100% Australian made and owned Love Merino wool scarf or Merino wool wrap. ETHICAL, SUSTAINABLE & COLLECTABLE
]]>This Mother’s Day I will be thinking of my mum - Sue, my mother in law - Jean, my grandmothers and aunties - Gran Martin, Grannie Gordon, Aunty Thellie, Wendy Campbell, Pattie Gordon, Heather Gordon, and Chicky Jones with gratitude and love.
Thoughts are especially with our friends and families - Zia, Aunty Eve, Jill Pullen, Carol Reinhart, Sarah Rich, Kellie Mason, Kylie Whale, Karen Paxton, Mal Keirle, Pat Doherty and all who have lost their children taken too soon, always remembered and forever loved.
And to those gorgeous souls who wanted to be but were never able to be mums.
Thinking of you all on this day always with love, thoughts, and prayers xxx
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If you are thinking of getting that special mother or person in your life a gift on Mother’s Day
Give them a warm hug on a cold winter’s day…...
with code: LOVEMUM30%OFF
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100% Australian made and owned Love Merino wool scarf or Merino wool wrap.
ETHICAL, SUSTAINABLE & COLLECTABLE
A Luxurious Merino wool scarf or wrap is the perfect accessory for everyone’s wardrobe and these Love Merino scarves and Wraps are super soft and warm against your skin.
Available in many colours and designs – elegant, cosy, and timeless a great gift.
See our new colours: Breath of Pink, Caramel, Teal, and Oat
We craft scarves made from the finest Merino, with every fibre originating from our farm in Wellington NSW Australia. Since 1898 and spanning five generations, our family has lived and worked on the ‘Glenwood’ farm.
We embrace this heritage while employing modern farming practices that it adheres to a “holistic” system of sustainable land management and the humane treatment of our animals.
Our scarves are proudly Australian made and we are involved at every step of the production journey, guaranteeing that they are crafted ethically and with minimal environmental impact.
Committed to supporting regional Australia and fostering and inclusive community, we want you to feel part of our family and what we do. We love our merinos you will love our story.
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As seen in
Graziher Australian Country Country Style
]]>We don't just love merino wool because we raise merino sheep. Pure merino wool is one of those almost magical fabrics that is really hard to beat, in all seasons - not just in winter! Below are 7 reasons why merino wool is just so good.
If you are someone with sensitive skin, you don't have to choose between comfort and style - you can have both with merino wool. It's great for people with sensitive skin and has also been shown to reduce both infant and adult eczema symptoms compared to other types of fabrics. The fine, hypoallergenic fibres are non-irritating next to the body, wonderful for people suffering from different skin conditions such as dermatitis. Merino wool contains very low levels of irritants compared to other fabrics that use synthetics and other added chemicals.
One of the popular properties of merino wool is its elasticity. Macrame expert Anna Merilic recommends travelling with merino wool fabrics:
You take it out from your luggage, hang it for about 30 minutes, and you're good. You don't need to iron the shirt. You also don't have to worry about the wrinkles you get from backpacks, seatbelts, and many others. This is definitely your travelling companion.
Cotton and synthetic fibre materials are very resource and process intensive. Merino wool, on the other hand, is completely sustainable and environmentally friendly. Some merino sheep can be shorn up to twice a year, and their coat layer is continually growing. And all it takes is sunlight, fresh air, grass, and water, and of course happy and healthy sheep!
For the animals, there's absolutely no pain on their end - shearing helps them to remain comfortable. Merino wool is also biodegradable - you can put it in your own compost - and it offers more benefits compared to other materials without having to incorporate any chemical additives.
Despite being offering extreme comfort, merino wool consists of fine fabric that quickly dries. It has the ability to release water quickly. Fun fact: it can absorb moisture up to 35% of its actual weight, and it won't feel wet at all. The fibres on the surfaces are dry then the moisture will then travel to the fibres' core. In comparison to polyester, wool is comfortable and warm to wear, even during winter or when it's wet. Additionally, it doesn't stop the body from sweating, one of our body's natural cooling mechanisms. It'll dry faster than your other garments do. Throw in the laundry, wash, hang and it'll be ready in no time.
Merino wool is especially popular during the winter season because of its amazing warming features while remaining very light. Its natural fibres are efficient in keeping you warm when it's cold, and even cool when it's hot, better than synthetic materials. Merino wool has magnificent insulating properties that are great for kids, babies and adults alike.
Aside from its insulating properties and lightweight materials, merino wool has antibacterial properties. This makes it a great hiking and travel essential as it can stay smelling fresh for at least a few days.
Additionally, the wool absorbs the skin's moisture, which means that you won't have a build up of sweat. According to interior designer Gary Hamer:
You can leave your wool clothing hanging in humid weather, and you'll still be able to wear it the following day without having to worry about the bad odour.
By now, you probably know that merino wool is comfortable to wear and soft on the skin. This is because it is made up of very fine wool fibres - 16.5 to 19.5 microns. These soft and thin fibres are way beyond a human skin's 25 microns itching threshold. When it gets contact with the skin, it bends beautifully without creating an irritating sensation.
]]>All Love Merino fabrics are produced from the merino sheep on our farm Glenwood, Central West NSW. Our fabrics are produced at AB Knitwear in Melbourne Australia. AB Knitwear is an environmentally responsible merino knit manufacturer. Love Merino products are completely free from harmful chemicals and safe for human use.
Our our farm - Glenwood Merino - is accredited at an RWS (Responsible Wool Standard) - our sheep are treated with respect to their Five Freedoms:
Find out more about the Responsible Wool Standard
Underpinning our brand is a strong desire to be sustainable and ethical. One of our practices is making use of all the fabric when we are producing the Love Merino garments. Our scarves and wraps are made on a Flat bed machine so each product is made to size with no wastage.
With our jersey merino fabric that is knitted on a circular knitting machine, the Love Merino garments are cut and finished by our very talented seamstress Rachel right here in Wellington. Rachel is vigilant in making sure any spare merino fabric is used up as beanies, face masks or headbands. We are continually striving to aim for zero waste!
Lovemerino is the culmination of 5 generations of persistence and passion of a Merino farming family from Wellington who are bringing their inspiring story to the world.
The response to our first three collections of designer limited edition Merino scarves and accessories has been overwhelming.
The interest in our story and support for our vision has been amazing, not just here in Australia but from countries like the US, Germany, Netherlands, Italy and the United Kingdom.
Consumers around the world are becoming increasingly discerning about the ethical and sustainable aspects of fashion. They want to know where the product comes from, how it was produced and the story behind the brand.
We have an amazing story and want to share it with the world. Lovemerino is not just a farming business but a way of life as we aim to achieve a harmonious balance between the environment, animals, business and our family.”
Our family farm was one of the first and now growing number of the farms in Australia to be certified under the Responsible Wool Standard which is a voluntary global standard that addresses the welfare of sheep and of the land they graze on. We are always looking to continuously improve animal welfare and ceased mulesing in 2005.
Lovemerino has embraced the “slow fashion” ethos by working in small scale production with local Australian manufacturers (AB Knitwear), artists (Manuela Strano) and design houses (Shibori and Publisher Textiles) to produce limited edition pieces (1 of 50) inspired by the land we love so much.
The iconic family owned maker AB Knitwear is our new manufacturing partner. The Melbourne-based company has been producing the finest 100% Australian grown fine Merino knitwear since 1979.
We are also excited to continue our partnership with the amazing ladies, Pepa Martin and Karen Davis from Shibori in Sydney to hand dye an exciting new range of scarves, throws, baby wraps, shrugs and neck warmers using traditional Japanese methods. Working in a seasonal colour palette Shibori designs bleed softly with the Merino creating stunning tonal variations and patterns.
We feel very blessed that our lifelong dream has become reality and we have to pinch ourselves on our success so far. All our previous limited edition designs have sold out and we've expanded from direct sales to wholesaling to select retailers.
We are excited to share our collection of luxury Merino accessories and want to build an inclusive community with our friends around the world that share our passion for ethical Merino and feel part of our family.
Love Merino’s collection is available through the company’s website www.lovemerino.com.au and select retail stores around Australia.
View our Store
We love our merinos. We know you will love our story.
