A Tour of Dakota Fiber Mill

Chris of Dakota Fiber Mill is passionate about what she does. Seeing her interact with her animals makes it obvious that she loves her job, and her animals love her. As soon as she gets close to them, her furry friends nuzzle up to her and get comfortable with their owner. Chris harvests the fiber from the animals on her farm to make beautiful yarns to knit into cozy creations. On her farm, she has:  yaks, camels, llamas, alpacas, sheep, goats and rabbits.

While Chris harvests and processes the fiber from her own animals, her main job is processing the fiber that clients send to her to process. She has large machinery that she uses to turn a huge pile of fur into soft yarn.

Attached to Dakota Fiber Mill is The Wood and the Wool, where customers can shop yarns processed at Dakota Fiber Mill, knitted creations and can even take a class from Chris.

Recently, I had the opportunity to tour her farm along with some other members of the FM Modern Sewing Guild. Chris was excited to share all about her processing at Dakota Fiber Mill, and introduce us to her sweet and gentle animals.

1. How did you get your start in the fiber milling industry?

I started with 4 alpacas, a spinning wheel and the aspiration of hand processing all my own fiber. Working full time and raising a family, it took me 6 months to get thru one fleece. I had friends that wanted to buy alpaca yarn from me, but I was just able to spin enough for my own knitting purposes, so I started sending some fleeces away to a mill (like myself) to be process so I could sell the yarn. My alpaca shearer in 2010 said I should open my own mill. Hmmmmmm. I thought that would be great-- work at home, something I loved....I started praying and the Lord threw open the doors. He guided me into a new career and business. The miracle debris on getting the loans to the mill setup and the day to day operations are piled high!! I am humbled by his Gift of doing what I love to do and His constant obvious Presence every day.  He lead me to a textile engineer from England whom built my carder and I paid to gather the rest of the needed equipment and was with me onsite for three weeks setting it all up and training me to use it. I spent the next six months practicing on my own and friends fiber. Taking in customer fiber starting 2011.

2. Who taught you to knit?

A good friend many many years ago taught me to knit. Since opening the mill I haven't touched my needles....:(

3. What services does your business offer?

I card fiber into roving for hand spinners, felters and crafters, and spin fiber into finished skeins of yarn. Soon to be adding felting services also.

4. What do you most enjoy about fiber arts?

I love animals! Working with their fiber is such an honor. Each fleece has its own personality so to speak. Even though its a Romney sheep fleece it will behave, require different gearing etc... than the next Romney fleece. Creativity is endless. You can do soooooo much with the fiber. With very little training etc....Something about working with natural fiber, once you do you will be hooked!

5. What is your favorite type of fiber to work with?

Camel, I love camel fiber. Super soft and good staple length.

6. How many animals do you have at your farm?

I will have 47 varying fiber type animals, with the addition of 17 coming this spring. Not counting the chickens and guinea hens... lol and the breeding angora rabbits.....

7. How many hours a week do you work?

I try to keep it to 70 hours a week in the mill. First couple years it was more but I try to limit it now. So I can attend church services, have a date night with my hubby etc....

8. What is the most rare type of fiber that you have worked with?

Hmmmmm rare fiber... I have done possum, cat and dog and corn silk..

A big thank you to Chris for taking the time to share her story, and give us a tour of her amazing farm!

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Pear'd and Taea Made Giveaway!!!

I’ve had the distinct pleasure of getting to know Rachel and Lacey, the duo behind pear’d, over the past year. Our paths have crossed at several handmaker events, and we've gotten to chatting. When they reached out to me to collaborate on a giveaway, of course my answer was a quick yes!

When asked to share a little bit more about themselves and their business for you to get to know these sweet ladies better, they said, 

“Sewing runs in our blood. Our mom learned from her mother, and we learned from our mom. Once we were old enough, Mom enlisted our help with sewing projects and we’ve been hooked ever since. In the summer of 2013, pear’d began by selling at a farmers market in Bismarck. Shortly after, we created an Etsy shop and had our product in a couple local stores. Currently, we create 200 miles apart, in Bismarck and Fargo, ND. We're passionate about what we do and love being part of the handmade community.”

