HELLO,
THE SPINNING WHEEL
Enjoy the sound of the wheel. This wheel makes one slow down. It will not be spun fast, it must have a slow pace to spin the best yarn
(i HOPE THIS WORKS)
I love my Irish spinning wheel. In the mid 90’s a trip was planned to visit James Shield of Carndonagh, County Donegal to pick up a spinning wheel. The arrangements were made by calling James and ordering one, the butcher shop took the call and got James on the phone, he only lived across the street. He told me to come along, he always had wheels going and I could pick the color of wood I liked.
I had found his name in a crafts book I had picked up on an earlier trip. In the book were names of three people making wheels including James but sadly James was the only one left making them. Now I found out that he was the last Master Spinning Wheelwright in Ireland.
The shop was in the back of his house, a wonderful well light shop with wheel parts everywhere ready to assemble . I met his wife and son and had a delightful visit and picked out my wood. My wheel happens to be made of a mahogany Church Pew. He scoured the strands (beaches) for parts of boats and wood washed up on shore Two days later my wheel was done and I had spent those two days enjoying the time touring the Inishowen Peninsula and would do that for longer periods again on other trips. WHen I picked it up you could still smell the polish on the wood. Another visit and I was wisked off to the top floor of the house to visit with their son weaving on a large loom. it took up the whole room. He was weaving to sell to the local store. Beautiful work.
In those days you could bring anything on a plane, the bottom part and legs were packed in my suitcase but the wheel itself was too large for a suitcase so I brought in onboard and put it under the seat. James is gone now but on my next trip to Donegal I plan to stop in the shop and visit with his son. Check out their website at johnny@apinningwheels.ie
SPINNING THE WOOL
THE PLYING IS DONE
READY FOR A PROJECT
MRS. BROWN
Mrs. Brown and I made a quick trip back to the vets to get some eye ointment and I watched Dr. COnnor give her the meds. I was having such a hard time getting the meds into Hazel and Mrs. Brown. I think I have got it now. She is glad to be home.
Many thanks for taking the time to read my blog today and I hope you have a wonderful day. Carole
Whispering Pines Farm 