OUR PARTNERS
AB Knitwear
AB Knitwear, first established in 1979, is an iconic Australian producer of 100% Australian grown Fine Merino wool knitwear. All garments are manufactured in a Family owned, modern, well equipped factory in Brunswick, Victoria Australia and are knitted and manufactured under tight, well established quality control procedures. Decades of experience combined with electronic knitting technology ensure that all garments maintain quality and wearability standards equal to any in the world.
Shibori
Shibori (Stanmore, NSW) is a creative partnership between Pepa Martin and Karen Davis who use traditional methods of Japanese Shibori dying. We have worked closely with this dynamic duo over the last 3 years to experiment with colour and pattern on Merino, creating original pieces each dyed individually by hand in Sydney.
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We were proud to collaborate with FOUR PAWS Australia, Humane Society International, and BG Economics to produce this independent report featuring successful case studies of wool producers who used genetics to battle flystrike pain-free.
Glenwood has not mulesed since 2005 and has not looked back in terms of animal welfare, management, and productivity. There’s never been a better time for the wool industry to switch gears and create a roadmap to end mulesing.
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❤️ Love your mum ❤️ love chai ❤️ Love Merino! ❤️ We’re giving you the chance to win a beautiful Mother’s Day prize pack in celebration of Mothers. The pack includes all 6 of The Spice People’s bespoke chai blends, plus an exclusive Japanese Hario Glass Teapot, and this stunning Love Merino Classic Scarf made from the softest 100% pure Australian Fine Merino Wool. This prize pack is worth a whopping $404.70 and could be yours.
TO ENTER
1. Comment on this post or email us - tell us in 25 words or less why you think your mum would love this prize!
Terms & Conditions:
1. Entry is open to Australian residents only. Only one (1) entry per individual will be accepted.
2. Promotion commences 06/03/2020 and final entries close on 04/05/2020.
3. To enter participants must comment on this post or send an email and tell us in 25 words or less why you think your mum would love this prize.
4. The Prize is a Mother’s Day prize pack valued at $404.70. Prizes are not transferable or exchangeable and cannot be taken as cash.
5. Winners will be notified via email on 05/05/2020.
It’s so lovely to have lifelong friends who you cross paths with here, there and everywhere throughout your life together - always grateful to have that connection with each other.
Sitting with Liz and her mum last year over a cup of Chai at the Cactus Café and Gallery in Wellington it was fun to catch up. It was then that I floated the idea of collaborating on a project together and suggested Mother’s Day.
We both have similar values and vision for our products, companies and families; we both have such a strong connection believing in who we are and what we do. To team up together – well it’s a no brainer. Two girls from the land; now two ladies of successful companies supporting each other and coming together for Mother’s Day – wow how exciting.
Mothers are those extra special people in your life that we all love and admire. Frankly we can never thank them enough for giving us our start (and sometimes middle!) and well, when you are lucky enough to be one yourself, it makes it all the more special a day to celebrate.
I had not been a Chai tea drinker in the past. Liz introduced me to it with The People’s Chai. It’s still hands down one of the nicest I’ve tried. It’s blended right here in Australia, and partnered to help farmers in developing countries. There’s no real need to add sugar or any sweeteners - it has the perfect amount of smoothness, and brewed correctly it brings out the natural sweetness. Of course if you have a sweet tooth add some honey! All-natural tastes but with the added health kick, what more could one want?
The best thing going for The Spice People’s chai is that the blends are so uplifting that just like they say, a little goes a long way. And there are no preservatives or additives. I would personally recommend The People’s Chai as quite literally that - much like the late “people’s princess” Diana, Princess of Wales, sweet yet smooth and all-round divine. I now enjoy a cup everyday… you need to try it!
Norm and I live on a sheep grazing property that has been in Norms family for over 100 years. Breeding a beautiful fibre merino wool, we always wanted to follow our wool to the final product. And just as Love Merino is fibre to fabric – The Spice People’s products are paddock to plate. Not only that but their website is amazing - jam packed full of spices, recipes and ideas – from easy to cook for the simple souls in the kitchen to ingredients that should be used on Master Chef. It’s been such a pleasure to team up with my dear friend to bring you this offer.
In celebration of this Mother’s Day, we’re giving you the chance to win a beautiful Mother’s Day prize pack. The pack includes all 6 of The Spice People bespoke chai blends, plus an exclusive Japanese Hario Glass Teapot and a stunning Love Merino Classic Scarf that’s made from the softest 100% pure Australian Fine Merino Wool sourced exclusively from our farm Glenwood Merinos, Wellington NSW.
This prize pack is worth a whopping $404.70 and could be yours simply by purchasing from our website.
Love your mum, love chai, Love Merino!
TO ENTER
1. Like, and comment on this post on Facebook - tell us in 25 words or less why you think your mum would love this prize - include the hashtag #LoveMerinoandTheSpicePeople
2. Like our pages LoveMerino and The Spice People and share our competition #hashtag.
You can also find the competition running on Instagram.
Entry is open to Australian residents only. Only one (1) entry per individual will be accepted.
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One of my oldest and dearest friends Sarah Rich @inquisitive_hq – second from the left (Normanhurst, Sydney). Up & coming business woman of the year; whom I adore and is so good for my soul. Pictured here at High Tea no less ! x
If you could give 1 piece of advice to yourself as a 12-year-old girl what would it be?
Great things will come with hard work, perseverance and believing in yourself. There will be ups and downs, supporters and haters but you have a strength in you that so far hasn’t been tested. It will come. Embrace it all!
When do you feel most feminine?
At High Tea (which I love and should do more often!)
Three words that you live by?
Can I have three mantras instead please? Of course, you can xxx
If you could go to dinner with any 3 people in the world who would they be and why?
Roger Federer
Rafael Nadal
and my sister Jane.
We are both big fans of each of them and I'd love to talk with them about what drives them, to see what their relationship really is like and to learn more about their charities and life on the tennis circuit. Plus, my sister would be so thrilled!
One of my newest and dear friends Pepa Martin on the left with her partner in crime Karen Davis (@shibori_textilles, Stanmore) someone I admire greatly and aspire to be just like 150% - her strength, determination, kindness and thoughtfulness of others, Pepa is truly an inspiration to all girls and women alike. Honestly you need to meet her and have a cup of tea.
If you could give 1 piece of advice to yourself as a 12-year-old girl what would it be?
The point of life is to be happy, don't compare yourself to others and walk your own path with confidence. Embrace every opportunity and always trust your instincts.
When do you feel most feminine?
I have naturally curly hair and as a child, I always admired my sister's shiny straight hair. Now when I straighten my hair, I feel a lot more polished and feminine. Silly how something as simple as hair can change how you feel so much.
Three words that you live by?
Compassion, Adaptability, Confidence
If you could go to dinner with any 3 people in the world who would they be and why?
That's tricky because there are so many people, I admire for very different qualities but I'm not sure how that dinner party would go!
Elon Musk because he takes risks, constantly learning and he thinks big.
Frida Kahlo because I admire her strength, courage and integrity. I think she made an impact using her art to overcome her adversities.
Aretha Franklin because she is the queen of soul and I would just love to have heard her sing.
Happy International women's day! xxx
My stylish beautiful friend Annie Edwards @catombal7 (pictured here with her daughter Lucy and her beautiful mum) makes me smile, laugh and makes the best Rocky Road in the world (which I know one day I shall be given the recipe for!). Annie is the humblest person I know, kind, thoughtful, great company, married to farmer Stew, has 5 gorgeous children, knows what it’s like to never stop, loves to dress up, is the most amazing librarian and can sing like a bird!
If you could give 1 piece of advice to yourself as a 12-year-old girl what would it be?
Don’t limit yourself - grab life’s experiences with both hands - don’t be afraid!
When do you feel most feminine?
When I am the Matriarch of my small army: Serving the dinner and drinks with my children and their partners gathered around the dining table - the family banter and the love and the way they look up to you in a funny kind of way - without ever saying a word. I feel an inner strength almost invincible. Feminine and loved.
Three words that you live by?
Kind, Kinder, Kindest to yourself to everyone you meet.
If you could go to dinner with any 3 people in the world who would they be and why?
Iris Apfel - Style, interesting and old...
