It's been a busy six weeks. In addition to finishing work on the manuscript for a new project, I've selected, labeled, taken reference photos of, and packaged more than a hundred locks of wool.
Four breeds are missing.
One (Stansborough Grey) should be en route. I hope we're able to locate sources for the other three quickly enough to meet the deadline. The so-far-missing breeds are:
- Brecknock Hill Cheviot—the Welsh breed, not the American Miniature Cheviot which was, through an odd fluke, once called "Brecknock Hill Cheviot";
- Est à Laine Merino; and
- the new type of Norwegian Spaelsau—the second most common breed in Norway. I do have samples of the older types of Spaelsau. Sometimes the rare breeds are easier to get fiber for than the more prevalent ones, because for the latter a bit of wool needs to be diverted from the processing stream and that's not always simple to accomplish.
(The colored stickers on the Brecknock Hill Cheviot card indicate that the breed is, according to The Sheep Trust, geographically vulnerable.)
I'm also researching two different topics for articles, and have some interesting freelance editing work about to arrive on my desk.
Thus perhaps the shortest post I've ever written!
Elaine
This sounds like something very exciting is about to happen!!–another book, perhaps?
Susan J. Tweit
Deb, I think if your samples are only missing three breeds, that’s extraordinary. Great job! I can’t wait to see how the new guide turns out. I’m sure it’ll be as well-written and visually appealing as FNF.
Deb Robson
Elaine, yes, there is something on that order in process. But don't hold your breath yet: there's a lot of design and production yet to be done. This is when the magic starts to happen!
Deb Robson
Susan, this new project is interesting. It's much smaller and more focused. The excerpting was (thank heaven) done by someone else. But I had to go into the material and re-confirm statements, update, and expand in some ways to get the treatment to be balanced and as accurate as possible. I'm always learning more. I can't wait to see the treatment the art director gives it! We all briefly considered using sections of the photography from Fleece & Fiber Sourcebook, but ultimately decided that the best informational and aesthetic results would be achieved by producing new photographs of the locks. Thus my packaging. . . .
Susan J. Tweit
I think you’re right about the re-photography. With the smaller format, it’ll be critical to have clean, comparable shots. Sorry it means so much packaging for you though!
BTW, you’d appreciation the comic that begins my latest blog post. It’s about finding the equation to explain the difference between how long we think a project will take and how long it actually takes. 😉 http://susanjtweit.com/2012/12/catching-up-keynote-comic.html/
Deb Robson
Susan, it was interesting to discover the types of locks I was choosing for this set of photographs. It's a completely different process than selecting for Fleece & Fiber, because the format and approach will be different.
I love "Rhymes with Orange." That message from Richard through the comic is especially apt and appreciated.
And I look forward to having enough bandwidth to listen to your Women Writing the West keynote in the same post! I got started the other day, but had picked the wrong time of day for our internet, so I know it's good and anticipate being able to see the whole thing.
Susan J. Tweit
I figured choosing the locks for the Field Guide might give you a new perspective on the sheep breeds.
As for the “Rhymes with Orange” comic, it was perfect timing for me too, as I start into learning finish carpentry to finish this house….
I’m sorry about your bandwidth issues, and hope they’re resolved soon, but the testing itself sounds horribly taxing. 🙁
Kelly Bartels
Would you have any interest in doing a study on Shetlands? We met at Shepherd’s Harvest last year and if you are going to attend that event again this year, I would truly enjoy speaking with you a bit more. (we were doing the rooing demo in the barn)
PM a reply if you prefer…..okacres@hotmail.com
Kelly