|
|
Handspun Handwoven Woolen Goods
|
 |
I work out of a studio located on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. Manhattan is also known as New York City. However, I prefer to call it by it's real name: Manhattan. My studio is located only three blocks from Central Park going west and three blocks from the East River going East. The major museums of the city are pretty much all located within an eight block radius of my studio. The museums provide my inspiration. I study the weaves used on garments, tents, bags, what ever I can at the museums and then incorporate those methods into my own work.
I spin using an Ashford Joy spinning wheel. The wheel folds and has a carry case so I can take it with me. For example, to Central Park on a nice day!
I weave using an Ashford rigid heddle loom. This loom is very simple. The warp threads are threaded through a rigid heddle, which is a plastic device with holes for every other thread and slots for the others. By moving it up or down a shed is created which will hold the weft thread.
I have had very fancy looms in the past. After much reading about weaving and looms, and after many years of working on ancient textiles, I came to realize that the most complicated of fabrics were created on the simplist looms. Keeping in mind Picasso's adage of "simple is better" I went back to weaving only on the rigid heddle loom.
What a joy it is for me to sit in my studio, looking at the trees out the window, my cat beside me as I spin the wool and then weave it to create the items you will be wearing.
|
This is an Ashford Joy spinning wheel. It was made in Christchurch, New Zealand. I've had mine for over ten years. It folds easily and can be carried anywhere.
|
The SpinnerSmith is at work, above. You can just see the top of the little Ashford Joy spinning wheel. The early 18th century costume was constructed by Michele Hoffman who you can contact at www.sew-it-seams.com You will be mighty pleased at her wonderful creations, all handsewn by Michele.
|
This is the Ashford rigid heddle loom. It is very easy to weave on this, so a novice would be able to warp this loom and start weaving. It is also possible to create some very complicated weaves on this loom. It's not the loom, it's the weaver and the weaver's versatility in using centuries of weaving techniques.
|
The photo above shows a close view of the weaving on the rigid heddle loom. A warp of white California Red has a weft of both white and rust California Red being woven. You can see a pick up pattern of raised weft floats in this photo. California Red fleece comes from Apple Rose Farm, which is listed in the links to the right.
|
Below are a list of links that are very helpful to me and will be interesting to you. You may want to order things from these people. They are all very nice.
My reenactor clothing was all handmade, just for me, by Michele of Michele's Sew It Seams. Check out her site, I know you'll love it. http://www.sew-it-seams.com/
My weaving items are also listed on Etsy. Etsy is an online marketplace for buying and selling all things handmade. Etsy lets you shop by color, place, time and material http://www.etsy.com/
I have added a link to Ashford Products from New Zealand. http://www.ashford.co.nz/home/home-frameset.htm They have developed a rich and interesting website. You will enjoy their site and you might even want to order some of their products!
Elizabeth of Apple Rose Farm has been providing me with fleece, both dyed and natural, for years. Check out the link to her sheep farm. http://www.applerose.com/
Jennifer vanCalCar of vanCalCar Acres in New York State has provided me with wonderful carded rovings and batts from her large flock of sheep. Her Icelandic sheep have provided wool for a number of the products you will see on this site. Be sure to check out the link here http://www.nysfarm.com/ to her farm as you will learn a lot about what it takes to be a modern day shepard from Jennifer. Incredibly meticulous hand-crafted sterling silver and solid gold reproduction jewelry may be found on SherryG Designs. http://www.sherrygdesigns.com/
 |
|
The Spinning Wheel Sleuth If you are a spinner, then this spinning wheel newsletter is a must for you. Check it out by visiting the link below. http://www.spwhsl.com/ New York Sheep & Wool Festival Every October in New York, up on the Hudson River in Rhinebeck, is held the New York Sheep and Wool Festival. It's definitely worth visiting if you can make it. http://www.sheepandwool.com/ Irie's Fascinating Life One day I just happened upon this delightful website, which is both a pictorial delight and a knitters blog. The photographs are so gorgeous and the writing so serene, I just want to share it with you. Take a moment, it's well worth the visit. http://iriewoman.blogspot.com/
|
Wild Fiber magazine is the absolute best magazine available for the fiber enthusiast. It has spectacular photographs and takes you around the world to see fiber production, spinning, weaving, etc. It is a MUST for every fiber artist. The link to the web site is below. Please take a moment to visit it and you'll see what I mean! www.wildfibersmagazine.com Running Moon Farm where Gulf Coast Sheep share their fleeces with spinners Apple Rose Farm California Red and Cormo sheep, fleece, rovings, batts, and lots more. http://www.applerose.com/ Oregon Wool
Here you can pick and choose from a large selection of shephards and sellers of fleece, rovings and batts. http://www.oregonwool.com/
|
There is a very special feature to the Ashford Joy spinning wheel. It folds up for storage in a tiny space ... which is very important for me in my small Manhattan studio. It also makes it very easy to travel with. I have a special bag for traveling with my Ashford Joy. It zips up with the wheel inside and has a shoulder strap for easy carrying. Check our the Woolery web site to see the wheel and the other Ashford products.
|
Ashford Handicrafts The man above is Richard Ashford, of Ashford Spinning Wheels, holding the Joy wheel. It was named after his mother. I have been using the Ashford products for over thirty years and I highly recommend you visit this site. The Ashford factory is located in Christchurch, New Zealand and you will learn about New Zealand on their web site. http://www.ashford.co.nz/home/home-frameset.htm The Woolery The Woolery is the absolute best place to buy fiber products. I have known the owners for well over thirty years. I love their very personal service and I am so impressed with their very easy to use web site. Check it out! http://www.woolery.com/
|
|
|
 |
|
