ARTISAN

Karen was born in Oregon, grew up in the Seattle area, and then eventually returned to Oregon. Karen has a passion for all things fiber. She began raising and showing Angora rabbits. This inspired a desire to learn to spin, which she did....and it was the spinning that led her into acquiring sheep. She started with Shetlands. As her spinning interests increased, she pursued the development of very specific fleeces for spinning. She acquired Lincoln sheep and then Wensleydales. The Lincolns have been the foundation for her AI (artificial insemination) breeding program in the design of her Wensleydale sheep....one of the premier breeds for spinning fibers.

Karen lives on acreage near Bend with her family, and plenty of rabbits, sheep and horses. She loves nature and an outdoor life. Karen loves all aspects of fiber art, preferring to process her fleeces at home. She does the washing, dyeing, carding, spinning and also weaves. Karen is doing dyeing and carding of wool for the Imperial Stock Ranch.