Seabreeze Spinners

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The last Saturday of every month, a group of fiber enthusiasts meet to work on projects and enjoy each others company …

What fun! We’re lost in Fiber Space, we meet the last Saturday of every month, come find us.

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It’s chilly (for Florida. . . in the 50’s), strawberries are blooming, brocolli is coming to a head, Lacy is enjoying the yard, my feet are toasty in my seaweed socks, and I’m still playing with Kumihimo braids… Life is Good! Thank you God.

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I’ve continued to play around with the “Kumi Loom” I purchased from Primitive Originals.

The first braid I made was three color black, teal and metalic. The second, linen in spring colors of apricot, sage, taupe, cornflower blue, and maise metalic.

I played around a bit with the blue necklace. I scattered a few beads at one point and put on a clasp from the discontinued bin at Michhaels. All and all, I’m pleased with my self. Enough so that I’ll try it with homespun.

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I started doing my own Kumihimo Braiding. See demo HERE.
It’s fun and it’s fast! (You’ll notice Lacy wandered in to see what I was doing…did it include food? …see her foot in the video – - – I’m real high tech. LOL)

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I spun the Easter Egg Dye fiber and plied it with white wool/nylon (for strength).  The yarn was then hung with weight to dry.

I have wool and llama also drying:

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The thrift shop near my office had a sale (50 cents a box) on Easter Egg dye, so I loaded up. I first wet my fiber in a water bath with a little detergent and rinsed it with clear water. I filled custard cups with 3T each of white vinegar. (When I ran out of white, I used apple cider, amber, vinegar…seemed to work just fine.) I then added a dye tablet to each cutard cup (and a few Jack Daniels old fashioned glasses.) After the dye stopped fizzing, I added 1/2 cup of water and stirred. Then I plunged pieces of fiber into the various cups.

After the fiber had absorbed much of the dye, I started at one end lifting the fiber from the dye baths squeezing excess as I went. I scrolled the dyed fiber out on multi layers of paper toweling. I rolled the fiber up like a jelly roll and put it in the microwave. I “nuked” it on high for 1 minute, paused and repeated 2 times for a total of three minutes. I unrolled the paper toweling to reveal the finished fiber. I then rinsed the fiber and hung it to dry. Very little dye rinsed out; the microwave had set the dye. My plan is to spin the fiber once it dryes and knit it into socks, thus, the Hand Dyed Easter Socks … keep watching http//Seabreezespinners.com/ for more on this project. (The flowers are from my Valentine bouquet.)

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This article adds more to the discussion of using nails to date furniture. Ken Melcert in his article reports: “The simple nail serves as a key to furniture dating. Until about 1800, nails were hand-forged – tapered square shafts and hand-hammered heads. During the 1800’s, cut nails have tapered rectangular shafts and rectangular heads. In the 1900’s, the round wire nail with straight sides and a round head are the standard. Nails are one of many clues to the age and authenticity of antique furniture and building construction as well.”

The Mystery Wheel was repaired at some point and nails added. The flyer has of course two arms, one has the nails previously pictured, the other appears to have replacement nails. The workmanship of the original wheel turning is very fine and precise. You can see on the flyer where the wood was marked for the nails. It looks like the diameter of the nails is larger than the holes left by missing nails so I’m guessing none of the nails are original which would mean the wheel is likely older than the oldest nails. The three replacement nails on the one flyer look like the nails holding the leather hingers. Quite likely the leather was replaced and nails added at the same time.
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Again, nail experts please weigh in.

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Using nails as a system to date antique and primitive furniture, I did more research into nails. I visited Fred Taylor’s blog and learned more about old nails. On the left below, see photos of “Rose Heal” nails and to the right, common nails. The mystery wheel has a “notch head” nail (pictured below, to the right and above two other nails and in photos from the mystery wheel below) which is reportedly from “early 19th century” or 1800’s. This further research seems to support a Victorian wheel and perhaps narrows the time frame.

But the nails from the flyer of the Mystery Wheel don’t look anything like the flat headed common nails dating 1830 to 1940 depicted below and to the right and in the middle. My nails look hand wrought and the grain goes the length of the nails. Perhaps they’re older than I thought. I’ll keep researching.

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Again, any and all input welcome.

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I’ve been reading a facinating (and who would have thought nails fascinating) history of nail technology. Because nail technology evolved over time, the nails used in a particular piece of furniture can be used to date the piece within about 20 years.

Click HERE to learn more about nails. Apparently, a great deal of research was done by Edwards and Wells at Lousianna State University . Their book is currently out-of-print but several sites promise a reprint soon. As I read, the Rose Head is the earliest hand wrought nail head (1700’s), 1790-1835 the nails could be recognized by pinch just under the head. Later nails, had no pinch. The grain in the Rose Heads ran the length of the nail. “from 1790 to 1848 the grain of a machine cut nail runs across rather than with the length of the shaft. In 1848, a new machine was introduced that cut nails, once again, in-line with the grain of wrought iron. This machine was used until steel replaced wrought iron in 1885″.

Here are photos of nails on my Mystery Wheel (click on photos for larger images) :

Using the descriptions and explanations above, I don’t think they fit the description of “rose nails”. I’ve noted the grain of “my” nails runs the length of the nail, not cross grain, and that there is no pinching present. I’m thinking the nails date 1848 to 1885 because the grain goes with the length of the nail and there is no pinch.

Seems like this is a nice example of a Victorian spinning wheel (Queen Victoria reigned 1838 -1901) and I’m guessing it may have been built in Scandinavia.

Anybody with an opinion is welcome to weigh into the debate.

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The Bee Travel Wheel from SpinOlution is coming March 2009.

Specifications of the Bee:

Weight : 13 lbs.
Open Height: 30 inches & Depth: 13 inches
Folded Height: 12 inches & Depth: 9 inches
Width: 19 inches
Wheel Size: 2-9 inch diameter 1.5 in thick
Number of Speeds: 7
Ratio: 1:5 to 1:36 (Approximately)
Material: Furniture grade Birch Plywood
Prices:
Bee Travel Wheel (Finished): $645.00 (Includes 3 bobbin)
Extra Bobbins: $30.00 ea
The Bee has many improvements over current Spinning wheels available on the market. Some of the standard upgrades include:* Open Orifice – allows thread of any size to be spun.

* Easy bobbin removal – no more hassles to change bobbins.

* 7 Ratio Speed Spindle – work at your speed.

* Multiple Bearings – for smooth and efficient operation.

* Heel rests – keeps the wheel in front of you, not across the room.

* Multiple rubber feet – for ultimate stability.

* Heavy duty construction – for years of dependable use.

* American made – what else can we say.

The Side View of the Bee closed and ready to go anywhere!

The Bobbin Release, smoother and easier yet! Simple squeezthe flyer arms, and pull the front off. To reassemble, just push it back on…

Please contact me if you want more information or want to pre-order this wheel! The Wheel is due to be released March 2009!!!

Click HERE to see The Bee Travel Wheel fold and unfold. Click HERE to see The Bee Travel Wheel in action. Click HERE & HERE to see the SpinOlution Drop Spindles in action.

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http://Seabreezespinners.com/