Country Beehive: January 2012

Tuesday 31 January 2012

Shortly after attending Marian`s workshop, I decided, it`s time to progress and purchase a spinning wheel, so we scanned some ads and we came across a Kromski Minstrel spinning wheel ( top of the range, made by a Polish firm with worldwide reputation- Kromski & Sons )
The seller ( and yet another fascinating person, spinner, lecturer, with plenty of experience in dyeing wool using natural dyes) was from Southampton area so we agreed to meet half-way, in Horsham.
It was a good deal and my Kromski came with some beautiful, washed fleeces, a video tutorial and some other extras, not to mention plenty of advice, and contact No. in case I needed some more help.
Yet again, Marian`s words have proven true: Spinners are a very special race of people.

Photo by Country Beehive

My first experiments with natural dyes

and silk

final result

as we were already in Sussex, we decided to take a `longcut` and visit a few historical places down South ( Eastbourne area)

with closer inspection of Pevensey Castle ruins and 1066 country

see more

Memory spin
or

our very first spinning experience

A couple of years ago, we went to a local ploughing match where we met Marian .
She is an amazing lady, very gifted in various areas and infecting with her enthusiasm
She is also a local artist: spinner, knitter, weaver ...you name it.. and founder of Orca Gatherers

Needless to say, she inspired us to the point, we decided to learn the art of spinning
So here we are, November `09, in Marian`s enchanted workshop, all set and keen to learn
the spider ways