Indie Yarn Dyer Jen Mumme of Fresh From the Cauldron brings her sense of humor to the Yarn Thing podcast with Marly Bird on her first ever visit to ANY podcast.
Jen Mumme says she learned to crochet at about 7 years old. She would visit her grandparents in upstate New York and get bored, spent time with her aunt who had only boys. Her aunt taught her to crochet as a way to keep her entertained. When she was in school to become a teacher, she learned to knit. Another friend introduced her to Ravelry, and she thinks of it as falling down the rabbit-hole, finding all the available resources. Other hobbies she played with fell to the side immediately, she never finished the quilt she was working on. She visited a LYS (local yarn store) and her new passion suddenly seemed VERY expensive. When her husband looked at the materials that she still had from scrapbooking and other projects, she said she had to ask to she look around for a way to make their dollars go further, and off-set the cost.
Playing with wools and various ways of dying them, using Wilton dyes and Kool-Aid, her first attempts with yarns that didn’t take the color were a learning experience. She posted her efforts in Flicker and someone messaged her for a custom order, and then someone suggested Etsy. Eventually she was earning enough to support her own yarn habit.
Out of her love for all things nerdy and geeky, she created yarn colorways based on various ‘fandoms’ or movies, television or books. When she began she was into ‘True Blood’ and would share what she was creating and sharing 
with others on Ravelry and in her Etsy shop. Even the name of her business Fresh from the Cauldron was in homage to Harry Potter. She looked for ways to share the things she gets excited about without stepping on other businesses similar to hers.
with others on Ravelry and in her Etsy shop. Even the name of her business Fresh from the Cauldron was in homage to Harry Potter. She looked for ways to share the things she gets excited about without stepping on other businesses similar to hers.Her husband is works freelance in the film industry (having just wrapped the latest season of ‘Comic Book Men’), she says this makes their entire household a creative and arts related one. When he saw her efforts were becoming enough to support their family, not just her habits, he started looking a how she plays with color a little differently. She says she may be the CEO of Fresh From the Cauldron where he is the CFO (Chief Financial Officer) because of his way with numbers and details.
The wealth of information she’s gathered, like the difference between acid dyes and citrus dyes, the benefits of citric acid and vinegar soaks (which Jen refers to as “sheep douche” and was where we all pretty much lost it), how to clean the kitchen where the dye process has made everything look like the unicorn was very sick, how to deal with the ‘fragrance’ of the process in Florida, picking bases and collaborating with other indie-dyers (in Ravelry see Dreaming Pickle Pot), finding tools like skein winders and the fun of mini skeins, the difference between ‘graduated’ and ‘gradient’ colorways. Currently, she is working on a massive order for The Loopy Ewe, so watch for that.
Jen still finds a little time to knit in the evenings when the family is watching TV, also when at the Dr’s office, or other wait times. Jen Mumme and Fresh From the Cauldron can be followed at her website (Etsy Shop) FreshFromtheCauldron.com, Facebook, Ravelry (there is a special thread for for custom orders), Instagram, Flicker.
If you missed hearing this live, it’s still available as an archived episode where it aired originally http://www.blogtalkradio.com/yarnthing/2016/09/13/indie-yarn-dyer-jen-of-fresh-from-the-cauldron (disclaimer: there was some adult content in this visit) or with your favorite podcast catcher like iTunes or Stitcher Radio. There is also video on Marly’s Facebook page, as a behind-the-scenes video.
What an amazing show! I haven’t laughed so hard in ages! Totally lost it when she talked about sheep douche! But seriously it was fascinating to hear about the process and I’m definitely checking out her shop. Thanks so much for awesome laughs.
You guys know how to make us laugh. It is always fun to hear your podcasts. I’m going now to check out the etsy shop to check the minis. Hopefully they won’t be filled with sheep douche.
Great podcast! First time listener long time crafting addict Sheep douche
Have no idea what sheep douche smells like but Jen convinced me that is a good thing. Can’t wait to check out her new color ways at The Loopy Ewe.
Wow how funny was today’s podcast especially the sheep douche bit. I checked out her Etsy shop and love it.
I laughed through the entire episode. Almost choked on my iced coffee when Jen said, “sheep douche”!
Great show, I love to learn and laugh….I am pretty sure sheep douche will come out of my mouth at some time!
Jen definitely warmed up as the podcast rolled on. My favorite line was 90 shades of bananas. Not sure that I want to get involved with sheep douche but I do love the colors that Jen produces.
I love the descriptive sheep douche, and can’t wait to use the term at my knit group.
I’d never thought of the word sheep and an adjective, but in the case of sheep douche, I think it fits. I’m guessing it’s a pretty accurate description of the smell. What an entertaining show today.
Oh my goodness. I started giggling at “sheep douche” and was belly laughing by the end of the podcast. What fun this episode was!!
(And Marly was right. This is a phrase I never would have guessed I would ever type)
Of all the things and words I thought I would hear…..sheep douche was not on the list. Enjoyed the show as always!
I’ve dyed wool in vinegar baths and never noticed a sheep douche smell… Maybe my word choices are just less creative 😛
I so enjoyed this podcast – funny and informative! And thank you, Jen, for making sure the yarn we buy from you doesn’t smell like sheep douche!
Does a smelly pirate hooker smell like sheep douche? We may never know… Been a fan of FFTC and can’t wait to see what Jen produces next. I can’t believe she’s still a one-woman show! Amazing.
