News
Christmas Festival in the Mountains (December 3, 2011)
Chama's annual Christmas in the Mountains Festival was held again in the Chama Middle School Gymnasium. So many talented people from the area displayed their beautiful hand-made items and there were lots of good things to eat. It was a lot of fun. Santa had gifts for all of the children, and the adults had fun looking at all of the items offered for sale. The fact that it was a cold, snowy day made it really feel like Christmas. If you missed it this year, you should really try and make it next year.
Sheep are Back Home in Los Ojos (Week of October 3, 2011)
The Manzanares flock of sheep made its annual trek from their summer grazing in the mountains back to Los Ojos. It was a memorable trip—rain, snow and wind accompanied us for the whole two days. Several of the sheep and lambs had strayed from the flock and had to be gathered up a couple of days after the journey. Arriving back at home, we were very surprised to see a small video clip of the sheep in Tierra Amarilla on the local weather news. The sheep and weaned lambs are doing fine.
Taos Wool Festival (October 1 & 2, 2011)
The Taos Wool Festival proved to be a lot of fun. Lots of food, music, demonstrations, people from all over the world and LOTS AND LOTS of Wool in many forms. Tierra Wools and Shepherd’s Lamb had a booth that turned out to be very popular. We met so very many interesting people. Two of the most enjoyable demonstrations was the antique sock knitting machine—awesome--great history there, and water-felting sculptures which were unbelievably beautiful
Intermountain Weavers Conference (July 21-24, 2011)
This is the first year we have participated in the Intermountain Weavers Conference which was held in Durango, CO, this year. This event provided a fashion show, exhibits, vendors and lots of classes. Those who were attending the classes ran out on their breaks to check out our booth. We were privileged to meet many interesting people from faraway places—several of them from as far away as Alaska. Immensely enjoyable.
Sheep Are In The High Country (June 1, 2011)
Molly Manzanares reports that Shepherd's Lamb sheep, along with their lambs have been moved to summer grazing grounds in the high country. They will remain in the high country until the fall when they will be returned to their winter quarters at a lower elevation. Shepherd's Lamb had a very successful lambing season with more than 900 lambs being added to their flock.
Tierra Wools Spring Festival (Reprinted from the Pinon Ridge Reporter May, 2011)
Tierra Wools held their annual spring festival on April 30 in the century-old mercantile building in Los Ojos. The worker-owned company invited the public to experience the traditions of weaving in Northern New Mexico. The staff gave demonstrations of sheep shearing, wool dying and spinning, and weaving. Guests enjoyed music and refreshments, too.
Sheep, wool, and weaving have played an important part in the culture of the American southwest for nearly 200 years. Tierra Wools is one of the programs of Ganados del Valle, (Livestock Growers of the Valley). The cooperative breeding program worked to save the old Spanich Churro sheep line from extinction. The organization wanted to insure that raising sheep and weaving woud continue to be a part of the culture of the area.
The tapestry weavers at Tierra Wools draw inspiration from design elements in the old Rio Grande blankets to create entirely original one-of-a-kind works of art. The wool of the churro sheep creates a high-quality yarn for traditional and contemporary weaving inspired by the heritage of Rio Grande weavers. Tierra Wools' products are unique and unparalleled in quality and authenticity, with strong designs and colors. Today's weavers at Tierra wools are the living link back to the Spanish Colonial era.
Shepherd's Lamb Featured in New York Times Article (April 20, 2011)
Shepherd's Lamb and the Manzanares family were featured in an article in the New York Times recently. The article describes the history of churro sheep ranching in Northern New Mexico beginning with the Manzanareses' ancestors who began sheep ranching along with other Spanish settlers in the 1600s. You can view this article by clicking on the following link: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/20/dining/20lamb.html?scp=1&sq=Shepherd%27s%20Lamb&st=cse.
Shepherd's Lamb yarns are carried in the showroom of Tierra Wools. Tierra Wools accepts phone orders (575-588-7231) or email orders (handweavers@windstream.net) for these yarns. To view colors of Shepherd's Lamb churro and rambouillet yarns, visit Shepherd's Lambs' website at www.organiclamb.com.