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Workshops & Classes

One on One, Small Group & Off-Season Workshops

Can't make one of the workshops on the schedule?  That's okay! Almost every class can be done any time of year (except dye foraging).  And we can schedule one according to your needs any Monday through Saturday from 9am to 5pm.

Want to schedule a workshop?  

EMail SerendipitousShepherdess@gmail.com

or

Text 1-802-376-6345

Sheep Shearing Observation

Saturday, May 17th
Cost: Free

Join us for a special day on the farm as our wooly family receives their annual spa treatment—it’s shearing day! This is your chance to witness the shearing process up close, learn about sheep care, and discover how raw fleece begins its journey toward becoming yarn, felt, clothing, and art.

Shearing is a vital part of responsible animal care. It does not harm the sheep—in fact, it keeps them healthy and comfortable, preventing overheating, infections, and other serious health issues. You’ll learn more about these concerns and the traditions behind fleece harvesting throughout the event.

🐑 Come for the wool, stay for the wisdom—and maybe a few bleats of approval.

🕊️ Please Note:

For the well-being of the sheep and the shearer, all guests are asked to remain calm and quiet during the shearing. Gentle presence = happy sheep!

Scouring Wool: Washing the Fleece with Respect and Intention

May & June Saturdays 

(After Mother's Day) 

Before it can be spun, felted, or dyed—wool must be cleaned with care, not haste.

In this essential class, we’ll learn how to scour (wash) raw fleece the traditional way—preserving its beauty, respecting its source, and preparing it for the next step in its journey. This isn’t just about cleaning—it’s about honoring the gift the sheep have given.

We’ll explore:

  • How to handle fleece freshly shorn

  • Skirting: what to keep, what to compost

  • Hot water methods, soap types, and lanolin lore

  • How to avoid felting during washing

  • Drying, storing, and prepping for next steps (carding, dyeing, etc.)

You’ll work hands-on with fleece from our sanctuary flock and leave with clean wool and the confidence to tackle your own at home.
As always, youth 18 and under are welcome free of charge.

In every tub of wool is a story—mud, sun, pasture, and sheep. Come help reveal it, one gentle rinse at a time.

$10         1-2 Hours         9am - 1pm

*Weather Permitting*

Carding & Combing: Preparing Wool with Patience and Purpose

June & July Saturdays

Before the spinning, felting, or weaving begins—there is the art of preparation.

In this tactile, meditative class, we’ll dive into the gentle work of turning raw fleece into fiber ready for your next great creation. Using hand carders, wool combs, and flick carders, we’ll learn how to align fibers, remove debris, and coax the wool into soft, workable beauty.

You’ll learn:

  • The differences between carding and combing (and when to use each)

  • How to handle a fleece from skirting to cloud

  • How to create rolags, batts, and top

  • Fiber prep tips for different crafts (spinning, felting, etc.)

All tools and fleece are provided—sourced right from our wooly residents. 🐏

Come fluff the fleece, feel the texture shift beneath your hands, and connect with the rhythm that shepherds have known for centuries

$15         1-2 Hours         1pm - 4pm

Spinning

July & August Saturdays

Come learn the ancient art of spinning—where wool becomes yarn and time slows to a soothing rhythm.

In this hands-on class, we’ll start with fleece from our very own sanctuary sheep and walk (or whirl) through the process of transforming it into usable yarn using traditional drop spindles AND spinning wheels.

You'll learn:

  • How to prepare wool for spinning

  • The fundamentals of using a drop spindle (which you get to take home!)

  • Drafting techniques and twist control

  • Introduction to the spinning wheel

  • How to set, ply, and finish your yarn

All materials—including sanctuary fleece—are provided, and beginners are absolutely welcome.
This is more than a craft—it’s a quiet spell, a thread between hands and history, sheep and soul.

Due to the number of spinning wheels available for the class we can only have 4 people per workshop. 

So please pre-register for this class asap.

$45         2-3 Hours         9am- 1pm

🍁 Dye Foraging: Wandering with Purpose, Gathering with Care

August & September Saturdays

Join us for a journey into the wild to discover the hidden colors beneath your feet and above your head.

In this immersive, slow-paced class, we’ll explore the fields, forests, and fencerows to identify plants, bark, berries, roots, and fungi that can be used to create natural dyes. You’ll learn how to forage respectfully, harvest sustainably, and form a relationship with the land that’s built on reverence and reciprocity.

We'll learn:

  • How to identify dye plants across the seasons

  • What parts to gather—and what to leave

  • Tips for ethical foraging and ecosystem care

  • How to record your findings in a forager’s journal

  • How to test and store your treasures for future dyeing

This is a hands-on, boots-on-the-ground kind of class—bring your baskets, notebooks, and sense of wonder.
Youth under 18 attend free.

Because the land is not just a backdrop—it’s a collaborator, a teacher, and a palette.

