Publisher’s Note: When life gives you lemons you make lemonade, and when life gives you fiber (and a wheel)…the possibilities are endless. Renee Jones of Carolina Fiber Company is a great example of this philosophy. She found her way to fiber and never looked back. Renee creates fiber pieces that are a tip of the hat to all things local and sustainable. She has been creating all sorts of fiber art for years, and through an amazing set of circumstances she got herself a wheel and has found a way to use fiber as a business, lifestyle, and medicine for life’s bumps in the road; no lemonade needed!Spin Artiste (SA): You mentioned you put your heart and soul into your fiber work. Can you tell us about how you became a lover of all things fiber?
Renee Jones (RJ): To be honest I can’t remember a time when I wasn’t involved with fiber in one way or another. Growing up I was surrounded by family members who were always sewing, crocheting, or tatting so I know that’s where it all began. 
When I was a teenager, I was on a trip out of town and came across a knit shop. It was beautiful, amazing and quite different than the discount yarn store I had grown up seeing. I ventured in and bought a learn-to-knit kit. It was a rather unsuccessful attempt but I continued with garment sewing, quilting, needlepoint, embroidery and crochet. Years later I picked up knitting again after my second child was born.
When I was a teenager, I was on a trip out of town and came across a knit shop. It was beautiful, amazing and quite different than the discount yarn store I had grown up seeing. I ventured in and bought a learn-to-knit kit. It was a rather unsuccessful attempt but I continued with garment sewing, quilting, needlepoint, embroidery and crochet. Years later I picked up knitting again after my second child was born.SA: It is amazing how one little moment in life and one little knit shop changed your life. Now, I know you’re a multi-tasker, being a full-time mom, fiber artist, and sales associate at your local yarn shop. How do you manage your time so well?
RJ: I don’t know, it just works for me. Keeping busy is where I’m comfortable. My kids are in high school and elementary school so it’s not like I have little ones who need constant attention. 
Working at Knot Just Knits and teaching classes there has been a wonderful way to connect with other fiber enthusiasts. I rarely sleep past 5am. My internal alarm clock makes sure of that. Waking early is helpful because I have more energy in the first half of the day so I’m able to get a lot done that way. Quite often I’ve spun a yarn or two, carded a few batts or washed fleece before the sun is up.
Working at Knot Just Knits and teaching classes there has been a wonderful way to connect with other fiber enthusiasts. I rarely sleep past 5am. My internal alarm clock makes sure of that. Waking early is helpful because I have more energy in the first half of the day so I’m able to get a lot done that way. Quite often I’ve spun a yarn or two, carded a few batts or washed fleece before the sun is up. SA: Wow you really know how to make time out of no time. We could all learn from you, I’m sure! So even in your sleep deprived state, what gets your creative juices flowing?
RJ: Anything really, but people watching would be a huge part of it. I live in a great community just outside Chicago with great architecture (The Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio is less than 2 blocks from my home), beautiful gardens and really interesting people. It would be difficult to live here and not be inspired. 
Lately we’ve made several trips to Chinatown and to the old Marshall Fields – these are two great areas for winter inspiration for me. The Tiffany ceiling in Fields is one of my favorite Chicago landmarks and every time I’m in there, I look like a tourist seeing it for the first time. But the main part of creative inspiration comes from my three children. They are constantly giving me new eyes for things I wouldn’t have seen. One daughter is an animal lover and manga style artist who has sold her work on Etsy as well as special events. My older daughter has a love of all things vintage and is a budding film photographer and artist in her own right. And, my youngest is a little guy who finds and collects items that most of us would pass up as trash. All three of them have their own distinct styles and characters that I find creatively energizing.
Lately we’ve made several trips to Chinatown and to the old Marshall Fields – these are two great areas for winter inspiration for me. The Tiffany ceiling in Fields is one of my favorite Chicago landmarks and every time I’m in there, I look like a tourist seeing it for the first time. But the main part of creative inspiration comes from my three children. They are constantly giving me new eyes for things I wouldn’t have seen. One daughter is an animal lover and manga style artist who has sold her work on Etsy as well as special events. My older daughter has a love of all things vintage and is a budding film photographer and artist in her own right. And, my youngest is a little guy who finds and collects items that most of us would pass up as trash. All three of them have their own distinct styles and characters that I find creatively energizing.SA: Sounds like you have a family of creative geniuses. So I hear you won your first wheel on Etsy! Can you tell us about your prize wheel? Do you have any other wheels you spin on these days?
