Posted under MDSW & stash & swag
I went hog wild at the Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival. I’m a little ashamed of all the shopping I did. Seeing it piled up all at one time might just bring on an anxiety attack of severe proportions. So I thought that if I cut it up into tiny little pieces it might be more manageable and that maybe I could deceive myself into thinking it’s not that bad. We’ll see how that works out for me, shall we?
First off, I haven’t touched a spindle in quite awhile. Veronica will attest to the fact that I prefer my beloved Suzie over the beautiful spindles I have at home any day. She will also attest to the fact that I already have a nice collection of spindles going as it is. So I went to MDSW saying I would not be buying spindles. I said, “I am not a spindler. I will not buy a single spindle.”
Famous. Last. Words.
Yes. Those are five spindles you see before you. Five!
It all started when BFF Shelly had to pick up a special order from the Golding booth. Since she and Other BFF Carole know Tom Golding she just had to socialize with him and linger over her purchase.
This left me with time to browse his booth and gaze at the candy pr0n spindles. I fell in love with this one.
Before I headed to the mainland, I had been having a grand ol’ time watching Season One of The Tudors. I don’t think I could ever get tired of seeing Jonathon Rhys Meyers half naked. So what attracted me to this spindle was how much it looked like it came right out off the set.
Check out the side shot.
It’s one of his smaller spindles, so that allowed me to rationalize the purchase a little better. It still had me dumbfounded and I kept muttering, “I bought a Golding. A Golding!” all the way back to the van.
My next purchase came about while I was waiting to meet up with Alison, so it’s all her fault really. ;-) She was running a little late so I had to find something to do with myself until I could meet up with her. I ended up wandering the Main Exhibition Hall and I stumbled upon this beauty. A dragonfly spindle from Bergschultz.
Can you see the dragonflies? A *cough*male*cough* non-spinner, non-knitter friend of mine just squinted at it and said all he could were wings and not dragonflies. Le sigh. I can see the dragonflies. That’s what counts. And I love the colors of the whorl. So there.
Moving along with the spindle saga, we find ourselves hearing that even though Hatchtown Spindles weren’t on the vendor list, they were able to bring some spindles to sell in kits with another vendor. A little background story is needed here.
Back when I first learned how to spin from Carole, I learned on a drop spindle. Carole is a spindle collector. We won’t even mention how many spindles in her collection we managed to count. My little spindle collection is a drop in the bucket compared to hers.
Anyway, she’s the one who turned me on to the Hatchtown Spindles and I have been in complete and utter love since. I had at least 3 of them before she moved back to the mainland. Unfortunately they got damaged in a move. I have been without a Hatchtown since then and I haven’t had any luck getting my hands on another. These spindles are really popular.
I came away with one this weekend. Isn’t she pretty?
Next up is the Bosworth. Without the Hatchtown spindles to use for so many years, the Bosworths quickly became my favorites. It was an extra treat to be actually meet Jonathon Bosworth, the maker of the spindles.
I just knew that any spindle I chose from him would be special. This one really is as it’s also a sister spindle to the one BFF Shelly got as she bought one in the same wood. It’s a featherweight in Zebrawood.
My final spindle was also my final extravagance. I had fallen in love with this one on Friday and I kept returning to the booth to see if anyone had bought it. On Sunday it was still there, so after not much urging from Shelly, I crumbled like stale bread and bought it.
All that prettiness is sterling silver, so she was a little pricey. I think it will be worth it though because I’m really in love with it and Alison has the brass version of it. So I have another sister spindle! Not to mention she’s really well made and she spins like a dream. Shelly calls Golding spindles the Lamborghinis of the spindle world.
When she’s right, she’s right.
How could I resist?
Now I usually have pictures of felines to share, but since I’m vacationing I thought I’d share a picture of another type.
Pixie girl Rochelle and the German Shepherd Cheyenne. Gotta love the hellhound look on that dog. Doggie love sure does ease the absence of my darling cats.
