 Ok ok, I was looking back thru the blog and realized I have done this several times. With the best of intentions, picked up blogging again and then quickly run out of steam. I am hoping that this time, with a plan and some renewed energy, I will be able to follow thru for you all and myself a little better. I am scheduling out topics and dates. Ya know, using a calendar to make a schedule!
Here's the thing about me and business, both times I have done this entrepreneur thing I have fallen into it out of a love. The first with dogs and this time with fiber. Both times I had business plans, fought the fight with the banks to get funding and then dove straight in. Lucky for me, both times I took off running with enough customers that I did not have a moment to look back and evaluate if I was running things efficiently. Milling wool is labor intensive and there is a lot of overhead with thin margins. If I want to be truly successful it is time to sit down and really evaluate the business as a whole. So here I sit working on the business. In all that is happening in our world, I have been looking for different voices and stories and one that I have found and truly admire is Mimi G Ford (mimigstyle on Instagram). She is a self-made maker/business owner and has a podcast about business called Mimi G's Business S.H.E.T Podcast. Reading her story and listening to the podcast have been inspirational to me. They are giving me the energy to get back into the business mindset, sit down and work on it (as well as in it), and in general just feel more invigorated and open minded about what I want from it. Some of you may have noticed the recent name change on Instagram from ewethfulfiberfarm to ewethfulfibermill. I changed it for a pretty basic reason, Milling is what I do! Yes we have a slew of farm animals but I do not by any means consider myself a shepherd. I love them and I keep them alive and happy, but I do not put merely the time and effort into them as those truly breeding and raising flocks for sale. What truly gets me going, even on my off days, is Milling! I will of course still post endlessly about the animals, the grass seed farm and our life because it is our story, but the Mill is my profession and that is what so much of my life revolves around. Wool, dirt, lanolin, fiber and ultimately processing yarn. So there you go! I'll be back soon. And if you have taken the time to come visit my blog thank you! Please comment below for a chance to win a skein of Oregon made Ewethful Yarn (no superwash ever) and some of our lovely stitch markers. One entry per person and I will pick randomly from the comments after end of day Wednesday June 17th . (Helpful hint: I don't have a lot of readers so you have a good chance!) Thank you for visiting! Stay safe, stay healthy and listen to all the voices!!!
70 Comments
Kami
6/12/2020 09:22:48 pm
I’ve loved all the wool I’ve bought from you and I look forward to reading more about the milling process.
Ewethful
6/15/2020 05:27:40 pm
Thank you Kami and so glad you've liked your fiber!
Wendi
6/12/2020 09:31:12 pm
I somehow hadn't caught the name change but it suits you :) I received my yummy fiber subscription box today, it's the gift that keeps on giving! I'm so spoiled now with how well you process fiber. Cheers!
Ewethful
6/15/2020 05:28:35 pm
So glad you like it!!!
Rosella
6/12/2020 09:32:44 pm
I love your shop I am a knitter but I also spin and prepared wool when I buy a fleece I love that part but this plast year I have been dealing with health problems so has not been spinning as much I need to get back to it as I have a lot of wool prepared
Ewethful
6/15/2020 05:29:42 pm
10 minutes a day should get you back into it. Just like riding a bike!
Ethel Weltman
6/12/2020 10:24:32 pm
Loved working with your yarn. Visited the mill and shop once, and look forward to coming again when it’s possible. Good luck with the plan.
Ewethful
6/17/2020 10:12:38 am
Thank you! I no longer have a retail shop but we do have all our products available online.
Barbara
6/12/2020 10:49:15 pm
I have always just called it Mill, wasn't sure how the farm worked in 🤷♀️ Love having you and your Mill in the neighborhood!
Ewethful
6/17/2020 05:35:40 pm
The farm refers to the fiber animals!
Kiara Gabrielle
6/12/2020 11:25:29 pm
I miss living closer. I miss the get togethers and just visiting that beautiful old building in general.
Ewethful
6/17/2020 05:36:21 pm
It is such a perfect building!
Monique Lloyd
6/13/2020 03:15:00 am
I'm looking forward to reading your blog posts about your animals and shop. I already miss the kitten photos.
Ewethful
6/17/2020 10:16:40 am
I miss the kittens too! I'll be sure to have plenty of animals posts!
Connie
6/13/2020 05:08:06 am
Thank you for doing what you love and for doing all the creative reinventing work it takes to keep doing it as life tosses obstacles into your path. Know that your mill products are heaven in my hands and help me enjoy both art and craft as I negotiate my wacky, winding, challenging life path. Thank goodness for ewe, and for Ewethful stash!
Ewethful
6/17/2020 10:17:30 am
So sweet! Thank you for all the kind words!!!
Gale
6/13/2020 05:33:30 am
We are so lucky that you share your talent and hard work with us. You make it all look so easy.
