Artisan of the Week, Diana of Frolic n' Fibers

It's Sunday again! Where did this week go? I Swear it should only be Thursday... Anyway, I'm happy to say that this weeks Artisan of the Week's craft is one that I totally adore... Yes you guessed it, Diana is a Fibre artist. No only does she dye and spin her own yarn, she farms the llamas and angora goats that the fibres in her yarn come from. She sells the resultant yarn and goods made from the fibres both on Etsy and Artfire under the name of Frolic 'n Fibers. I found her shop, by chance in a search for goats on Google (long story not worth telling) and fell in love with one of her goats.

Mr T the goat is a hansom dude!

1. Could you please introduce us to who you are and what you do?
My name is Diana Rasmusson and I own Frolic ‘n Fibers, a home based fiber arts business. We have a small farm in Sams Valley, Oregon where we have 5 llamas, 3 angora goats, 7 chickens, 2 dogs and a cat. I raise the animals, shear them, process the fiber, spin and hand dye the yarn. It pays for the hay.

2. What led you to take up your craft?
We had owned the llamas for a couple of years, and I had always meant to learn how to spin their fiber. Our neighbors were moving back into “town” and asked if we would adopt their angora goats. My husband said, “No more animals unless you quit your job”…so I did. Boy was he surprised! Anyway, I still had to pay for the hay, hence the fiber arts business.

3. Which part of your work do you most enjoy?
I sell at the local Growers and Crafters Markets, and I think that is my favorite part of the business. I take my equipment with me and get to share all the details of my craft, from carding to spinning. The children like to come and watch also. The girls love to see pictures of my animals, and the boys always want to know how the wheel works!

4. Which part do you find hardest?
Shearing llamas, hands down.

5. Where do you hope to be in 1 year’s time?
I’m hoping to be giving farm tours and fiber arts lessons from our home.

6. What is the best advice you have ever been given?
Two things. First “Do what you love” and second, “Every fiber has something that it wants to be…don’t try to make it into something it isn’t”.

7. Could you name artisans sites/shops would you recommend are worth a visit?
Steel My Art, Wood I Kid You? and Threads of Magique, all are on Etsy and Artfire

8. What is your favourite sandwich filling?
Peanut Butter, straight up…no jelly, just the good stuff.

Thank you Diana for letting us know a little bit more about yourself and your work. I delight in the colours of the yarns you make and the very special texture you spin into them. I also love the way your listings introduce us to the source of some of those fibres. I think your llamas and goats are great! My dream is to join you in the world of small hold farming and spinning, but for me it would be Bluefaced Leicester sheep and maybe a few goats... because they are adorable! If you are a knitter, crocheter or weaver check out Diana's shops and blog regularly to get your hands on some beautiful yarn.

Written by Lynne of PiratePixieCrew and Hyperloop Hoops