IAGARB

Announcing the Midwest December Shearing Party/Workshop Furlough

Exquisitely Angora Farms is delighted to host a weekend fun of angora rabbit fun and workshop. Internationally acclaimed Artist and current IAGARB President Leslie Samson will come from the cold Canadian north to teach us about angora management and 2 felting workshops.

Location: Grand Army Farm in Labadie, MO, 1 hr west of St. Louis.

Schedule:

Friday December 12:

Angora Management Class 1-5 pm

Teacher : Leslie Samson, Cost: $30

Help your Angora rabbits become all that they can be! In this class you will learn strategies used by European breeders that you can apply to maximize the genetic potential of any Angora rabbit. While the methods presented will focus on the development of the Angora in Germany, information about improved wool harvesting methods, breeding selection, temperature control and feeding is applicable to all Angoras.

The central question, which we will discuss, is this – Europeans started with the same commercial stock that North Americans did about sixty years ago. At that time, Angoras produced roughly half a pound of wool a year. Today, North American Angoras, from lines that do not include newly imported blood, have improved slightly to an average of around one pound per annum. The European record is set at just over five pounds of luxurious Angora fiber. How did they manage that?

Many of the answers can be found in the German style of judging which put breeding selection on the fast track to create the most enviable ‘Uber’ Angora in the world.

In this class, we will study methods to benefit angora fiber producers. Cost of production is another vital topic, which we will cover. What is your wool to feed ratio? IAGARB registration procedures will be explained. Be prepared for copious information and spirited discussion!

Participants will need to bring: Paper and pen for notes and a list of 20 characteristics that describe your perfect Angora rabbit.

Level: No previous experience necessary.

Class Max: 20

Saturday December 13:

Registration and free shearing demo starting at 0900 AM.

Lunch on your own

Felted Flower Workshop: 1-5 pm

Teacher: Leslie Samson,

Cost, including materials: $45

Express your love of flowers and natural fibers at the same time. The objective of this class is to be able to create botanically accurate, recognizable, firmly felted flowers. These blossoms are beautiful as one of kind trims on hats, as jewelry, 3-Dimensional elements in tapestries or as elements in traditional floral arrangements.

We will use both needled and wet felt techniques. Using original patterns designed by the instructor, the participants will make a morning glory, a rose and leaves. If time permits, additional patterns for poinsettias, daffodils, sweet peas, violets and iris will be available. This is a very relaxed and light-hearted class. Includes patterns, a felting needle, and fiber supplies. The instructor has considerable experience as a professional floral designer and will make suggestions for arrangement and presentation of your flowers.

Level: No previous experience necessary

Saturday Dinner $20/person:

Deviled Quail eggs

Farm Fresh curry goat and rabbit stew or baked chicken

Sunday December 14:

8-9 AM

Lakeside Sunrise meditation

Enjoy a walk around the lake

Warm yourself with a farm fresh warm breakfast ($10/person)

Bubble Scarf Workshop 9-4pm

Teacher: Leslie Samson, Cost, including materials: $90

This class offers a fascinating technique for distinctive textures in felt. Because we will work with a premium angora / wool pre-felt, much of the basic work will be done for you. You will be able to spend all of your time focusing on manipulating the surface of your piece into a jaw-dropping scarf. The skills that you learn in this class can be applied to hats, purses, garments and sculptures.

We will use both needle and wet felting to create the scarves.Lunch on your own

Classes fill up fast so don’t delay! Fees must be received to hold reservation.

Contact: Rosalie Truong, email: truongr [at] me [dot] com, cell: 314-302-7454

Limited modest accommodations are available in the farmhouse for those wishing to spend the night. $50/night/ room, occupancy 2 person per room, private bathroom

Warm breakfast available.

Angora Workshops in Silverton

Another Fine Weekend in Silverton!
©2012 R. Truong

Silverton Grange Hall

Silverton, OR 97381

January 24 and 25, 2014

FRIDAY WORKSHOPS

10 AM HOW TO WRITE A BUSINESS PLAN FOR YOUR SMALL BUSINESS

to CATHERINE FULBRIGHT

2:00 PM

Have you ever had an idea for a business? Have you wondered how to proceed with your idea – or worse decided to just “wing it” only to find that you missed some of the yours costs in the planning stage and can’t seem to make any money? This class is for you.

Even if you have been in business for years, this class will help you to refine your current plan.

• This class is intended to help you plan for success.
• The discussion will cover goal setting, cost identification, product pricing and developing a business plan.
• In addition, methods for record keeping will be included.
• Handouts on material covered will be available.

