Black Sheep Gathering

I saw a post on Facebook while we were in Bend and realized that the Black Sheep Gathering was the following weekend.  By leaving Bend a day early and leaving Washington a day early, we were able to attend for the day on Saturday.  Ian found a room in the La Quinta near Autzen Stadium where the Ducks play.  It was in a little tucked away space near the park and amphitheater and away from freeway noise.   The staff apologized when we checked in on Friday, saying it might be a little noisy because of concerts.  We were on the third floor and by opening our windows, we got to hear live music.  Much better than freeway noise!

We came into Eugene on Friday because we didn't want to miss any of our favorite event - Judith MacKenzie judging the wool show.  There were more fleeces this year than in recent years and she ended up running an hour over because she wasn't willing to slight any of the classes.  Two of the last classes were Shetlands, a breed that she has raised and is clearly still partial too.  She said she still has plenty because they're so special to her, they were at her house and not her warehouse when it caught on fire.

All the time she is judging she is also instructing, and questions from the floor are welcome.  There aren't many because most of the audience has some experience with sheep, but she takes her time with them as she does everything else.  I got so excited listening to her talk about Shetlands, that I decided I'm going to process some of our bright white dual-coated boy myself.  I was surprised when she said that white is rare, and also that it's hard to find a shearer for Shetlands because of the roo line where they naturally moult.  Most shearers don't want to mess with it, because you have to decide whether to go above or below it.  In fact, I looked at one bright gray fleece in the wool sale and decided against it because the shearer had cut below the line and it was slightly felted along the shear line.

There were more vendors this year than I've seen before.  A couple dozen were set up outside and it was rather overwhelming.  Many of the booths were selling similar items, roving, silk and fluff to spin.  It didn't seem like people were buying.  I know I wasn't.  I can buy from Mim or use what I have.  I did buy a large Bolga basket.  I'm not sure one can have enough of them.

I realized as we were leaving that I hadn't taken photos all day.  I ran around snapping like crazy and was glad Linda walked out at just the right time.  She came down from Portland and Laura came over from Prineville.  Doris, Virva and Sharie drove up from the Reno area.  Doris has been raising sheep for 20 years at least but since she retired, she's gotten very serious about developing her breeding stock.  She said what turned her sales around was coating her sheep.  She also bought a new Merino ram last year from Janet Heppler. 

She entered five fleeces in the competition for the Black Sheep Cup.  This award acknowledges the finest small flock entered in the show.  Doris won it!  Ian and I enjoyed spending the afternoon with our five friends and watch Doris sail around on cloud nine. All her sheep are crosses but she credits Janet's ram with bringing new life to her flock.  By the time I stopped for the photo, all the fleeces had sold and Doris was gone. 

Okay, I did buy something.  I went with Sharie into the vendor area because she wanted to take a peek at Ken Ledbetter's booth - KCL spindles.  I looked at the spindles but I told him that I have cops on two spindles and because I hate to ply, I don't know when I'll get them off.  He reached underneath and pulled out this goodie.  He's just started making these lazy kates.  This one accommodates his as well as Goldings, but he's going to make a smaller one for just his spindles.  It's perfect.  The mess and disaster that I used to have when plying from spindles is no more.  I really don't need more spindles.  Since when does need have anything to do with anything?

This was my wheel after Spindle Camp.

I had a package waiting for me from Village Spinning and Weaving when I got home from Oregon with my replacement parts and also a new 1 1/2 yard Ashford nitty noddy.  John from Village Spinning and Weaving was at BSG and I talked to him briefly about changing these bands.  He told me that the secret is to get a square screwdriver tip from the hardware store and put it in my battery operated screwdriver.  Ian already had one and it made the change a piece of cake.  Don't mix up the screws!  John told me that in the future, when the bands get yellow, they're on their way out.  Good to know!