It's about a week till Christmas and still have a few relatives or friends you need to shop for? Don't worry, we got you boo!
Here are some gift ideas that contain items made from sheep. Support your shepherds/shepherdesses and see if they have any products left. These unique finds will delight your loved ones and make a small farmers Christmas.
Sheep Milk Soap
Sheep milk soap is a gentle, traditional option for those you love artisan soaps. Due to the components of sheep milk soap, it is also helpful for those with skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis and chronic dry skin. Sheep milk soap is nourishing and hydrating. The perfect gift for anyone in this dry season.
We are sold out, but I have a good soap making friend who still has some in stock.
Go check out Sheep Shop VT at: https://www.sheepshopvt.com/
A few other ladies who do soaps are Rachel and Sheri (their contact info is in the yarn section).
2. Dryer Balls
Eco-Friendly, dryer balls are made from felted sheep wool. Throw away those disposable dryer sheets. And throw one of these dryer balls into your dryer. Reusable and extremely good at reducing static, your friends and family and the environment will thank you!
I have a good friend, Lisa Andrews, who runs Happy Heritage Farm. She still has some dryer balls available. Show her some love! https://etsy.me/3aCcA3G
3. Yarn
Have someone in the family who knits or crotchets? Get them some wool directly from a farmer or a fiber artist. You can find yarn of all different qualities and purposes. High end Marino wool for 'next to skin soft' items, or yarn from sheep like ours (dairy sheep) for rugs or socks. If you provide enough yarn for them enough, they might even make you something!
So many shepherds and fiber artists out there make some lovely yarn in both natural and synthetic dyes. You can literally find anything you could possible want. Don't know what to look for? Ask the shepherd(ess) or fiber artist what type of item you are looking to purchase wool for and they can help guide you to the right type of yarn.
Here are some close friends/fiber artists to share some of the products they've made with from their sheep.
From Rachel Hester at Whoopsie Daisy Farm.
From Sheri Langford at Red Feather Ranch: https://theredfeatherranch.com/
4. Sheepskin
If you are on the higher income, try some sheepskin rugs, pillows, clothing. Made from the hide of sheep, the wool is super soft and some artist out there can make some beautiful household items that even other shepherds like myself are jealous of.
Copia Cove is one of my favorite artists who work with sheepskin. Go check them out: https://shop.copiacove.com/
5. Items from Horns
Have any friends or family into the Viking or Scottish aesthetic? Get them an item from a sheep horn. Sheep horn button. Sheep horn comb. Sheep horn knife. Working with bone is a truly unique skill. Support these wonderful rare artists.
I am not connected with anyone personally who uses horns, but if you search sheep horn on etsy, you find some wonderful items. https://www.etsy.com/search?q=sheep%20horn
6. Meat/Lamb/Mutton
This sort of goes without saying, but I'm going to say it anyway. SHEEP MEAT! This is a lot easier to get locally then through shipping, but that's how you want it! The fresher the cut, the tastier. See if you local butcher has any available, or find a meat share. Gift cards (if available) are great gifts for cooks or people who life to use the best meat out there.
Search Butcher shops or Meat Shares in your area.
7. Lanolin Cosmetic Items
Lanolin is a secret sheep item used in a TON of cosmetic items. Lanolin is the oils sheep have in their wool in order to keep their wool dry. When wool is sheared, the wool is cleaned and what comes out is the lanolin. It helps heal dry and cracked skin. Hand cream, lip gloss, soaps....I personally used a form of lanolin in nipple cream when I was a breastfeeding mom. If you know someone who struggles with dry skin, gift them a lanolin gift.
Again, can find items on Etsy.
8. Dairy Items
These are a little harder to find, but if you can find them, you will be amazed at the taste. If you are a herd share member at Ewe and Me Creamery, you have access to Hot Chocolate and Eggnog during this Christmas Season. Cheese is a little easier to find. But, I also know of a few dairies that are opening up to shipping.
If you are part of our herd share, you can receive some of these dairy items through the year:
If you are local to Middle Tennessee, check us out!. If you are further out, check out 2 of my favorite sheep dairies who ship. They specialize in ice cream and caramel/cheese.
Negranti Creamery: https://www.goldbelly.com/negranti-creamery/sheeps-milk-ice-cream-choose-your-own-6-pints?ref=merchant
Dayspring Dairy: https://www.dayspringdairy.com/shop
Fun Fact: we got our initial flock from here, Great people!
9. Classes
Depending on what someone wants to learn, you can give a class or series to someone in your family who wants to learn homesteading skills. Like making homemade cheeses or learning how to tan their own hides. These tend to run a little more expensive. So, if you can't cover the whole purchase, you might be able to find gift cards or offer to pay a portion. One time purchase for a skills that will last a lifetime!
Two Teachers I Personally Want to Learn More From!
Kate Johnson (a really wonderful lady and teacher) at The Art of Cheese: https://theartofcheese.com/
Aurora Blue Farm: https://www.aurorabluefarm.net/
10. Poop!
HEAR ME OUT!!! Sheep poop makes some of the best fertilizer. It restores your land and introduces high levels of both phosphorus and potassium. If you have an avid gardener in the family, why not gift them with a gift that just keeps on giving.
Look locally for a farmer selling their abundance of sheep droppings or once again, Etsy has one farmer selling some aged manure on their page.
Pippa Hill Farm: https://www.etsy.com/shop/PippaHillFarms?ref=simple-shop-header-name&listing_id=936182562
And there you have it, from wool to horn to poop, there are a lot of sheep items available. Something for everyone! Look locally when you can, but in any way, support our shepherds and shepherdesses. Especially in the US. We are a small, but hardy breed. And it will make our Christmas to know there are those out there who appreciate what we do!
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