Catherine Fulbright has worked with small businesses for the past 38 years. Her current position is Business Manager for a Eugene-based Engineering Firm. Although not a bookkeeper or accountant, Catherine has kept books and performed financial duties for businesses throughout her career. She has worked closely with bookkeepers and accountants during these years.

Three years ago, Catherine founded her small farm of fiber animals including Angora Goats, Shetland Sheep and German Angora Rabbits. In addition, the farm is home to Anatolian Chickens, Cats, Koi and her 35 year old African Grey Parrott. Catherine enjoys handcrafts and gardening.

members: 40.non members: 45.

2:30 PM ONLINE MARKETING VIA ETSY

to ROSALIE TRUONG

4 PM

Are you tired of going to shows, loading and unloading merchandise, not to mention paying for booth fees, hotel, and gas? Would you like to make money out of your home with very little upfront cost? Would you like to sell online 24/7? I will teach you how to use Etsy to your advantage and make sales when there are no shows. This class will teach you the following:

• How to set up an Etsy account.
• Learn about the dos and don’ts on Etsy, about treasury lists.
• Learn how to set up an appealing shop.
• Learn a little about merchandise photography.
• How to use Etsy advertising to increase traffic to your Etsy site.
• How to use social media to your advantage to increase sales. We will talk about Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Stumble upon, Tumbler.

members: 25. non members: 30.

SATURDAY WORKSHOPS

9 AM SYNCHRONIZED WOOL CLASS

to LESLIE SAMSON

10 AM

If you are not quite sure about the differences between synchronized and non-synch coat growth, here is a class that will explain why this is an important consideration for angora producers. This class is especially important if you are breeding for color. We will discuss coat structure, appropriate harvesting methods and uses for different grades of wool.

This class is free to IAGARB members. Non-members – 10.

10 AM SCRIBBLE LACE/NUNO SCARF FELTING CLASS

to LESLIE SAMSON

4 PM

Scribble Lace Scarf © Leslie Samson

Very Happy New Owner of a Scribble Lace Scarf.

In this workshop we will work with the 50 /50 angora / merino pencil roving to make gorgeous felt scarves with an energetic design. The roving will be “scribbled” onto silk to make a fine, soft, laminated fabric with unique textures and patterns. Just to make things a bit more interesting, we will also incorporate nuno felting as a design element.

For angora producers, this class will show you how to increase the profitability of your wool by expanding your value-added markets. This is a light-hearted class. The felting is easy. Everyone will leave with a one of a kind angora / merino / silk scarf.

No experience necessary. Price for the full day felting workshop includes all materials ( silk fabric & fibers), supplies and use of tools.

members – 50. non- members – 60.

Leslie has 35 years of experience with angora rabbits and fiber arts. She has been featured in several magazines including Country Woman, Spin-Off and the TV program, Town and Country Ontario. Leslie has consulted for the National Research Council of Canada. She is the co-author of Completely Angora, a founding member of IAGARB and its current president.

An award winning felter, Leslie enjoys the unique qualities of angora fiber for its warmth, strength and weightlessness. She lives on a small farm in Ontario, Canada which she describes as a “Duck and Bunny Farm”. For fun, she is teaching her Border Collie, Molly to read.

For more information and to register, contact Gail Smith: angoralady at aol dot com

weekend schedule

FRIDAY, JANUARY 24

9 AM JUDGING BEGINS

10 AM TO 12 PM HOW TO WRITE A BUSINESS PLAN

12 PM TO 1 PM LUNCH BREAK

We do enjoy the party atmosphere of our lunches together. Lunches are Potluck Crockpot and dessert buffet. Please bring a ladle to serve up your creation. Bring your own choice of beverages and remember that the Grange Hall does not allow any alcohol on the premises. We will provide bread and bowls.

1 PM TO 2 PM HOW TO WRITE A BUSINESS PLAN Continued

2 PM TO 2:30 PM BREAK

2:30 TO 4 PM ONLINE MARKETING VIA ETSY

SATURDAY, JANUARY 25

9 AM JUDGING BEGINS

9 AM TO 10 AM SYNCHRONIZED WOOL CLASS

10 AM TO 12 PM SCRIBBLE LACE SCARF WORKSHOP

12 PM TO 1PM POTLUCK LUNCH

2 PM TO 4 PM SCRIBBLE LACE SCARF CONTINUES

As always, we appreciate everyone’s efforts to pitch in and clean up.

Make checks payable to:

Gail Smith

503-873-3128

Your payment in full holds your space in the workshop.

Refunds are given only if workshop is cancelled.

Please remember any rabbits for sale must be at least 12 weeks of age and pedigreed German Angora.