RJ: I’m glad you asked this question because it’s one of my favorite stories! It happened just after my mom had died and I was having quite a difficult time finding my footing in life. Even sewing, knitting and crochet were just meh – I’d lost my creative mojo so to speak. 
The holiday season was approaching so I had been doing some shopping on Etsy and bought a few items from a shop that was celebrating their one year anniversary. With each purchase you were entered into a drawing for a number of prizes with the grand prize being a Louet S10. To be honest, I ordered a couple hand poured soaps and forgot about the drawing until I got the email saying I had won! It really tickled me to have won the grand prize! And I’d always wanted to try out spinning so it gave me something to look forward to, something else to focus on. Looking back, I like to think of it as a gift from my mom because she would have wanted me to move on from that bad place. If ever a hobby or a craft can help heal, this one has really done that for me.
The holiday season was approaching so I had been doing some shopping on Etsy and bought a few items from a shop that was celebrating their one year anniversary. With each purchase you were entered into a drawing for a number of prizes with the grand prize being a Louet S10. To be honest, I ordered a couple hand poured soaps and forgot about the drawing until I got the email saying I had won! It really tickled me to have won the grand prize! And I’d always wanted to try out spinning so it gave me something to look forward to, something else to focus on. Looking back, I like to think of it as a gift from my mom because she would have wanted me to move on from that bad place. If ever a hobby or a craft can help heal, this one has really done that for me.To answer the second part of that question, having one wheel would be akin to having one pot to cook in or one shirt to wear and I’m just not that Spartan of a gal. Right now I’m down to 3 wheels, my Majacraft Aura, my Country Spinner 2, and my Louet S10. But I’d really like to add a Spinolution wheel to the collection since they are made in the US and spin like a dream!
SA: That is a great story! Your life seems to be filled with serendipitous occasions. You have said, “I truly believe that wheel and the people it brought into my life to be one of the biggest blessings that I enjoy each and every day.” Who are some of these blessed artists who have come into your life, and how have they impacted you over the years?
RJ: I’m not sure I can put into words just how life changing that wheel has been. Not only did it give me back my creative mojo but the amazing people and artists I’ve met as a result of spinning has been such a blessing. Right away I met fellow spinners online and then when I moved back to NC in ’08 I found myself surrounded by spinners and shepherdesses. 
While looking for batts on Etsy I came across a listing for a beautiful batt, After Dinner Mints, from a NC seller. Purchasing that batt and the conversation that started led to a friendship with Esther Rodgers, aka Jazzturtle Creations. A few years later I met Laura Young of Dew Dance Farm and her amazing flock of well-loved animals with gorgeous fleeces. Each of these ladies has shared their fiber and spinning knowledge as well as their friendship with me – blessings in more ways than I can adequately describe. And, best of all, I keep meeting the most interesting people as a result of this creative journey. At the end of the day what really matters are the people in your life. As silly as it may sound, that wheel opened up my world in a way I never saw coming but am thankful for every day.
While looking for batts on Etsy I came across a listing for a beautiful batt, After Dinner Mints, from a NC seller. Purchasing that batt and the conversation that started led to a friendship with Esther Rodgers, aka Jazzturtle Creations. A few years later I met Laura Young of Dew Dance Farm and her amazing flock of well-loved animals with gorgeous fleeces. Each of these ladies has shared their fiber and spinning knowledge as well as their friendship with me – blessings in more ways than I can adequately describe. And, best of all, I keep meeting the most interesting people as a result of this creative journey. At the end of the day what really matters are the people in your life. As silly as it may sound, that wheel opened up my world in a way I never saw coming but am thankful for every day.SA: You use such a variety of spinning methods for your yarns. How do you decide what style you will use each time you sit down to spin?
RJ: Well, I think that goes back to my kids and their very different styles and personalities – it shows in the yarns I spin, the colors I dye and the pieces I knit or weave. 
