In preparation for the upcoming Desi Oon (native/local wool) online exhibition, I sat down for a chat with a couple of the organizers from Living Lightly. We talked about everything from the characteristics of the Gaddi sheep, to the impacts of climate change on herding, to my own personal journeys in the region. OK, not…
Costing Considerations
No beating around the bush on this one: prices will be increasing soon. There are a few reasons for this: When I was in Himachal last year to purchase wool, I found that the going rates for raw fleece had increased. This is good! Not only does it increase herding incomes, but it inches toward…
The Curve of the Path
2020 is, among other things, the year of the “pivot”—and while I reserve the bulk of my disdain for other business buzzwords (“pain points,” “spend” as a noun, “scale” as a verb), pivot is not my fave. When I hear “pivot,” I picture a squadron of toned Alvin Ailey dancers swiveling in sync, arms angled…
Wool Sourcing, Again
After my first sourcing adventure, it was time to hurry across the mountain ridge to another shearing site. Here, most households own 15-20 sheep which they send with one herder who, with a couple of assistants, manages a combined flock of about 300 for the whole village. Purshotam, who is trained in machine shearing, shears…
Wool Sourcing
“We source wool directly from the shepherds.” What exactly does this mean? Well, here’s what it means for aana jaana, at least this time: It starts with a phone call from Saligram, who rings me up any time there’s cell signal in his neck of the woods (and I do mean woods). “Han ji Jen…