendrum Wheels, Tracy Eichheim's Woolly Designs spindles

Episode 6 will focus on fiber preparation - OK, it's off the animal, now what do I do?

Direct download: Episode5.mp3
Category: podcasts -- posted at: 7:02 PM
Comments[1]

Episode 4 of The FiberCast - Talking about raising silk with Michael Cook of Wormspit.com

Also:

Janet Szabo of "Big Sky Knitting" http://www.bigskyknitting.com, Twists and Turns Newsletter, and the Follow the Leader Aran Knit-Along http://www.bigskyknitting.com/FLAK/KNITALONG.HTML

New breed of sheep - Bowmont sheep - cross of merino and shetland http://www.devongoat.co.uk/latestnews.html

New shop - Wool & Dye Works, 52 Main Street #8, Florence MA Spin-In every Monday from noon to 2 pm, Jan 2 - Mar 27, 2006.  http://www.goodwool.com

First fiber event of the year (as far as I know) -

St. Distaff Day, Westford Museum, Westford Massachusetts  January 8, 2006 from 1-5. http://home.earthlink.net/~judycat/

SPA Knit & Spin, Feb. 17 - 19, Doubletree Hotel, Portland, ME. Yahoo Group - New England Textile Arts http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NewEnglandTextileArts/

free pattern online for a gorgeous cabled scarf - YarnCountry.com http://www.yarncountry.com/ProductDetails.aspx?pid=662

Cross stitch - http://www.goldenkite.com free 2006 calendar.  Make sure your color cartridge isn't empty for this one! 

New podcast - Knitting News Cast with Rhonda Bell http://www.knittingnewscast.com/

New pattern in the mail - Winter Garden pullover, http://www.KidsKnits.com

Interview with Michael of http://www.wormspit.com ******************************************************************************

Amy Singer article in Knitty about spinning silk hankies http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEwinter05/FEATsilkhankies.html

Carol Weymar article on spinning silk caps http://www.hjsstudio.com/silkcaps.html

Some places to buy silk for spinning - Treenway Silks http://www.treenwaysilks.com/

Aurora Silk http://www.aurorasilk.com/ (Cheryl Kolander of "The Silkworker's Notebook")

Direct download: Episode4A.mp3
Category: podcasts -- posted at: 5:59 AM
Comments[0]

I'm sorry that Episode 3 is late.  Family Christmas obligations and downtime with Typepad conspired to keep me from updating the podcast, even though it was recorded on time on December 15.  In any case, here is Episode3 of The FiberCast.

New online spinning "magazine" - Spindlicity.com

Connie Delaney - Spindling.com - book, Spindle Spinning from Novice to Expert; Spincraft patterns

Other spindle spinning books - Priscilla Gibson-Roberts' High Whorling Spin-Off magazine's Handspindle Treasury Lee Raven's Spin It

Christmas wish list: 1897 Sears & Roebuck Catalog WooLee Winder

Alpaca immunization information: OSU School of Veterinary Medicine's Camelid Vaccination Protocol

Applique pattern designers: Jen Buechel, Ornamental Applique Jo Coons, Potpourri Pieces

Excellent service in an online quilt shop:  Quilt Adventures

Piece O' Cake Designs, pattern reprint of "Stars in the Garden" pattern, applique video

Direct download: Episode3.mp3
Category: podcasts -- posted at: 7:05 PM
Comments[0]

Thank you all for listening!

Click HERE to listen to Episode 2, or right-click on the highlighted word and select "Save Target As" to save the mp3 file to your own computer.

Thanks to Brenda for mentioning this program on her podcast, Cast-On.

Other sites referenced in this podcast:

Stephanie Pearl-McPhee's Yarn Harlot blog

Spin-Off Magazine

Apple Blossom Quilts

One Red Paperclip blog

I am "fibercast" on Gizmo Project or leave me voicemail at 508-635-4416

On-line resources for learning to spin

Spin-Off magazine

Yahoo Groups - Spin-List Spindlers Spindlitis

ICanSpin.com

Spin-Off Magazine

Grafton Fibers

What do you want for Christmas?

Copper Moose

Golding Ring Spindles & Accessories

Nancy's Knit Knacks

-----
Direct download: Episode2.mp3
Category: podcasts -- posted at: 6:56 PM
Comments[0]