Today we’d like to introduce you to Donna Putnam.
Hi Donna, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself
Our adventure in sheep farming started when a young pup named Gabe was learning to herd sheep. He kept bringing me handfuls of wool. We lived in the city then but met many good people with sheep who would allow us to visit and learn. After several years of helping other people with their animals, it was time for us to have our own. We moved to the farm on Dec. 13, 2013, in a nasty sleet storm. There were no fences or water sources for the sheep we hoped to have. By July of 2014, we had temporary fencing, 11 sheep, and 24 alpacas. Thus began the adventure. We are now at 60 adult sheep, mostly Finnsheep, with 42 lively lambs. I am a fiber artist and love having my own wool. As well as taking care of the sheep, I have a fiber studio and will soon be offering classes.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
This road has not been smooth. In spite of having spent years helping others with sheep, and learning a lot along the way, the learning curve was huge. There was so much about the day-to-day management of sheep that was sometimes over our heads. Illnesses, understanding behaviors, being able to be on the spot when there was an immediate need. We lost some sheep due to our lack of knowledge, which was heartbreaking. But we have persevered. There was also a flood in the studio area, which was a setback for opening it up.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I work with fiber, particularly wool. I love spinning, creating lovely yarns for others, Dye work is also one of my passions, creating beautiful colorways on wool. My color preferences are rich, deep hues, which also seem to be a preference with my customers. My favorite creative passion is wet felting, the art of taking layers of wool, embellished with silk, feathers, beads, and other bits, working them with soap, water, and elbow grease to create wonderful pieces. I do scarves, small rugs, and decorative items. I am probably most proud of my ability to share my passion with others. I am a retired teacher and love that “light bulb” moment when a student is successful. It is so rewarding when that creative spark is lit in others.
We’re always looking for the lessons that can be learned in any situation, including tragic ones like the Covid-19 crisis. Are there any lessons you’ve learned that you can share?
Covid-19 required me to spend a lot of time with myself. I am normally a person who is going and doing from dawn until dark, be it working the farm, creating, meeting with like-minded friends, or marketing. Covid shut a lot of that down, giving me a lot of time to think. Once I settled into the Covid norm, I found I had time for reflection and dreaming. As the world opens up, I am trying to keep that reflection and dreaming going in my day.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.spinningsheepfiberfarm.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SpinningSheepFiberFarm
