GENUINE SHEARLING SLIPPERS, MITTENS, HATS, EAR MUFFS, AND OTHER PRODUCTS, HAND MADE IN VERMONT, USA
 USING DOMESTIC AND IMPORTED SKINS

WELCOME TO THE HOME OF SHEPHERD'S FLOCK®.

LOOK MA, NO ADS (STILL WE RESIST THE TEMPTATION)

But we are doing the thing now.

SMALL AND SIMPLE IS BEAUTIFUL (unless you need to be "bailed out")

Shepherd's Flock has survived for more than 30 years and we have seen "economic downturns" many times. Heck, we really remember the S&L crisis when homes were worth less than people had paid for them (sound familiar?). New England was hard hit, very hard hit, but, since we were in our home to stay, it only impacted the business and the business, and we individuals, survived. Home was and is home, an investment in ourselves and our community, not some commodity to be traded for a profit.

Personally, both as a business and as individuals, we try to learn from our mistakes. We believe most "normal" people behave in the same manner. That is why we have faith during this current "downturn". We have spent 30 years attempting to make sure that most  of our customers (heck, you can't please everyone) look to us first to supply their needs for solid, USA made, sheepskin products. Too bad we all have to suffer because of a few high placed individuals who just don't understand some simple facts. Try to "build" your product right. Try to treat your customers honestly, and we do mean honestly even if that means sending to another firm that has just what they want. Deal with people like they are real people, not a credit card number or an "account" that flashes up on a computer screen the minute one has their phone number. Sell product and not "data", advertising, "credit default swaps", or "derivatives". Above all else, earn your living by providing something tangible, not by gambling with people's futures, livelihoods, or  necessities like heat and food. Ever wonder if derivatives or default swaps taste like chicken? We are sure someone knows as a few people are probably eating them right now. Oh, wait, we guess we all got served up a big pot of them, didn't we?

Believe it or not, our raw material market, sheepskins, is subject to the same "speculation" as the oil markets. The price of raw skins fluctuates according to whether or not the market is expected to be strong or weak and the price of raw skins is the base for the finished shearlings we purchase. We have seen numerous examples of the oil market price swings mirrored in the shearling market in our time. In the last few years, we have actually had "market analysts" spend phone time with us as they tried to decide what to tell investors regarding the future value of "Decker's Corp" (UGG Australia ®) as it related to the price and availability of sheepskins and the fickle fashion market. Yep, like your heating oil dealer or your local gasoline retailer, our livelihood is impacted by what others do or see as a great investment. In our case, as with most of the garment industry, the retail market has been distorted by complete outsourcing of everything from raw material production to finished goods (See UGG Australia ®). The result, almost all our domestic suppliers are gone, never to reopen, and we all know it is not just sheepskin tanners that have disappeared from the American manufacturing scene. Long gone are the days when many sheepskin tanneries all over the USA were working 3 shifts, 7 days a week, to produce finished skins for aviator gear during WW II. Makes one wonder about all those much more important industries that we have lost or will lose for the sake of  "cheap" consumer goods.

UGG Australia® is a registered trademark belonging to the Decker's Corporation (who really don't "make" anything) and we have to let you know so they don't sue us like they did to anyone who dared use the term "Ugg Boots" some time back. We would not want them to think we were making money off of their trademark, would we? :)

Shepherd's Flock® is a small, simple, shearling products concern in Southern VT, USA. We have been in business since 1978 and on the Internet since 1995. Since the very beginning, we focused on what we thought was the right way to do business with people and we have not changed our basic philosophy in all these years. It is simple, give people a good product at the fairest possible price, treat every customer the same way you would treat your closest of friends and don't let visions of enormous profits or greed make you stray from what you know is right. Hmmmm. But, perhaps, that is why we don't need a "bail out" right now and other, more "important" firms do. (Not that we could get one even if we did need it. Heck, we couldn't even collect unemployment if we went out of business.)

We remain a small, two person firm, husband and wife (our two boys are smart, they stayed out of the "biz"). Except where noted, every item that you purchase from us is a result of just two hard working people. We take your order, we make the product, we do the packing and the shipping (and the bookkeeping, the taxes, the website and all those other little pieces of the puzzle). Two people, doing it the same way it has been done for many, many years. Would an employee or two help? Well, yes, especially as we get older. But, to us, an employee would be responsibility, not a "time card" so while we do not contribute to the employment base, we also do not contribute to the unemployment base. Why hire someone when you know that you can't pay them a living wage or provide health insurance? Sure, we have had people tell us we need to grow but, why? We would just send all our work overseas in order to compete and it just doesn't seem like that accomplishes anything.

