Page 36 - Allison's Magazine ~ Issue #101
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it back to them, we now buy some to Many of the design choices you see in
make our own products with as well.” Echoview’s products are the brainchild
of its small team of artists. Morris says
With proper care for animals and one of the most important aspects of
sustainability at the forefront of both the operation is giving employees the
the farm and the mill, Morris says the freedom to express themselves and create
quality of the wool is unparalleled. from the heart, which results in better-
Echoview only focuses on partnerships quality products for the consumer.
with farmers and organizations who “The happiness and creativity of our
adhere to the same standards to ensure staff are really important to Julie as
the highest quality in all its products. an owner, and we’ve learned just how
Once the fibers are collected, either from important it is to encourage initiative
the animals at Echoview or an outside and personal expression among
farm, its entire lifecycle—from cleaning employees,” she expresses.
and processing to the final product—is
completed in-house. CRAFTING A COMMUNITY
Echoview’s mission of creativity
The tradition and expertise of the and sustainability extends into the
farmers and craftspeople living in the community through its workshops
area have played a large role in the and events that appeal not only to
designs and even the color choices experienced craftspeople but also to
Echoview makes. Its offerings have those who have never picked up a
quickly expanded to include things like needle and thread. Preserving these
botanically dyed hats, baby blankets, art forms is the goal, and making
and teapot warmers, and its catalog them more accessible and hands-on
proves virtually anything can be made helps engage people that might not be
sustainably and mindfully by the hands interested otherwise.
of gifted artisans.
Examples of some of the classes
Aside from handmade clothing and Echoview offers include beginner-level
home goods, Echoview also sells its knitting and weaving, which can be
handspun yarns, crafting tools, and performed on a simple loom, as well as
natural dyes so that people can create natural dye classes. According to Morris,
their own items. They’ve kept the one of the most popular classes to start
operation relatively small—with only with is weaving because students can
about a dozen employees—to maintain make a beautiful rug in under six hours
a sense of community and personal using just two types of yarn.
touch. Employees handle everything
from processing the wool and dyeing Echoview also hosts a free, biweekly With proper care for animals and
it to hand-weaving each product. “We craft night for community members
have five people on the mill floor who to share their work. These events are as sustainability at the forefront of both the
work extremely hard every day and who much for Echoview employees as they farm and the mill, Morris says the quality
do it with a lot of love,” says Morris. “It are for attendees. “The artists in our of the wool is unparalleled.
can be a very tedious, manual-labor job, community have been a huge source
but they’re brilliant and we’re so proud of inspiration and information for us,”
of the work they’ve done.” says Morris. “They understand that
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