Some days it’s Maddie’s fun bright world of manga and video games, the next it might be inspiration from a trip to a thrift shop with Jordan or seeing a photo she’s taken, and other days a spark will be set off by cleaning out Bailey’s pockets and seeing what he found beautiful or worthy of collecting. I suppose it would simplify things to pick a style and stick with it but then that just wouldn’t be me.
AS: You have really mastered taking every aspect of the world around you and making it an extraordinary piece of art. What can you tell us about your studio space?
RJ: Right now it’s a hot mess, a really hot mess! We moved back to Oak Park this past summer into a much smaller space so I’ve taken over nearly every room in the house. I used to think I wanted a house with a studio space, now I’ve decided I want a studio with a living space and maybe some room for sheep!
The items that are for sale are tagged, organized by color and style in tubs but the rest of the basement looks a lot like what I’d imagine my brain to look like in a cartoon.
SA: I know you opened your Etsy shop during a difficult time in your life. How has the shop and fiber art as a whole brought you healing?
RJ: Last year was a roller coaster that I don’t want to get back on again, ever. But life guarantees little other than difficult times. It’s how you react to these events that will define your present and your future. I decided I was going to define that part of my life rather than it defining me. Sounds like a simple cliche, I know, but it’s true.
SA: So glad to hear that fiber art has brought you so much healing. I hope your work continues to be a remedy for you.
The idea of buying and selling locally is really catching on, within the fiber world. What inspired you to make that a priority in your art and business practices?
RJ: It started from the whole “buy local” idea in the foods we buy. 
If I was making such an effort to eat locally grown produce, why wouldn’t I do the same with other areas of my life. And fiber is my next highest item behind food when it comes to consumption. Other than a couple of items that can’t be sourced from the US, I buy my fibers from US farms and try to find growers as close to my home as possible.
If I was making such an effort to eat locally grown produce, why wouldn’t I do the same with other areas of my life. And fiber is my next highest item behind food when it comes to consumption. Other than a couple of items that can’t be sourced from the US, I buy my fibers from US farms and try to find growers as close to my home as possible.SA: It sounds like buying local is not your only fiber philosophy. It is also great to hear that you use environmentally friendly products and alternative water conservation methods to process your fiber. Can you tell us about your “green” process?
RJ: “Green” can be a hot button topic and I don’t claim to be an expert but one simple thing I started doing early on was to use the final rinse water of one fleece as the first soak of a raw fleece. It’s a great way to break down the “yuck” before the washing begins. Also, collecting rainwater in tubs or rain barrels is another simple way to conserve water. During the hot, sunny summer days, I solar dye. 
Over the past few years it has become much easier to find cleaning products that aren’t harmful to the environment and recently I’ve been working with a local soap maker to come up with a wool wash and a fiber conditioner. Other than dyes, I really don’t want to work with chemicals or products that I’m not comfortable having on my skin.
Over the past few years it has become much easier to find cleaning products that aren’t harmful to the environment and recently I’ve been working with a local soap maker to come up with a wool wash and a fiber conditioner. Other than dyes, I really don’t want to work with chemicals or products that I’m not comfortable having on my skin.Reusing packing materials as often as possible when I ship helps reduce my “footprint”. And the yarn shop where I work keeps a collection basket going for me so I can reuse all the bits and pieces of leftover yarn.
SA: You mentioned that you have a good relationship with the farmers you get your fibers from. Can you tell us about the farms and why you found it to be important to know your sources?
RJ: The “buy local” philosophy is what started this but there are other benefits too. I’m a huge animal lover and getting to see the animals and the farms they live on is such a treat. 
I found there were even more benefits like getting first pick of the fleeces and getting to know some really amazing people who share their knowledge of the animals. And I’ve even been able to help out on shearing days at a couple of farms! I know I sound like a total fiber geek.
I found there were even more benefits like getting first pick of the fleeces and getting to know some really amazing people who share their knowledge of the animals. And I’ve even been able to help out on shearing days at a couple of farms! I know I sound like a total fiber geek.SA: I’m sure the farmers are happy to know their animals’ fibers are being handled with such care, and are becoming beautiful masterpieces. How would you describe yourself as a fiber artist? Would you say you are a free-form artist, or a more structured, disciplined, creator?
