Sheep

Prairie Sheep Collection

Artwork, Sheep / October 16, 2024 / By

needle felted wool sheep, prairie sheep collection

I have a number of felted sheep that stayed with me when the main collection of the Felted Flock sold. It didn’t seem right to relegate these remainders to storage, not to be seen again, and because they were part of such a creative and expansive project before, in my mind, they needed a re-touch, they needed to become something other than remainders of the felted flock. So I decided to re-create them in a manner that is reflective of the place that stirred the whole project to begin with – the prairie.

The Prairie Sheep Collection includes needle felted ewes in colors reflective of each prairie season: Winter’s Touch, Spring’s Bloom, Summer’s Rise and Autumn’s Calm. And for the traditional, I’ll make a few white sheep and black sheep available as well. And just like the real sheep, no two are alike.

This first group is now at the Saskatchewan Craft Council Boutique in Saskatoon and I’ve made a good start on the second group. I’ll continue adding new sheep to the collection which can be viewed here. There is a limited number of these.

Once the staff at the Craft Council has entered them into the store inventory they will be available for purchase. Purchases can be made via the Craft Council, in person, or through their online store. An alternate purchase option is buying ones from the next set directly through me, just send an email. These are available individually for $135 each (CDN funds), or in a small flock of your choosing. I can offer a discount on sets of three or more when a purchase is made through me (discount is not available through Craft Council).

Pace of Nature

Musing, Sheep / August 18, 2024 / By

Adopt the pace of nature: her secret is patience.
Ralph Waldo Emerson

wool sheep at rest

This photo was taken at 6:47 in the morning.
It was still cool out, the ewes had already taken in a belly full of grazing. When the day is shaping up to be a hot one they’ll rise soon and mosey their way to shade, unless there’s a good breeze blowing. They seem to appreciate a breeze that is strong enough to keep the flies and mosquitoes away.

Sheep just might be one of the most patient creatures.  In the heat of the summer there is little to do but wait out the day and then feed in the coolness of the evening and very early morning.

I have let slip my habit of pausing to watch them as frequently as I used to. I have been letting the pull of other tasks and desires take over. I have been dismissive of the ordinary, every day checking of sheep; treating it like a task I have to do instead of a task I get to do.

One does not have to pause for long for the quiet mood of these meditative creatures to seep in and be a needed reminder. But if the only thing these creatures represent is production and numbers then all the time in the world will not suffice.

Sun Soaked Pasture Lambs

Sheep / May 28, 2024 / By

I slip the small backpack onto my shoulders and pick up the crook from the back of the ranger. A short distance away is a set of twin lambs and their momma. There is plenty of warmth in the sunshine this morning and the lambs are soaking it up.

With my approach Momma realizes something is amiss and gurgles to her babies. They are full bellied, sun soaked, and asleep. They are babes and do not yet recognize the urgency as Momma does. They stay where they are. I regret that I am going to be one of their lessons on wariness. Moving smoothly I step up to the lambs, kneel and place a hand on each. No quick sprint and the shepherds crook is not even needed this time. Sleepy, sun soaked lambs are the easiest to catch and one of my favourite perks of lambing time. The ewe will disagree but I take these easy moments where and when I get them, and am glad for them.

When I am through with the lambs I return them to the distraught ewe. She does a fast sniff inspection of her lambs while backing away. The spray mark applied to the lambs smears the low curve of her belly when one of the babes makes a dive for the udder. Full as they are, a little bit of milk still soothes them from the trauma of being caught. The ewe does another fast check to be sure that she has both lambs and then trots off, urgent to get her lambs a safe distance away.

The scene around the pasture is a busy one. At first glance you can’t be sure who belongs to who. Heck, even on second, third and fourth look you can’t be certain. Ewes and lambs are beginning to make their way to the shade of the trees. A guardian dog is across the way; following the ewes lead, she is also making her way toward the trees. I carry on with checking for lambs while animals are still spread out. My schedule is dictated by their activity and once the animals settle in the trees I won’t bother them on account of the group being in closer quarters. When they settle in the trees disturbing one means disturbing all and it’s not worth it. When the animals settle in the trees is when I take my leave.