Hannah Kent - Australian Author a passion for literature...
Abigail Ahern- English interior designer - That loves to style it dark! And because live in a bat cave!!!
Could I please have a fourth and fifth?
Grace Brennan ‘Buy from the bush’.
And you Pip, good for a laugh a dance and a drink - what more can I ask for.
A new found friend MeiMei Fox (I've not been fortunate to meet you in person as yet but hope to very soon) featured Love Merino in Forbes magazine online last month. MeiMei @meimeifox.com is a New York Times bestselling author and life coach, and writes for many magazines and papers including Forbes and The Huffington Post. She's pictured here as Marie Antoinette in “The Let Them Eat Cake” – a fabulous 2-hour immersive theatre experience in Paris – MeiMei says it's the perfect experience when next in Paris for girlfriends, bachelorettes, mother daughter bonding and more.
If you could give 1 piece of advice to yourself as a 12-year-old girl what would it be?
Believe in yourself! Self-esteem is the core trait necessary for success in today's world. You are just as talented, smart, capable and lovable as everyone else.
If you could go to a dinner party with any 3 people in the whole world who would they be and why?
Michelle Obama - I love her confidence, her agenda to make America healthier through homegrown food and exercise, and her joie de vivre.
Greta Thurnberg - the young woman changing the world with her unapologetic message that we need to stop overconsumption and honor the planet.
Lin Manuel-Miranda - I worship Hamilton and his creativity. Plus, he seems really fun.
When do you feel most feminine?
When I take care slowly getting ready - shower, wash hair, put on make-up, dress up nicely - and go out to dinner with my wonderful husband.
Three words that you live by?
Almost 3??! My mantra for a decade has been this slogan I came up with, "Fear less, Love More!"
I do love Christmas time, being able to share that precious time with family and friends, being together along with the joy of giving a special gift to them.
With only 20 odd days left until Christmas, we have some beautiful gift ideas at Love Merino. Browse our online store and I am sure you will find a gift that you will love to give to one of those special people in your life.
Please place your order by 20th December so we can try and make sure your delivery arrives by Christmas day.
This Christmas we are offering your very own - one of a kind Bespoke scarf or Pashmina – Choose you own colour.
If you would like a special Bespoke Scarf or Pashmina – it’s simple go to our website – lovemerino.com.au - Click “dream in colour” Classic Scarf or Pashmina Bespoke - Click on “Pick your colour code” – hover over your favourite colour e.g. – For HOT PINK – Panton 225 C – type this it into the box – Click Add to cart – it is that easy. Each will have their very own Certificate of Authenticity.
For delivery by Christmas for any of your orders even your Bespoke piece please place your order as soon as possible and will try our hardest to deliver them by Christmas, although we are unable to guarantee purely as the Christmas postage rush will be on.
Our aim at Love Merino is to make pieces that last, that will be loved by at least two, if not three generations that will be mended, patched, passed on, resold or repurposed. We produced “Slow fashion” pieces; made in Australia in limited quantities and to last a lifetime.
Love Merino is striving to reduce our carbon footprint wherever possible, using our very own merino wool, farm to fabric, and to know the provenance of everything we use.
With the aim to buy fewer, better pieces; we do not need to constantly replenish – rather, we need to buy what we love and love what we buy for a long, long time.
Why don’t you share this post with your husband, partner, children or friend? Drop them a hint of a special gift for you in case they are at a loss as to what to get you this Christmas!
The team at Love Merino would like to thank you and all our customers and followers for your continued support and wish you, your family and friends a very Merry Christmas and a wonderful, safe 2020.
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Her Excellency is the 39th Governor of the State of New South Wales and was sworn in on the 2nd of May this year. How blessed we are to have humble and genuine people like this representing us at the highest level.
After a thought provoking speech focused on community, education and perhaps the importance of listening to people we heard from an inspiring young man called James Cleaver. James is rural support worker with the NSW Department of Primary Industries and Royal Agricultural Society Rural Achiever for 2019. James gave the room a glimpse into life on the land in the last 7 years with a particular insight on the impact of drought to our rural families in the west. We heard how the drought has affected some of them not only for a couple of years but in some cases since 2002 and how a visit and a chin wag, a cup of tea and some scones can make the world of difference to families.
Expressing his heart felt thanks to the city and country folk that have opened their hearts and purses in the past, James impressed on us the importance of cash flow in these small but most deserving rural communities. He also implored us all to grab a few friends and take a drive to Tottenham, Walgett, Gilgandra, Stuart Town, Yeoval, Warren, Coonamble, Bourke and Nevertire for the weekend. Just spending a few dollars on a meal and a beer (or two) will make the world of difference to local businesses.
Another way we can all help is to make a donation to a reputable drought charity or giving a gift voucher to a drought impacted family to spend in their local town - at the supermarket, local gift shop, chemist, butcher, baker or candle stick maker - this way the money stays in the town. James is originally from Nyngan and you can tell he has a real passion for regional NSW. You can read his story in full here
Maggie and I then had the pleasure to have a yummy country breakfast and the honour to meet and speak with Her Excellency and Mr Wilson. On behalf of The Dubbo Chamber of Commerce we felt very humbled to present Her Excellency a gift of a LoveMerino scarf in appreciation of her time in the Central West.
Later in the day Her Excellency visited our home town of Wellington and dropped in at the St John Ambulance Headquarters to meet with staff and cadets at the Orana Division HQ.
Until next time. Stay safe and have fun.
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Pepa and Karen are artistic leaders in the Sydney hand dying scene with their designs translating into wall papers, rugs, leather upholstery, fashion, candles, soft furnishings and even surfboards. Working predominantly with indigo the pair greet you with blue hands and relaxed, creative space.
The dying method of uses wooden blocks and folding to create ‘resists’ (areas of which resist the dye). The fabric is then dipped in coloured dye and the results vary depending on how long and which parts are saturated. As this is a hand dyed process it means the results are always unique.
Pepa and Karen’s experience with hand dying and natural materials means they could match our colourways and use careful procedures to avoid shrinkage and stretching of the Merino.
A huge thank you to Pepa and Karen for all their creativity, hard work and ongoing support - we couldn't have done it without them!
For more information go to https://shibori.com.au
We came to a consensus that we should do an outdoor shoot for this collection. Given the time constraints and the ongoing drought we decided the perfect spot would be the historic Belgenny farm site suggested by our Stylist Lara. John and Elizabeth Macarthur established this site as their home farm in 1805. It is part of the original 5,000 acres granted to the family by Lord Camden. They originally named it ‘Camden’ and then ‘Camden Park’. The name ‘Belgenny’ came much later, in recognition of the Aboriginal name for the site.
Arriving at the site bright and early at 7am, Norm, Daisy and I were delighted to find such a beautiful setting for our shoot. The morning was very brisk and fresh - just the type of weather for wearing a LoveMerino scarf or Pashmino (our version of a Pashmina - to emphasise our gorgeous 100% SRS fine Merino).
In trundled the team. Amanda McLauchlan our talented photographer and her assistant Rebecca Rosconi for the day, Lara, our very elegant stylist and her assistant Nicole, Karen Davis and Pepa Martin our designers from Shibori, Stanmore, Ian and Pip with baby Sophie who stole the show with her natural modelling ability (which I personally think she inherited from her mother!) Most importantly of course we had our beautiful model for 2019, Jira Kohl from Scoop Management, Woollahra.
After getting to know each other and setting up, the team had a brief walk around the surroundings of Belgenny farm to scout locations for the shots whilst the beautiful Nikki Simpson, hair & makeup applied her magic to Jira which really was not necessary in my humble opinion! Nikki of course is a complete professional and the next thing you know we have “Voila” – hair and make- up for Jira is complete!
In the back ground there was a constant flurry of activity. With Lara in charge there was a lot going on! Lists were being consulted, props being set up, products and Jira’s clothing being unpacked, hung, counted, ironed and laid out, then ironed again, lists double checked and attended to by Pepa and Karen, makeup and hair an ongoing process. Let me tell you, it does not just magically happen! Sophie was quite happy in the green room getting herself prepared by having her mid-morning snack and snooze. Daisy happily wandered around exploring the surroundings, chatting to herself, and Pepa, played with the ant nests that seemed to be building up - a sign of rain in our everyday life back on the farm. Amanda and Bec busily set up cameras, screens and stands and checked light measurements. Norm cruised around looking slightly out of place on a photo shoot but never the less ensuring he was available to assist in any way and that all was in order.