RJ: Oh, goodness. I’d love to tell you I have this amazing organized approach but I can’t. And I’m sure it would be helpful for stocking my shop if I could spin 10 of this, 5 of that, etc but in reality I wait on inspiration or for the fiber to talk. 
Spinning from roving is more straight forward and planned out. But usually a fleece will speak to me because of its color or texture and other times I sit down to spin a certain yarn and it wants to be completely different than I had planned. As with most things in life, you’ve just got to go with it.
Spinning from roving is more straight forward and planned out. But usually a fleece will speak to me because of its color or texture and other times I sit down to spin a certain yarn and it wants to be completely different than I had planned. As with most things in life, you’ve just got to go with it.SA: I got lucky one day when you were having a sale and snagged a beautiful pink triangle shawl you wove with your handspun yarn. Have you ever created a piece that you couldn’t bring yourself to sell? (what was it and why?)
RJ: Almost. This past fall I core spun yarn from a mixture of special friends’ animals and wove it into a shawl on my triangle loom. I loved this piece, really loved it! It was a combination of the undyed fibers (my favorite at the moment), the friends who I would think of as I moved from one lock to the next and the sweet animals that grew the fiber. But in the end it became an experiment in letting go and it paid off. 
Not only did it sell, the sweet lady who bought it for her daughter sent me the kindest message about how she felt this connection and how she just knew it had been made with love. I hadn’t told her anything other than it was made with fiber from dear friends but she could feel it so much that she took the time to send me a handwritten thank you note. I’m hoping this will be a lesson that will stick with me; being able to let go is important.
Not only did it sell, the sweet lady who bought it for her daughter sent me the kindest message about how she felt this connection and how she just knew it had been made with love. I hadn’t told her anything other than it was made with fiber from dear friends but she could feel it so much that she took the time to send me a handwritten thank you note. I’m hoping this will be a lesson that will stick with me; being able to let go is important.SA: Last but not least, what was your New Year’s resolution for 2013?
RJ: To fully unpack, clean and organize that studio space in the basement. It would be great to not refer to it as the hot mess any more. I’ve tackled a bit here and there but if anyone wants to volunteer to come help they are more than welcome!
Renee, thanks so much for taking the time to share with us your wonderful fiber life! Readers, I hope you enjoyed learning more about Renee and Renee has a couple of special surprises for you. Check out the beautiful yarn and batt she’s made for a giveaway.
Seaside Cottage Yarn: 60 yards, 5.2 ounces. Romney, Angelina, Bamboo Rayon, Kid Mohair, Shetland, Silk Chiffon Strips, Teeswater, Corriedale, Banana Silk. Retail Value $45
Crystal Coast Batt: 3.8 ounces Angelina, Silk, Merino, Camel, Wenslydale, Kid Mohair, Shetland, Banana Silk, CVM, Cotton Chenille, Silk Chiffon Strips, Soy Silk, Romney. Retail Value $30
So, the burning question in your mind might be, “how do I get those?!?!?” Well, you are going to have to help me out a little…I’m working on the roster of artists that are on my wish list to feature and would like to add some more names. If you leave a comment with one suggestion of someone that has not yet been featured, you get an entry. Two suggestions, gets you two entries. I’m going to select two winners at random, but I’m not going to withdraw the first winner’s name, so there’s a chance of winning both! Additional entries for sharing on Facebook, Twitter, etc. and or “liking” Carolina Fiber Company on Facebook. Just leave a comment that you did. Get your comments posted before next Thursday, 2/21/13, 12:00 PM EST to be included in the drawing. Best of luck to all! These are fabulous products.
{ 32 comments… read them below or add one }
My suggestions:
Laura Spinner from Rainbow Twist
Jayne Hewison Textile Designer
Awesome artists! I also liked Carolina’s beautiful work long ago and her FB page
Will share her interview and giveaway <3
Love love the fact that you are taking care of the environment by being careful how you process your fibers. I am a firm believer that water can be recycled, specially when dyeing. I have heard wonderful things about you through a good friend
Thank you for sharing a bit of your life with us!
