Today, we bring you a giveaway from SouleMama Sponsor, Woolen Moss Farm & Studio. In Kate's words:
"My Etsy shop is dedicated to quality handmade clothing made from all natural, low impact dyed, and organic cottons and wools. Every body is beautiful and unique and should move freely and beautifully through this world. I make clothing to help you enjoy yourself and the life you live!"
SouleMama: Tell us about the beginning of your business.
Kate: When I first started Woolen Moss, I was going to raise the sheep, shear the sheep, wash the wool, card the wool, spin the wool, grow the dye plants, make the dyes, dye the wool, knit the yarn into fabric, and then make garments. Sound crazy? Not so if you'd love to make garments just for yourself and your family. But since my interest lies in creating something of use and sustenance for others, I realized I was in over my head. I needed to prioritize. I love to garden, but I am not a farmer. I love playing with wool, but I am not a commercial knitter. I needed to change my business model, not the interest in providing for others, but the means by which I got there. Since then I have left the raising of thousands of sheep to ranchers, the growing of natural dyes to farmers, and the knitting of fabric to artisans. I now utilize all their skills to bring my skills to you. That of designing clothing that makes each of us feel good about ourselves, what we wear, and where we get it. Thanks so much to all of those skilled people out there for helping me find my own set of steps along this path.
SouleMama: What's the product that you are most excited about in your shop right now? Tell us about it.Kate: This is actually both my least favorite and most favorite thing happening right now. The sad part is, the organic merino wool I've been offering has been discontinued, and I am nearly out of it! Down to just the eggplant and the wine colors. When I first found out, I was devastated. One of the very important skilled artisans out there was making a change that greatly affected my business. But as time has gone by I've begun turning it into a positive change. That fabric was very expensive which prevented a lot of people from being able to purchase my wool goods. I'm now putting in the extra time to source new and various wool fabrics that have so much to offer, and will constantly be changing with their availability. It's still wool, still what keeps us warm, but it has added a twist to my work flow that provides new and fun discoveries for me that I can turn around and share with you. I hope you'll see some new things you like, that will be a bit more accessible to more buyers now.
SouleMama: What word describes your business best?
Kate: "Holistic" - I'm sure I'm not the only one who can claim that word, but it doesn't make it any less accurate for me. I support other small businesses with my fabric choices, they support the planet with their fiber content choices and business practices. I support people feeling good about their bodies, you support my small business with your purchases, my work supports my family with my income, and I think we are all loving the planet with our choices. Maybe this is the model for many businesses, but I love getting to feel good about my part in it all. Nobody is getting the short end of the stick. We're all supporting each other. It feels good to be a part of the whole.
For today's giveaway, Woolen Moss Farm & Studio is generously offering the following gift to ONE winner:
~ An article of wool long underwear!The days are getting cooler and there's nothing like an extra thin layer of wool to keep you toasty warm. Please let me know whether you'd prefer the top or the bottoms. In your choice of sky blue or lovely plum. Custom made.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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To enter today's giveaway, please leave a comment (one entry per person, please) in today's post. I'll close comments by 8 am EST on Sunday, and announce the winner, chosen via Random Number Generator, shortly after. Comments closed! The winner is...
Sunday at 7:51 pm and I'm adding my Oooh's to this list of Ahhh's. Thanks for the chance to win. I've long admired Kate's gorgeous clothes.
Posted by: Lisa Coffee
Thank you, Woolen Moss Farm & Studio!
