Cashmere Sweaters

Christina Silver. Four years ago this eternal optimist left her comfortable career in rehabilitation and pursued a long time dream of living life outside the confines of the city and suburbia. Through prayer, and lot of it, she and her family decided that fibre farming best suited their values and envisioned lifestyle. As committed vegans they held a natural aversion to farming for animal meat and were not interested in traditional crop farming. Fibre farming therefore became the key piece in the Silver family quest for happiness and freedom. Starting with six Cashmere goats they currently and lovingly share their lives with 115 Spanish Meat goats, more commonly known as Cashmere goats. Together they run the largest cashmere fibre farm in Canada on a 100 acre plot of land Marshville on the Sunrise Trail. After four years of focused herd building and joyfully combing an average of 10 pounds of cashmere each year, Christina started Earth Art Cashmere and Design.

The primary goal at Earth Art Cashmere is to ensure that their animals are not only comfortable but also highly stimulated both mentally and physically. The Silver's have incorporated large pastures, streams, trees (both standing and fallen), climbing areas, and varying terrain, into the goats living environments. In return for this commitment the goats offer up their beautiful cashmere coats. The Silver's hope that the life they provide for their animals offers a fair trade for this incredible fibre. "It's the least we can do for the gift they give" says Christina. "We never kill on this farm unless it is in the best interest of the animal. Any gift from an animal is valued no matter how small, (even if it's just taking its place in the herd). We simply do not breed the ones that are not the best producers. Each of these goats has their right to life and they will be loved until they die of old age", says Christina.

Earth Art Cashmere's fibre is combed once a year depending on when the goats decide to release their undercoats. Typically in northern Nova Scotia combing can be appropriate anywhere from February 1st through until the end of April. Some animals require second combings if they are not quite ready the first time.

Harvest quantities depend on a few key factors. It comes down to both nature and nurture. Nature (and breeding selection) dictates the size and basic quality of the cashmere an animal will produce. Nurture however, can help to enhance these same attributes. Earth Art Cashmere uses feed rations high in copper and zinc (dairy ration), while allowing maximum exposure to the out of doors. Free choice minerals are available at all times and the animals are regularly de-wormed and vaccinated.

The same nature and nurture rules apply to the quality of Earth Art Cashmere's fibre. Breeding, nutrition and exposure to the out of doors complete with all the stimulants provided in the living environment enhance both the length and the softness of the cashmere offered.
High quality cashmere is always hand combed from the goats. All 115 of the Silver's goats are hand-combed. Even four years into it the Silvers stand in awe of the amazing gift of cashmere offered up each spring. Harvesting time is an exciting time on the Silver farm! Each animal gives 6 - 8 ounces of fibre before cleaning. To wool and alpaca growers who harvest by the pound, this often makes them laugh. But, Earth Art Cashmere's fibre is so soft it has been compared to butter in your hand... one truly has to experience it to understand the luxury. The Silvers acknowledge what a privilege it is to live among such fun and energetic creatures.

After combing, the hair is cleaned to remove impurities, which often reduces the yield by as much as half of the original weight. Typically, however cashmere goats don't lose much of their guard hair if combed at the ideal time in the season. The remaining pure cashmere is amazingly soft, and ready for dying, carding and spinning. Earth Art Cashmere is very conscientious with respect to using local businesses whenever possible and so they have their fibre spun and knit in Atlantic Canada. The yarn is hand-dyed on the farm often with all natural dyes. Natural dyes produce rich colors and the dyes used by the Silvers are termed "exotic" or "historic" natural dyes. Researcher and natural dyer Jim Liles says "Natural dyes possess additional beauty because they come from living things... I sometimes feel that some of that life is still there." The Silver's agree wholeheartedly. "The products are naturally derived and dyed which results in the most incredible end product. Each garment has a story to tell", says Christina.

