Sometimes, you just have to get out for the day. Even when you love what you do, but especially when the Winter has been rough, and you’ve been working hard, and you’re dreaming of Spring flowers and fine fleeces…
So when Arlene of Spin Artiste said “I need a field trip, what about you?” I said “hell yes I do!” and we decided that what was required was a visit to Karen of Avalon Springs Farm in Mt Airy, MD.
Avalon Springs Farm is a small and lovely place, with happy Angora goats, fluffy alpaca, and a majestic llama named Luna who makes it clear that she will brook no shenanigans with her flock. They’re all pretty adorable, though the cutest one of all might be Lucky Star, who almost didn’t make it into the world, but is making up for that with extra cuteness now! She’s a bottle baby, and was crying for her bottle when we pulled up… so the first thing that Karen did was have me – ME! The goat lover! – give her a bottle. So! Cute! I love how she knelt down, and how she tried to bonk into the bottle like she would on her momma’s teat. Super adorable.
Karen has a big, lovely farmhouse, which has her little “farmhouse shop” set up inside – it’s filled with the most glorious fiber and yarn!
She also has the prettiest wall of yarn. You can buy these things from her website, or catch her vending at shows around the area, including MD Sheep and Wool, happening in May. I highly suggest that you seek her beautiful items out!
Sadly, she won’t be bringing along these lovely friends…
Besides visiting adorable fiber animals and fondling fiber and yarn, we spent an enjoyable day spinning, chatting, talking business and techniques and just general chatter, and having an all-around lovely time. Big thanks to Karen for the hospitality, and I look forward to scooping up one of those bags of mohair for ME ME ME very soon! <3
3 Comments
Melissa Yoder Ricks
March 17, 2014 at 6:06 pmSo jealous! Hope to visit Karen’s farm sometime… she’s a wonderful person and true artist!
Xiane K
March 17, 2014 at 6:11 pmWish you could have been there, Melissa, we missed you! <3
Karen
March 19, 2014 at 4:37 pmXiane – guess what, I must have gotten seven or eight emails today. Folks were telling me they like the article/post and love all the pictures. You have got to have a well read blog! Very cool and thank you!