Alethea handspins sheep wool, llama, angora and dog from the unwashed locks on drop spindle or spinning wheel.
She uses these yarns for various fiber art. Some of her yarns were spun at the Northern Woolen Mills in Fosston, MN.
She uses naturally colored fibers and environmentally friendly natural dyes to add color to her designs. She wild-crafts much of her plant material for the dye pots and buys sustainably harvested products for the rest.
She uses these yarns for various fiber art. Some of her yarns were spun at the Northern Woolen Mills in Fosston, MN.
She uses naturally colored fibers and environmentally friendly natural dyes to add color to her designs. She wild-crafts much of her plant material for the dye pots and buys sustainably harvested products for the rest.
Inspiration
Northern Minnesota inspires me. Plants that provide food and medicine for me and the animals also provide dyes and accents for projects. The animals and their personalities inspire me, the tradition of raising fiber animals is almost as old as humankind. Shepherds cannot be separated from their sheep any more than a project can be separated from the medium from which it is created. The climate, wildlife and ecosystem provide variety, beauty and a glimpse into the heart of God.
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Fiber
I work primarily with wool from animals I’ve raised, rare and primitive breeds of sheep, northern breeds of dogs, llamas and angora rabbits.
Tradition
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I enjoy adapting old techniques, I roo my sheep as they naturally shed their fleeces. My tools are simple and keep me in connection with the fiber. When I wash my own yarns, (I spin in the grease), I use handmade goat milk soap that does not remove all the lanolin. The yarns and projects still smell sweet like the sheep and earth that nurtures them. All of this is the theme that guides my work, that connection with the animals and land, the artisans and crafters who have gone before.
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Sustainable
Making useable art that is completely sustainable with little to no waste during the production of the yarns and products is always a challenge and a reward. Right now, I am working with continuous strand looms in order to minimize loom waste. These types of looms present their own challenges. Adapting this loom and technique to leno lace or Scottish tartan patterns and twills provides creative inspiration and challenge. It interests me to use ancient techniques (like nalbinding) for more modern projects.
My connection to the world around me permeates my life and heart. Like my ancestors, I must live within the rhythms of the seasons, lambing, rooing, pasture, hay and the still slow time of winter when outdoor work is less and there is time to create.
My connection to the world around me permeates my life and heart. Like my ancestors, I must live within the rhythms of the seasons, lambing, rooing, pasture, hay and the still slow time of winter when outdoor work is less and there is time to create.