Hello everyone!
I wanted to provide an update on how things are going. We have been exceptionally busy, dyeing yarn and preparing roving to sell in order to raise funds for the mill building and vending at events — as well as working, farming, planning the mill facility and operation.
We have selected the site and started clearing it. Vic also put in a road from the driveway to the site and has started putting in the parking lot. We will be getting gravel delivered in the next few weeks to complete it.
View from the edge of the future parking lot, towards the mill site.
View from the same point, towards the parking lot and driveway (entrance to the main road). Barn with red roof is approximately 12′ x 24′ for reference — the 24′ length is the view shown. The parking lot is going to be able hold about 20 cars, based on initial plans, and will extend into the vegetative area.
View from the driveway towards the parking lot and mill site.
After the parking lot goes in and the site is finished being cleared, we really have no more progress we can make on the mill until we raise enough funds for the building. The funds we have raised so far through our gofundme, vending at Fiber Frolic and New England Weavers Seminar, and from online sales has helped defray some of the costs of the gravel — which will be delivered in the next few weeks. Thank you so much to everyone who has supported us and helped us get this far. It really means the world to us.
We are also excited to announce that we will be converting our fiber arts studio, located in the parlor of our house, into a brick and mortar storefront so that we can have a more permanent place to sell our products. We have scheduled the grand opening for October 11th. In addition to fiber and hand dyed yarn from our farm and the closed Jaggerspun factory, we will also be selling yarns and botanical dyes from other Maine farmers and hosting classes and events. A general overview of our offerings:
- Hosting Free little craft library in our parking lot — just like a little book library, but crafting themed (craft books will be welcome, also!)
- Yarns, fiber and warps hand dyed on the farm
- Yarn produced by other Maine farms
- Maine made fiber blending equipment
- Fiber available by the ounce or braid
- Blend your own batt in the store on our blending boards, if you don’t have one!
- Small equipment rental
- Vintage silk kimono fabrics
- Kromski spinning equipment and rigid heddle looms
- A large variety of Lacis specialty products, from tapestry looms to bobbin lace and kumihimo supplies.
- Small classes, workshops and events
- Lunatic Fringe Yarns — Silks, Silk-metal blends, and mercerized cottons.
- Lantern Moon and Chiaogoo knitting needles and crochet hooks
- Knit and crochet test needle library containing the following lines:
- Chiaogoo Twist Reds
- Nova Platina
- Lantern Moon
- Karbonz
- And more!
Lastly, if anyone has any input or advice, we are always happy to hear from the community. Thank you, and I look forward to seeing you in the near future!!