All of a sudden it was all game on and off we went from product to product. Model Jira to model Sophie both absolutely stunning of course. Location to location, Lara and Amanda with their offsiders were fabulous. The day went off without a hitch. The weather was picture perfect - just for us we decided, the perfect light for photography. We really were blessed. Delicious morning tea and lunch were provided and delivered by Chris from The Argyle Gourmet, Camden; and before I could say, “Sophie’s my niece” it was a wrap.
Many, many thanks to the whole team for a wonderful, productive and successful day, and to Belgenny farm for providing the picturesque setting. Tired but happy, we packed up our traps and headed off into the sunset, over the Blue Mountains and back to Glenwood.
We hope you love our Love Merino 2019 collection. The products are truly so beautiful, so soft and comfortingly warm against your skin.
Our scarves and Pashmino’s are part of our beautiful ranges, the “Classic” and the “Shibori” design. The Shibori design is a collectable item with only fifty made of each colour and design. You will notice a new knit for this collection. Knitted individually on a flat- bed machine, this approach is called piece knitting, with a fine intricate weave. In a word - divine! Every item has a superbly elegant finish and individual dyeing is by Karen and Pepa from Shibori in Stanmore. We just know you will love them as much as we do.
In addition to our Scarves and Pashminos we have introduced a couple of other collections to LoveMerino. The “Pepa” throws, the “Sophie” baby wraps, the “Marnie” neck warmers and the “Florence” shrugs that are made out of the Merino jersey fabric as with the previous two collections. These are produced from a circular knit machine and are again as soft as butter and so warm against your skin. We also hope you will love these products in the collection.
Thank you for your support, until next time, take care and enjoy LoveMerino
Love Pip xxx
PS: A little plug for all of our partners in the collection as below!
Pepa Martin & Karen Davis: Designers/Artists - www.shibori.com.au
Belgenny Farm: Location - www.belgennyfarm.com.au
Lara Hutton: Stylist – www.unionmanagement.com.au
Amanda McLauchlan: Photographer - www.amphoto.com.au
Niki Simpson: Hair & Makeup - www.nikisimpson.com.au
Jira Kohl: Model - www.scoopmanagement.com.au
Sophie: Baby model and my niece – agency/website will be revealed in time to come
The Argyle Gourmet: Catering – 55-57 Argyle Street, Camden. 0246 558 510
]]>We got up at 4.30am and loaded 3 ewes (girls) and 1 ram (boy) into our purpose built trailer with head torches on because it was still dark. We then went home and woke Daisy up (who is not a morning person at the best of times) and then headed into town to meet everyone at Cameron Park at 5.30am. Norm started to set up the panels to hold the sheep and I was focused on setting up our display of beautiful LoveMerino scarves. So far so good .....
Norm then said "can you jump up in the trailer and push the sheep down?" ..... a simple enough request you would think, particularly for someone in a pink linen dress and cowboy boots ..... but that's when all hell broke loose! It was still dark and Cameron Park looked a picture with thousands of fairy lights in the trees but the sheep didn't like them so much ..... they got spooked and jumped over the panels and into the darkness of pre-dawn Wello!
What a commotion! Norm managed to catch one of the ewes on her way past but the other 3 bandits ran straight up the main street of Wellington heading towards Keirle's Pharmacy .... they must have been after some sedatives, because I certainly could have used some! Confusion reigned supreme with Norm shouting orders "don't chase them - you will make it worse" followed by "don't let them out of your sight".
By this stage our posse included Daisy, Rick Bremner, Peter Perry and I as Norm had gone to put the other ewe back on the trailer. Luckily the escapees made a sharp right hand turn into Cameron Park and decided to take a stroll down to the famous swinging bridge which luckily was locked and the fence secure (not really). By this stage Norm had returned with the panels, and we tried to herd the rascals into a corner. Best laid plans ..... they spooked again and took off past the fountain and towards the library (obviously wanting to see all the sites).
We were lucky again as they came upon a corner in the fence, having dodged the street sweeper on the way! Other helpers were arriving all the time with "Diesel" and John Grasnick joining the fold. I even rang Pete Barton who lives further out of town than we do and was still asleep ..... his response ..... what the #*#! do you want me to do.
By this stage the great escape had lasted for about 45 minutes and we were getting closer to our spot on Weekend Sunrise .... nothing like a bit of pressure when you are just about to go on live telly!
Once again Norm set up the panels and with the help of our amazing team, we managed to catch all three of the sheep and put them back where they belonged. Crisis averted and better late than never both Norm and I got interviewed by the wonderful James Tobin who had no idea what we had just been through!
It was a great day and hearing from the other amazing businesses and people made me realise how lucky we are to live in Wellington. A big thanks to all of the folks at Dubbo Regional Council who gave us the opportunity.
PS: Did I mention that I recently had eye surgery and in the commotion I forgot I was wearing my "special" glasses with only one lense .... not to worry it was only national television!
Until next time. Stay safe and have fun.
]]>How am I feeling in this first month of 2019? Happy, healthy and soooooo inspired!
Last year was an amazing year for us in all facets of our life, and we're filled with ideas to make 2019 the best year ever for all of us!
2018 saw a number of major milestones in the Smith household:
Probably the biggest highlight of 2018 was the birth of our second little niece Sophie Denise Mitchell Smith, a little sister to our gorgeous Liv and divine little bubba to proud mum and dad – Pip and Ian. Welcome to the world Miss Sophie. May all your dreams come true and if they don't just call Aunty Pip anytime and she will be more than willing to assist.
In 2019 at LoveMerino we are so excited to be working together with Karen and Pepa, the wonderful co-owners and amazing designers of Shibori based in Stanmore, Sydney to create some exquisite pieces.
To begin with we are creating a beautiful Love Merino throw/blanket – that you are going to love, love, love! Designs and authentic pieces made from our very own merino that are so stylish and soft you will want to keep yourself constantly wrapped up or place them strategically around your home.
LoveMerino is also collaborating with Manny at AB Knitwear, Brunswick, Melbourne where we are again creating the most divine wraps and scarves. Sewn on a Flatbed machine this time the design, finish and feel will have you in raptures. They are so soft and warm against your skin. The design is versatile enough for anything from a formal occasion, to watching your favourite sport, to work. It’s also easily rolled up into your hand luggage when travelling.
Our 2019 colours are just divine. Elegant, classic and something for everyone!
After such a hectic 2018 we are starting 2019 with great gusto, unlimited possibilities and excitement. Stay tuned for the launch of the 2019 LoveMerino Collection.
In the meantime, head to our website www.lovemerino.com.au and have a look at the beautifully designed scarves we have available now.
Until next time. Stay safe and have fun.
]]>Springtime is also when all our baby lambs are born. We have 1000 stud ewes (mothers) giving birth to approximately 1,300 baby lambs and Norm keeps them in paddocks close to the house so that he can keep a close eye on them. It is wonderful to walk up into the hills in the morning and hear the bird song mixed with the bleating of the little lambs and the doting murmurs of their mothers.
A few weeks after the ewes have given birth Norm looks to “mother up” the lambs and give them each an electronic ear tag so that they can then be tracked throughout their life. "Mothering up" is done quietly and slowly so as to not disturb Mum and baby too much and Norm is always looking to see which ewes make the best mothers. This is really important when twins and triplets are the norm (pardon the pun!)
When we have approximately 6 ewes and their lambs in a small yard we scan the mothers ear tag with Norms magic wand. Norm then catches the baby lamb with his Sheppard’s hook and we give the lamb a small electronic ear tag which then connects the lamb on our database with their mothers.
The electronic ear tag is quite small and when attached to the lamb’s ear is very quick and painless. "Mothering up" is a very gentle process and is actually a beautiful way to pass the morning or afternoon, particularly when we get the kids involved.
Until next time – stay safe and happy
]]>
This shoot was extra special as Pip and Norm travelled down from Wellington with two Merino and a lamb! It’s been our dream to bring the Merino to a photoshoot but it’s certainly not an easy 6 hour commute.