Ewethful
6/17/2020 05:36:57 pm
I'm so lucky you all enjoy and buy it! 6/13/2020 06:18:58 am
Definition of Milling wool: https://www.google.com/search?sxsrf=ALeKk01IiINYUXNoo1DO0x7fKy0QnR8irg%3A1592054215777&source=hp&ei=x9HkXuKnLaHj9AO816nABw&q=wool+milling+process&oq=Milling+wool&gs_lcp=CgZwc3ktYWIQARgBMgIIADIGCAAQFhAeMgYIABAWEB4yBggAEBYQHjIGCAAQFhAeOgUIABCxA1CsBlikLGDYSmgBcAB4AIABXYgBlQSSAQE3mAEAoAECoAEBqgEHZ3dzLXdpeg&sclient=psy-ab
Ewethful
6/17/2020 05:37:48 pm
Can't connect to the link from here. But thank you for trying!
Robyn Perry
6/13/2020 06:51:52 am
Excited to see a blog. I hope you'll post on FB every time you have a new blog post to check out. Thank you for explaining the change in name from farm to mill; I thought it didn't matter, but once I read why, it made a lot of sense.
Ewethful
6/17/2020 10:18:13 am
I have it set up so that blog posts are shared to FB!
Evelyn Lee
6/13/2020 08:10:23 am
I admire your spunk and intelligence, Kim. You can do this! I will support you all that I can because I share your love of fiber and the mill and the animals, but also because I appreciate the way you are doing it - your values.
Ewethful
6/17/2020 10:15:59 am
Thank you Evelyn!
Robin Kearney
6/13/2020 09:05:04 am
Ever since I found your shop a few years ago, you’ve inspired me with your many talents, your enthusiasm for your work, and your beautiful yarns. Every time I get a skein, I can’t wait to start a new project with it! Keep up the great work☺️
Ewethful
6/17/2020 10:13:57 am
So glad I can be of inspiration. That is always awesome!
Susan L
6/13/2020 09:14:37 am
Always enjoying reading your posts. You’re just up the road from Eugene and when the day comes, I’ll be there to visit and buy yarn in person.
Ewethful
6/17/2020 10:15:23 am
Glad you enjoy the posts! I no longer have a retail shop but our products are all online or if you are passing thru, once things settle down again, please feel free to email!
Karen C
6/13/2020 10:09:45 am
It is wonderful that you have renewed goals and an actual plan. Planning is always where I fall apart a bit. I'm intrigued by new fiber adventures, but can't take the time to think things through sometimes ;)
Ewethful
6/17/2020 10:19:12 am
Planning is always hard, especially once you get busy with the doing. 6/13/2020 10:20:37 am
Best wishes on growing your business and business mindset!!
Ewethful
6/17/2020 05:38:21 pm
Thank you!
Sharon
6/13/2020 10:32:34 am
I love the name change and the reason for it. I so enjoyed my visit and tour of your mill in 2018 and I wish I lived closer so I could stop in and enjoy the many wonderful things you often have going on. Be Blessed as you happily mill fiber!! ❤️
Ewethful
6/17/2020 10:20:18 am
The Mill is a lot more quiet these days. Mostly just the hum of the machines. I miss all the meet-ups. But we'll get there. So glad you enjoyed your visit!
Kat Cearley
6/13/2020 10:35:24 am
I'm really looking forward to seeing more blog posts on the fiber mill (and all the animals). I'm newish to spinning and enjoy learning all about the processing of wool. I'm pretty excited to see whats to come!
Ewethful
6/17/2020 05:39:13 pm
Thank you for the input. And welcome to the spinning world!
Meredith
6/13/2020 11:08:45 am
Excited to read more of your blog!
Ewethful
6/17/2020 05:41:22 pm
Thank you for reading!
Nancy
6/13/2020 12:41:06 pm
Hi Kim, great to hear you’re feeling invigorated in your business and your calling of milling. Life sure has taken some crazy turns in 2020, glad you’re finding ways to thrive. Your products are wonderful. I’m currently spinning some alpaca and silk roving I purchased from you a while back; OMG it’s luscious!
Ewethful
6/17/2020 10:21:15 am
Oh the alpaca/silk is wonderful to spin. And its luscious as a yarn! Thank you for your support.
Julia Knudsen
6/13/2020 01:16:37 pm
Thanks for doing what you are doing and always supporting us farmers!
Ewethful
6/17/2020 10:22:03 am
Farmers are awesome! I'm only slightly biased!
Sandy Halonen
6/13/2020 02:31:08 pm
Kim, You are truly an inspiration to me! I love being a member of your fiber club: I love the variety of fiber and the challenge of spinning and finding a use for each month's fiber. And I love that you speak from the heart about your values. Thank you for owning my Mill of choice!!
