The Wistful Grandma
  • Blog
  • Newsletter
  • About
  • Contact
  • Grandma Dolls
  • Traditional Plaited Wool Rugs
  • Seasonal Items

Time to get Fleeced

8/1/2017

0 Comments

 
Picture
I’ve been working on making more Grandma dolls for my fall craft shows. One component that is needed is wool for their hair. So this week it was time to get a new supply of wool picked, washed and ready to be styled. Time to bring out my bags of sheep fleece.

I first became acquainted with working with fleece many years ago. Honestly, looking at those long yellowish somewhat aromatic (in a sheepy kind of way) curls it is difficult to imagine it as hair on a doll. But the first step is to pick the fibers apart separating them to let any solid pieces of debris fall out. This separation of the fibers also lets the soap and hot water get between each fiber to clean and lift out the greasy lanolin. So today, picking it is. Taking a large curl in my hand I started to tease the fibers apart. Soon I was in my picking rhythm. Repetitive, soothing, mindless. With no effort at all a pile of curls turned into a pile of picked wool. Ready to be washed into Grandma hair whiteness on another day.

I suppose I could just buy some wool already washed and sew it onto my dolls. But it wouldn’ t look the same. It wouldn’t feel the same. And that is what makes each doll so special. The fact that they really are made 100% by me. From their woolen hand washed hair to their hand stuffed (and, yes, I make the stuffing too) toes they are truly one of a kind. And one of a kind is really what being hand made is all about.

0 Comments

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Craft Shows

    ​Spring Market at The Barn
    Terra Yard Creations
    202 E Grant St
    Elkhorn WI 53121
    Sat, May 7, 2022
    10:00 am - 4:00 pm


    Summer Market at The Barn
    Terra Yard Creations
    202 E Grant St
    Elkhorn WI 53121
    Sat, June 25, 2022
    10:00 am - 4:00 pm


    Wildflower Art Festival
    Brodhead WI
    Sat, August 13, 2022
    9:00 am - 4:00 pm


    Harvest of Art & Crafts
    Trimborn Farm
    8881 W Grange Ave
    Greendale WI
    Sat, Sept 10, 2022
    ​Sun, Sept 11, 2022
    10:00 am - 4:00 pm


    ​Oktoberfest
    Our Lady of Lourdes
    3722 S 58th St
    Milwaukee WI 53220
    Saturday October 8, 2022
    11:00 am - 8:00 pm
    Sunday October 9
    9:00 am - 1:00 pm


    re: Craft & Relic
    Milwaukee County Sports Complex
    6000 W Ryan Rd
    Franklin WI 53132
    Saturday November 12, 2022
    9:00 am - 4:00 pm
    Sunday November 13, 2022
    10:am - 4:00 pm


    ​Crafts in the Woods
    Arts & Crafts Fair
    YMCA Camp MacLean
    Burlington WI 53105
    Saturday November 26, 2022
    9:00 am - 4:00 pm


    Christmas Market at the Barn
    Terra Yard Creations
    202 E Grant St
    Elkhorn WI 53121
    Friday December 2 2022
    4:00 pm - 8:00 pm
    Saturday December 3 2022
    ​10:00 am - 4:00 pm

    Links

    Old World Wisconsin

    Blog Categories

    All
    Car
    Cooking
    Crafting
    Death
    Family
    Garden
    Grandchildren
    Holidays
    Home
    Inspiration
    Life
    Seasons
    Time
    Wisdom

    Blog Archives

    December 2019
    October 2019
    June 2019
    November 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    October 2015
    September 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015

    RSS Feed