Shepherd's Flock Shearling! ZOMG!!!!
So. Long, long ago, in a galaxy far, far away, I owned a pair of Acorn shearling slippers. So long ago they may even been made in the USA. I wore them until there wasn't a shred of wool left on the insides and they were getting ready to get holes in the soles. By that time a new pair weren't in my budget ... and by the time a new pair came back into my budget, there were no more local retailers and I never got around to trying to order myself a pair.
Fast forward to a month ago when my toesies were getting chilly and I started poking around on the Internets and here's what I found: Shepherd's Flock. Hand made to order in Vermont from US-raised sheep, and even US-tanned when they can get the hides, which they say is most of the time, and which I know is also pretty darn rare.
You've heard me whine about my ginormous duck feet. They actually recommend you send a foot tracing. So I sent one, and let them know I was fine with any surcharge for the custom sizing. I asked when I might start looking for my slippers ... they responded that they were a little backed up. No surprise there - it was late September, and all the "grasshoppers" were busy getting their holiday gift lists in order, while all us "ants" were just noticing our cold feet and thinking maybe we ought to do something about them. :rolleyes: They said, it would be about two weeks. Two weeks is backed up? Mmmmm-kay. No surcharge, they'd just add an extra 3/4" to the width at the forefoot onto their regular women's large. Right on time, two weeks later, they shipped. USPS, even, which is SUCH a convenience for us country folk. :)
And they are the best thing that has ever been on my feet. They are beautiful, sturdy appearing, warm in the way any wool is temperature-regulating ... and if you've never had shearling wool on your bare toes you don't KNOW what you're missing.
I have one pair of huge happy feet right now.