Happy Wednesday you all! Thanks for reading. There’s more to come! :)
Shell on 07 May 2008 at 3:14 am #
Woot!! I get to be the first to comment!! For the record, I am not alone in enabling anyone, I say we blame it all on Carole. Yeah. That works.
I loved Md, just wish it was longer so we didn’t have to cram stuff in like that. We need several days to recuperate from it all. So glad you are staying with us till June!
Karen B. on 07 May 2008 at 3:53 am #
They are beautiful and so very collectible! Even if they’re never used, admire them for their intrinsic artistry.
And I don’t think that sweet pup could be a devil dog if she tried. But I know what you mean about the photo high-beams :o)
Dee on 07 May 2008 at 3:55 am #
All of the spindles are beautiful, but that last one … I could not have resisted and I don’t even spin.
It sounds like you are having a wonderful vacation!
Jeanne on 07 May 2008 at 4:29 am #
I’ve never seen such beautiful spindles. The tiny fiber fair we have here every year does not attract the Lamborghinis of the spindle world….more like Kia. Perhaps that is why I’ve never had the desire to try?
Meredith on 07 May 2008 at 4:29 am #
I knew it, I knew it! All restraint left the building the moment you stepped into it (so to speak)! Your spindles are all wonderful. I look forward to the next edition!
huggggggggggggggggssssssssss
mer
Dave on 07 May 2008 at 4:35 am #
Gorgeous souvenirs of your vacation!
knitnana on 07 May 2008 at 4:52 am #
OMG. What gorgeous spindles! I don’t blame you one bit!
(((hugs)))
Agnes on 07 May 2008 at 6:03 am #
I can’t imagine one person having to use so many spindles, but those are like work of art … not just a spinning tool. So I can understand the attraction.
Kim on 07 May 2008 at 6:12 am #
The spindles are gorgeous! Hopefully you’ll bring them to Mocha J so we can all fawn and drool on them in person. Awaiting the next installation… tiny little feeling that there was more booty than just spindles purchased at MS&W.
That is one sweet looking dog; hellhound look notwithstanding.
Rachel on 07 May 2008 at 6:35 am #
Those are really lovely looking spindles! I’m not a spinner (yet), but someday I hope to be! I can completely understand your fascination with the beautiful objects of art!
(Oh, I saw the dragonflies right away). Tell your friend he needs to work on his imagination, lol!
Cookie on 07 May 2008 at 6:47 am #
Honey, if you hadn’t shopped hard, I would have been disappointed. You traveled too far to only window shop.
I love that dragonfly spindle and I agree about the Goldings. They really are something special.
Carin on 07 May 2008 at 7:15 am #
Those spindles are works of art not just something pretty that holds your attenion for a short time. If you don’t ever use them (yeah right), you would still get a lot of joy from having them on display.
I am glad to hear that you are having a very good time on the mainland.
Barb on 07 May 2008 at 7:16 am #
Beautiful works of art. I can see where one could go a bit nuts.
debbie on 07 May 2008 at 7:36 am #
what a beautiful cache you have there! thank you for sharing - i’m so jealous….you look like you’re having a too great time!
Lisa on 07 May 2008 at 7:59 am #
I am COMPLETELY GREEN over that sterling Golding.
Rosa on 07 May 2008 at 8:20 am #
I’ve been trying to get a Hatchtown spindle for about 3 years. I am so pleased for you. They are hard to come by. Congrats on all your acquisition. They all look grand. You are making me want to drop spindle again.
fleegle on 07 May 2008 at 8:38 am #
Each is more beautiful than the next!
bockstark.knits on 07 May 2008 at 8:49 am #
Oh. My. God!!! I can’t believe you bought so many spindles!! Although they are all so gorgeous - I don’t think I could’ve resisted either!!!
