Unearthing the Subtleties of Devotion
Where it begins
Each piece has its beginnings in lush fields of grass, amongst the elements fine creatures of seemingly mythical form graze betwixt Earth & Sky.
The fleece used in my pieces are the original adornments of Rare breed Sheep.
The custodians of these lustrous beasts are proud Shepherdesses of Tasmania and New South Wales.
A Celebration of Heritage, A return to Slow
Most of the raw fleece used in my creations is sourced from Rare Breed Sheep & all are bought from Australian Shepherdesses.
The modern world drives an insatiable demand for resources, in terms of clothing this has led to a catastrophic increase in the production and use of synthetic fibres and mass-produced clothing that has contributed to the poisoning of our natural world and the exploitation of people, primarily women, in the Global South.
There was once a time when the clothing we wore could easily be traced - where it was made, by whom it was created, and with what fibres were used. Often times the fibres held stories and heritage, the ways in which they were crafted too - knowledge passed on through generations. In terms of wool, overtime new breeds of sheep have become desired “products”, based not only on the physical characteristics of the wool but also their ability to survive in certain climates, their constitutional ability to withstand live exportation overseas, as well as the suitability of their wool for use in commercial machinery. This has resulted in a marked decrease in diversity, endangering and in some cases causing the extinction of old, heritage, and native breeds.
These breeds, at a biological level, have genetic traits that have been cultivated and protected for hundreds of years, from an agricultural perspective, many of these traits make them incredibly resilient to pests, disease, and certain environmental factors. Beyond the biological, they are testaments to the perseverance of culture and ancestral skill - ties to a world that has not yet disappeared, and for those that seek to protect these rare gems, they are whispers of life-bloods that connect them to the rich tapestries of cellular heart wisdom, passed on through generation to generation.
For me, to support Shepherdesses, some of whom are carrying on familial lines from as late as the 1840s, truly feels like an honour. To craft with these heritage wools, slow and intentional adornments fashioned by hand, without the perversion of metal and machinery, is a heart-centered gift and I feel deeply connected to the people of my past, who would have worked with wool in similar ways. Sacred Hearts River, is poetry, art, magic and a celebration of heritage - is it a return to the slow, that is innate to true human existence, one that dances in symbiosis with the beasts of the Earth and yes, the Earth herself.
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FAQ
What kind of sheep wool do you use?
Most of the raw wool I use is from a Rare Breed of Sheep called English Leicester ~ they have a long staple length & a lustrous finish that gives the wool an incredible iridescent sheen. I also use Corriedale, Merino & Icelandic sheep wool for roving/batting.
Where do you source your wool?
I source my raw wool from three Shephardesses named Jenny, Anne & Melissa in Tasmania and New South Wales. Jenny & Anne have a focus on preserving and caring for Rare Breed sheep & Melissa breeds coloured Corriedales. If I am not hand-carding the raw wool for batting, I source it from a fibre supplier in NSW.
Are any sheep killed to make your products?
No, I use raw wool & batting for my shawls/rugs/collars using a technique called wet felting. The sheep are shorn yearly from September to November & their fleeces are sent to me, whilst they continue to graze freely in open paddocks. Head to the bottom of this page to see some photos of the sheep.
What is felt?
Felt is a kind of cloth made by rolling and pressing wool, accompanied by the application of moisture & heat, which causes the constituent fibers to mat together to create a smooth surface.
For my felted items I combine Raw wool with roving/batting to create a side with locks & a side with a flat cloth.
Are all your items handmade?
Yes!
Would you make a custom order?
I am open to creating customs if I have the means to do so. I don't usually create big batches of shawls, and encourage people to message me for more intimate crafting. I love embellishing my pieces with wool embroidery {symbols, motifs, significant flora/fauna} and enjoy crafting a piece with utter intention.
I am an advocate for a deeper understanding and exploration of Self & Identity - I have a prevailing interest in Jungian, Transpersonal and Narrative Psychology. I believe we all have a story to share, and that we hold the power to define the way in which our stories are told, witnessed, and expressed. If you have a story to share, an intention to hold, or a transformation to nurture, contact me to chat about how we can incorporate this into a uniquely crafted experience for your personal journey of empowerment.
You can contact me through the website, send me an email at [email protected] or direct message me on instagram & we can have a chat.
film photographs by Bibi ~ Star Fox of Dreaming ~ @sacredselfsacredsource