So time for some fun! Here's what one lucky winner will receive:

A pear'd zipper pouch, retailing at $27:

A Taea Made medium sized Hoop Art piece of the winner's choosing, retailing at $25:

That's over $50 worth of handmade prizes to one lucky person!! To enter, please follow the Rafflecopter directions below.

ENTER THIS CONTEST BY CLICKING HERE

Thanks for participating, and good luck!

The fine print: This contest is open to U.S. residents 18 year of age, or older. One full entry per person. No multiple email addresses. Contest will run until April 22nd, 2015 at 11:59pm CST. Winner will be selected by Rafflecopter. This contest is not associated with Facebook, or Instagram. Winner has to "Like" vendors' Facebook pages, and/or "Follow" their Instagram pages in order to be qualified. Prizes are not available for cash value, and cannot be sold...but always make great gifts ;.)

Sewing for Others

We each have a special talent. Something that sparks an extra interest that we have a natural ability to do. Donna Lewis’s talent is sewing. What she’s been gifted with she has chosen to use to enrich the lives of others. Donna makes adorable pillowcase dresses that are sent overseas to help little girls in need.

When talking with Donna about her sewing projects, you can tell that she loves to pick out trims and accents that make her dresses individual for each girl. Whether it’s a beautiful lace, or added pocket, Donna makes each piece unique.

Donna belongs to a group of church quilters that meet every week to create quilts to be donated. They even upcycle sheets into amazing quilts to warm and comfort. I had the opportunity to donate some extra bed linens, and it was a treat to stop by and watch them being made into quilts that will benefit others.

Here’s some insight into Donna’s history and experiences with sewing:

1. What inspires you to make these dresses?

The joy of "creating", while also filling the need to be productive in retirement!

2. What is your background with sewing?

I learned to sew in 4-H, and did a lot in high school for myself and other family members. This desire motivated me to major in Home Economics in college, with a minor in Textiles and Clothing. I also taught several Construction classes in the 70's and 80's at several levels.

3. How do you decide which pillowcases will make a nice dress?

I now receive many pillowcases to pick from, so I am more selective. They must be clean and in good shape. I tend to gravitate to print ones which can easily be adorned with trims and buttons, but also experiment with pockets on the solid color ones. I have many fabric scraps from which to make colorful pockets.

4. Where do you get the supplies to make the dresses?

I receive pillowcases from items that are donated to Olivet Quilters, which I am a member, and some from First Lutheran Quilters as well. Typically, the quilters don't use the pillowcases. I have also received many trims, etc. from friends and family who clean out their sewing supplies. On occasion I have sold a few dresses locally which provides $ to purchase more bias tape and trim as needed. 

5. What is your most favorite thing about sewing the dresses?

Knowing that needy children will receive them and hopefully enjoy them, and the satisfaction I experience from completing them. 

6. Where do the dresses you make end up?

Last year, two local church groups took dresses to Ethiopia and Ecuador while on mission trips there. If no local groups are interested in delivering them, they are sorted and sent to "Little Dresses for Africa," a non-profit organization that forwards them to identified needy areas.

7. How can others help with this cause?

Donations of supplies or $ to purchase the binding and elastic needed. Individuals can easily learn to make them, two classes have been offered at Olivet and the directions are downloadable. (On a personal note, my massage therapist brought her massage chair to my home while my husband was ill to provide me a much needed massage). She reduced her charge significantly to donate to the cause and I have had other people offer $ as well.

8. How did you become involved with this cause?

I became interested when a former colleague told me of their church group doing a one day sewing blitz to make them. I quickly explored and began creating with old pillowcases I no longer needed. I shared my results with fellow quilters at Olivet who were willing to share resources and help with postage, etc.

Thank you, Donna, for sharing your insights and talents with others!

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Step Inside Kittsona Lifestyle

Recently I had the opportunity to visit Kittsona Lifestyle in Grand Forks, ND, and was delighted with what I found. Rustic wood planked walls and elegant chandeliers along with the carefully curated offerings made for a one-of-a-kind shopping experience.

