Janet - Nature Reserve Alpacas (Callicoon, NY)

"Thank you for the update on how you were progressing with your level 5 and going into level 6 work.  I know what it feels like to get to the final stages of a project and want to just finish.  I' m in college trying to finish my business degree and it seems like it's not going fast enough!  Good luck, Mal.  When everything is all done and the dust settles you'll wonder how you accomplished all the things you did this past year.  Do take some times to breathe.  Life goes by so quickly.  Enjoy your teens!"

Best to you,

Janet

Denise - Schacht Spindle Co. (Boulder, Co)

"Dear Mallory,

I do customer service here at Schacht Spindle Co.  I have received your emails, and put your blog on my personal blog list that I check religiously.  I have only been following it for a little bit.  Unfortunately not enough time to have entered your Angora contest, ack!  I just wanted to let you know that every time I read your blog, or get a mass email from you, I am in awe!  I really wish I had the opportunities that you have had in your schooling to invent myself instead of the “system” inventing myself for me. 

Fortunately, I have fled the system and forged my own path in spite of all of the “programming” from conventional schooling.  I am writing you to tell you in this time when things may seem “down,” just remember that you are living the dream of many people who were unable to express themselves as you do at your age.  And to boot, I am sure you are an inspiration to people like me, and give us hope for your generation.  I cannot give you any practical feedback on your spinning (again I am new to your blog, and you probably know more about spinning that I at this point!), I just wanted to give you a little moral support and cheer you on."

SPIN ON! J

Denise

rovingrenee.wordpress.com

Customer Support and Sales Representative

Schacht Spindle Co., Inc./Mirrycle Corporation

6101 Ben Place  Boulder, CO 80301

303-442-3212

Emails from Sponsors and Followers!

I have had some of the most inspiring letters and thought that some of you might enjoy reading them (I have asked their permission to share these). Please check back often as I add them to my blog!

In-Depth Study

I heard back today from the people who look over the In-depth studies, and they suggested that I resubmit a proposal using more spinning methods. I really thought that the study I chose would help other spinners find uses for their angora fiber that was too short or webbed. Over the past ten years of rabbit raising I have seen large amounts of the felting grade angora go to waste, so even if the topic does not get approved, I would like to come up with new and creative ways to use this product.

Does anyone have any creative ideas for a in-depth study????? I think my creative juices are running low....... hopefully tomorrow I will be recharged.

You have heard enough about me..... how are your lives going??

This month the roving that I sent to the mill (using the alpaca donated) is now ready to be spun. I will post pictures next week.

Until then, Mallory Stack

In-Depth Study Proposal Submission Form

Below is the submitted In-Depth study for level six:

Uses for Felting Grade Angora

Fibers to be used: Angora (raised), merino (bought)
Spinning methods: Worsted (Z twist - S twist ply)
Finishing methods: Knitting, Felting,

Samples or end products (describe how many and what they will be):

I would like to create one of each of the following items showing the uses of Felting Angora:

Shoe/Boot Liners (felted)
Designer Yarn
Purse (spun, knitted, and felted)
Flies for fly fishing
Christmas Bulb (stuffed with chunky yarn)
Handwarmers (spun and knitted)

How will the objective be accomplished (briefly describe what you intend to do):

I realized how much angora is wasted because it had felted on the animal or it was too short in length, so I chose to focus my study on the uses for felting angora. My goal for this study is to come up with uses to turn a waste product into a profit. This study will use many methods in order to complete this project.

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This study has been turned in and I will start as soon as it is approved.

Email me if you have any more ideas that you would think would improve this study.