As we celebrate our first anniversary since the launch of LoveMerino, we can really appreciate how the collection has really evolved. We’ve built on lots of our best Shibori designs, adding new colours and a men’s collection of dip dyed scarves in browns and blues. Branching out into handmade pom poms and our first poncho was also really exciting, and seeing all these pieces modeled really brought the concept to life. We can’t wait to start wearing them ourselves!
Of course for the shoot to be a success there are lots of people (and animals) we need to thank; Oliver Ford our photographer, Niki Simpson on hair and make up, our two gorgeous models Kirsty and Lucas from Scoop Model Management. We needed to dress these two models so we called on two Sydney labels we admire for their ethical and sustainable approach to fashion – Good Day Girls and Citizen Wolf. Both brands minimize waste be offering a made to order service for high quality Australian garments in natural fibers. Big thanks also to the lovely team at Stem in Balmain for the loan of all the shoes.
Just for fun, we’ve put together a little behind the scenes video – wait til the end, there’s a terrific out take!
Until next time
Tess xx
]]>We first looked into holistic farm management in 1998 and felt that not only did it fit well with our resource base and its predominately native pastures and superphosphate and sub clover history, but it also fit in well with our own values and our desire to lessen inputs while maintaining outputs.
In changing to a holistic approach, we subdivided some paddocks and added watering points. At present, the 4000 wethers graze in one mob over 30, 130-150 hectare paddocks. The aim is to average 40 - 50 hectare paddocks for the wethers. The stud ewes and lambs graze in two separate cells, divided into 25 and 30 paddocks with 30 hectare and 10 hectare average size paddocks.
The results have been impressive with greater diversity of desirable perennials using time controlled grazing, enabling short graze periods and long rest periods. We monitor Glenwood’s progress bi-annually and annually using indicators such as the level of ground cover and type of ground cover, perenniality, evidence of organisms and type of perennials.
It is our view that the global customer is evolving at an increasing rate and issues like ethical and sustainable production will be pressures that we have to live with and adapt to. We ceased mulesing in 2005 and have had access to markets and customers we wouldn’t have had otherwise by staying in the auction system.
We are also creating a point of difference based on processing performance, telling our story and showing our sustainable approach to production and by giving the customer the clean, green fibre they are increasingly looking for.
For more information on Glenwood Merinos go to our website
Until next time
Norm]]>We caught up with the girls behind Good Day Girl, Sophie and Alexia, to find out more about the company and their love for slow fashion!
Tell us the story of how you started Good Day Girl?
We met as competitors! We both had women’s independent fashion businesses and just had had enough of the fashion/retail/wholesale system - we weren’t able to satisfy customers as we had run out of their size or hadn’t made their size, and then at the end of the season we were inevitably left with stock, so there was waste, which we didn’t like. We decided to throw caution to the wind and say goodbye to our brands and start fresh, trying to solve the issues we were facing with a new business - Good Day Girl!
How did you come up with the concept?
We decided to do everything differently to how we had done it in the past - it all centred around trying to solve the problems we had with our previous labels. We wanted to always be able to supply what the customer wanted and we didn’t want to have any waste - made to order was the way to achieve that. We wanted to create a business model that had the customer at the centre of everything.
Tell us how much you love slow fashion and what drives you to do so much good?
We are driven by our desire to see the Australian fashion manufacturing industry continue and ideally flourish, and we are absolutely driven by our desire to see our customers feel good in what they wear - this is what makes us very happy chicas.
Do you ever play “Good Day Girl” for yourselves? What are your favourites?
Always! We are in and out of all the samples during design time, there is nothing either of us don’t try on a few times - we need to feel it, it has to feel good on the body. Then at the end of our Trunk Show we go ‘shopping’ - we generally chose the same things….but the Paddington Shirt in white is the piece that we both wear in and out of seasons and through the years - they get a big workout.
What did your clients think of the first LoveMerino range of scarves?
A big thumbs up - they loved them! Knowing that the wool came from happy sheep in Western NSW and knitted in Melbourne, then all the work with the Shibori House - it’s not a mass produced piece, it’s a limited edition and our clients loved that. They also loved the way the fabric felt so soft and beautiful against the skin.
We’re really passionate about promoting Australian Made and supporting our designers, artists and makers. Tell us a bit about your experience with manufacturing in Australia and why it’s important to you.
Manufacturing in Australia is challenging. There is no other word for it. The local industry, especially in NSW needs assistance to enable independent designers to find makers who are happy to do limited editions. Manufacturing today is how it has been in the 60s - mass - we need to evolve how we produce clothing - enabling smaller runs, enabling more custom made options - innovative to manufacture in a smarter way. And make it an industry the youth of today want to be a part of!
Tell us something about yourselves that only your mother would know?
Alexia - I was convinced I was telepathic and what's worse, so did my mum ... we could 'speak' to each other .... she's sure it still works, which is handy as we live on different continents!
Sophie - I played Joseph in the Year 3 musical production of "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat". I beat the boys to the part - of course, it was all about the coat, which mum made.
For more information on Good Day Girls and to check out their Summer range go to https://www.gooddaygirl.com.au/
Until next time
Tess xx
]]>Weetbix for breakfast and a quick check of the emails - couple of loads of washing hung out and a couple more on the go.
Daisy is up and dressed for sports day at school - lunch box packed, makes her bed, cleans her teeth, sunscreen applied, hair brushed and plaited, piano practice and off to catch the 7.50am - "Wulluman" bus. Daisy is the first on and last off and her bus driver today - Kel Wykes - has arrived early for a brisk walk before he drives the bus back to town.
Norm has gone moving sheep - something he does most days as anyone in my family will tell you when ever they ask where's Dad we all reply "moving sheep" this can be any and most days of the year!!!
I then drive the car in to Wellington for a service and luckily was given a service car to do some chores - banking the CWA money and calling into the Wellington Visitors Information Centre in the centre of probably the most beautiful park in rural Australia - "Cameron Park".
Dubbo regional council have recently launched "Regional Platters" a collaboration between industry and local government from the communities; Wellington, Dubbo, Narromine, Mudgee, Gilgandra, Nyngan, Warren and the Warrenbungles. “CONNECTING our PRODUCTS with PEOPLE”. www.visitwellington.com.au . Glenwood & Love Merino are included in this iniative and we are very excited to be a part of it.
Home to have lunch with Norm - Saos with cheese and tomatoes as my bread maker has broken and I forgot to buy a loaf of bread.
Quick check of the emails and a cold drink and out we went on the bikes to the back yards near "Jessie's" to get a mob of the young lambs. The lambs were shorn in February and needed a drench because of the recent rain of which we are very grateful (69mls in the last 48 hours) young sheep can be prone to worms . Having said that these lambs look pretty damn good and of course I would know as I have the eye you know!
Anyway drenched and drafted 650 young lambs and couple of strays that had jumped in the wrong paddock, which we moved back to their right mob, we moved the young lambs back to a fresh paddock and rode home again.
The weather is warm in the sun with a light breeze to keep us cool. It was looking like it might build up to a storm like we have had the last couple of nights but the wind has blown it away.
Daisy gets off the bus at 4.10pm - afternoon tea, homework, chores and a play with the hounds. I cook a roast chicken and am off to a Parents and Friends meeting whilst Norm and Daise entertain each other until bed time.
I arrive home at 9pm after a good laugh with a great bunch of friends, quick tidy up, pat the hounds good night and off to bed - a typical day in Autumn.
Until next time – stay safe and happy
]]>You may have heard of the campaign Fashion Revolution under the hashtag #whomademyclothes – it got our attention as it brings to light the makers behind each garment or label. This campaign started a few years back in response to the Rana Plaza factory collapse in Bangladesh where 1,138 people were tragically killed.
So who makes LoveMerino products? We wanted to introduce you to the team behind our range of scarves.
Lets start on the farm. Our family farm Glenwood is in Wellington, Western NSW, and has been held by the Smith Family for over 100 years. We have 7000 Merino sheep who graze a happy life on 7000 acres. Norm works with a team of contract shearers each nine months to give the Merinos their ‘haircut’ and the process begins.