Shepherd's Flock® makes a wide range of shearling products right here in good old Vermont (USA). We will always make them right here and will continue to support what few US suppliers that we have left as long as they treat us with respect. (Small does have its problems when dealing with large suppliers who care about as much as the Feds whether or not one goes out of business.) We do the best we can to prove that products that are made in the USA are still the best you can buy especially when you consider the larger economic picture. Our product line is not large and complex like the big retailers (who import most everything they sell you) but does range from real simple items like sheepskin insoles and warm shearling ear muffs to a full range of shearling slippers (or sheepskin slippers if you prefer that terminology), with and without crepe soles. We stick to the basics, nothing fancy, no current fashion trends and that seems to work pretty well. For those of you in our generation, remember the old VW's? Don't you rather wish that cars were built the same way? Minor improvements from year to year but, all told, a tried and true product range, nothing fancy, just good old refinements in engineering and a trust worthy vehicle (not to mention readily interchangeable parts). That is what we do here, just basic, well made, unadorned, product and that philosophy has paid off. Sure, there will always be people who have to buy a "Hummer ®" but, sticking with the basics has kept us in business all this time. Changing with the consumer's current fashion desire would have most likely resulted in failure .

We still use, as much as possible, domestic suppliers and US skins, tanned in the USA. These continue to be the bulk of our raw material purchases. Keeping other folks in the USA gainfully employed will surely lead to a better, stronger economy. That has been our philosophy all along. Sadly, we know that no large tanner could survive based on our purchases alone and, as a result of the shift of manufacturing to China and elsewhere, our supply line choices are real limited these days. But, the way we see it and we know a lot more about business than most would assume. Outsourcing is largely done to create larger profit margins, not necessarily for the benefit of the consumer. (If we buy a pair of mittens for $3.50 and retail them for $20 to $30 that is a pretty good margin.) We may be small minded but, America, as a whole, does not seem to profit by having large numbers of people out of work. So we stand our ground and avoid those $3.50/pair mittens and the profits that they could bring.

All of our products are 100% shearling (aside from stitching, crepe soles etc). Nothing artificial, no polyester, no fake or real fur, and no other leathers. We won't diversify. We know shearlings and do not wish to "dilute" our product line with items that we can't possibly speak knowledgably about. Our "customer service" is 100% as well. When you give us a call you won't get transferred to another country and a firm that is hired to just do customer service or take your order.  Yes, that is right. We have no answering machine or automated phone system which, of course, you all so dearly love (press this button, press that button). When you call us you get to actually talk to people who are 100% in charge of it all from taking the order to shipping it out. If we are out, you simply get no answer. If that frustrates you because you are in an extreme hurry, we probably could not make your delivery deadline anyway. Again, one of those small drawbacks when dealing with a "local" firm. Just be advised that when you do make contact we just say HELLO when we pick up the phone. Remember, we treat you like family and friends so a simple HELLO is all you will get.

We are not just an Internet retailer either. We started out doing face to face business with people   in 1978 and do the same today. Every year we load up our "corporate jet", made by Dodge, and venture off to a variety of venues.  If you live in the North Eastern United States, the best way to do business with us is at one of the craft or sheep and wool festivals we exhibit at. We concentrate our time in the New England Region but get into New York State and Maryland once a year. But, regardless of where you live we are happy to do business with you. A phone call, a letter, even an email is all we need and we are happy to ship worldwide as long as there are no custom's restrictions. Cheers to the folks in the UK which continues to be our largest export destination for ear muffs. We call that thinking locally and acting globally since they have such a difficult time finding ear muffs at home. Small is beautiful and they buy from us because of whom we are and because they can't find the product at home.

Alas, small and simple means we can't do the  point and click thing nor can we "ship within 24 hours". We are just two people and, since we want to keep making our products in the USA, we have to do things in the slow lane. Massive volume leads to massive greed and, while that may be as "American as Apple Pie" to the corporations, it tastes like credit default swaps to us.  So, if you must have an item FAST, hop over to our index of competitors and see what someone else can do for you. We admit that we have limitations so we do attempt to send you in a positive direction if you are in a hurry or even just want to check out some of our competition. No problem, we are happy to give you a lead.

