Blog
About Saloia sheep and the saloias from Casal da Freira
This year we wanted to find a Saloia sheep producer who was aligned with our values and with whom we could collaborate not only in the purchase of wool, but also in other initiatives that we have been developing in favour of Portuguese wool. That producer, Mr António Cardoso from Casal da Freira, came to us, and very well, through Guida's hand.
10 years of shearing together
We've been doing exemplary shearings at the Serralves Foundation with Martin and Susana O'Connell for 10 years now, always with a fantastic audience!
Saber Fazer goes to school
Last week we took Saber Fazer to school, or pre-school in this case! 50 pre-school children, aged between 2 and 5, experienced the whole process, from sheep to fabric: they washed, carded, spun on the spinning wheel and wove on a shaft loom!
Materializing the wools of Trás-os-Montes
One of the components of the project that gave us the most pleasure to produce was undoubtedly this showcase of samples of wool from the five breeds of indigenous sheep from Trás-os-Montes that have been processed. What is the wool of a Bragançan churra used for? What is its yarn like? How does it behave when felted or woven? This was one of the main aims of the project, to work only with the wool of local breeds and show its potential, when and if worked by hands that know, revealing and showing the community the potential of the wool that surrounds them.
The Same But Different: Revisiting, Rethinking and Renewing the Wool Crafts in Vinhais
Our intervention in the “Culture for All in Vinhais” project culminated in an exhibition that we inaugurated last August and which tells the story of the work we've been doing for almost two years.
GatewayCrafts
GatewayCrafts kicked off in January this year! GatewayCrafts is an Erasmus+ project proposed and coordinated by Saber Fazer / Ofício and whose partners are CRU Creative Hub (Portugal) and Materahub (Italy).
We are members of the European Creative Hubs Network!
Since the beginning of the year, Saber Fazer / Ofício has been an associate member of the ECHN - European Creative Hubs Network!
Gabi's spindle (and a very special cotton)
Remember last September when, with the support of the TuYo Foundation, we welcomed Gabina Valentín, an Amuzga weaver from Xochistlahuaca, for an Open Class and memorable Mexican belt loom Masterclass? That weekend was also one of exchanging experiences and personal treasures between Gabi and Alice. From here, Gabi took things that are commonplace for us, such as linen and silk, but which are rare in Mexico.
Saber Fazer is a DGERT certified training organization!
We open 2023 with excellent news: SABER FAZER has become a DGERT-certified training organization!
Handcards, drumcarders and more: a short guide
Here's a short guide to help you choose cards, carders and other similar tools. Nowadays there are many options on the market when it comes to equipment for carding or blending fibers, so it's useful to know a few things before selecting the equipment you need.
Saber fazer students: Royal'Pacas
Today, we're going to tell you a little about the story of two of our students, Patrícia and Francisco, from Royal'Pacas Family, a project where they develop various activities based on their real alpacas: visits, workshopsand even organizing shearing for alpacas, among other services. In 2021, Patrícia and Francisco came to Saber Fazer for personalized training on alpaca fiber processing, which was something they were curious about and would like to develop, since they have wonderful fiber every year.
Two days of Amuzga culture at Saber Fazer
It was a very special two days indeed, when we welcomed Gabina Valentína, an Amuzga weaver from Xochistlahuaca, and Inês Queirós from the TuYo Foundation (responsible for bringing her to Europe), to spread the word about their culture and the Mexican backstrap loom weaving technique. Gabi has only been to Amsterdam, Barcelona and Porto during her first European tour, so it was a real privilege to have her here!
Culture For All in Vinhais - Arts and Crafts
One of the projects we're very pleased to be working on this year is Culture for All in Vinhais, which will include workshops and themed workshops in the areas of Arts and Crafts, Theater and Performing Arts, Music and Dance, all areas with a very rich cultural heritage in Vinhais. The area we will be responsible for, as you can imagine, will be Arts and Crafts.
The path of the Black Merinos from Monte dos Cedros
Today we want to talk to you about Monte dos Cedros, owned by Carlos and Marta, two young producers, both with a degree in Animal Production, who started producing Black Merina sheep in 2019 under extensive and certified organic grazing.
Another year, another shearing
It was a pleasure to take Marty and Susana O'Connell back to Serralves to demonstrate the shearing of the farm's Bordaleira de Entre-Douro-e-Minho sheep. We were presented with exceptional weather and many families joined us to watch this very important stage of the wool cycle!
Flax, tow and flax waste: an explanation
Anyone who likes flax is surely familiar with the term “tow”, but possibly doesn' t know the real difference between flax and tow, or what flax waste is. Today's post explains the difference between these three types of fibers, all of which come from the same source but are different from each other.
The sexiest sheep
If I had to choose the sexiest sheep in Portugal, I'd say there's a good chance it would be the Churra Mondegueira breed, preferably a “Marialveira”. They don't bathe because they spend every day of the year grazing extensively, but their heavy fleeces with long, sometimes curly strands give them that special charm.
Our new Natural Dyeing Online Course!
We've just launched our new online course platform and the Online Course on Introduction to Natural Dyeing led by Guida Fonseca!