Stasia's Place Of Grace

Thursday, March 13, 2003

 

Lookie, Lookie!

This is a spindle made by my friend Caroline.

It just arrived today. It is made from Red Birch and the figuring of the particular piece of wood is beautiful. The hook is wonderful, and it spins just great - just look a the fineness of the BFL yarn I made with it! It is 1.5 oz. and the end of the shaft is turned. Very nice spindle at an affordable price.

Finally, a turned spindle made by a woman! Way to go, Caroline! Best of luck with your spindle business. And special thanks to Tom Diak for kindly mentoring and sharing spindle-making skills with Caroline!

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Eileen at New World Textiles has just added some new spin-to-weave kits, featuring cotton roving in the "Solar Flare" colorway I love. Take a peek! She is a very nice person and offers fantastic customer service.

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Grateful For...

My cotton seeds are sprouting! I wonder how much spinnable cotton you can get from five potted, indoor cotton plants...?

I'm using a little plastic greenhouse with jiffy sphagnum moss "pellet pots". The greenhouse is under a flourescent lamp which is left on 14 hours a day, and it came with an electric heating mat which goes beneath it.

I read that to sprout seeds successfully indoors, they need a lot of flourescent light, and to be kept very warm. Seems to be working - we have Greek basil and thyme started as well! Nothing happening with the jalapenos yet, though...

Today I picked up some organic tomato seeds to start, to grow in pots on the deck this summer, as our garden has a tomato pox or something and they can't live there. Wish me luck!

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Working On...

... making weaving tools. They were supposed to be for the Grafton Fibers Spin-In next week, but unfortunately, I simply am not going to get enough ready in time.

I'm making "All-Sett'N'Diz"-zes for sampling weaving setts, measuring wpi, and dizzing fiber into tops, all using one little tool. I'm also making some large and small inkle weaving shuttles, as well as handled and handle-less lucets.

I've been using Birdseye Maple, Mahogany, Purpleheart, Poplar, Walnut, Cherry, and White Oak (with lovely graining). Oh, and a couple of pieces of fantastic Cocobolo, too! I have found that I do not enjoy working with exotic hardwoods (they call them HARDwoods for a reason!) and am developing a new appreciation for Pine!

I'm new at using a scrollsaw and a drill press, and my experimentation is yielding as much "kindling" as good items... not to mention, I'm going through an awful lot of saw blades!

Today I picked up some Pine, to make a simple book rack. And this week I got several cigar boxes so that I can attempt to make some charkhas. Stay tuned...

Have also finished a custom spindle job (thanks, Nancy!) and two of my own LTD spindles, which Linda will have for sale after the Grafton Fibers Spin-In:

Custom Bee Spindle For Nancy

#60 - Unnamed As Yet

#59 - Unnamed As Yet

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Is it just me, or are they multiplying?

Have a wonderful day! Please tag me if you've visited!

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