Gigi Matthews MAFA Conference 2021 Spin The World I Iceland, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, England, France, Belgium & The Netherlands HADRIAN’S WALL (photo: Gigi Matthews) Welcome, and thank It’s not necessary to purchase any fibers for this class - or you for joining me on even to know how to spin! But for spinners who would like to this fiber journey! try some or all of the fibers I will be talking about, here is a list and you are welcome to blend and spin during class. Also, I will be giving everyone a link to Padlet.com where fellow attendees from all four Spin The World classes can share fiber creations, and travel experiences. I have included some suggested retailers I am happy to recommend for their quality fibers and good service, and because some of these fibers are hard to find. (Remember, it’s not necessary to spin or have any fibers for Spin the World classes.) Some fibers will be covered in other classes; for example, I will be speaking about hemp for England as well as Japan and the USA but the information will be different for each nation. (Note: I refer to all spinnable materials as “fiber.”) FIBERS: Sheep breeds: Icelandic, Scottish Blackface, Galway, North Ronaldsey, Soay, Hebridean, Brecknock Hill, Badger Face, Norfolk Horn, Herdwick, Lincoln Longwool, Manx Loaghtan, Ouessant, Dutch Brown Spotted, Zwartbles, and Texel. Cellulose fibers: Flax; hemp. Additional: English Angora rabbits; mulberry silk. 1 Gigi Matthews MAFA Conference 2021 RECOMMENDED RETAILERS: Hespa Icelandic fiber can be sourced from many sellers (see below). However, I want to also mention the Etsy shop “Hespa” which sells Icelandic yarn dyed with native Icelandic plants by Gudrun Bjarnadottir, who teaches Botany at the Agricultural University of Iceland and spends her spare time collecting plants and dyeing yarn In particular, her lichen dyed yarn is unique, with a lovely natural scent. https:// www.etsy.com/shop/Hespa The Wychwood Spinner specializes in British and European rare breed fleece, sourcing from people who are passionate about sheep! The quality is excellent. They are located in England but service to the US is fast and friendly. https://www.etsy.com/shop/WychwoodSpinner Queen Conch Fibers also sells hard to find rare breed fleece. They are located in the Florida and participate in The Livestock Conservancy’s Shave'em to Save’em Initiative so if you purchase a breed on the list they’ll include an official sticker for your TLC passport. https://www.etsy.com/shop/ QueenConchFibers "The creation of a thousand forests is in one acorn." The Livestock Conservancy lists farmers in the USA selling rare breed sheep fiber - visit their website and click on - Ralph Waldo Emerson - Get Involved - Shave Em to Save Em to see a searchable online breeders and products directory. https:// livestockconservancy.org/index.php/heritage/internal/ breeders-directory The Fuzzy Ear is a licensed English Angora Rabbitry owned & operated by Lorraine & Peter Hanson in Gloucester, VA. They sell English Angora rabbit fiber, and also do outreach education & therapy with their rabbits. https://thefuzzyear.com/ Paradise Fibers in Washington State offer a wide variety of fibers: https://www.paradisefibers.com 2 Gigi Matthews MAFA Conference 2021 The Woolery in Kentucky also offers a large selection of fibers: https://woolery.com/ etsy.com has many vendors selling fiber of all kinds directly to the consumer. Many small farms sell on Etsy as well. I hope you enjoy Spin The World I! If you have any questions, please email me at [email protected]. 3.