Handmade Romney Sheep Ornaments at Canterbury Shaker Village

At Canterbury Shaker Village in Canterbury, New Hampshire, the Ornament Felting Workshop invites holiday makers to slow down and make something tactile. Held during the village’s seasonal holiday workshops (this session runs 10:00–12:00 on November 21), local shepherd Maggie Schrock of Schrock Farms teaches how to transform Romney sheep fleece into a small felted sheep bauble. Participants choose white, brown, gray, or black wool for the head, decide whether to add a face, and work toward a finished ornament roughly 2.5" x 4" x 3". All materials are provided; the session has limited capacity, so booking ahead is recommended. The workshop sits among the village's preserved Shaker buildings and open lawns, a living museum that pairs craft, agriculture, and local history. Nearby activities on the same day include a wreath workshop with Nikia Young-Adams (10:00–12:00), letterpress printing with FLDWTR Press (10:00–1:00), kids’ crafts and pie pickup in Hubbard Gallery, and a Pie Talk at 12:15 with curator Shirley Wajda. The Village Shop is open from 10:00–1:00 with a 20% sale and an additional members’ discount—perfect for finishing holiday gift lists. What makes this experience distinct is its farm-to-hand provenance: the wool comes from Romney sheep raised by a local farmer, and the process highlights traditional wet- and needle-felting techniques in an accessible format. The setting—rural central New Hampshire with maples and stone walls—adds seasonal atmosphere; in November you’ll feel the crisp air come off the lawn while you stitch and shape inside a warm workshop space. Beginners are welcome; Maggie Schrock guides you through needle-felting fundamentals so you leave with a complete ornament and the confidence to try more at home. The session feels like a small craft circle—expect friendly conversation, warm cider nearby, and opportunities to ask about Romney sheep and local farming. After class, catch the Pie Talk, "Norman Runs on Pumpkin (Pie): Tales of the New England Pie Belt," for a bite of regional food history. Practical notes: the class runs about two hours and is suitable for adults and older children who can handle simple hand tools; organizers note limited capacity and that all materials are supplied. The workshop is ideal for travelers based in Concord or the Lakes Region looking for a hands-on cultural stop that supports local agriculture and crafts. Canterbury Shaker Village is an active historic site that preserves artifacts and buildings from an early Shaker community; events like this one help connect visitors to that story through craft, food, and conversation. Whether you’re making a woolly keepsake or picking up a holiday pie, the day blends tactile learning with a rooted sense of place—an antidote to hurried shopping and a quiet reminder that small, handmade objects carry bigger local stories.