Processing. The wool is then graded and packed into bales. Unfortunately it’s no longer possible to process wool in Australia – something we hope to change in the future. Our raw fleece is shipped to China to be washed and spun and is returned to Melbourne as yarn. We don’t bleach the yarn so it comes back to us in the soft, natural buttery colour.
Machine knitting. Down in Melbourne the yarn is fed into knitting machines to turn our processed yarn into soft, smooth fabric. Our current collection is a mid weight 180 grams per square metre (gsm) fabric making it trans-seasonal and easy to wear all year round.
Sydney makers.
The fabric is sent in roll form from Melbourne to Sydney. Depending on the design, the next steps typically involve screen-printing, dying, cutting and sewing. For these steps we work with Mark, Steph and Javed (pictured) at Publisher Textiles & Papers in Leichhardt where they hand silk-screen-print the fabric using traditional methods along 20m tables, repeating the pattern together. Then if the fabric is to be overdyed we drive it to Greg in St Peters where he dyes small batches with flat colour. We pick up the fabric and take to Tam and Le in Marrickville where they cut, sew and tag the finished garments.
Or, if the product is a Shibori scarf we work with Pepa and Karen (pictured) from Shibori in Stanmore. Each scarf is then hand dyed, dipped, died and folded to create interesting patterns and colour transitions.The finished scarves are then driven back to the farm, full circle, where Pip and her team quality check and box the scarves ready to mail them out to customers around the world. We’re really proud of our team and proud we can share our story with you.
Until next time
Tess xx
]]>Publisher’s Leichhardt factory is an eclectic dream, full of vintage treasures and typewriters, street art, motorbike parts and even a life size cow perched above the heat setter. In the middle of all this clutter are two clean and clear 20m long tables. This is where the magic happens. Once you’ve seen hand silk screen printing in action you can’t look at it the same way again.
This seemingly simple art is highly skilled and precise to the millimeter. The space transforms from an artists cave to a surgeon’s operating table. It starts with rolling the fabric down on the table – the selvage needs to be straight, the table is slightly tacky to avoid movement, nobs are adjusted and tweaked. The ink is scientifically mixed by weight and matched with a trained eye to ensure perfect the perfect shade.
The images are exposed onto large stretched silk screens with seemingly inconsequential puzzled edges. Two skilled screen printers work in tandem laying the screen across the width of the fabric, pushing the ink through the screen by passing a large squidgee between them. They work down the table creating a pedestrian crossing of pattern, printing every second position. Large metal fans are working over time, drying what they’ve printed. They return to the beginning to fill in the missing positions and this is the special part – the pattern comes together and the registration is perfect!
For our first range of scarves we engaged Sydney artist and designer Manuela Strano to illustrate our first two screen-printed patterns. Inspired by the flora at Glenwood these two patterns – ‘Glenwood Summer’ and ‘Paper Daisy’ – came to life on our soft Merino. We love that using hand screen printing our scarves can be designed and made here in Australia.
Available in a range of screen printed and over dyed colours the screen print softens with wear. We love the delicate nature of Glenwood Summer’s intertwining grape vines and classic roses; we also love the bold, graphic nature of Paper Daisy’s repetitive patterns. Which is your favourite?
Until next time
Tess xx
]]>9 days ago, at 4.05pm the phone rang and it was our neighbour Bryan Kiss calling to tell me he could see a bush fire that looked like it was at the back of Glenwood. “You’d better get Norm!”, he said. So, I shouted to the children “there’s a bush fire, call Bruce Taylor to bring the fire truck and then call 000! I am going down to the shearing shed to get Dad.”
The adrenalin and anxiety just puts everything on fast forward. I jumped in the car and raced down to the woolshed. We had Dr Jim Watts for 2 days going through our ewes for joining (working out which ewe was going to be joined by which Ram this year to ensure the best outcome for our wool and genetics, a lengthy procedure in January for 2 days in 40 degree heat). As I flew down I could see the black smoke pluming up behind the woolshed of which Norm would not have seen. Tooting the car horn, Norm raced out, saw the smoke and jumped on the bike.
It turned out to be an out-of-control bush fire on our neighbours’ property “Uungula” – The Hollands. The fire swept through their property, which is on our southern border, and onto the neighbours’ on the east. People came from everywhere to volunteer their time to fight the fire. The new fire fighting jet, “Thor” was brought in by the Rural Fire Service (RFS) along with other planes and helicopters with as many as 33 fire brigades on the ground, and hundreds of volunteer fire fighters.
Over the next few days it was quite frightening and exhausting and extremely hot – the temperature at the fire ground would have been awful. There was a lot of land burnt and a number of our neighbours were affected – John & Penny Holland, John Feiland, John & Jane Xeurb, Robert & Anthony Endicott, Clancy & Ruth Rowbottom and Pete Barton. Here on Glenwood we were extremely lucky with thanks to the local fire crews and those that travelled from neighbouring shires and towns and afar to assist. We were also lucky that the wind did not head in our direction. The amazing work done by the RFS and the volunteers was simply incredible. No lives, stock or buildings were lost, although many hectares, feed and fences were. With no lives or stock losses we can be so grateful.
The local Wellington community have been amazing with people wanting to help: cooking food, meals, slices, baby- sitting, shopping, cleaning up and generally pitching in to help do whatever they can. The messages received from friends near and far to check all was OK and if they could assist in any way was overwhelming and a great comfort to know, and I am talking about everyone affected not just us.
In the emergency time there are planes, helicopters and fire trucks to hose down the fire and put it out. There are volunteers on bulldozers cutting roads and making fire breaks and back burning to stop the fires - hours and hours or work with others walking up and down the hills with rakes and shovels ensuring that every log and tree are out and will not flare up again in the hot weather or when the wind changes.
Every shift goes for 12 hours but that does not count the travel time and to and from the bush fire. This fire was in the hills on very inaccessible areas – it can take 1 ½ hours for us to get to the fire front and we live next door. The volunteers come back exhausted and blackened looking like chimney sweeps.
The co-ordination of a bush fire by the many services and people involved is mind boggling from the local land owners to the local bush fire brigades, local councils, the Rural Fire Service to the media and friends and family and the local community. We are so lucky to live in Australia, a wonderful free country and for those who always give their time tirelessly and selflessly when needed. We should always be so thankful to live in the best country in the world.
Thank you to everyone involved over the last 8 days. We are all so incredibly grateful and to listen to the rain pouring down on our tin roof is in one word “beautiful”.
Until next time – stay safe and happy
]]>Every morning after we have had rain Norm will measure the rain in the gauge and record it on a chart on the side of our fridge. Then at the end of each year we collate it onto the computer. We do need to be careful not to have the sprinkler on near by, as this will give us a false reading!
We have records of rainfall for over 100 years (since 1902) which makes us very fortunate as the custodians of the land to look back over time and see the patterns - good and bad.
We are very grateful to Norm’s Great Great Grandfather - Mr Norman Smith for having the initiative way back then to start recording the daily rainfall which then led to everyone since to carry on the tradition.
We have all of the original record books which, given the state they were in, we transferred all the data onto our computer for safety and ability to use programs to compare and analyse.
We have recently placed a very modern piece of equipment called an “Observant Remote Monitor” on 2 tanks located in the Top Air Strip paddock and the Tank paddock.
These monitors measure the water level of the big dam and general rainfall – it is an electronic rain gauge that is linked to our computer and run on solar power – enabling us to get a better idea of rainfall on different areas of "Glenwood". As the property is 7000 acres the rainfall collected and measured at the homestead is not always the same as other parts of the property.
It has been so successful that we are now going to place a 3rd monitor in Holly’s paddock down the south end of “Glenwood”. The benefits are so overwhelming – they save us time, water and identify any issues in these areas early - especially during dry periods.
As the tanks are on top of the hills – at approximately 600 metres high - we are able to get mobile phone reception – which is then linked back to the home computer.
Great to see modern technology playing a role in monitoring our most precious resource!
Until next time – stay safe and happy
]]>Two months prior to the babies being born (“Lambing”) Norm employs an expert in his field - Sheep Scanner - Andrew Sherman from Gollan (30 minutes NW of Glenwood).
