Esther's Place hosts farm days open house
Looking for family-fun this summer with a nod back to the simpler, slower paced life of yesteryear? Make plans to join Esther's Place and Lamb of God Farm for their Farm Days Open House on Saturday, June 7 and Sunday, June 8.
Located in Big Rock, just an hour west of Chicago, the farm and fiber art studio offers this opportunity showcasing the connection from the farm to the art, and all the fun and creativity that occurs in between.
Where else can you watch little lambs and their mothers frolic in rich green pastures? Feel the sheep's whiskers nuzzle your hand as you feed them? Or let your little ones play "farmer" in a corn sandbox? Dress up and take a picture "American Gothic" style and post it online for our Facebook photo contest! Walk by many of the picturesque rows of luscious homegrown produce.
This small, family-run organic farm takes pride in raising a wide variety of heirloom produce, a flock of Cheviot sheep and preservation of the rural way of life.
Then come back to Esther's Place where you'll be welcomed to enjoy snacks, cold drinks and to browse their store, full of unique, one-of-a-kind supplies, gifts, art and fibers. Get introduced to what happens to the fiber after it is shorn off the sheep! See the wool transformed into colorful and creative items of wearable art, adorable felted figurines, home décor and more.
The fiber arts studio offers classes and retreats in spinning yarn, weaving, needle felting, wet felting, dyeing and jewelry, for every age and skill level.
Participate in creating a felted piece for their art installation "Woolen Woods in Big Rock", an outdoor art exhibit featuring woolen woodland creatures. The exhibit, a sister project to the "Woolen Woods in Sizergh," is on display in England throughout the summer and over 50 items were sent from the Esther's Place community to be a part of that exhibit.
Now they are embarking on creating their own exhibit right here in Big Rock! You can learn needle felting while contributing to this collaborative effort, all during the open house weekend.
Dedication of the art installation will occur at 1 p.m. Saturday, with a visit from "Flora," the flower fairy! Face painting for the little ones will be available all weekend long too!
Throughout the weekend, you can have the opportunity to watch the willow furniture workshop, or better yet, to make your own piece. All supplies are included in these workshops and students have the choice to make trellises, arbors, tables, chairs and even "franken" furniture using reclaimed, found objects.
Preregistration is required. This workshop is just one example of the integration of sustainable inspiration that Esther's Place offers, from their fiber workshops to canning, cheese making and now wood-crafting and even music!
Sunday afternoon they're hosting musicians of all types for a jam from noon to 3 p.m. Bring a chair and your instrument and join in creating music and broadening your community!
This weekend features many great activities for all ages, and truly a chance to catch a glimpse of American rural culture at its best. Whether you are a city dweller or country at heart, the Esther's Place Farm Days Open House will inspire and invigorate your soul!
On Saturday and Sunday, June 7-8, tours to the farm begin at Esther's Place at 11 a.m., 12:30, 1:30 and 3 p.m. Come back again in the fall on Sept. 13-14 for the Fall Farm Days.
The weekend is open to the public, so invite your friends, neighbors and family! All the events and activities are free.
For more information or questions, call Esther's Place at (630) 556-9665 or email info@esthersplacefibers.com. Check out the Esther's Place Farm Days Open House page on Facebook for news, pictures and updates, or visit or visit www.esthersplacefibers.com.