Maidmarion Cottage Industries
Maidmarion Cottage Industries is the wild and wooly side of Circle M.
When farm chores are light, Kriss gets busy in the Summer Kitchen Dye Studio. Wool and mohair are washed, dyed, dried and carded by hand, then brought into the farmhouse in fluffy clouds for Kriss to spin in front of the fire. Guests to the farm are often spinning yarn themselves in a very short time, finding it easier than it looks and satisfying in the most tactile way! Most children are thrilled to be part of the dyeing process, and many of the most stunning color blends have been designed by our young guests with vibrant imaginations.
Kriss’ inspiration tends to come in themes, and she likes to schedule Dye Fests around a particular holiday or season. Happy Valentine’s Dye 2007 produced “Berry Stained Kiss,” “Damask Rose,” “Cherry Bon Bon,” “Sweet Tart,” and “Pink Sheep of the Family.” The up-coming Spring Garden Dye Fest will feature blends based on heirloom seed packets. “Bull’s Blood Beet,” “Oakleaf Lettuce,” “Golden Acre Cabbage,” “Rouge d’Hiver Romaine,” “Strawberry Rhubarb,” and “Sweet Pea” are currently pinned to the brainstorming cork board. These super-saturated hand-paints are applied to locks, mill-spun yarn from our wool, roving braids and Chinese Habotai silk ribbon. All are one-of-a-kind and for sale seasonally through River Valley Trading Company in Blanchardville, La Belle Vita in Mineral Point and by appointment on the farm.
We shear our own Finn-Rambouillet Sheep and Angora Goats, so we can offer the finest fibers, free of noils and second cuts, prepared in the most humane and gentle way. For the most part, Kriss uses old-fashioned hand shears to minimize stress on the animals, and we shear in early summer so that they can have as much protection from the elements as possible. We sell whole fleeces, both washed and unwashed, for spinners, and mohair locks for crafters.
In the winter months, Kriss also hand-stitches felted purses out of recycled wool sweaters. These one-off designs are funky, unusual bags in various sizes from project satchels to i-pod cases. Many are embellished with vintage ribbons and buttons or silk and wool embroidery. These are available seasonally through River Valley Trading Company in Blanchardville, In The Bag in Mineral Point, Wild Apples in Baraboo and by appointment at the farm. Special Orders are welcome and Kriss especially enjoys sister sets or mother/daughter projects.
Kriss regularly teaches woolcraft classes at Dodgeville’s Folklore Village and Mineral Point’s Shake Rag Alley. She also accepts invitations to teach in other settings. We do offer Woolcraft Workshops here at the farm, for individuals, families and school groups. We can tailor an outing to your needs and we also offer per-hour time in the Summer Kitchen Dye Studio for individuals who’d like to process a large quantity of wool themselves.
Call Kriss to arrange a shopping trip, schedule a class, or special order purses at 608-523-4341. Or leave us a message on the current post asking us to contact you via email. We read the messages daily.