Andrew comes each year and scans our pregnant mums. This involves a little management ensuring the ewes are close to the shearing shed so they can be brought in and scanned one by one. This is basically an ultra sound machine – each ewe is brought into the race/pen – Norm scans their electronic ear tag with his magic wand which is connected to his laptop. Andrew then places his ‘doppler’ with jelly on it (just like when humans have an ultra sound) on their abdomen whilst they are standing up and is able to look and see if they have a single, twin or triplet pregnancy. This information is all so important as it is stored onto Norm’s laptop so we can trace the lambs and ewes and their progeny throughout their life cycle.
After a ewe has had their ultra sound they are split into groups of singles, twins and triplets for “lambing”. This way Norm can manage their care according to their specific needs. For example the ewes expecting twins and triplets are kept closer to the yards than the singles – with access to extra feed, supplements and good shelter for the last 6 weeks to ensure they are able to give birth to healthy little lambs. The singles are also looked after extremely well but are able to be “lambed down” in paddocks further away with plenty of shelter and feed.
We find this very helpful for the first month or two after the ewes have given birth so Norm is able to “mother up” the lambs and give them each an ear tag so the lambs can then be tracked throughout their life.
When we mother-up up the ewes and lambs – it is done quietly and slowly into the closest yards to where they have given birth in small groups. This is quite a long process and you need to have a lot of patience – of which my husband Norm is amazing with – although I do believe he perhaps has more patience with his beloved sheep than his beloved wife!
When we have approximately 6 ewes and their lambs in a small yard we scan the mothers ear tag with Norms magic wand. Norm then catches the baby lamb with his Sheppard’s hook and we then give the lamb a small electronic ear tag which then connects the lamb on the laptop with their mothers.
The electronic ear tag is quite small and when attached to the lamb’s ear is very quick and painless. The lambs and ewes are then let out together and at the end of the mob of sheep that are being mothered up taken to back to the paddock they came from.
This is a very gentle process and is actually a beautiful way to pass the morning or afternoon. Like I said it is a very time consuming if you think about each mob and each smaller group of mums and lambs being brought in slowly at their own pace – over the whole flock of ewes on Glenwood, you will understand where a lot of Norms time goes in Spring (week days and weekends) in between all the usual everyday jobs on Glenwood.
We are very fortunate to have 5 healthy children and they are always up for the job when they are not at school, which makes it lovely family time and time spent with Dad.
The main reasons for electronic ear tagging is to track each individual lamb/sheep’s improvements and performance throughout their life span. From body weight and type, fleece weight, fertility, muscle percentage and fat percentage. All these factors are important information that we then use for improving practices and management of our animals – from joining – to grazing.
Andrew Sherman can be contacted at aasherman@bigpond.com
Until next time – stay safe and happy
]]>I arrived home with a small black baby kitten in January 2013 late one afternoon after a swimming course with my friends at Wellington swimming club. I had given a friend - Ronnie May - a lift home and she had about 21 cats and insisted that I take one. So I did. She was the smallest of course and last to appear.
Soft Paws was a beautiful surprise for Daisy – as the twins were set to go off to boarding school Norm and I thought it would be terrific company for her …although perhaps that was my great idea as Norm was not overly enthusiastic when I arrived home with a little moggy kitten. I had temporarily forgotten after 11 years of marriage that he was not a big a fan of cats!!!
Anyway, it did not take long for the Smith family and the hounds of Glenwood to embrace Soft Paws. Although a touch crazy, she is a great mouse catcher and very amusing.
When she wants to come inside she runs and throws herself at the gauze doors – front / back / side / bedroom door like a starfish and hangs on whilst rattling the door until you let her in. Which can give you quite a fright in the dark.
Soft Paws may not be the most overly affectionate cat to some (Norm!) but she is to me, and is always around and great company to boot for Daisy and I.
Until next time – stay safe and happy
]]>We had a slight disaster at the year 12 formal – being so organised I insisted on going down to Orange the day before the formal and final speech day – leaving Norm at the farm to bring Daisy, Grannie, Ian and Noo and Pop. I had a wonderful afternoon with Amber, Maggie, Will and some of Amber’s friends – we made sure the fake tan was not orange, went to the movies and out to dinner with a few celebratory beverages with Annie Hickman to finish the night.
The next day was all "bells and whistles" and lots of fun – hair appointments, final morning tea for year 12 students & parents and the end of school speech day. The speech day always makes me cry with all those amazing students who are acknowledged for their hard work, effort and amazing academic results.
Then off on a whirlwind for hair & make up so the girls are ready for the photos at 5.30pm. At 5.15pm I thought perhaps Amber should get her dress on with Lucy Hickman so we could drop them at photos before the formal commenced at 6pm. At 5.20pm Norm asked me to get Amber’s formal dress to which I replied "it’s in the room behind the door where she and Lucy are dressing". I went and checked anyway … and as Amber undid the suit bag … voilà … We had Maggies year 10 formal dress!
Slight problem, lots of tears and dark clouds floating around, and a few choice words aimed at the mother of the year who had insisted on leaving a day early to be organised!! Amber bless her little heart held back the biggest tears that were rolling down her cheeks – the make up!! And wore Maggie’s dress to the photos whilst I made an emergency phone call to our next door neighbours/dear friends/cousin of Norm's – Kim and Bryan Kiss – who in a massive storm drove to our house and found Amber's dress! The pressure to grab the right one in a hurry with only phone instructions on where it could possibly be located!
They then drove nearly to Molong – 1 hours drive in the farm ute to meet Norm. In the mean time I went to the formal and had to ask the organisers to rearrange the order of presentation – so the whole of Amber’s house “Gordon” had to go last and Amber then had to go at the very end of Gordon. I had the security guards on alert for Norm’s arrival and Amber was rushed into the security office to change and Norm raced to the house to dress in his Black tie to get back just in the nick of time to present Amber to our wonderful principle Mr Brian Kennelly…..ahhhh it was a very tense few hours but it all worked out in the end. We were then able to relax and enjoy Amber’s celebratory night – a fun night full of laughs and giggles. Stunning Amber is pictured below with Pop (my Dad) and Grannie (Norm's Mum).
I am not sure I can ever thank Kim Kiss enough for her emergency trip to save the day – and I guess Amber has now set a new trend for year 12 formals – of 2 dresses - one for the photos and one for the actual formal!!!! Bless you Doobie we love you to the moon and back xxx
Until next time – stay safe and happy
]]>After an extra long trip to Glenwood - Lizz and Marcus arrived late in the evening – due to perhaps not such wonderful directions given by moî and the fact they thought we would have internet coverage for Google maps – alas when you visit Glenwood and our neighbours you realise that we are one of those black spots and have very average coverage. Although you can get a bar or two in our “veggie patch” if you stand on your left foot with your right arm in the air - since their visit we have named it “The Internet Café” and we have placed a table and 2 chairs for their return. I must say it did amuse me as they did spend a little time each night with their head torches on in The Internet Café.
Early the next morning we were up and at’em – it was the last day of shearing and we had all the kids home – an amazing day – with videos, drones and photographers. Lizz and Marcus were so very professional they slipped in and out of the Glenwood Woolshed and yards to film the every day goings on without being noticed or in the way.
Marcus and Lizz took some awesome footage of the shed, shearing, shearers, kids, dogs, sheep, landscape and the people. We were able to get a few lovely family shots with all 7 of us in the photo, which most families know can be very rare.
We had a beautiful roast that night, a few drinks and a good laugh and then up at the crack of dawn to the highest point on Glenwood to catch the sunrise. All of this beautiful footage has been spliced and diced and made into 4 short videos – covering LoveMerino from fibre to fabric.
There are a few interviews along the way with Marcus and Lizz interviewing Norm and I on the farm and one of our gun shearers – Jamie Clout. Then we bid Marcus and Liz farewell as they were off again to their next venture.
The footage continued with the rest of the team in Sydney and at different parts of the processing of the gorgeous LoveMerino scarves. The concept is to share the whole process from the paddock to the finished product and everything in between. We are excited to release the first of the 4 short films aptly called "Our Story" which can be viewed below:
I am sure Marcus and Lizz enjoyed their stay on Glenwood and promised they will be back again for a visit – and perhaps arrive in the day light so they do not take a 1 hour detour via Goolma!