If you come back to us because we have you just a bit cautious about how you spend your money, try out our Frequently Asked Questions page for a little more knowledge. In the beginning, you will get a brief intro into ourselves and the basis for the way we do business as well as a lot of general information about shearling. If you don't want to look through the whole thing then you can link to specific parts off of the individual products pages. If you really want an in depth look at our sophisticated operation then take our "factory tour". It won't take too much of your time and "our boss" does love the fan mail he gets from folks. He especially enjoyed that hand made catnip mouse from one of our wonderful customers.

We post all prices right beside the item descriptions so you don't have to go through 6 pages to find them. Yes, we charge you for shipping and handling but we don't have enough fingers to do the calculations necessary for complex stuff so we just charge between $5.50 and $11.00 for s/h. The $11.00 is our maximum for US and Canadian customers no matter how much you order from us. Why should you have to go all the way through the check out process to find out what it will cost for s/h? How much time have you wasted doing that on almost every "shopping" site you go to? And, wait, there is more! WE DO ship to PO Boxes. Yes, we know what it is like to live in a small town in rural America. Aren't you a bit tired of being treated like you are a terrorist by retailers and financial institutions (and we use that term very loosely) because you have a PO Box? We have a PO Box because it is much more secure (for you and for us) than a rural mailbox. What is it these corporations don't understand about life in rural America?

Our privacy policy is  unique and real simple. "We Don't and We Won't" is our philosophy and yes, it is based on our respect for you as an individual and your right to some privacy. It does not take ten pages of fine print to "state" like that credit card solicitation  you get and it even contains some tips to help you better protect yourselves from a world in which you are but a tiny little data stream (that gets lost, stolen, misplaced, etc.). For that matter, we don't save anything about you electronically either. You are a real person with us. (Although MC and Visa just don't get the small thing. We have to pay them  just to tell them that we don't store any data on computer. Next thing you know they will demand that we store your information on a computer so we can "comply" with their data protection rules. Geeez!)

The index below will serve as your initial guide to our offerings. You will find our small and simple one button  "mouse over" menu near the top of every page  as well as text links to all pages  at the bottom of each page  you visit so you can easily find your way around. We aren't complicated, just different. Way too simple for many of our visitors who just can't seem to cope with anything that varies from the "cookie cutter" sites of the big guys.

To all who land upon our site, individuals and real small business folks, we wish you well as we do know what is happening to you in this "down turn". Just keep believing that you are too small to fail. That is what makes this country great. You don't have to be rich and powerful (or a politician) to be a success. You just need to be to get bailed out. But, you know, a "cash for dirty, disgusting, old clunker slippers" program couldn't hurt.

THANK YOU FOR GIVING US A FEW MOMENTS OF YOUR TIME AND EVEN THE POSSIBILITY OF YOUR BUSINESS.

 WE WISH YOU WELL.

(Sheepskin Baby Booties and Sheepskin Teddy Bears)

(Sheepskin Mittens and Lambskin Gloves)

(Sheepskin Hats)

(Shearling Full Slippers and Sheepskin Scuffs) (No, no UGG boots)

(Currently Available Colors and Country of Origin -for the sheepskins- Information)

After you look through our product line we invite you sit back in your chair, relax some, perhaps have a cup of Green Mountain Coffee® (so much better than that unnamed "other" brand) and visit many of the people and places that make Vermont (USA) a special place to live and work.  Come "chat" with us and take a tour of our little corner of the world.

Then, you might enjoy the series of sheep cartoons that came about as John Hege struggled to redefine the ovine as we know it and create the logo that is plastered at the top of the home page. Yes, it  resides in the principle registry of the  US trademark office for anyone or anyone's lawyers who may be remotely interested.  This proves, unless we are just as good as Bernie Madoff at pulling the wool over people's eyes, that we are really legitimate.

And, our last (so far) contribution, strictly for your entertainment.  Pop over to our Customer Art Work page for some more fun. Heck, everyone else tries to impress you with letters from their customers telling them (and you) what a great product they make. Well, we get those letters too but we are going to turn the tables and celebrate the imagination and the creativity of the folks who do business with us. It is about time someone recognized the people who really keep the business running.

This page was last modified Thursday, December 31, 2009 08:29 AM
Copyright© 1995 - 2010 Shepherd's Flock®
Original page design accomplished with notepad in 1995 by Dale Hege who gave us "shepherdsflock.com" for Christmas '98. Thanks Dale! It is always nice when the child is far more successful than the parents yet doesn't forget the lessons taught when young.
Subsequent maintenance and new page work accomplished by those of us who would love to have a less expensive health insurance option. Ha, like that is going to happen.  :(

Like Father, Like Son.

Meet our grandson.