Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Drop Spindle




This was a happy accident and totally unintentional.

During the summer months I downloaded few online classes from various sources and various fields (sewing, knitting, polymer clay, cake baking - to name just a few). One of those classes was Knit Brilliant Beads by Betsy Hershberg.

I love her jewelry, learned a great deal from this class but somehow bead-knitting was not my thing, not at the moment anyway. I love her enthusiasm and love of the craft, her eye for detail is amazing and the final results simply gorgeous. Many times when I am taking a class, I am not always that interested in the featured craft, but I enjoy the creative energy that is involved in teaching and I always get very inspired and many new ideas. 

And I did walk away with something. I could not get rid of the idea of making beads, but I did not know what kind of beads. I made few knitted ones with embroidery on them, but something did not feel right. For a while I thought about polymer again, but then one day I grabbed a bit of fleece and made a felt bead. The bead is not the usual light bead when made of plain wool but it is quite heavy since it has a wood bead inside. While I was embroidering it, I stuck a long needle through it to have something to hold on to when embroidering, and then I showed it to my daughter (who loves all kinds of tops) how well the woolen/wood bead whirled and then I realized that this bead would make a good spindle. After a few hours with a knife and a wooden stick, my very first spindle was born.


I am totally charmed by it. It feels old and warm. I might make another one...


As I am looking out of the window, it is grey and the wind is picking up. We are supposed to get heavy snowfall today, the weather forecast said 8"/20cm, but so far we have had some rain only. I wonder if we really are getting lots of snow today.

Before I go, let me show you a piece of dog art. 


Ruusu made this image yesterday on our daily stroll. If you look closely at the picture, you can see a tail and legs and almost ears. She loves snow and even when there is very little, she has to make angels.

Wool with you,
Lene

16 comments:

  1. Everything you touch converts in something beautiful...have a good week!

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  2. Carmen14:20

    Love the dog snow angel!

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  3. great doggy snow angel....I showed the hubs he got a kick out of it:)

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  4. Gretchen16:30

    Your spindle was very beautiful, but my day was made by the snow angel. Hope your day is lovely.

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  5. Anonymous16:31

    You make the most beautiful things-- I love the spindle and what a unique idea! And obviously Ruusu has a creative streak as well.

    Melody

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  6. Doggie Angel!!!! I love it! That is a terrific spindle, I might try to make one myself:)

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  7. awwww! you are so much fun to read! that totally made my day.
    xoxo

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  8. Ooo I love the dog art. It reminds me of cave art!

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  9. Beth in Maryland19:45

    The spindle is brilliant. I think you're on to something.

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  10. Anonymous07:11

    Ruusu's snow angel took my breath away. Looks like he's running.

    Clever felted spindle!

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  11. Anonymous13:56

    Your spindle is lovely. And the dog's snow angel is simply perfect!
    mk

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  12. I love your drop spindle, so cute! I haven't spun on mine in years but reading your post is inspiring...i just might have to dig it out! :)

    Pam over from Gingerbread Snowflakes told me about your blog. I was wondering if you'd be interested in guest blogging on my blog (the Pickled Herring) for a series I do every year in December called Scandinavian Christmas. If you'd be interested, please email me and I will send you more details. :) Kathryn.Pickledherring@gmail.com

    Thanks! :)

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  13. Marie (Ottawa, Canada)22:47

    You have the most beautiful sense of art. Although I have always appreciated the natural environment, I am always inspired to stop and notice just a little more when I read your blog.

    Now, if only I would have your original creative instincts!

    Thank you for sharing your beautiful work...and your dogs' work :)

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  14. The doggie snow angel is fabulous!

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  15. Anonymous18:09

    Are you snowed in?

    I miss your blog reports and the inspiration from your charming hand work. Some small quilted items and knitting is on my holiday to-do list. Wonder of wonders, it's actually being finished in a timely manner!

    The Lene effect??

    ChinaDoll003

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  16. Loveley spindle!
    I have to try that....

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