Marcus Stimson, “Mind Set Films” - marcus@mindsetfilms.com.au
Lizz Vernon, “Sea Glass Films” – lizz@cinematographer.net.au
Until next time – stay safe and happy
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Kate from “Stem boutique” hosted the event in her beautiful design store in Balmain – this is our first wholesale account which is a great milestone for LoveMerino. Kate carries a range of fashion, jewellery, home and tableware from around the world.
We did a beautiful but simple window. Kate had loaned us the clothes for our model shoot so it seemed fitting to dress the mannequin in the same light grey linen dress paired with our dip dyed charcoal and plum scarf. It was great to see the boxed finished products fill the store – after months of hard work and an industrious working bee last weekend.
With Christmas coming (9 weeks!) the window will come out in about a week. If you get a chance to go drop in let us know what you think. The address is 295 Darling St, Balmain.
Stem has a great outdoor space at the back - Ian set up a bar with great local Prithie wines from Molong central west, NSW, and Sarah Rich’s Oliver and his 2 friends – Naseem and Izzie were our waiters which was terrific! We even ran out of bubbles which is a sign of a good night!
Tess prepared the food for the evening – beautiful Simon Johnson cheeses with dehydrated oranges, sourdough, crackers, grapes, fig paste, chutneys and chocolate. Caroline from “Dandi Designs" brought a beautiful plate of roast beef rolled with rocket and horseradish.
The store was packed to the rafters with a great show of support for us as individuals and for the brand LoveMerino. We think we had about 80 people including kids - including Ian’s mum Jean and little Daisy. Jean brought some hand picked flowers from the Glenwood garden with her and Pip brought beautiful bunches of lavender from her garden.
Pip gave a heart felt speech about the LoveMerino journey and we premiered our new videos for the first time which were fantastic - they really told our story. Our filming gurus Marcus and Liz did a great job and they both came along as well. Coming soon to our website.
The stars of the evening were ‘Vegemite’ and ‘Fried Eggs’ the two merino rams which Norm patiently drove down. Norm even let Tess’ daughter Indie name them.
They were really well behaved and everyone got a pat - it was big effort but Norm was really gracious about bringing them in and out of the store (only one poo on exit). One passer by commented ‘well now I’ve seen everything in Balmain’.
It really felt like a team effort and there was a great energy on the night.
A huge thanks to Kate & Caitlyn at Stem (295 Darling St, Balmain), our photographer on the night Greg Marsden, Lizz and Marcus for the amazing videos, Sally Gosper from Simon Johnson for the delicious cheeses, Ed, Jim and Dave Swift from Printhie Wines (Molong), and all of our wonderful friends, family and supporters who attended the launch.
We can now look forward to our local launch in Wellington on Thursday 10 November!
The Love Merino Team
]]>Norm’s late Uncle - John Smith – grew up here at Glenwood and sadly passed away in January 2015. Uncle John was well known for water divining and using ‘Plumb Bobs’ to find all sorts of things especially water.
Uncle John came in 1998 to help us find water on the northern end of Glenwood near Grannie’s cottage. He used 2 pieces of wire which are bent when you hold them in your hand and point straight out. He would stand and walk around and ask questions and when he found water the wires would cross. Amazingly Uncle John very quickly found us another source of water.
Norm engaged the “Mickenknies” who are water drillers from Gilgandra (2 hours NW of Glenwood) to come down as soon as they could. They drilled down with a core machine 30 – 40 metres and they found water. 800 gallons of water per hour! So it was a great success.
So successful that a few years later we asked Uncle John to come again – he was unable to come to Glenwood this time in person so Norm took a map of Glenwood to him and he found another water source to the South of Glenwood out past Frank’s cottage.
Again we got the Mickekinies from Gilgandra with their water drilling machinery and again about 40 metres down they found water. 500 gallons of water per hour! Another water source for Glenwood, a new bore and generally a great success.
Uncle John was quite well known – with people from all over Australia and internationally sending him maps of their properties to find water sources with great success.
Of course we have all tried and even Norm has been able to find water pipes under the ground when necessary to replace pipes in the dead of winter. In winter the frosts are so big that the water pipes freeze and break, then they leak when the sun comes out and we have no water to the house, sheds or troughs (quite a common occurrence in the country). Amber (daughter #2) has used a plumb bob and used this to determine which room to sleep in in the homestead. I have been known to use it to find any type of chocolate in the house!
Only a few weeks ago Norm had lost his Shepherd’s Hook off the back of his quad bike coming back from “Mothering up lambs” in quite large paddock. A week later after I had actually bought another Shepherd’s Hook from shearing supplies in Dubbo he decided to see if he could use the “Sticks” to find his Shepherd’s Hook. As unbelievable as it sounds the sticks told him the direction to head and that it was between 50 – 100 metres from where he was standing.
To use the sticks Norm just asked questions like – “Is my Shepherd’s Hook in the paddock” – and he would turn around with the stick slowly and would ask “which direction” and the when the sticks cross Norm then asked “How far away” – 200 metres – 100 metres – 50 metres” and Norm jumped on his bike and drove 50 metres north and there was his hook hanging in a tree!!!
So really the biggest news I have to tell you is Norm then decided to use the “Plumb Bob” to test to see if in fact “Rolled Oats” (our Jack Russell) was pregnant and if so how many puppies. The Plumb Bob said – YES to being pregnant and 5 puppies!!!
So the very next day we had Trevor Peace (our sheep scanner from Young) at the Shearing Shed scanning the sheep for “Fat and Muscle”. So I took “Rolled Oats” for a scan after lunch – and YES she was pregnant and he could see 3 babies………who will be right the Plum Bob or the ultra sound machine?
On September 17th Rolled Oats gave birth to her first litter of puppies – and there were 3! Which leaves me to think perhaps Norm finding his Sheppard’s Hook was more good luck than good management!
Below is a video of two of the puppies named Porridge and Fruit Loops!
Until next time – stay safe and happy
]]>Something beautiful, Australian, quality and luxury so we chose Leif hand cream.
Made in Australia Leif celebrates the unique flora of Australia with ingredients that demand attention.
We selected their Kakadu Plum and Macadamia Nut Hand Balm – sounds good enough to eat, doesn’t it? We feel everyone deserves a little nourishment.
We wanted to share a little more about the Leif story with you.
The ingredients of your products sound delicious! Where do you get your inspiration to work with so many natives?
LEIF is a range of bath & body products whose formulas are clean, natural and share a distinctly Australian character.
Botanical extracts and essential oils are sourced so each product celebrates the diverse flora of our truly unique continent.
We love your clean, simple, original packaging. What inspired you to do custom packaging for the range?
It began with the bottle. Container, a Sydney based studio founded by Brenan Liston & Jonnie Vigar, specialise in creating bespoke packaging for local and international beauty brands. LEIF started life as a ‘form study’.
A model of a fine necked bottle used to sit in our design studio and friends would often comment on it's unusual form. They’d ask who it was for but there was no client, after years of questioning we began to think about trying to fill it ourselves. It sounds back to front but as designers we see a very close link between the package and the product that it contains.
The message is the bottle but the formula must deliver on that promise, product integrity is essential. We want Leif to reflect the best of Australia, to promote the unique indigenous naturals and package them in a modern way that reflects who we are today.
Where did your business name originate?
We first came across LEIF in a storybook, which featured a truck of the same name. As an anagram of LIFE the word seemed to be a great fit for the as yet unnamed natural product range. Many say LEAF, which certainly makes sense, but we sound it as they do in Scandinavia where LEIF is a traditional male name pronounced LAYF.
We’re really passionate about promoting Australia and Australian Made. How does Leif share the Australian story?
We want LEIF to reflect the best of Australia. Natural beauty combined with a modern aesthetic for which we’ve become known. We want LEIF to share the same characteristics for which Australians have become renowned - seriously competent but never too serious.
For more information go to http://www.leifproducts.com
Order before Saturday 15 October to receive a free 75 ml hand cream as a thank you for your early support with our first collection. The hand cream will ship with your scarf late October 2016
Leif hand cream pictured above with Pip’s Dad: Marto-The-Hand-Model at our recent shoot.
Love Tess xx
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