I’m thankful to have had the opportunity to meet the extremely sweet Tessa Hiney, co-owner of Kittsona, during my visit after working with her to create unique pillows for the store. Tessa and her business partner, Nicole Johnson, began their original store in 2011 in Grand Forks. Since then, they’ve rebranded their store to Kittsona, and expanded to 3 other locations!

Step inside Kittsona Lifestyle with me and get to know this wonderful shop better. Enjoy a little Q&A with Tessa as well!

When someone walks into your store, what do you want them to feel? ​

We want them to feel at home, and comfortable! We love greeting customers with a warm, and genuine smile - our absolute favorite thing is when we get to know customers by name! We are always changing displays around and getting new product. Nicole and I want customers to feel like it's a brand new store every time they come in! 

What inspired you to open a retail store?

 Nicole and I met by chance (or fate as we like to call it). We found that we both saw a big hole in retail shopping for mid-size cities, and knew we wanted to fill it. We each have a very different set of skills, and realized bringing those together would create a very well rounded business! It has turned out to be the best decision either of us has made! 

How did Kittsona Lifestyle get its name? 

We have definitely gone through some transitions with our name! Our original location was on the corner of Kittson Avenue, and 3rd Street in Downtown Grand Forks, ND. We opened our doors to the name Kittson & 3rd in Nov of 2011. Shortly after we realized that our customers affectionately started referring to us as Kittson. We loved it, and ran with it! After a couple of years (and 2 locations later) of operating as Kittson we realized we were limited with the name. It is a common name, geographical location, etc. and we needed a name all our own! We found that Kittsona kept our roots into consideration, but felt more feminine, and most importantly the word was all our own! At the time of our name transition we were working on renovations for our new home + gift location (in our original location on Kittson & 3rd.. More on that in #4). Kittsona Lifestyle felt very natural as we want our brand to embody and promote a well-rounded lifestyle! 

Why did you decide to open a separate store from other Kittsonas just for home décor? ​

In the beginning of 2014 we had bought out a bridal store, and moved locations to it in Downtown Grand Forks. It was a much bigger location, and more conducive to our needs! We left our original location on Kittson & 3rd after the Christmas season in 2013, but knew we couldn't give it up! A full "lifestyle" brand has always been a personal dream of mine, so I knew it would be the perfect opportunity in that location! We have an incredibly supportive community, and knew that Grand Forks was the perfect place to do it! The store incorporates many local goods, and ND + MN specific products. It is amazing to see the excitement from customers about our expansion of product lines! 

Why did you decide to expand your stores, and what are your visions for the future? 

Our lifestyle products will be incorporated into all our locations this year, and we can't wait! Nicole and I don't have enough time in the day to keep up with all of our ideas, but we are always working on getting better! We are focusing on quality, and plan to only improve! 

What specialty pieces is your store known for? 

I don't think we are specifically known for pieces, but more so for intangibles. We always hear positive feedback about our customer service, interesting (and always changing) product, fair prices, community involvement, and now local products! :)

How did the partnership between Nicole and you begin?

We met at a farmer's market in Downtown Grand Forks in the summer of 2011. I was selling my handmade jewelry, and Nicole came by and talked about how much she loved it! Nicole had passed by on her lunch break from her job at a downtown business. Later that day, my mom stopped into that business and started chatting with Nicole. My mom didn't realize Nicole and I had met that day already at the market, and thought that Nicole and I would hit it off. She helped set Nicole and I up for a coffee date, we started talking business, and the rest is history! We are now best friends, and I couldn't imagine doing it without each other! We have very different skills, but the same vision for the business so we like to call it the "perfect partnership"!

What do you most love about owning your own stores?

 ​

We both have a passion for working for a greater purpose. It feels like we can really make an impact with what we are doing, and that is the most rewarding thing of all! 

Shop Kittsona:

HOME GOODS + DECOR

28 S. 3rd Street

Grand Forks, ND 58201

402 DeMers Avenue

Grand Forks, ND 58201

117 N. 4th St.

Bismarck, ND 58501

610 Main Ave.

Fargo, ND 58103

A word of gratitude to Tessa, Nicole and their lovely staff for the interview! 

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Drop me a line at: taeamade@hotmail.com.