Happy Happy HAPPY!
The story:
A week ago, I signed up to take a class on using a Turkish drop spindle through the Aurora Handspinner's Guild (which I am now a member of!). Friday, Phil informed me that I was getting a spinning wheel for my birthday. Whooohoooo! I have wanted a spinning wheel for a long time but they are spendy little items so I had to be content with my drop spindles. We had a small budget to work with in which to find a used spinning wheel (Ashford brand preferably) that was in decent shape. I expected this to take weeks or months and I expected the wheel to need some work - cosmetic for sure and maybe some replacement parts. Phil changed the class that I was signed up to take from a morning drop spindle class to an all day beginning wheel spinning class. Luckily, the class provided some loaner spinning wheels since I didn't have my own.
I was a tad bit nervous because I had never used a spinning wheel before and had no idea how to operate one. Most people in the class where wheel owners and were new to spinning but had experience. Luckily, I had enough drafting experience (pulling apart the fibers by stretching them with your hands) and use of a drop spindle that I was able to pick up wheel spinning fairly easily. Oh my, I fell in love with spinning right then and there - the different fibers, textures, colors, how quickly the yarn formed and the bobbin filled. LOVE!!
At noon, I was just wrapping up my first bobbin when a darling little 7 year old walked in the door with an eggnog latte for her mom. Yay! My family was there to surprise me! They had been to the pumpkin patch and had hot chocolates in hand. Phil watched me spin for a few minutes and went over the mechanics of the spinning wheel with the instructor until he was confident enough that he felt he could wheel shop without picking out a severe "lemon". Some poor lady from class bought a used wheel and it didn't work properly and she was unable to even use it in class. I was afraid that that could happen to us.
There was a wheel for sale at the class. It was 50 dollars over our budget, in fine working order, definitely used, but not attractive. The wood was too dark, and the style was too "fancy" looking for my taste. Phil had a phone call in to a lady in Gresham to check out a wheel she had for sale. It was under our budget and was an Ashford but we didn't expect it to be in very good shape for that price. Phil and the children went to check it out while I finished the second half of the class. As the class was coming to its conclusion in walked (well in Phil walked) with a beautiful vintage spinning wheel, MY VERY OWN!
It was ooohed and awwed over and the word spread even to other classes about the great spinning wheel at the bargain price (someone told me I could turn around and resell it and make over a hundred bucks).
Here she is. Isn't she a beauty! I love her! She is an early 70's model so nearly 40 years old. She has been completely refurbished (reglued, sanded, stained) with only a few minor dings and a puppy chewed corner of the pedal. She is exactly what I would have chosen for style and looks.
A week ago, I signed up to take a class on using a Turkish drop spindle through the Aurora Handspinner's Guild (which I am now a member of!). Friday, Phil informed me that I was getting a spinning wheel for my birthday. Whooohoooo! I have wanted a spinning wheel for a long time but they are spendy little items so I had to be content with my drop spindles. We had a small budget to work with in which to find a used spinning wheel (Ashford brand preferably) that was in decent shape. I expected this to take weeks or months and I expected the wheel to need some work - cosmetic for sure and maybe some replacement parts. Phil changed the class that I was signed up to take from a morning drop spindle class to an all day beginning wheel spinning class. Luckily, the class provided some loaner spinning wheels since I didn't have my own.
I was a tad bit nervous because I had never used a spinning wheel before and had no idea how to operate one. Most people in the class where wheel owners and were new to spinning but had experience. Luckily, I had enough drafting experience (pulling apart the fibers by stretching them with your hands) and use of a drop spindle that I was able to pick up wheel spinning fairly easily. Oh my, I fell in love with spinning right then and there - the different fibers, textures, colors, how quickly the yarn formed and the bobbin filled. LOVE!!
At noon, I was just wrapping up my first bobbin when a darling little 7 year old walked in the door with an eggnog latte for her mom. Yay! My family was there to surprise me! They had been to the pumpkin patch and had hot chocolates in hand. Phil watched me spin for a few minutes and went over the mechanics of the spinning wheel with the instructor until he was confident enough that he felt he could wheel shop without picking out a severe "lemon". Some poor lady from class bought a used wheel and it didn't work properly and she was unable to even use it in class. I was afraid that that could happen to us.
There was a wheel for sale at the class. It was 50 dollars over our budget, in fine working order, definitely used, but not attractive. The wood was too dark, and the style was too "fancy" looking for my taste. Phil had a phone call in to a lady in Gresham to check out a wheel she had for sale. It was under our budget and was an Ashford but we didn't expect it to be in very good shape for that price. Phil and the children went to check it out while I finished the second half of the class. As the class was coming to its conclusion in walked (well in Phil walked) with a beautiful vintage spinning wheel, MY VERY OWN!
It was ooohed and awwed over and the word spread even to other classes about the great spinning wheel at the bargain price (someone told me I could turn around and resell it and make over a hundred bucks).
Here she is. Isn't she a beauty! I love her! She is an early 70's model so nearly 40 years old. She has been completely refurbished (reglued, sanded, stained) with only a few minor dings and a puppy chewed corner of the pedal. She is exactly what I would have chosen for style and looks.
Even though I had been spinning all day and it was late and I was tired. I had to give it a try.
I got up early Sunday morning and experimented with the Navajo ply technique before church.
This is the skein of yarn that I made in class Saturday. It is my first ever yarn on a spinning wheel. And I must say, I did a fairly good job and was told by the instructor that I am a natural spinner. This was such an encouragement to hear because ordinarily, I am a slow learner and really not a "natural" at anything LOL. It took me an entire year to figure out how to crochet well enough to follow a simple pattern and have my stitching come out even.
Basket of roving just waiting to be spun
Basket of locks ready to be carded and then spun
My set up
Crafty corner
Incidentally, I have felt so incredibly blessed this weekend. I am so thankful for a wonderful husband that not only supports my interests but helps make things happen for me. He protects and nurtures that part of my personality that loves creating and beauty and I so appreciate that! I am amazed how everything came together from Phil's decision to budget in for a wheel, to the opportunity to learn to use a spinning wheel, to a wheel of my own (a wheel I love at a super price)...all from Friday morning to Saturday evening.
As I have busied myself after church today tidying up the house and working on laundry and getting my animal chores done, I have just felt so BLESSED with what I have from my marriage, to my children, to my cozy little house, to my little urban farm, to my creative corner of crafty projects and my NEW spinning wheel. Happy Happy HAPPY!
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