The Fire Nymph Glowing with Pride

May 1, 2017 By Lee Leave a Comment

Goodbye Garage, Hello Artisans Nook

After running the felting operation from the garage on our ranch the past five years, we have moved that aspect of our operations to the Nob Hill Fabric shop in Albuquerque.

Conversations began with Liz Frank, the owner of Nob Hill Fabrics, after she moved her shop away from its Central Avenue location into a well-lit and inviting space a few miles away. She invited us to talk with Rikki Quintana, owner of HoonsArt, a Fair Trade certified importer of textiles, apparel and other goods from Central Asia. Our synergy over handcrafted creations, textiles and wearable art was quickly evident.

We decided to name our adventure New Mexico Artisans Nook. Whispirit is hoping to use this great space to create felted wonders, to sell fabric and pieces, and to hold the occasional felting workshops. You will also be able to buy felting supplies, including batts (ours are very thin and great for nuno felters), prefelts and roving. You can follow our plans on the Nob Hill Fabrics “Newsletter” or on our NM Artisans Nook facebook page.

We are not completely set up, but Lee and I have each felted projects in our new digs. We are close to having a routine down for “who drives into the shop when” thus, a schedule for when Lee or I will be in the shop should soon emerge. It still feels weird having to plan what materials need to be at the shop for which felting projects, but we are enjoying being a little more social. Already learned a new dyeing technique from Liz (ice dyeing), worked with the talented Allie on a cook piece of felt and am trying to sort out exactly were is Tajikistan and how does it differ from Kyrgyzstan from Rikki. But, the real bonus, after nine years I get to park my car in the garage!

When you find yourself in Albuquerque, come see us!

Til next time, Sandy and Lee

April 4, 2017 By Lee Leave a Comment

The Vets Are Coming, AHHHHH!!

It’s early Spring and among other chores on the ranch, it’s time for health maintenance day. There’s always a buzz around the ranch whenever there is any change in routine. “Why are three alpacas being placed inside the barn”? “Why are Sandy & Lee coaxing us into the barn with mid-day treats”? “That doesn’t normally happen.” Last Friday was health maintenance day. We moved three alpacas into a catch pen and closed all the dogs in the barn to make it easier for the vets to do their thing. This time of year means lots of shots. And, all our four legged creatures recognize “The Truck”! “The vets are coming — run, run”. Anxiety among the dogs usually means tails start wagging at increased rates and they get that look, “Why are we locked in the barn”? The alpaca herd, yes the entire herd, starts humming. Really humming. “Why are some of us in the barn and the others not”? No amount of soothing words or petting lowers the anxiety.

Our veterinary group, Western Trails, offers a great service to us multi-animal owners in the East Mountains. They do health maintenance ranch visits twice a year. Every spring and fall they offer visits at reduced fee. The veterinarian and a technician arrive in a truck equipped with lots of cool equipment and supplies and lots of shots. Maybe that’s why everyone is anxious?

Our spring ranch herd health day brought Dr. Thornton and her tech to Whispering Spirit Alpacas.. Dogs always need their annual rattlesnake shots. We do have lots of rattlesnakes out here. This shot slows down the dogs reaction to the snake’s venom and gives us more time to get the animal the antidote. Also, the treatment is much less costly and much more effective. Besides the rattlesnake shot, some years the dogs get rabbies as well as other shots. This year, everyone was up to date on the multi-year shot, so only the “snake” shot for them. Except for Gandalf, our five month old pyrenees, who needed his first rabbis shot. Poor baby!

Additionally, last year’s only cria, DeeDee, needed to be micro chipped and receive her CDT shot. She is in the catch pen with her mother and her grandmother for company but, that’s what caused all the herd humming.

All the animals were very good and the vets are in and out, all shots given, in under 15 minutes. As the truck pulls away, every one is released. Humming stops. Dogs all return to their favorite spots. Life at WSA returns to normal.

Thanks Western Trails for your great service!

Until next time…… Sandy & Lee

March 27, 2017 By Sandra Liggett Leave a Comment

Enter the Wizard

On Frilday last week, while returning from a whirlwind trip to the prairie lands of Kansas and Nebraska, we took a slight detour to pick up our new Great Pyrenees puppy, Gandalf.

