LINDA WILLIAMS
Bedford Co. Correspondent
TIRE HILL (Cambria County)
With green thumbs for raising
their own produce and nimble fin
gers that weave wool into master
pieces of art, Laura and Richard
Hardin are a middle-aged, self
sufficient couple who enjoy the
fruits of their labors.
In addition to selling some of
their excellent, artistic wool
woven creations, Laura and
Richard teach those with a yen to
learn the art of weaving at their
home and business location
known as, “The Sow’s Ear”.
They also sell a complete line of
very fine natural yams, crochet
hooks, needles, and looms. All
yams are either cotton, wool, or
linen. The couple prefers a blend
of linen and wool for their own
work.
Marketing is done mostly by
word of mouth, by their displays
at arts centers, and an occasional
craft show. Laura plans to do the
Fall Foliage Festival in Bedford
this October. “I said ‘yes,’ during
And they said he couldn’t
weave a tree.
Laura at work at the loom as Richard watches.'
Sow’s Ear Weaves
Unique Designs
duced by Laura.
a weak moment,” she admits.
“But, I know I will enjoy it”
Laura refers to, “The Sow’s
Ear.” as a natural extension of
their efforts toward a self
sufficient lifestyle.”
When one questions the con
nection of a sow’s ear and fine
weaving, Laura quickly explains.
“I wanted to try weaving and
began with silk. It just didn’t work
and I laughed to myself as I sud
denly realized I was trying to
make a silk purse out of a sow’s
ear!”
Neither Richard nor Laura have
had any professional training in
weaving, yet they both produce
unique creations which have
passed jury for the Pennsylvania
Guild of Craftsmen. Their work is
presently on display at the Phillip
Dressier Center for the Arts in
Somerset and at the Dana Gallery
at Franklin and Marshall College
in Somerset
The discovery of their talents
le reproductive patterns pro-
caine about following Richard’s
thrifty savings plan to purchase a
stereo. Visiting their son in New
York City, the couple walked
downtown to shop for their long
awaited entertainment center.
Window shopping as they
walked, they saw a weaving
demonstration and decided to take
a closer look. Within minutes,
Laura has convinced Richard that
a loom would be a superior purch
ase to the stereo and the business
transaction was completed.
At first, they bought all of their
own wool but eventually added
several sheep and rabbits to the
lawn of their forest surrounded
home.
Abigail and Naomi are crossed
Karabul and Rambolait and pro
duce wool. Laura says, that is ide
al for weaving. Weather can actu
ally affect these sheep to change
color from year to year, a very
desirable trait. Last year, Abigail
(Turn to Pago BIS)
See your nearest
Dealer for Dependable
Equipment and
Dependable Service!
PENNSYLVANIA
AnnvlHe. PA
BHM Farm
Equipment, Inc.
RDI, Rte. 934
717-867-2211
Carlisle. PA
R&W Equipment Co. New Holland. PA
35 East Willow Street A.B.C. Groff, . Inc.
717-243-2686 110 South Railroad
717-354-4191
Dickson Cltv. Pi
F&S Supply Co.
Enterprise St.
717-489-3642
Elizabethtown. PA
Messick Farm
Equipment, Inc.
Rt. 283 • Rheem’s Exit
717-367-1319
Halifax. PA
Sweigard Bios.
R.D. 3, Box 13
717-893-3414
Honey Brook, PA
Dependable Motor Co.
East Main Street
215-273-3131
215-273-3737
Honev Grove. PA
Norman D. Clark
& Son, Inc.
Honey Grove, PA
717-734-3682
Loysville, PA
717-789-3117
MARYLAND
Frederick. HD
Ceresville
Ford New Holland, Inc,
Rt. 26 East
301-662-4197
Outside MD,
800-331-9122
NEW JERSEY
Bridgeton. NJ
Leslie G. Fogg, Inc.
Canton & Stow Creek
Landing Rd.
609-451-2727
609-935-5145
Hughesvllle. PA
Farnsworth Farm
Supplies, Inc.
103 Cemetery Street
717-584-2106
Olev. PA
C.J. Wonsidler Bros.
R.D. 2
215-987-6257
Pitman. PA
Schreffler Equipment
Pitman, PA
717-648-1120
Quakertown. Pi
C.J. Wonsidler Bros,
R.D. 1
215-536-1935
Tamaaua. PA
Charles S. Snydar.lnc.
R.D. 3
717-386-5945
West Grove.
S.G. Lewis & Son, Inc.
R.D. 2, Box 66
215-869-2214
Waihlnaton. NJ
Smith Tractor &
Equip., Inc.
15 Hillcrest Avo
201-689-7900
Woodatown. N,
Owen Supply Co.
Broad Street &
East Avenue
609-769-0308