The Grainery Studio, a place for creative pursuits. Soon after buying Rock Bottom Farm, we knew all of the out buildings would have to be redone or they would soon be beyond repair. The old grainery was no exception. This pretty building was intended to be a drive through grainery. The driver of the grain wagon entered the building from the north, drove through, threw grain into the bins along the sides, and then drove out the south end. Huge sliding barn doors were still hanging on the building, grain bins were still standing, and bits of grain were found in the cracks of the wooden floor. Sadly, the building was leaning precariously toward the southeast due to a disintegrating foundation and corner. Siding was rotting and dirt floors were rutted and impossible to navigate. For many years, parts of the building had been used for miscellaneous storage instead of for grain. Initially, the plan was to fix the corner so the building would not fall over before it could be repaired. As work began on the corner, it became obvious the entire foundation would have to be replaced or repaired. As one part of the building was repaired, another became a concern because it was deteriorating so rapidly. It took hours and hours of time, and all the creativity Chuck could muster. His work eventually converted a little old grainery into this beautiful, working studio. Creativity, which inspired renovation of the grainery, permeates the spirit of the place and inspires those who enter. It has everything a studio could possibly need: a kitchen with a 50's O'Keefe-Merritt stove, refrigerator, stainless steel sink, a furnace which heats and cools, cabinet space for working and storage but most important, well insulated space for working and displaying finished products. There, Shirley can wash the mohair from her colored angora goats, spin it into yarn and weave it into lovely shawls, scarves and rugs. Her pursuit of other creative adventures may be seen everywhere in the studio. Below are a few examples of her work. Click the thumbnails to see larger images. To see them in person, call for an appointment to view her things or, better yet, plan to come to the Rock Bottom Farm Art Show in the Country, the third Sunday in September, from 12:00 to 5:30. There you will see her work as well as that of the fifteen finest artists in this part of the state. Shirley spins mohair from her Colored Angora Goats, into yarn. Mohair is soft, yet durable, and becomes a luscious, luxurious fiber. It takes work before it is ready to spin. It requires careful washing in very hot water, drying, then picking out hay and other debris which has collected in the goat's hair since the last time it was sheared. All this must take place before it can be spun. Angora rabbit hair, spun into yarn, and woven into a top and shawl are typical of the beautiful things Shirley creates in natural colors. They can be cleaned by washing in tepid water and hanging over a flat surface to dry. Can you imagine anything so lovely could be cleaned with such ease? This jacket is made from wool and Angora rabbit hair handfelted together. It has been lined with metallic fabric which creates interesting contrasts with its felted wool and Angora rabbit fiber exterior. On the loom is a rug of mohair on a warp of heavy duty wool. At the bottom you will see white paper which is used as spacers for the warp. Once the warp yarn is evenly spaced, weaving begins. This will become a rug which is attractive, lustrous, durable, all qualities mohair is known to possess. It is being woven on an antique English tapestry loom. A handfelted hat awaits its new owner. White wool surrounded with white Angora rabbit fiber was felted by hand over an antique hat block. It is not only handsome, but sooo warm! Handspun Angora rabbit hair was woven to make a beautiful matching beret and scarf. It is so warm, so lovely to wear, and such easy care!