Gandalf is the fourth Great Pyrenees pup we have purchased from Pankonin Farm and Kennel in Grant NE. We like that they breed working dogs, and actually have a herd of goats for the pyrs to work with. They are also delightful folks who know their dogs. When we called to find out what they had available, Diana was excited about a 5 month old pup describing him as mellow and very hardworking. Although he was very scared when we first met, even had to be carried out to our car because he would not stand, we could see his gentleness right away.

The great pyrenees are an important part of our operation because they guard the alpacas. They live out doors full time, all year round, and keep predators from prowling our acreage and our pens. They are gentle with our other dogs, including silly Salty and Yeti, and of course, the cats. Sundance, who is the oldest of the dogs, is now 9 years old. My how time flies! He is still an active guardian, but between his artriitis and his anticipated life span (10 years) we decided to get his replacement in training.

And Atticus, our 2 year old pyr, is the trainer. It was just a short while ago that he was in training under Sundance. He has turned into an earnest and dedicated guardian of the herd. And its his turn for leadership.

The introductions have been made and Gandalf looks up to the challenge. The shy pup has proven that he is up to the task. Easily greeting the rest of the dog herd, touching noses with the alpacas and cats, his shyness is replaced by a ready engagement.

Why the name Gandalf? We have named all of our Great Pyrenees after strong characters from favorite books and movies: Butch Cassidy, Sundance Kid, Atticus Finch. Gandalf, of course, is a central figure in J.R.R. Tolkien’s amazing tales “The Hobbit” and “Lord of the Rings”. Gandalf is the last of the wizards and possesses great wisdom, powers, strength and ability that he is able to defeat the powers of the evil Sauran. We expect nothing less from our Gandalf.

Til next time.

Sandy

March 20, 2017 By Sandra Liggett Leave a Comment

Working in Anticipation of Inspiration

“Inspiration exists, but it has to find you working.” I have taped this quote from Pablo Picasso to my FeltLOOM, my computer and my sewing machine. I feel like it should be tatooed on my wrist and welded into my brain for those times when I experience gaps in my creative energy. At the present moment, I find myself lacking the final vision for our spring line.

I love Pablo Picasso for his inventiveness, his comfort in the uniqueness of his own view of the world and for his voluminous artistic output. Unlike a lot of other artists I love, who were often quiet about how their art came about, Pablo Picasso spoke a lot about his art. Today these quotes give me assurance that I do NOT have to have the final drawings for my designs in my mind when I sit down to work.

“You have to have an idea of what you are going to do, but it needs to be a vague idea.””

“Why do two colors, put one next to the other sing? Can one really explain this? No, just as one can never learn how to paint.”

“To copy others is necessary, to copy oneself is pathetic.”

I have felted some unusual pieces of fabric, many of which came from my recently deceased mother-in-law’s inspiring scarf collection. They are spunky, like Maryanne, and full of color. They call for a different garment design. I have a few ideas. Off to work!

Til next time, Sandy

March 6, 2017 By Sandra Liggett Leave a Comment

And the Oscar for Best Fiber Goes To ….

Running an alpaca ranch and an entrepreneurial enterprise without a road map can be daunting. But, there are times when I have flashes of understanding why I do what I do. I had such an experience recently while skirting the remainder of our 2016 clip.

As I have written before, skirting is not my favorite activity. Skirting is the process of preparing the fiber for milling by removing vegetation, shaking out dirt and discarding fibers that are of inconsistent length, color or texture. Typically about 1/4 to 1/3 of the alpaca blanket (the prime fibers that cover the alpacas back and sides) end up discarded. The rest is now ready to go to the mill to be processed into batts that we will use in our felting. This process usually takes about 30 minutes per blanket. It is dark and lonely work. Often hard to find anyone to help me. Oh Lee, where are you?

While it is not my favorite process, I find the color, touch and handle of the fibers exciting. It’s why we are in this business, for love of the fleece. Today, accompanied by our barn cats Scampy and Pretty Boy, and with frequent visits from Atticus and members of the alpaca herd, I happily dug into the bags of raw and dusty fibers with my usual excitement. We have some fibers that are really fine, shiny and long. My exuberance over the fiber of two particular alpacas caused me to even shout out loud. WOW! If there were oscars for best fibers, these two boys would tie for first place.