$25         2-3 Hours         1pm -4pm

🌿 Natural Dyeing: Color from the Earth, Magic from the Fleece

September & October Saturdays

Learn to coax color from the natural world using plants, roots, blossoms, and bark.

This hands-on class explores the ancient, sustainable art of natural dyeing—using wool from our own rescued sheep and flora gathered with care from the land around us.

Together, we’ll:

  • Discover dye plants that grow in fields, forests, and gardens

  • Learn safe, ethical harvesting practices

  • Prepare fibers to accept dye (mordanting, soaking, etc.)

  • Create vibrant hues using foraged or homegrown ingredients

  • Experiment with layering, patterning, and over-dyeing techniques

All materials provided—including sanctuary fleece and a selection of seasonal dyestuffs. 🐑🌼
Come stir the cauldron, steep the color, and watch the wool bloom slow magic at its finest.

$35         2-3 Hours         9am-1pm

🐾 Needle Felting: Sculpting Stories in Wool

October & November Weekends

Turn soft fleece into charming creatures, cozy creations, and tiny tales—one poke at a time.

In this beginner-friendly class, you'll learn the meditative (and slightly mischievous) art of needle felting using wool from our beloved sanctuary flock. With just a barbed needle, your hands, and a little imagination, you’ll bring wool to life—no glue, no sewing, just the ancient magic of fiber and form.

We'll cover:

  • Needle safety and technique

  • Choosing and preparing your wool

  • Shaping forms and layering details

  • Creating animals, ornaments, or abstract art

All materials are included—including wool gifted by our sheepy residents. 🐏
Come feel the wool between your fingers, hear the soft rhythm of the needle, and let your creativity bleat with joy.

$25         1-2 Hours         1pm-4pm

Advanced Needle Felting: Details, Depth & Wooly Wonders

November & December Saturdays

For those who’ve mastered the basics and are ready to sculpt with soul.

This class dives deeper into the art of needle felting—perfect for those ready to bring more realism, expression, and intricate detail into their work. We’ll explore techniques to refine shapes, build lifelike features, and create multi-layered pieces with personality and presence.

Together we’ll learn:

  • Advanced shaping and layering techniques

  • Sculpting faces, hooves, paws, wings, and more

  • Blending colors for texture and realism

  • Adding wire armatures or mixed media elements

  • Finishing and preserving your masterpiece

Wool from our own sanctuary flock is provided, and you're welcome to bring your favorite tools or inspirations.
Youth 18 and under may attend free with previous experience.

From sheep to sculpture, you’ll create more than art—you’ll breathe life into wool.

$45         1-2 Hours         9am-1pm

🧵 Weaving with the Wool: Crafting Connection, One Thread at a Time

December & January Saturdays

Learn the ancient art of weaving using wool from our very own rescued flock.

In this cozy, hands-on class, you'll explore the meditative and magical process of transforming handspun yarn & fiber into woven beauty. Whether you're brand new or a seasoned fiber friend, you'll find joy in the rhythm of the loom and the stories spun into every strand.

We’ll cover:

  • Basics of loom weaving (rigid heddle & frame)

  • Preparing wool for the loom

  • Creating patterns with color and texture

  • Weaving with intention and sustainability

All materials are provided—including wool from our own sanctuary sheep! 🐑
Come learn the rhythm of the thread, the language of wool, and the quiet joy of making something from nothing—with love, patience, and the occasional goat supervising.

Weaving Basics- Learn basic weaves & knots, about textural weaving, different kinds of Looms and even how to make your own loom! All supplies are provided AND you get to take them home!

$45         2-3 Hours         1pm- 4pm

OR

Tablet Weaving- Weaving is a craft older than spinning believe it or not. And the Norse people began Tablet Weaving as early as the Bronze Age and those bands have been found in incredible preserved states to this day.  Come learn this ancient craft and make something beautiful.  Supplies Provided. Looms available to purchase or order after the class.

$55         3-4 Hours         1pm- 5pm

🐑 Animal Husbandry 101: Gentle Care, Ancient Wisdom

Available Year Round

Learn the hands-on skills and heart-first mindset needed to care for farm animals with kindness, respect, and understanding.

Whether you're dreaming of your own homestead or simply want to deepen your connection with animals, this class will guide you through the art of animal care the old-fashioned way—slow, soulful, and deeply rooted in trust.

Topics may include:

  • Daily care and feeding

  • Recognizing health and illness

  • Safe handling and gentle training

  • Flock and herd behavior

  • Building a bond of mutual respect

This class is open to all ages and experience levels.
Come prepared to meet goats, sheep, chickens, ducks, geese and maybe even a very opinionated cat.

Because good animal care isn’t just about chores—it’s about companionship, compassion, and community.

Available Year Round (Come dressed appropriately for work and whatever weather we're having)

$25         1-2 Hours         8am- 4pm

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