Carrie K on 07 May 2008 at 9:15 am #
Very nice! One should never regret purchases! Just the lack of distant wealthy relatives unknown to one that refuse to leave you their fortunes.
So I should check out The Tudors? I think I’ve seen half an ep online.
Hattie on 07 May 2008 at 10:39 am #
Daaaaaang, five?!? They are all gorgeous though. I adore the dragonfly one. I’ve got a thing for dragonflies, and hummingbirds. I woulda had a hard time leaving that gorgeous last one too. I think that’s my fave of them all!
KnittinDoula on 07 May 2008 at 11:31 am #
Oh, that last Golding. I don’t know if I’d ever use it since I wouldn’t be able to stare at it and spin on it at the same time. Gorgeous. Every single spindle you bought. Gorgeous.
“Patiently” waiting for the remaining booty photos. That means only a bit of pacing and checking your site every half hour until tomorrow afternoon.
tiennie on 07 May 2008 at 12:26 pm #
Those are gorgeous - especially the last one! How could you resist? You had to come home with them!
hakucho on 07 May 2008 at 1:20 pm #
You traveled a long way to get there…I don’t blame you one bit for your purchases. Hope you brought an empty suitcase :) My favorite one is the last one…gorgeous!!
becky on 07 May 2008 at 1:20 pm #
Wow! Those are some gorgeous spindles! I like the first one the best, and I saw the dragonflies, too. Looks like ya done good!
Jeanne on 07 May 2008 at 1:40 pm #
Wow - gorgeous! I don’t know which one I like the best…they are all just amazing.
textillian on 08 May 2008 at 1:09 am #
Wow! They are lovely. And they all look so nice together like that as a bouquet. I am kind of sorry that I did not buy any now. (Though my wallet thanks me.)
hetty on 08 May 2008 at 1:35 am #
Those spindles are beautiful! I love that dragon fly one, but they are all nice! I can see why you bought them! I have no idea how to use one, but I probably would have bought a whole bunch of them too! Happy shopping and spindling!
Robbyn on 08 May 2008 at 4:50 am #
My goodness, what a haul! That last spindle is especially exquisie. It’s almost enough to tempt a poor weak soul into spinning - if there were the possibilityh of someday working with something as lovely as that :)
I am looking forward to seeing the rest of your treasures - and I’m so glad to hear you’re having such a gret time!
.: tani :. on 08 May 2008 at 6:42 am #
that is just PART of your haul? oh dear. i’m getting faint.
you know, everything on the islands costs so much more, so you’re actually getting a deal. my cousin’s family practically comes to the states with empty suitcases to buy up everything on the cheap.
consider yourself a smart shopper.
Roseann on 08 May 2008 at 1:29 pm #
What stunningly beautiful spindles! I am fortunate that I did not linger at the Golding booth as I know I would have bought one and maybe then less sock yarn or fiber. I tried their Lucet and realized I did not like Luceting. Next year I will not likely be so restrained.
Alison on 09 May 2008 at 2:12 am #
I see the dragonflies! And it is so much more beautiful in person. I didn’t spin on my one spindle for a while after I got my wheel, but then decided I needed another Golding and a couple of Bosworths and I’ve been spindling again ever since. Love it now!
All beautiful spindles! (Glad to be a part of the enabling.)
Jane on 09 May 2008 at 1:54 pm #
When you sin, you sin big! Beautiful spindles so I can’t really blame you. I am no good with spindles but I also find them lovely as works of art. My sister has some great ones but no Goldings yet. Hmmmm. Her birthday is coming up soon…… Great purchases!
Mokihana on 10 May 2008 at 7:26 am #
I can see the dragonflies! That and the Golding are my absolute favorites. The Golding wheels are fabulous…. I love seeing their stuff!
You did good, girl! I would like to see you spinning on the Golding and dragonfly one at the same time!
alice on 22 May 2008 at 4:26 am #
oooh–I’m totally in love with your spindles. :) The Goldings especially are sooo fabulous!