Juniper Moon Comes to the Web

Book Signing

Wine and Cheese Event

This fall we are thrilled to announce that we will be stocking the "Juniper Moon" line of commercial yarns and that the founder of Juniper Moon, Susan Gibbs, will be at the shop on September 23, 2011. She will be talking to us about how she got started as a shepherd and the inspiration behind her her new line of luxury yarns. We will have lots of yarn and pattern books available and Susan is bringing lots of samples garments for us to try.

Come join us for this great event. Space is limited so get your ticket today.

Here is a little excerpt from her website on how she got started.

"Not so long ago, I left my job as a network news producer in New York City in search of a “more authentic life.” I was pretentious enough to actually use those words. Out loud. To strangers.

A few months later, a chance encounter with Storey’s Guide to Raising Sheep in a California bookstore changed my life in one amazing moment- I was born to be a shepherd. One year and many, many books later, I purchased a farm, five sheep and my first livestock guardian dog. Every day since has been an adventure.

When I’m not working sheep, I can be found dyeing yarn, directing my three new commercial yarn lines (to be released Fall 2011!), and photographing my flock. Spare time is kind of at a premium right now, but when I have some, I like to spend it reading, cooking for the people I love and playing with my dogs."

Come meet Susan Gibbs

Friday, September 23, 2011

5:00 - 8:00 p.m.

Tickets $10.00

Our trip to Juniper Moon Farm

My family and I set off on Wednesday to visit Juniper Moon Farm in Palmyra, Virginia. The Tangled Web is stocking their commercial line of exquisite yarns and I wanted to see, first hand, the inspiration behind the product. After 5 hours in the car we finally arrived at our destination and we were not disappointed.

The red barn is currently home to some very large pot belly pigs who were definitely ready for their closeup. Oops, let's not forget about the chickens. A few times a year there are baby lambs in the barn that anyone can view online via the farm's "Lambcam".

Lauren had lots of fun getting to know the livestock guardian dogs, Fettucini, Sabine and Lucy who are there to protect the flock from predators. During the day they play and sleep in the sun but by night they stand guard over the flock, protecting them from wild predators and roaming domestic dogs. Thanks to their hard work, they have never lost a sheep or goat to predators, something very few fiber farms can say.

Here are all the momma sheep.

Lauren and Olivia hold the newest addition to the flock. What a cutie.

Caroline, our gracious host, took time out of her busy schedule to give us a tour of the farm. She certainly has her hands full tending to all of the critters on the farm. Thanks Caroline. We saw sheep, goats, llama, and this very friendly donkey. Check out our photos.

All of the fiber grown on the farm is available for purchase through the Juniper Moon Farm CSA. You can purchase a knitter's share or if you prefer to make your own yarn you can purchase a spinner's share. Find out all the details on their website: www.fiberfarm.com/yarn-csa
Here's a bit of CSA yarn drying after spending some time in an indigo dyebath. So cool!!

Needless to say, it was a long trip and a lot of time spent in the car. Everyone was a little tired and a bit cranky by the time we got home last night but what an adventure. Special thanks again to Caroline for taking the time to show us around. Now we are more excited than ever to have Susan Gibbs, owner of Juniper Moon Farms at The Tangled Web on Friday, September 23. We'll have more on that in just a few days so stay tuned.