First time listener of the podcast. Long time customer of Jen and Fresh from the Cauldron. Absolutely LOVE her yarn colorways and the yarns themselves. I’ve got to say that her sheep douche comment, nor any of her comments, including smelly pirate hooker (I fully expect to see those as future colorways), surprise me in the least. She has a great sense of humor, in line with my own. As Marly said, Jen is “my kind of people.” Jen is a master at her craft and provides superior customer service, you will discover, if you are new to her shop. It was wonderful hour that I spent with you and her on the podcast. I enjoyed it immensely and the time flew by!
Sheep douche…Ugh!!! I enjoyed the podcast, as usual. I’ve always wanted to try her yarn. Maybe I will soon.
Such a great podcast! Sheep douche -Too funny! I laughed until I cried! I thoroughly enjoyed the interview with Jen!
Tried to find the color way sheep douche on Jen’s Etsy shop but didn;t find it. So hopefully the Pirate colorway will be equally as interesting!
Ah…here’s the right place to post! I’d walk through sheep douche to win that lovely Walk the Plank yarn! Thanks for the chance to win!
This podcast was very entertaining. I couldn’t stop laughing. I can see a character on Supernatural calling someone a a Sheep Douche.
This yarn looks fabulous. You really ought to make a sheep douche colorway, though I have no idea what color that would represent. Hmm…
I am just imagining a world were tomorrow Google reports trending now “sheep douche” sweeping the nation. Between laughing myself and Marly’s laugh I am not sure when I have had so much laughing in one hour.
I so can honestly say I never, never expected to be writing sheep douche. I don’t believe it will ever be repeated, but one never knows. I respected shepherds and ranchers before, my admiration has increased exponentially. Great show as always.
Smelly pirates hooker, or sheep douche hmmm kinda curious comments but HILARIOUS! Thanks for a fun interview. I laughed and laughed…..
Jen was hilarious. I used her yarn to knit a Leftie. The colors of her yarn are so rice and beautiful, unlike what I imagine sheep douche would be.
“Sheep douche”? There have been times when I was helping with shearing sheep, that I thought a douche or similar product before skirting the wool may have been helpful to make my job more pleasant! Great show, great guest thanks
Sheep douche. Now I think I’ve heard it all.
Oh my goodness this is definitely my favorite episode so far. I laughed so hard while I was driving and then I had to go over to Facebook Live to listen again just to watch Marly crack up and cry and snort. The imitation of the woman with the heavy southern accent was the BEST, but of course it all started with the sheep douche!
What a fun podcast! Jen is very witty, with her sheep douche line!
Please come back and record again! You really should be a fiber comedienne. I’m not sure what to do with the phrase sheep douche but sure am glad I don’t have to learn more about it. Thanks for the chance to win!
This show was so much fun! Jen was a HOOT! I truly laughed out loud when she called that certain smell sheep douche. I think Marly and Lindsey need to bring her to help out with the pajama party. Jen sounds like someone that would be a blast to hang out with, always keep you laughing. Her etsy shop has some really cool yarn colors and I love the names of her color ways. Thanks for another great podcast!
I live in Central Florida and I picked up some of Jen’s yarn during our shop hop and I’m knitting socks at this very moment with it! Such a pleasure to finally hear from her and get to know her a little better. HSe is truly an original with the “Sheep Douche” phrase! Dry sense of humor like myself.
Could this have been more fun?!?!?! I mean really. They keyword is sheep douche. Life = Made.
I was laughing so hard that I missed hearing some of the podcast. So I listened to the whole thing again and laughed again. Thanks for being a very bright spot in my day, not just once, but twice. Oh, and it is very hard to work sheep douche into a post. Loved the show.
Thank you so much for the warning! I will not be dying Seacell – ever! I have no desire to experience the smell of sheep douche s the result would be sheep douche plus vomit equals my husband cleaning the kitchen (and probably hating me ’til death do we part). Loved the show! It kept me in stitches!
Tooooo funny! Was listening to it with ear buds in bed while knitting and it’s a good thing hubby was already asleep. I managed not to wake him with laughter. Love to listening to this podcast at the end of a bad day because where else are you going to hear about sheep douche and smelly pirate hookers? Always a good laugh. Now I have to go look up her yarn….
What a great show…entertaining & informative. I never expected to hear “sheep douche”, but there it was! So much fun- thank you.
I think this podcast might be my favorite yet! I haven’t laughed that hard in a long time. I lost it just like Marly when Jen said sheep douche!!
OK, next time my yarn misbehaves its Sheep douche time.
Jen is so funny and genuine, and what talent! Even if her workspace sometimes smells like sheep douche I’m still a fan!
Fun show! And the yarn sounds amazing. One question. How does Jen know what sheep douche smells like?!
I needed this! So fun to see Marly’s reaction to “sheep douche” and Jen’s fantastic sense of humor!
I wish more guests were as laid back and open as Jen! Sheep douche was only one of many times I was giggling to myself in my car that day :o)
Sheep douche… I am just going to leave that right there…. Hahaha, the show was very funny. Thanks for the laughs.
Sheep douche, well I certainly hope the yarn doesn’t smell like that if it gets wet =) Great podcast again.
Hilarious! I haven’t been to Jen’s shop yet, but I will be asap. She had me at “sheep-douche”!!
Honestly there has neven been a show like this before! I almost fell over when she was talking about sheep-douche, I didn’t know that was a thing! Thanks for some great laughs!