LOVE spinning Renee’s fiber. She is my first stop for fiber retail therapy!
As far as people to feature, Kimberly Sherrod “Calamity Kim” is uber talented in many areas. I am always inspired by anything she makes!
Already “Liked” Carolina Fiber on Facebook. I will also share on my business page on FB and Twitter.
Oh my gosh, another inspiration in the fiber world! Thank you for sharing. Since I am new to spinning, I really don’t have anyone to suggest as a featured artist…I learn and enjoy for each and every one that I meet or read about. I have liked Carolina Fiber and shared on FB your wonderful articles! Thank you!
I WISH I knew someone to recommend (I learn from your blog!). Those yarns are fantastic.
Not sure if you might have already interviewed Dayna Mankowski of Madison Wool, but I love following her posts on Facebook and she does beautiful work and clearly has a great little shop! I’d love to know more about her and her work. And I’m liking Carolina Fiber on Facebook and posting on Twitter and Facebook! Love your articles. : )
Great interview! I’ve gotten to know Renee through Facebook. I think she is absolutely wonderful as a person as well as a fiber artist.
An interview with Stephanie Buford Stratton from Lunabud Knits would be something I love to read. I’m pretty anxious and unknown, but Busy Boney Hands is always available for an interview.
Also, I tweeted this interview and shared it on Facebook, both my personal wall and BBH page, .
Carolyn Greenwood of Greenwood Fiberworks – she does beautiful dyed roving and batts. And I love her blends of fibers.
My two suggestions are:
Kristine Haddock of story book fibers
Nattalie Redding of Namaste farms, I liked carolina fiber co, and shared on FB of course!! Everything that i read in that article, reminded me of myself to some extent, both the healing properties of spinning, and how it brings wonderful friends into your life. Being green, getting local, all mantras that we both share. Being new to spinning, I am amazed at the genrosity of other fiber enthusiasts. thank you again for another peek into an artists life, its always a joy!!
~Molly
Alors je suggère des françaises pourquoi pas!!!
Moi Palaluna j’ai une page sur facebook et un blog http://palaluna.over-blog.com
Il y a Christie “l’atelier du chat noir” qui travaille merveilleusement.
je partage beinsur et je croise les doigts
I agree with Palaluna, she works beautifully! Also Christie from ‘L’atelier Du Chat Noir”. They make gorgeous fiber!
If needed, I can help with the French translation
(Je aime les fils de Palalula et L’atelier du Chat Noir aussi!)
thank you so much, je suis touchée <3
Loved reading about the inspirations for your work Renee!
As for the contest
Amy King of Spunky Eclectic – I have used lots of her patterns for handspun yarns and her work with colors in fibers is amazing and she is always “there” talking to customers and making sure everyone gets help if needed etc.
And I would love to read more interviews with spinning equipment manufacturers like the people behind Louet, Ashford, Golding, Bosworth, spinolution, Fancy Kitty etc.
I recommend Stacey Budge-Kamison of Urban Gypz. She is amazing and the reason I started spinning.
I’m so glad I found your site! There is just so much inspiration in the world. Thank you for sharing. And thanks to Renee for spreading her fiberlisciousness around! Beautiful work.
My first suggestion would be Vilte Kazlauskaite – She doesn’t spin but is an amazing felter, fiber artist and eco dyer. She can be found at http://viltefelt.blogspot.com/ and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/vilte.net. She was and continues to be a huge inspiration in my art and is the reason I began the fiber journey. She also has some workshops in the US this summer so it might be a good time to spread the word.
My second suggestion would be April of DreamWoven. She makes the most fantastic hats using hand spun art yarn and felt. She can be found on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/pages/DreamWoven-A-Taste-of-Different/41520198743, on her website at http://dreamwoven.com/, and her blog at http://dreamwoven.blogspot.com/.
Thanks for the great article. Renee is as much of a beautiful person as the beautiful things she creates. I’m honored she uses our fibers and it makes letting go of those “one of a kind fleeces” a little easier. Thanks again and many blessings.
I have a few suggestions of some outstanding CO artists.
1. Peggy Doney https://www.facebook.com/pj.doney and her fan page and shop is the 100th Sheep. https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-100th-Sheep/214208721980418
fab spinner as well as spectacular dyer.