Woodstock, our young dark brown alpaca who was mauled by a predator about this time last year, takes the Oscar this year for best fiber. I wish you could touch this great fiber through your computer. It has an incredible sheen, a rich dark brown, and crimp you can see from several feet away. That’s what I am holding in my hand.

Danito, another young male alpaca who is named after Danita our wonderful ranch hand (but that’s another story), has fabulously shiny, white crimpy fiber that is uniform in length, strong, and soft, soft, soft.

These fibers are going to be made into special items. Mmmm, jackets, coats, shawls? Which ever they deserve to be labeled with the animal’s names and pictures. Which ever garments are chosen, they will be special. Thank you Danito and Woodstock.

February 14, 2017 By Sandra Liggett Leave a Comment

Introducing the Earth and Sky Collection

Our blog has been silent since before Christmas, as we decided we needed to take a break from our whirlwind fall. Lee and I settled in for a quiet non-travel Christmas and New Year’s. Alas, when we were ready to get back to work, Lee’s mother, Mary Ann Liggett, took a serious turn for the worse in her recent battle with acute leukemia. She lost that battle just weeks after her 93rd birthday. She was a determined woman who shared a love of fashion and colors with me. She spent her adult life in Lincoln, Nebraska and when the family and friends gathered to remember her, all knew she had lived a good life and fought the good fight. [Read more…] about Introducing the Earth and Sky Collection

December 5, 2016 By Lee Leave a Comment

December Means Special Orders

Sandy’s favorite holiday (Thanksgiving) is over. Our phone and website are heavy with special order requests. It must be December? On the strength of our “Best Artist – Art to Wear Fashion” award at last September’s Western Design Conference and being added to a new boutique (Sacramento Mountain Weavers) there has been an up-tick in orders. Such that our hours at respective production stations are getting much longer and we are pressing both two- and four-legged residents into service.

If you’ve been thinking about adding our award-winning, limited-addition, Fire Nymph to your wardrobe we have enough material to make one more in any size. This is it, last chance – don’t be disappointed by your procrastination.

So, as you can see, Osita is ready to wrap, our sewing machines are sewing, the FeltLoom is looming, Atticus is ready for a run to the Post Office and it is December. No better time to place your special order.

Thank you …. Until next time…….. Lee

November 22, 2016 By Sandra Liggett Leave a Comment

Being Thankful for the Gift of Creativity

Lee’s favorite holiday is July 4th, but mine is Thanksgiving. Most of my childhood Thanksgivings were snow filled with terrific foods prepared by my mom. Seven siblings, my dad, often a grandmother, occasionally aunts, uncles, cousins and a warm fire … Thanksgiving was uncomplicated by gifts, decorations, or the dreaded skits that accompanied other holidays. I thought the best part of Thanksgiving was thinking about what I was most grateful for.

This year’s Thanksgiving will be quieter than most.

My mother died peacefully at the ripe old age of 91 at the end of October. After traveling to upstate NY for her funeral and then one for her only remaining brother the next day, I journeyed last week to Williamsburg, VA, to wrap up her affairs. I am glad to be back here in my beloved NM for a quiet holiday. The weather has turned cold, there is snow on the mountains and of course that glorious New Mexico blue sky.

I am thankful for my mother, her fierce determination, her wittiness, all she did for her family and the many ways she influenced me. Top of my list is my gratitude for her willingness to teaching me to sew. This was not an easy task because I was an impatient child. I was not a good follower or imitator. I’m sure she had misgivings, but she let me do it my way… I never cut out a pattern and assembled it per the directions. I was always trying to do things above my skill level. And, while I often grew frustrated, she would let me give up. She needed her qualities of patience and good humor, which I am sure I helped her strengthen.

Also, my thankfulness embraces the wonderfully creative women who have also inspired me in my creative Whispirit endeavors. One week before mom’s death I traveled to Ashland, OR, to attend my third Design Outside the Lines retreat. I have learned so much working with the artist Diane Ericson This year’s retreat Diane included Marla Kazell, an amazing couture sewist and tailor and teacher, as Diane’s co-teacher. What an amazing duo. We focused on jackets. What a dynamic duo and, of course, the other attendees with their experiences are also amazing teachers.

My head is spinning with new design ideas that I plan to incorporate into the 2017 Whispirit creations. I found some fabrics and an unfinished quilt in my mother’s “things” which I will incorporate in my work. I think she would like that. Creativity gets passed along. Like a river, it never stops.