Ewethful
6/17/2020 10:22:59 am
Sandy I don't think I'd be where I am without you in my life! So glad you came to the Mill so many years ago and that we struck up the conversation that we did!
Allie
6/13/2020 02:44:34 pm
Kim, I love all your animal posts. The kittens were so adorable...seems like yesterday they were born and now they are old enough to leave mom.
Ewethful
6/17/2020 10:24:08 am
Allie I'm so glad you enjoy the posts! I did actually finish that sweater and a second one. Phew. I love spinning for big projects now. You'll get there!
Susannah Day
6/13/2020 03:07:22 pm
Thanks for keeping the door open and giving us a glance into what you do. I always enjoy your Instagram posts and I look forward to reading a bit more as well 😊
Ewethful
6/17/2020 10:25:07 am
Keeping the door open. I love that! I had no idea where my yarn came from until I got my first sheep and even then the Mill was mind blowing to me. I love to share the experiences!
Diane
6/13/2020 03:30:05 pm
I look forward to checking out MimiG! And always love pictures of the animals! Those kittens were so cute!
Ewethful
6/17/2020 10:26:13 am
MimiG is quite impressive! Designer, blogger, podcaster and on and on it seems.
Karen
6/13/2020 03:36:43 pm
I'm a member of your fiber club and enjoy it very much. Your prep is wonderful!
Ewethful
6/17/2020 10:26:49 am
Yay Karen! So glad you like it! Thank you for the support!
Courtie
6/13/2020 03:41:31 pm
Sounds like a great plan! It’s an evolving process, no finish line. You could also set up a board of directors, advisers and mentors you meet with 2x yearly who mentor you and advocate for your business. Or not. :). Love your biz, hope it grows, if you ever need anything reach out!!! So glad you are here.
Ewethful
6/17/2020 05:40:44 pm
Courtie you really have big goals! Hahaha! I did that with my last business and it was invaluable. Trying to remember all the help I've had and apply to this very different venture!
Ewethful
6/17/2020 10:27:38 am
Always glad you are happy! Hey, I need to come buy some wool from you very soon!
Willa Gaffney
6/13/2020 04:28:21 pm
I love your yarn and I enjoyed stopping to see your store when you were on the slow yarn crawl! Best wishes to you and your fiber endeavors, what a fun place you have!
Ewethful
6/17/2020 10:28:36 am
So glad you enjoy the yarn! We have all our product in our online shop now as we do not have a retail store anymore. If you are Slow Crawling this year, have fun!
Megan Hampson
6/13/2020 06:56:13 pm
Congratulations on the newly-focused venture! I wish you the best of luck and look forward to following your journey!
Wendy
6/13/2020 07:38:12 pm
I've been following you ever since you came and spoke at puddletown knitters guild - an excellent talk and lovely squishy yarn too 😁
Ewethful
6/17/2020 10:29:20 am
Oh I had so much fun that night! I'm glad you enjoyed it and the yarn! Thank you.
Lee Ann Howard
6/13/2020 08:59:00 pm
Kim! You are amazing and an inspiration. I LOVE visiting the Mill and learning about fiber. Thanks for all you do and share!
Ewethful
6/17/2020 05:42:41 pm
You are pretty amazing yourself! Hope you are getting lot so of spinning time in!
Lisa
6/14/2020 05:31:01 am
I love finding ‘new’ (to me) people on Instagram....neat story😊 6/14/2020 08:51:27 am
Wishing you continued success. I love your fiber! That Willamette Valley is spinning up beautifully on my Jenkins. ❤️
Ewethful
6/17/2020 10:32:54 am
It is a lovely fiber! Thank you.
TJ Christenson
6/14/2020 09:47:16 pm
I love keeping up with what you're doing, Kim. And I'm glad to see you're planning on blogging more to keep us involved in your plans and your dreams. I'm sure I'm not the only one who benefits vicariously from your photos and writing. Thank you! TJ
Ewethful
6/17/2020 05:34:27 pm
Glad you are enjoying all of it!
Chelsea
6/15/2020 09:28:07 pm
I’m impressed- I can’t even manage to consistently post on Instagram. I do ok for a bit, but as soon as life hits I accidentally stop- and it’s just so hard to start once you stop for some reason. I hope that you post on Instagram and in stories when you have new posts up- it’s easy to get lost in everything going on but fun to read what you’re up to! I miss that I won’t see you at fiber events this year- hopefully covid will be over soon!
Ewethful
6/17/2020 10:31:52 am
Posting on IG is definitely a discipline. Luckily I have a lot of wonderful things to take pictures of. I'm endlessly grateful to be able to see so much natural beauty everyday! Not necessarily a bad thing to be off social media though?! Leave a Reply. |
AuthorI am Kim Biegler, the owner and operator of Ewethful Fiber Farm & Mill. I create hand spinning fibers from locally sourced wool and teach others online how to hand spin their own yarn. Archives
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