Do you ever have some down time and peruse through Ebay looking at items that you just don't think you have a chance of winning? Well that happened to me a few weeks ago. I have been looking at spinning wheels for about 2 years now. I didn't want anything fancy. Just something that would last be a looooong time and be easy to learn on. Well, if you haven't looked lately Ashford spinning wheels run about $400.00. Ouch! There are alot of sellers out there. Not much bidding going on. A whole lot of "Buy Now". I found a private seller that had an actual Ashford spinning wheel for auction. The bid was at $230. I thought that just wouldn't last. There was another 3 days left on the auction. So I put in a bid for $235. I didn't expect to be the highest bidder. I just knew that someone would out bid me. Well, I WON! A week later the wheel arrived. Arrived in many pieces. Oh my!
After admiring my new Ashford Traditional Spinning Wheel parts I sat down and put it together. I made a call to a very dear neighbor who sold spinning wheels in the past and is an avid spinner. Diane came over and got the settings adjusted.
She brought over some roving to get me started.
It was great fun. I need alot of practice to make my yarn thinner. Practice, practice, practice.
No time for that right now. This is a winter activity.
We will shear our sheep this fall. It will be a great experience to skirt, wash, dry and card our own wool. I have a drum carder that belongs to Diane too. At least now I have my own spinning wheel. It makes nice furniture too.
Just remember, if you place a bid on Ebay you just might win.
Much Love and Prayers from Mainely Ewes Farm
Posts
12 comments:
good for you! spinning seems such a wonderfully basic skill - as if you can make anything now that you have the animals and the wheel (and many hours of winter to work !)
Wow!!! That's is awesome! How great it will be for you to spin your own yarn from fleece from your own sheep!! I hope to one day be able to do the same. :)
Wow, congrats. I think I hear Blood, Sweat and Tears.
How wonderful! Be prepared to be addicted,lol! My hubby got me a wheel for Christmas and I just can't stop spinning!
Oh you lucky duck! I have often looked at spinning wheels on ebay. You really were lucky and I am sure you will have good luck with the wheel also.
That's exactly how I got my Lendrum wheel! I taught myself to spin on youtube :) and it is recommended that you spin for ten minutes a day. I have and those huge, lumpy strings of yarn have turned into elegant, thin twists that I now ply together to make "real" yarn. Keep at it, you will see how beautiful your creations will become.
I usually hit the 'buy it now' button on ebay. Congrats on your purchase! A spinning wheel is on my wish list. One day.
I am sooo jealous! Love your spinning wheel and bet you will be spending lots of time by the fire this winter with it.
Ooo. Ahhhh. We love EBay! Oh, yes! Don't forget goats have cashmere. :)
Oh my goodness that is a beautiful wheel! And yes, a friend of mine used to belong to a spinning club here and I once asked her about the price and I would say you got a great deal! Congrats! And hey, I kind of like the look of a thicker wool yarn myself. That is so perfect that you have all the right critters to keep you well supplied with wool. ~Lili
I am jealous! I have been carding wool at market for some time... just a drop spindle to spin it on is slow going... but then I don't have a spare $200 bucks laying around at present either. LOL
I have put the call out to the Universe At Large to bring me one within my nearly non-existent budget. I know that's a hard request, so I am being patient...
That's great!!! Don't you love when you win things you really wanted? I can't wait to see what you make!
Post a Comment