Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Handcrafted. Honestly.

There's been much talk around the innertubes (regretsy.com, among others) of whether an Etsy shop's items (ahem) are actually handmade--as in, by the shop's owner. I pretty much tell you in each spindle's description how it was made. How I--with my own hands and power tools and paints or stains--make them. Now, I want to share a bit more of my process with you.




The pic on the right is the actual sketch of this design. I started with a yin-yang, then began adding some vines that I originally saw as thicker and more ropey. I actually drew them in a bit thicker. Then I wandered off to get a cold drink and when I returned, the hearts bloomed. I sketched the design on the whorl and began painting. The hearts were more of a coral. The vines were all bright citrus green. I was going to add some striping in funky colors to the shaft. But I saw red and black. Not coral and green. Just to be sure, I added some red and black to the original sketch. Just to be sure. And I was. I carefully scraped all of the green vines off and repainted red and black. Black and white striping for the shaft? No. No white on this one. More curly vines on the shaft, with touches of red. But it still needed stripes, I could see them. Ahhh, there they are, on the edge of the whorl.

pssst: I know it's been a long while but I'm excited to be working on new designs and filling up the shop.

Friday, October 2, 2009

Wonder Weekend Tomorrow!

Saturday, October 3, 2009 10AM-4PM: Wonder Why Alpaca Farm Wonder Weekend! East Leroy, MI
Featuring alpaca, alpaca, alpaca! We'll be there (along with at least a few other Zombie Prom Date Knitters), with spindle demos and sales. We'll also have some weaving and wheel spinning going on. Come on out and join the fun!

meet, up close and in person
Sprite's SpinSanity of Wonder
born August 30, 2009

SpinSanity of Wonder

Monday, September 21, 2009

shop reopened

I apologize for the abrupt closing of my shop and for the delay in shipping a few orders. As some of you may know, my older son had an accident early on September 9. I spent the following week by his side. He's doing much better now, out of the hospital and under outpatient care. I'm not completely back up to speed and won't be for awhile as I play nurse on-call (daily 3 hour dressing changes at home) or drive him back to the hospital for treatment and surgeries. We've still got a long way to go so please bear with me as I muddle through.

Thank you so much for your kind thoughts, prayers and well wishes.

Currently: New designs are appearing in the shop daily.

Sunday, August 30, 2009

whew!

In the passed six weeks, I've made more than eighty spindles, three dozen mini spindles and six lazy kates.

I have stolen some time with friends who seem to think I need a break every once in a while. And married off my oldest original (pre-remarriage) daughter.

Kait and Jordan--hitched!

Lost the last of my grandparents. Celebrated twelve years of marriage. Learned something about my stepfather. Registered my twins for fifth grade. Won a couple of blue ribbons in the county fair. Learned a little about weaving so I could help my youngest son learn how to weave. Listened to a whole lot of TV I didn't actually watch (the announcers on Ninja Warriors sound like they're swearing?) Been asked out for a drink by my ex-husband (does that sound as weird as it was?).

I have not cleaned my house, sorted laundry, straightened up my workshop or cleared off my diningroom table.

where's the beef?

Monday, August 24, 2009

Lazy Kates are back in stock!

You've asked for them so I took a break from painting and made some up. I'm now offering a couple of options...stain and extra bobbins.

upcoming dates

Saturday, September 19, 2009: World Wide Spin in Public Day
I don't know where we'll be (maybe just hanging in our front yard or a local park) but you can be sure we'll be out there exposing the world to our fibery art!

Sunday, September 20, 2009 10AM-4PM: Spinner's Flock Fall Fleece Fair, Chelsea, MI
This is our first opportunity to participate in our guild's twice yearly sale. Em and I will be working all day doing various jobs. Spindles will be available.

Saturday, October 3, 2009 10AM-4PM: Wonder Why Alpaca Farm Wonder Weekend! East Leroy, MI
Featuring alpaca, alpaca, alpaca! We'll be there (along with at least a few other Zombie Prom Date Knitters), with spindle demos and sales. We'll also have some weaving and wheel spinning going on. Come on out and join the fun!

Wonder Why Alpacas

Saturday, August 22, 2009

in the works

These (some still in progress), and others, will be showing up at The Spinning Loft (Howell, MI) soon.

more in progress

I'm working, Beth...I'm working.