When one thinks of cashmere one imagines comfort, luxury, elegance, extravagance, distinction, warmth, and feather lightness. But it is also durable and practical. It is the fibre of fibres, encapsulating all of the most desired properties for clothing. Its insulation value provides warmth in the winter and coolness during the hotter months. It's not prone to wrinkle and is super light weight and therefore travels very well. Cashmere is long lasting; it actually becomes softer with age and rarely pills after being worn and washed. It should last a lifetime. Canadian cashmere is among the highest quality cashmere in the world.

Christina has been blessed to find and employ expert lace-knitters who are proficient at knitting in an historic fashion. They are skilled at incorporating high quality vintage glass beads into their projects. Vintage glass beads are bought throughout the world and are chosen for their quality and beauty and are integrated into many of the garments and accessories Christina offers. Earth Art Cashmere knitters are also able to create knitted patterns and are typically given artistic licence for bead placement in projects. The majority of Earth Art Cashmere's products are lace-knit and patterns are often historic. Christina says, "Nova Scotia, and really the entire east coast of Canada, is the home of some of the earth's finest fibre mills, knitters, weavers, craftsmen and artists. We wish to open a window to the world through our humble farm so that this expertise can be experienced by everyone."

Cashmere is not only the smallest and subsequently the softest fibre in the world but, the process which includes raising the goat, hand-combing, cleaning, carding, spinning, dying and knitting is obviously very labour intensive. All of this results in a luxury product that costs a little more, but is well worth every penny. Christina has found a way to save the consumer huge amounts of money by offering her product via farm gate sales, thus avoiding the retail mark-ups of sometimes more than 150% of wholesale. "Our Farm gate shop (Earth Art Cashmere and Design) and our internet sales store (at www.earthartcashmere.com) prices reflect only what is absolutely necessary to maintain our farm and create a humble living for our family. "We think this is the most honest and fair way to do business and knowing that our clients receive the finest that we have to offer helps us to feel satisfied at the end of the day", says Christina.

Given the preciousness of cashmere, every bit of fibre is used at Earth Art Cashmere. Yarn remnants are often made into funky mismatched striped hats or socks, wristbands or cuffs. Some remnants may be used for tassels or some other accessory.
Because cashmere is more costly and labour intensive to produce than other natural fibres, it must be taken care of appropriately. The material is highly durable and will last for years if cared for properly. Most of Earth Art Cashmere's garments, especially wraps, soles and shawls are designed to be heirloom pieces. Christina recommends always washing cashmere by hand in luke-warm water with mild soap, and blotting it gently with a towel before laying it out flat to dry. Being Cashmere goat farmers the Silvers have grown to appreciate the true value of this amazing fibre.

To date the Silvers are offering hand-dyed, hand-knit garments, including cashmere sweaters for men and women, as well as yarns (when available) at farm-gate prices. There is a minimum of 33% and up to 100% cashmere in every garment produced. Current stock is either 100% cashmere or blended with super fine baby alpaca, silk, merino and amazing bamboo fibre. Custom orders are welcome.

At Earth Art Cashmere & Design we have created a men's and women's cashmere v-neck sweater that wraps the body in comfort and warmth. V-neck sweater can be custom finished to the buyer's delight. We are able to incorporate vintage beads to create a one-of-a-kind garment. Especially popular the men's v-neck sweater is hand knit with our hand combed, hand dyed or hand painted yarns. An Earth Art Cashmere & Design's v-neck sweater is a classic piece which promises to compliment anyone's wardrobe.

At Earth Art Cashmere & design we offer women's plus size sweaters which are hand knit to fit the any individual exquisitely. Antique beads can be incorporated to create a one-of-a-kind garment. Earth Art Cashmere & design hand dyes or hand paints all yarns used in our cashmere sweaters and hand knitting ensures a unique piece every women would love to have in their wardrobe. The women's plus size cashmere sweater designed and crafted by Earth Art cashmere & Design promises to provide warmth, style, comfort in unparalleled luxury.

You can visit our web site at www.earthartcashmere.com, or you can use the following:
Phone: 902-351-2010
eMail: silverca@ns.sympatico.ca