One of the first lessons we learnt at the beginning of our rug-making business is that fibre, and all its associated paraphernalia, takes up a HUGE amount of room. This was not an easy realisation, as we are also avid readers, and so with spare bedroom number one already a library, we made the 'guilty' decision to turn spare bedroom number two into a fibre room. Our overnight guests were few and far between (and are even less now)!
The second lesson was the importance of labelling, especially other people's fibre. When we are sent fleeces to turn into rugs we are not just being sent 'fleeces', we are sent memories, love, pride, and a whole host of other emotions; and the resulting rugs, which should last a lifetime, then have all those emotions embedded in them. This of course makes the entire process a little scary and daunting, and each time we send a rug back to its owner, it is always with the words: 'oh my goodness, I do hope they like it'!
In so many ways, all this is no different to serving up a joint of beef or a leg of lamb. The time, energy, and emotional investment that smallholders put into raising their animals pretty much always means that we really hope/ need to love the final product, whether we are eating it, walking on it, sitting on it, or simply looking at it!
And that is the third lesson we learnt - not that this one needed much learning - that of valuing every single fleece that comes our way and realising the animals' importance to their owner: from the pet sheep that are treated more like dogs to the alpaca who has just given its last fleece. Our most moving commission to date was being given several fleeces from a lady who had just lost her husband. The plan had always been to commission a 'his and hers' rug for each side of their bed and when we met up to collect the fleeces, she asked us to go ahead and still make the two rugs!! Not a commission we will ever forget and yes, tears were shed!
Esta historia es de la edición July 2023 de The Country Smallholder.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición July 2023 de The Country Smallholder.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
How to Buy a Smallholding in France- Long-time smallholder Lorraine Turnbull looks at the practicalities of moving to rural France
Aspiring smallholders are continually thwarted by the prices of smallholdings and property with land located within the UK. Even the humblest croft in Scotland comes with a substantial price tag and conditions which would make even an adventurous wannabee consider carefully. But all is not lost. For those willing to take the adventure of a lifetime, there is always Europe, and one of the most popular places is France.
Meet the Bournemouth goats and their supporters
These capricious animals are hard workers preserving the natural habitat
Still warm enough to sit outside with a Pizza
Henrietta Balcon uses fresh figs to create an unusual dish at Harvest time
Goodbye to the birds of spring and summer
If you look and listen you might be able to see them preparing to leave says The RSPB
Get ready for the colder weather in the warmth of late summer
Claire Waring advises on doing the best to make sure your colonies survive until next spring
Preparing the Veg Patch for Winter
Lee Senior says, a well-run plot can excitingly continue to produce good quality, tasty, fresh food for much of winter
Time to prepare to plant your orchard
Wade Muggleton, smallholder and author of The Orchard Book, shares his practical experience so you can create your own fruit collection
Choosing feed for the autumn
As autumn approaches, Joanna Palmer, nutritionist at the Smallholder Range, offers advice on choosing the right feed to support your adult birds through their annual moult and ensure your young birds grow and finish well at this time of the year.
Vet advice from an experienced poultry vet
Reflecting on how much the humble hen has helped people world wide plus advice on stopping the scourge of red mite
Give your hens some support
Paul Donovan looks at the right and wrong ways of handling birds
