The year is winding down finally.  I say finally because I found 2020 to be the worst year I've ever seen in my life.  The election is still looming and I'm guessing it will be weeks or even months before we find out who won.  But I am hopeful :)
Also I want to remind you, as has been the case for the last couple years Handywoman shop will be closed before Thanksgiving (this year on Nov. 13) and reopen January 2nd.  This is for many reasons but the most important is that I, like you want to spend time with my family and friends and have the time to cook and enjoy the holidays.  I will try very hard not to work more than I rest.... I try each time and so far that has not happened.  I will try again.... :) 
If you need something for a Christmas gift from my shop you do not have much more time to get it.  I've posted a couple places about this so I hope all that would need to know has seen it.  

Here is the last box loom I'll make in 2020 and it is available.  I hope you enjoy watching my little video and love this little loom as much as I do.

I hope you have the best Thanksgiving and a very Merry Christmas,  I hope the new year brings you much joy and happiness.

God bless you all,
Janet

Passementerie gimp braid weaving shuttles

Have you ever heard of Passementerie gimp braid weaving and tassel making? I never had until the other day. A woman contacted me telling me she was in Hospice care but wanted to learn how to make a gimp braid and one tassel before she goes on to see the Lord. She send me a few pictures and of course I'm always up for a challenge to make a new weaving tool and if I can help a fellow weaver then I'm all in. I never even thought about how those beautiful trims were made until then. Trying to find information about this weaving and tassel making is rather hard. Not much info out there but I guess there are weavers teaching this art. It's amazing to me.


Anyway here is a video on how the art is still done today. The shuttles they are using (single bobbin) I will also be making but that will come later. Enjoy the video and have a look at the shuttles I made. I will be making them but the scripture will not come on them of course. That was just something I decided to add. You are welcome to request engraving. There is a listing to add engraving to most any Handywoman weaving tool.

New Handywoman Box Loom Design

I took sometime this week to design a new box loom.  With my birthday, Valentines and Presidents day all in one week what better time.
I decided to keep it simple so it's not so time consuming to make and to make it so that it could be used in re-enacting as well as be a beautiful loom to weave on.  So here she is.  This one is sporting purpleheart warp rod ratchet and pawl.  The heddle is fixed and does not come off the loom like my other looms.  This one is a single hole heddle with 55 slots.

A new year is almost here

As 2019 winds down and the roaring 20's rush in I'm reminded of all the blessings of the past year.  Lots of ups and down with family illnesses and with God's grace everyone is still here and fighting the good fight.  Sometimes it takes events like these to remember what's really important.  I feel so blessed going into 2020 and I hope you are as blessed.

In a few more days my little vacation of sorts will be over and my shop will be open.  I always worry when I close shop for so long, I sure don't want to be forgotten.  The only way for me to get time off is to close so it's my only choice.  I did manage to get some things done in the shop while I was off.  Not as much as I hoped but I do have a couple new tools that will be available and I've worked on a couple looms I don't get made often.

For Christmas my DH purchased me a spray system for my treadle looms.  This is super awesome because it takes days to get a finish on those the way I have been putting the finish on.  There will be a learning curve of course and I have to figure out how/where I'll be spraying finish.  I think the RV building (we do not own an RV) is a good place.  I'll watch some videos and see how others accomplish this task.

I hope you all (talking as if I have more than a couple followers 😁  I feel blessed to have you all! ) had a very Merry Christmas and I wish you the Happiest of New Years!  I am ready to get back to work so I'll see you all very soon!

Handywoman Christmas

Each year I try to get a few sets together for the holiday's.  Sets are a great way to give your favorite weaver a gift that will include many fun weaving items.  This year will be no different.

I'm working on a few inkle shuttle boxes, these will be packed with inkle shuttles for a reduced cost all packaged up in a little box. 

I'll also have several of the tiny tapestry loom sets available.  These will come with yarn and a bag.

And of course I'll have a few baskets shuttles available.

Be sure to keep a look out as these go super fast and are limited.