Lee and I hope you and yours enjoy a happy meal with family, friends and much thankfulness. Please think about the creative genius of Lenard Cohen as you listen to this wonderful YouTube video of his song Hallelujah.

Til next time. Sandy

November 15, 2016 By Kelly Leave a Comment

We’re In Local Flavor!

Did you miss the October issue of Local Flavor Magazine? This dynamic publication features the eclectic mix of life in Northern New Mexico. October was the Farm and Ranch issue, and featured us, our alpacas, dogs and the variety of Whispirit jackets, hats and other accessories.

Take a look:

October 26, 2016 By Sandra Liggett Leave a Comment

This Year In the Cat Tent

We know you are a long term follower of our blog if you already know about the colorful cozy cat tent that Danita,
our ranch hand, erects annually in our barn. Danita has already perched this year’s shelter on top of the YUGE hay pile just delivered.

Alas, this year’s cat tent population is quite reduced due, we think, to a great horned owl who moved into our part of the forest. Of those cats who have disappeared, we particularly miss our longtime, very large black cat, Abbott. He had quite the personality. Scamper, Pretty Boy & Callie are still with us, have happily moved in (if you enlarge the photo you can see Pretty Boy peaking out) and are already enjoying their cozy abode with Danita’s hand-crocheted throws.

We should not have been surprised when Atticus explained to the cats that he will be joining them in the cat tent this year! Speaking of characters.

Besides the cat tent, other signs of fall and the coming of winter are the annual changing of color in our fields and gardens. Guess we had better start moving firewood down from the cord pile and getting it stacked by the back door.

As this blog goes to press, Sandy is winging her way to Ashland, OR, for Diane Ericson’s fall Design Outside the Lines retreat. That, of course, means by this time next week the FeltLoom will be smoking from processing all of Sandy’s new inspiration. Watch this blog as those new concepts take shape.

Until next time………. Sandy & Lee

October 18, 2016 By Sandra Liggett Leave a Comment

An Ode to Color

I am not trained to do the design work I do for Whispirit. I wish I had gone to fashion design school or art school to understand the professional techniques of design. But I didn’t. I went to law school instead. Sigh.

But I have found that I love to create one of a kind clothing made from our own handmade alpaca needle-felted fabric. And, I have my own unique way of coming up with the designs, often with input from my husband Lee, Heather, JB, Sarah, Diane, Robin, June and others.

When I start to design something, I start first with colors. Multiple colors. Not a color chart, but instead something or some things that in combination make my spirit dance. It might be a beautiful silk scarf I already own or the wind blowing through our gardens pushing various colors together. Frequently, it’s a color combination that emerges from my flipping through the many magazine images I have pasted on cardstock (a practice I learned from Diane Ericson). It might be a beautiful basket of vegetables from the Taos Farmers’ Market. Or a rich sunset or stunning moon rise over the Sandia mountains. Or an artful piece of jewelry, such as the pieces I recently saw (and purchased — don’t tell Lee) at a jewelry party featuring artist June Rosen Lopez. Or the soft richness of Osita, our sweet New Mexico pup.

Often, particularly with my collage fabric creations, it’s a Perfect Button, created by Robin Pascal that pumps my color imagination.

Next, it’s to the “creation table” where I layout my pieces of dyed roving, fabric remnants, fleece batts, and go through my dyes. Typically, I dye the underlying fabric first, either cotton or silk, which will stabilize the fiber batt and infuse color into it. Sometimes I chose a fabric that has rich natural hues, and is on a neutral colored background and decorate it with the color du jour. For me the fabric is the work of art. Each sheet of fabric I make has unique qualities, drape, color, subtle or rich tones.

The fabric inspires the design of the jacket. Sometimes I will make my prototype and consult with Lee, who is really a great observer of balance and contrast. Seamstress Heather Briggs shares her inspirations as well, and has turned some one-of-a-kind fabrics into simply awesome jackets, vests, and hats. Seamstress Sarah Tafoya helped perfect the princess line jacket as well as our loose fitting comfort jacket/vest, the Hug.

But for me, my art of creation is first and foremost how color speaks to me. That makes my spirit dance.

