In preparation for the Tour De Fleece (Ravel it!), which starts tomorrow, I’ve been getting some spinning projects out of the way. I managed to get two of them done and they’re out on the lanai drying.
I still have a 3-ply to actually ply, but I’m hoping to get that done today. *fingers crossed*
Since the plan is to produce some art yarn for the Tour, I thought I’d practice some coiling techniques yesterday. This is what I came up with.
I’m not sure I like the finished product, but I had a lot of fun making it. What you can’t see is the spots where the crochet threads is showing. Nor can you see the knots where I had to tie the crochet thread together because I held it so tightly it snapped.
So I’m going to try and practice a little bit more today and see if I can adjust my tension. Again… *fingers crossed*
With all this spinning going on, it should have been no surprise to have gotten what I got in the mail yesterday. But it really was a big surprise.
It all started when I bought a green opal spindle from Zebisis Designs. Unfortunately, when Maiysha was testing the spindle the whorl broke. The sad part of this story is that she didn’t have any more green opal whorls nor could she get a hold of any more. I was sorely disappointed. :(
But! Maiysha went above and beyond the call of excellent customer service. Not only did she refund my money, she also asked me to pick out whatever I wanted in her shop free of charge. I picked a spindle and much time has passed since.
Then it arrived yesterday with a note that said “I didn’t forget!”
Not only did she send me that gorgeous blue agate spindle, she also sent me that lovely tussah silk! Now that’s customer service for ya.
Thank you, Maiysha. You’re a gem!
Also, I’m having a sale over at my Artfire shop. Everything there is 30% off. You don’t need to sign up for an account there, you can just dive in and have at it. Here’s a sampling of what you can find there!
Finally, I think Scheyer is a little tense about the possible firecrackers about to be set by my yahoo neighbors over the weekend. He sure doesn’t look very happy.
Happy Friday, people! Be safe this weekend. :)
July 3rd, 2009 at 2:54 pm
Love the spinning and the kitty and the new spindle and fluff!
What does one do with the coils? Or is the coils enough? I’m totally clueless on this one.
Kitty!
xo
July 3rd, 2009 at 3:47 pm
Pretty yarns and a pretty spindle too.
Good luck refining your spinning techniques!
July 3rd, 2009 at 6:06 pm
pretty spindle. Are you afraid to use it?
July 3rd, 2009 at 6:10 pm
Beautiful stuff. BTW, the photos of the stuff in your artfire shop link back to flickr, not to your shop. :-(
July 3rd, 2009 at 7:00 pm
I hope the plying is done, and you are ready for the first stage.
I’m intrigued to see what all happens with the art yarn spinning. I do not yet have the kind of control over what I am doing to go for this.
That is a gorgeous new spindle, and the silk looks like such a treat!
I know the animals are up for some extreme startling here, too. I am quite pleased at the lower than expected levels of explosive activity here so far. I suppose by writing this they will start up directly, eh?
xo
July 4th, 2009 at 1:59 am
Opal, stop it with the spindles, already. Roy is planning a little ninja raid on your spindle stash. I really love your giant mutant blue/green earthworm. It’s the perfect accountrement for a garden of delphiniums :)
July 4th, 2009 at 8:01 am
OH, that spindle is gorgeous! I’m going to have to check that shop out.
July 4th, 2009 at 10:19 am
Wow, I’m attempting to catch up with my blogging and can’t get over all the fabulous things you have done. Between all your superb jewelry, gorgeous spun yarn and wonderful knitted items…I am really blown away! Can’t possibly comment on each post individually…you are way too prolific! Hopefully I can catch up and do my reading in a more timely manner from now on :) I can hope and wish, right? :)
July 4th, 2009 at 10:44 am
Nice customer service! Oooh, quit tempting me with your gorgeous jewelry.
I’m with Scheyer. I hate firecrackers for the noise and fireworks for their potential to light my state up like a torch. Can’t we just barbeque and watch parades?
July 4th, 2009 at 2:59 pm
That’s a gorgeous spindle! Everything else pictured too. : )
July 4th, 2009 at 4:47 pm
Ooo, that’s some gorgeous stuff!
July 5th, 2009 at 1:25 am
Gorgeous spindle – have you used it? I’d be afraid to break it…
Love the yarns, as always!
July 6th, 2009 at 9:37 am
Nice! I have yet to try the coily things yet, not sure I will want to. I don’t knit with that stuff…though I suppose if I got good I could sell it…