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Tuesday 26 November 2013

White Gum Wool



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Welcome to StudioSvenja, Pegasus overlocker!! It's made it just that little bit more full, but I am so happy to have it!
Progress continues within both studios (and really, the house in general!) on the latest WoW piece. Leather moulding in one, and leather sewing in the other. RSI in one hand already. Oh dear!
My main reason for posting tonight though is to share with you a couple of interesting sites. You may remember I have previously sent down some felted garments to Tasmania for display purposes.
These were for Nan Bray, who runs White Gum Wool in Oatlands Tasmania. I first stumbled across White Gum Wool when trying to source superfine merino roving for a workshop, referred by Mandie Chandler at Ewe Give Me The Knits, if I recall.
"The story behind White Gum Wool is one of mamas and babies, of diversity and abundance, and of ethics—for the land, the animals and the people involved in making this yarn.
And the story includes you, because you, or your grandmother or friend will create something beautiful and lasting from this magical fibre.
White Gum Wool sheep are raised on a single farm, in the high midlands of Tasmania.  They graze in mostly native pastures where they can find the plants they need to keep healthy.
Mamas teach their babies how to forage in this landscape, hanging out in family groups of grandmas, mamas and lambkins.  Sheep are highly social animals, and keeping families together means the sheep are just plain happier.
The abundant, diverse landscapes are healthy, too—they are real ecosystems doing what ecosystems do best—turning sunlight and water into energy through a squillion different animal and plant pathways.  No fertilisers, pesticides or fungicides are used in growing White Gum Wool."
World Of Wearable Art | Luxe Travel Report | World of Wearable Art AwardsWhite Gum Wool was recently featured on ABC's Landline programme, and it was a really interesting story, and a lovely opportunity to get to know Nan! Take a look and learn about her radical approach to wool farming.
The other site I wanted to direct you to is Wendy Moyer's blog. A fellow WoW designer, her blog is a beautifully written and visually delicious exploration of her adventures in textile and costume design. I met Wendy at WoW the year her design Iggy, aka Abracalypse Now, left, was an engaging and successful entry in the awards show. As someone going through the same process, I greatly enjoy her descriptions of her journey. From what I've seen so far, I'm pretty sure I'll be seeing her and her latest design at the next WoW show. Well, I hope I'll be there!
What the hell is going on with my fonts, I hear you ask? I don't know. I did art. This is the best I can do with technology. It hurts my brain to look at these things that I can't fix, so I just concentrate on the fabulous things I can do. NMP - Not My Problem!! 

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