Twisted Strait Fiber FAQ’s
As an inclusive community of fiber artisans and manufacturers, we are always interested in helping other like-minded individuals and businesses. Our FAQ’s are here to help you gain a better understanding of our organization and why we do what we do. If you don’t see the answer to your specific question below, please drop us a line with your question and we’ll get back to you right away.
Twisted Strait Fibers is committed to:
- improving the economic sustainability of its members
- encouraging and promoting the use of protein fibers
- leaving as small a footprint on our environment as possible
- respecting the dignity and individuality of our members, our employees and our customers
- respecting and enhancing the community in which we work the Cooperative Business Model
Real persons who either produce fiber or engage in fiber arts can join the membership. This includes real persons who support the fiber arts.
There are several important characteristics of cooperatives that we believe in. They are:
- Open and non-discriminatory membership opportunity.
- True democratic control over the business.
- Equitable and democratic sharing of gains.
- Education and training for members, staff, and the general public.
- Autonomy and independence for the sole benefit of the cooperative.
In 2012 a group of fiber farmers and artists gathered on the Olympic Peninsula to discuss how they could be more successful. Through several surveys and numerous discussions, the group identified their common needs which included improving their marketing and creating a local processing mill.
Our mailing address is Twisted Strait Fibers, P.O. Box 2472, Port Angeles, WA 98362. Most of our members reside within Kitsap, Clallam, Jefferson, and King Counties. The majority of the membership live within the boundaries of the Olympic Peninsula located in Northwest Washington.
At this time, we encourage membership from Oregon, Idaho, Alaska, Montana and Washington.
- To increase the profitability of our member producers and member fiber artists.
- To increase the marketability of natural fiber products within the Pacific Northwest.
- To promote the use of natural protein fiber.
- To preserve the fiber farmland currently in use in the Pacific Northwest.
- To educate the public on the values of natural protein fiber.
Shipping costs increase the further the farmer/artist is from the mill. Currently, the market for custom processed fiber competes with large commercial enterprises. These larger groups experience economy of scale. To be competitive it is crucial for our group to lower our processing costs. We can do that two ways. First bring the mill to our members and second don’t run the mill for profit; run the mill to benefit the members.
We have a variety of fiber within our community. There are approximately twelve different breeds of sheep, Pygora, Mohair, Llama, Alpaca, Yak, and Angora. Many of our members blend their products with silk and other sheep breeds not available in our community.
Twisted Strait Fibers does not have processing equipment at this time. We have a business plan (redirects) which outlines how we want to proceed.
Yes, we will be a full-service processing mill that will wash, pick, card and spin your fiber to your order and send your own fiber back to you.