Nancy Ellison Ellison Sheep Farm 15775 Highway 60 Boulevard Zumbrota MN 55992 (507) 732-5281 nancye@clear.lakes.com Work Samples Images: (select to enlarge)

Nancy Ellison Scandinavian spinning, weaving, felting More than 30 years ago I took my first weaving class while in summer school at the University of Oslo, Norway. For the last 20 years I have raised rare breeds of natural colored sheep for my source of wool, and I have been collecting antique Scandinavian spinning wheels, looms, and other textile equipment. I demonstrate at a wide variety of events and also conduct workshops, classes, and private lessons. Tours of my scenic historic farm are also available by appointment. Available: Weekdays or weekends within a day's drive Space: 10 by 10 ft. to set up and spinning wheel and loom or felting equipment Fee: Negotiable

Additional Information:
Nancy Ellison is a traditional Scandinavian weaver with expertise in the entire process of weaving. She raises sheep, harvests fleece, processes it, and creates garments and decorative items. Nancy specializes in northern European sheep, and her weaving is in the Scandinavian tradition. Among Nancy's sheep are several rare breeds such as Shetlands, Icelandics, Lincolns and Finns. The Icelandics and Finns are from breeds originating with Viking sheep. Every breed has a characteristic fleece and individual sheep differ from each other. These variations must be taken into account in the weaving process. For example, Viking sheep sometimes yield brown fleece, much more rare in other breeds. Also, Viking sheep have double coated fleeces, including a hairy outer coat and a finer undercoat, all growing from same sheep. This fleece is good for both felting and weaving. Some sheep are course so their fleece is used for rugs, with the finer fleece used for garments.

Nancy has a lot of Norwegian and Swedish books containing the drafts (instructions) for creating certain items set on graph paper, some of them old, some new. She is also in contact with other weavers through a Scandinavian studies group. For inspiration, Nancy also used the weavings, books and notebooks inherited from her Aunt Marie who had a career as a weaver spanning more than 60 years. Of course, Nancy is no slavish imitator. She makes up many of her own patterns based on her lifetime of studying Scandinavian patterns. Nancy creates a lot of felt, as well as knitted and crocheted hats, teddy bears and little figures. She also teaches at Vesterheim (The Norwegian American Museum) in Decorah, Iowa.

In addition, Nancy collects looms and spinning wheels. The wheels are in her house, and the looms are in a fixed up chicken house. Her farm is really a small museum of looms, and she gives tours and classes.