Demo at the Log Farm.
As some of you know the farmers market I go to is at the Log Farm in Ottawa. https://thelogfarm.com/ Along with the farmers market on Saturdays, there is also a working small farm with the original log house and barns where you can visit and see some animals and enjoy a break from the city without leaving the city. Last weekend was shearing day for the sheep they have at the farm. They asked my guild to do a demonstration, and of course we said yes.
Here we are setting up under the tents. You can see in the first shot that the styrofoam head and hat had already taken the first of several tumbles with the wind. in the second shot, you can see the container of goodies I brought as a treat. A little bonus for coming out to demo on an iffy weather day.
This is Josee demoing on her table loom.
This is Paula spinning on her electric spinning wheel. She also has her incle loom set up and was demonstrating that too.
This is Maureen Spinning on her wheel, an Ashford Traveler. You can see it in Paula’s picture too. I think Maureen was chatting with someone when I took this.
And to be fair here is a picture of me teaching some girls how to make felted beads using some pencils. I know I am blurry but it was the best shot of the girl’s hands.
As I said we were there for shearing day. here are the sheep staying dry while they wait for the shearer.
Here is one getting shorn. They had their own tent so the shearer could also stay dry. All the wool was donated to the guild and Jan and some others bagged it all to give to fellow members.
Here are some pictures of the surroundings. Some barns were renovated last year. after a few years, they will weather and not look so brand new.
We had a great time despite the ominous clouds and several downpours. I was surprised at the number of people who attended with the forecast we had but they all seemed happy and I think we gained a couple of guild members.








17 thoughts on “Demo at the Log Farm.”
What a lovely day out from the city – you can smell the fresh air in the photos – and free wool too!
It is a great spot to get away form the busyness of the city. I wish I had more time for pictures.
I agree, lovely day out, lots of animals to see topped off by you and your Guild members. It brings back the fond memories I have of demoing with my Guild (Dorset). Over the years we did lots, but none that I can remember having such a great setting – despite all the wonderful scenery we have in Dorset.
I remember demonstrating making beads, well little balls. I had seen in a magazine somewhere an article about this method. Get lots of tiny containers, like the centre pods of Kinder Eggs. Stuff in some fibre add a glug of soapy water and shake. This makes the initial ball shape for you to finish between the palms of your hands. When demonstrating I’d put 4 or 5 of these filled pods inside a larger container and shake them all together. The noise (think maracas – loud ones!) and the sight of me shaking the container brought lots of people round to see what this odd woman was doing. It certainly caught attention and some people even stayed to look at our booth and watch the spinners.
“Thanks for the Memories”
Ann
I am glad It reminded you of some good memories. I really like demonstrations. Unfortunately they are mostly on Saturdays when I can’t get away. Once you get a few into the booth it attracts others. I may have to try the balls in a container trick.
What a lovely complete demo….from the growers (sheep) to the finishers (your members with all their fibre products). It must have been a very interesting, and educational, day for so many city folk.
The children must have had fun making their beads giving them a souvenir of the day. I’ll have to get you to explain the process with the pencils….I think I’ve worked it out!
Looks like, despite this continuing lousy weather everywhere, that you had an enjoyable, productive day, and Log Farm appears to be an amazing place….wish I’d been there to experience it all.
It was fun, sort of sheep to shawl without the stress. Our weather has been crazy. It can’t make up its mind: hot/cold/hot/wet. Today it is 33c(91f) with a humidex or 41(102f). here is the link of how to do the beads https://feltingandfiberstudio.com/2016/03/20/a-mini-maker-fair/
Weather….at least you have it hot (maybe too hot) many of us here have had to put our heating back on 9.5C then 20C in the sun then back to 13C!!!
Brilliant beads….thanks. It matched my thinking, but so pleased to have it confirmed
I agree with every comment. I’m from northern California where the weather is anything but rainy. Hot and windy. I’m hoping you’ll explain the pencil method as well. Would be fun to do with school kids, maybe?
Thank you . her is a link to a post I did about making beads this way. https://feltingandfiberstudio.com/2016/03/20/a-mini-maker-fair/
I would really like to know how to make the beads with the pencil method! I will be teaching wet felting over a balloon to a group of children between the ages of 5 & 15 at the end of July. I could use some ideas that would allow them to enjoy the process and end up with some nice items to take home at the end of two hours. Any suggestions welcome! Donna B.
HI think you . wow 2 hours isn’t long. I hope they are small balloons. Here is a link to a post I did about the beads. https://feltingandfiberstudio.com/2016/03/20/a-mini-maker-fair/
It’s always lovely to see how guilds all over the world keep the spark alive by captivating new members. Plus, it can’t hurt when one gets new fleeces in exchange for demos!
Glad the weather didn’t deter enthusiasts and curious ones to attend 🙂
It is great to see people realize that this is something people still do and is an option for a hobby. You can see the wheels turning and the sparks going off. I remember that when I discovered felting. I loved fibre and yarn but had no desire to knit or weave. Its always fun when someone says I didn’t know you could make that, like things just pop into existence somewhere.
What a wonderful event despite the weather. I’m glad that people braved the weather as it looks like a lot of fun. And free fleeces, who is washing all of those? Jan? And for all those asking, here’s a post that Ann wrote about making felt tube beads around pencils before:
https://feltingandfiberstudio.com/2016/03/20/a-mini-maker-fair/
It was fun and it won’t be me washing them. I think we have one sheep and one alpaca bag left. Thanks for the link. I shared it above so they will see it.
Great job Ann and demo team. Looks like fun.
Thanks Carlene. it is always fun as you know.