AboutBJ Heeke Expertise I can answer questions about spindle spinning, low whorl, high whorl, & supported spindles. I can answer questions about navajo plying on a wheel, & andean plying from a spindle. I can also answer questions regarding making one`s own spindles from CD`s or wooden wheels and dowels.
I have limited weaving experience, but if I do not know the answer, I surely will find someone who does!
Experience I have been spinning for 20 years. I make my own spindles. I have taught spindling classes.
Organizations Northwest Regional Spinner's Association, Texas Fiber Guild, Heart of Texas Spinners & Weavers, & Spindlitis. Past member of the Little Flock Handspinners of Seattle (disbanded) and Valley Spinners (opps, lapsed membership).
Publications I have written a series of articles for NwRSA's newsletter 'Loose Threads' for spinners about finding information on the Internet called 'Wired Threads'.
I have served as an editor for the Contemporary Handweavers of Texas as well as membership chair for 2 years. I also taught a spindling class at the 2005 conference in Austin, TX.
I will be teaching at Kid 'n Ewe in Boerne, TX November 10-12, 2006.
Question Several years ago I admired a small spinning wheel in my elderly neighbors' garage, and offered to buy it from them if they ever decided to part with it. Yesterday they presented it to me as a gift! It was given to their daughter by her husband's grandmother and has been in the garage ever since, about 25 years or so. It seems to be in very good shape. They know absolutely nothing about it.
I'm thrilled to get it, but not sure if I want to be a spinner or not yet.
My husband looked it over and didn't find any maker's name or markings. The wheel itself is about 18 inches or so, the staff has a sort of wire cage on top and the legs and spokes of the wheel are decoratively turned by lathe, and the pedal is sort of triangle shaped with a bit of wear like it had some use. The wheel moves freely but it doesn't seem to be strung properly.
I'd like to find out more about the possible age and use, and how to restore it to functionality etc. Could you point me in the right direction? I live in inland So. Calif. I'm completely clueless and any info you could give would be helpful. Thanks very much!
Answer Dear Sheila
What a lucky girl you are! I keep trying to get free spinning wheels, but it never seems to happen. Darn it :-)
I think you could probably benefit from having an expert look at your wheel. Alden Amos is just such a person http://pweb.jps.net/~gaustad/ is his website. I have no idea how far you are from him, but at least he could give you more to go on than I. Take pictures and offer to send to him, that way you can find out if it will need any restoration.
You can always try going to a local guild meeting. Search on this site http://www.interweave.com/spin/spinoff_magazine/default.asp for guilds that would be in your part of CA. And there is lots of information on the same website for beginners! A couple of instruction sheets you can download and information on subscribing too.
You are about to take a wonderful journey into the fiber zone ;-P