Til next time. Sandy

October 4, 2016 By Sandra Liggett Leave a Comment

HATS!

One of the things I love about Fall is being able to wear hats again. I have always been a hat person, weathering through DC winters with my Bella Abzug hat. (It got chewed up by an airplane propeller one blustery wintry day when I was traveling.) Still have not come up with a good design to replace that one.

I love wearing our stylish alpaca hats and my personal favorite are the Downtown Abbey hats, inspired by, you guessed it, that great series. A particularly hat-rich episode for us then spawned a couple of brimmed versions.

Each year we add a new dimension to the hats. This year is no exception. We are working to incorporate our delightful (and award winning) Cacophony of Colors designs into hats. They will be available in about 2 weeks. Keep an eye on our website.

P.S. Lee is wearing a joke hat which definitely WILL NOT be in our new line.

Until next time ……. Sandy

September 26, 2016 By Sandra Liggett Leave a Comment

Whispirit Ponchos — Just in Time for Cooler Weather

Just as our New Mexico mountain temperatures are beginning to drop, we finished the first three ponchos for Fall wear.

When we were at the Western Design Conference, we were assured that folks who bought ponchos last year loved them. When Allison Merritt, the organizer of the event wore her poncho one cool morning, we had our first rush of special orders for these great wearables.

So, before our next trip out of town, we made the fabric, Heather made the lovely poncho with a sweet warm collar and two great loop closures so we could get them in the mail. We also took the time to post them in the Whispirit shop’s section Wraps and Shawls.

These one-size-fits-most cuddly designs make great gifts, for yourself or someone you love. And if you place an order by November 1st we’ll get them to you in time for Thanksgiving!

We think this design would look great in these Whispirit fabrics!

September 19, 2016 By Sandra Liggett Leave a Comment

Cacophony of Color Collection Is Now Available

After its introduction in Jackson Hole at the Western Design Conference, the Cacaophony of Colors Collection is now available for purchase.

Featuring the award winning Fire Nymph jacket, this fall collection of jackets and wraps is full of bright colorful abstract designs to brighten any fall or winter day and evening. Each piece of this collection is one of a kind.

We can do special orders to make similar items, but due to the nature of our design we can never exactly duplicate this artful fabric. Just like our other garments, everything is handmade here in New Mexico from the luxurious alpaca fleece produced by our herd. Only the milling of our raw alpaca is done out of state, as well as the sheer silk foundation.

So, shop for yourself or that special someone at Handwoven Originals in Santa Fe, Artemesia Artwear in Taos or at our Whispirit shop on line.

Until next time……… Sandy & Lee

September 14, 2016 By Sandra Liggett Leave a Comment

The Fire Nymph: Glowing with Pride

Whispirit’s edgy orange collage jacket The Fire Nymph was selected by the jury at the Western Design Conference in Jackson, Wyoming last Friday as the Best Art in Wearable Art Design. We were awarded a blue ribbon and $1000 prize (thank you to the Bank of the West). We learned that The Fire Nymph was the unanimous choice of the six member jury. Several jury members told us that they loved the jacket design and that we also made our own fabric.

The Western Design Conference is a big event in the Western design fashion world. We are honored to have been juried into the last two years and were stunned to win in this very competitive category.

The Conference kicked off with a wonderful fashion show featuring 22 different designers and numerous volunteer models. Our own great pal Stella Evensen modeled a jacket we designed just for her. She and each of the models – Elizabeth Grey, Nancy Fauntleroy, Roni’Belle Eastman, Jill Gui – were fantastic. Our models walked to Joyce Cooling’s jazzy “This Girl’s Gotta Play.” Thanks to all the models and special thanks to Laura Fambro-Cook, her boundless energy and her great team.

The following three days brought lots of visitors to our booth. Old friendships renewed and new friendships begun. We particularly enjoy the connections this forum allows with artists across many creative mediums. The world of imagination and its artful expression is thrilling and inspiring.

A day of hiking in The Grand Tetons helped bring us back to earth. We are exhilarated and exhausted as we begin our long drive back to New Mexico, Lee driving and me writing this blog with great jazz playing in the background.

A huge thank you to Allison Merritt, and her very special team of Jim, Sosha, Molly, and others too numerous to name who pull this event off. It is a special gathering you create and we are honored to be part of it.

Off to New Mexico! Sandy