NEWELL - The white beards and hair that complete Barb Uhrig's Santas come from another special part of Uhrig's life - her herd of 30 Cheviot sheep. In fact, one reason she became interested in making dolls was that it provided a way to use the wool she shears by hand each year.

Uhrig began life as a city kid in Rapid City but showed an early affinity for the Western rural lifestyle. In her 20s, she worked on a ranch in Alzada, Mont., and became familiar with the big sheep breeds - Columbia and Rambouillet.

Marriage brought her to her ranch home east of Newell, where her husband, John, raises Quarter horses and cattle for a living. The couple has four children and four grandchildren.

Uhrig's introduction to Cheviot sheep came from buying hay from a man who raised them. Right from the beginning, her sheep brought her inspiration, and her role as a shepherdess has great meaning for her. In fact, her Web site, www.shepards pride.com, illustrates the vital connection between her sheep and her art.

"They had their ears up and seemed intelligent. I bought two from him, and it just kind of evolved," she recalled. "To me, they are really artistic sheep. I kind of bonded with them because I can go out there and do the shearing, vaccinating and lambing. When I get upset, I can go down to my sheep. I love watching them - watching the lambs play."

Uhrig gets a bit of ribbing from her fellow board members at the annual Newell Ram Sale. "Everyone has big sheep," she said. "I get a lot of people who say, 'Why do you want those dinky sheep?' These are my girls. They are like family to me."

Uhrig also does all the sewing and leatherwork, including the boots, required to costume her Santas and other Christmas collectibles. A neighbor provides Angora goat mohair wool for some of the curly hair on her sculptures.

It takes Uhrig about a day to assemble the head and body of her figures, plus another day to put together the clothing.

The dolls' legs are made from pieces of PVC pipe, and the trunks are of wooden fence posts. The arms are of heavy wire covered with casing and stuffed with wool remnants.

Uhrig buys the glass eyes and the polymer clay from Hobby Lobby in Rapid City, and finds material at various sewing centers and craft shops.

It is important to Uhrig that her completely homemade creations are not too expensive. "It's so neat when somebody can afford a piece of artwork without going into hock for it," she said.

More of Uhrig's Santas, Mrs. Clauses, sleighs, sheep, Nativity pieces and other special items can be seen at www.shepardspride.com.

Contact Laura Tonkyn at 394-8405 or laura.tonkyn@rapidcityjournal.com