At her home in Maine, USA, Linda Cortright runs a small herd of cashmere goats. But each year her passion for “wild fibre” takes her around the globe, on the trail of sheep in the mountains of New Zealand, cashmere goats in Kyrgyzstan, and elusive wild guanaco in the high Andes. So begins an article featured on the International Year of Fibres website about Linda Cortright and the magazine she created, “Wild Fibers Magazine.”

Wild Fibers is a magazine dedicated to promoting all aspects of the fiber industry from every corner of the globe too. The stories of the fiber producing animals- an amazing range- and the shephards who raise them are rich with human interest. The photography is stunning.

Linda Cortright travels the world to find these herdsmen and women, understand their way of life and tell the world about them. She is indeed an advocate for the nomads, natives of various lands and artisans who generation after generation have raised fiber animals well, harvested the fiber and supported their families in this tradition. Ms. Cortright also tells of the artisanship and expertise of these people.

Amazing stories, many with a touch of Linda Cortright’s humor, and photography rivaling any found in National Geographic, make Wild Fibers Magzine fascinating from cover to cover.

International Year of Natural Fibre Update

The United Nations declared 2009 as the International Year of Natural Fibre to bring attention to needs of farmers and producers of natural fibres worldwide. Under the UN agency, Food and Agricultural Organization, educational events are planned to broaden the knowledge of both plant and animal fibers, those who produce and the value of such fiber as a sustainable and green too. Events include fiber shows, exhibitions, conferences and more — find the complete list at the UN’s site.

Blog for Boomers

There is a blog that offers boomers really great resources and news. This blog is the “Baby Boomer Knowledge Center.” I am pleased to be a featured blogger on their site on April 21st, which falls during the blog’s “Boomer Women’s Week” running April 19-25. The week will feature seven consecutive days of articles, commentary, essays, national polls, videos and podcasts. Visit at
http://www.babyboomerknowledgecenter.com/

Textile & Fiber Art Fair July 11th

Instructors for classes during the July 11th Textile and Fiber Art Fair in Marshalltown, Iowa, will be announced next week. Details will be available at the Central Iowa Arts Association website, where you can also apply to be an exhibitor.