2. Debra Greer https://www.facebook.com/deb.j.greer and her fan page and shop is wild willow’s webs and weeds. https://www.facebook.com/pages/Wild-Willows-Webs-N-Weeds/100553163334966 weaving teacher, spinner, knitter, dyer, animal critter raiser. has studied with Sarah the Navajo weaver. does Navajo weaving, rigid heddle, multiple harness… she has taught me a lot of weaving things.
I liked Carolina Fiber Company on FB.
I posted this on my FB, on my FB fan page for Alba Ranch.
I suggest Elizabeth Marks from Sheeping Beauty and Laura from Rainbow Twist. Love Renee’s yarns and fibers.
Oh! I just love Renee! She is one of the kindest people I have met in the fiber arts! She is an inspiration to me!
I am so glad to read this interveiw! Thank you!
Will share on FB. And yes, her page is already on my “likes” list. As is her Etsy shop.
I don’t recall seeing Caron Wilson of Freehaven Farm. She is a Spinner, Weaver, knitter, and fiber grower in SC. She has taught classes at SAFF. Awsome lady!
I love the roving dyed by Kate Sitzman of Woolgatherings. I am in her Fiber Adventurer Club and find her color sense and skill with handling fiber to be superb!
Also, check out Marilla O’Brien at Moonlight and Laughter. She’s a small scale dyer with a growing business who has a lovely color sense as well. I love her batts!
Thanks!
Great interview. I love your work!
I just found this article. You did a great job of representing Renee. I agree with so many others who say Renee is the kindest. I was so honored to have our farm(Dew Dance Farm) mentioned and it is wonderful to have Renee get one our fleeces. I love seeing what she does with them. I am always pleased and inspired. I have not followed your posts before so I do not know who would be new to you. There are so many fabulous fiber artists and fiber producers. It’s scarey to suggest just one, but Debbie Trantham comes to mind because what she does is a bit different. Cynthia Mollenkopf also does beautiful one of a kind pieces. I have been a fan of Carolina Fiber Company for ever and will repost on my facebook farm page. I hope by leaving a message, I will be in the loop to hear about the artists you write about in the future.
What an interesting and inspiring article!
I adore Mary Scott from Camaj Handspun Yarns! Great spinner, great lady! She also used to farm alpaca. You can find her on facebook and youtube.
Ashley from Neauveau Fiber Arts. She does really wonderful creative things with core spun yarns. She can also be found on facebook and youtube.
Hogg Wild Fibers has a great sense of color and balance when leaving some white in roving
She also does beautiful thick and thin yarns.
very nice interview, and some great yarns!
enjoyed the interview. beautiful yarns and batts!
Here are some fiber etsy shops i like. getting to know the owners would be fun.
http://www.etsy.com/shop/zebisisdesigns
http://www.etsy.com/shop/TurquoiseOwlFibers
http://www.etsy.com/shop/saorisantacruz
http://www.etsy.com/shop/LeaFibers
I ‘nominate’ Stacey Budge-Kamison from Urban Gypz… She is simply amazing, and such a sweet lady as well!
AND, Elizabeth Belz from Volomortuus… Her yarns are amazing!!
I I already ‘like’ Carolina Fiber Company on Facebook!
)
Renee, I really enjoy your outlook, and your love for both fiber and the environment.
Would love to see an interview with Eileen Testo from Weston Hill Farm: http://www.westonhillfarm.com
Love Renee…so happy to call her my friend…one of the kindest …..
And so talented….see you soon Renee……..
How about an interview with Ester Rodgers who i met at Yarnival last year…I loved her hand dyed locks……enjoyed the article and The batts look yummy
I really love personal interviews. I love the story of how she won the wheel and started spinning. The texture and colors are amazing!
I second the person who said Natalie Redding. And also Beth Lower of Blue Mountain Handcrafts. Her husband makes wonderful tools for spinning and fiber preparation. Beth makes lovely batts and sews cases for their handmade handcards and combs. They live in the mountains of Virginia.
I’ll like Renee. I didn’t get whether she’s currently in NC or not, but I’m always looking for others in this area.