For those of you who follow me on twitter/Facebook know that I've been extremely excited about something for the last few days and now world I can share with you....
No friends your eyes are not deceiving you that is a spinning wheel. In my living room. Sit down let
me tell you an amazing story.
On Sunday my friend Sarah came up from South Dakota (she was here for a wedding on Sat) We went to the MIA (Minneapolis Institute of Art) a free museum in south Minneapolis. While we were there I had my spindle out and was walking around while spindling business as usual. At MIA they have these great little things called "art carts" which are maned by volunteers and have art that you can touch and play with and talk about with the the people.
While I was walking and spindling one of the volunteers stopped me and asked what I was doing. I said that i was spinning yarn on a drop spindle. They said they had a native american drop spindle but didn't really know anything about it. I looked at it was able to explain a little bit about it.
One of the Women Beverly who is absolutely wonderful mentioned that she used to spin on a wheel but but never on a spindle.
I mentioned that I really would love a wheel
she asked if I was interested.
I said yes, but with my budget being what it is there is no way I could afford a wheel even one on the lower end of the pricing spectrum.
And Beverly's response was that her wheel had been sitting in her basement for years now without being used. and when she got home she would take it out and look at it and if everything seemed to be in order I could have it.
I could have it, as in she would give it to me.
I gave her a hug. and now this morning my roommate and I drove across town to her house and picked it up.
I am completely blown away by her generosity and that she would give a person that she just met something as valuable as a wheel. and just completely floating on air I OWN A SPINNING WHEEL And it is wonderful and beautiful
It is a 1973 Clemes and Clemes Traditional Wheel it has been wonderfully maintained. Beverly ordered it directly from Clemes and Clemes in 1973 and had it shipped to her. And back then they didn't sell these wheels as kits oh no they shipped them in giant barrels This is it next to my roommates car to give you a size comparison
I think I need to replace the drive band but otherwise it is in excellent condition. Now i just need to learn how to spin on it!
And not only is Beverly a wonderful kind person but she is also a great artist. I'm positive i will be knitting something for her soon.
7 comments:
that is such a heartwarming story...have you spun on her yet?
This is why crafty people are so fabulous!
Grab some crochet cotton to use as a temporary drive band and get a spinning.
A Clemes & Clemes - my god, you're so lucky!
That is so wonderful! How about some action shots? I've never even seen how it looks to see someone spinning...
What a great gift Annie!! Can't wait to see what you spin so we can all ooh and ahh!
What a wonderful story! I have two modern Clemes, not the traditional, but I've always admired the pictures I've seen of them. Congratulations. What a gift!
Wonderful bit of serendipity and what a lovely gesture! Get her oiled up and you'll be in business!
I am smiling the biggest smile ever. What a great story and an incredible gift!!!!!
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