A new Handywoman Tapestry / Hand Loom

I've been wanting to make these for sometime but someone I admire very much made them and he did a beautiful job.  I seen others made them as well but to me his were the best.  I decided not to make them as I didn't want to compete with such awesome skills and because he made them.  But then he retired which is great for him indeed but for the weaving world it's rather sad.  Anywho.... I decided now was the time to try and make some of these.    It took sometime to decide on the design and how I was going to accomplish this task and try to make them as nice as his and well...... I think I did it!  Here is the very first one.  This one is 6epi but I have 8epi ends and base ready so there will be one like this but at 8epi available shortly.  I've ordered some super nice wood and will get a few ready soon.  This one is ready and for sale but there will be more I promise!  There is one more tool that goes with this set but I forgot to finish it so I'll do that today and get a picture of it.  It's a "My Everything Stick" that is a little larger than the inkle version.  

Updated with pictures to include both epi's and the My Everything Stick I had forgotten to take a picture of. 

New Charkha Spindle Shuttle

Someone asked me a while back if I made shuttles to fit the book Charkha spindles....and I said no...but I'd look into it.  So first of course I had to get myself a book Charkha...

Of course a girl can't have too many fiber tools and well this is so kewl!

Then I made my first shuttle test ....

I found someone who would test it, and she's GREAT!  :)  she gave me her critiques ( in a super friendly way even though I do have rather tough skin).  Then here were the resulting improvements....

And so now there is a new product in the shop!!!

Walnut / Maple 2 Treadle Reproduction Tape loom update.

I hope you all had a wonderful and blessed Easter.  It was quiet here.  Graham BBQ'd and we watched Game of Thrown's together.  Was a lovely day.  Jason was busy getting ready for his business trip so he wasn't able to come over for dinner.  He did drop off his dogs for us to watch while he's away.

I was able to get all the new orders completed over the Easter holiday.  I didn't have many due to some changes I made in my Etsy shop.  Since Etsy keeps making changes that affect my bottom line I have two choices,  I can either raise my prices substantially to cover their fees and take over of the PayPal payments that I used to get a pretty good rate of interest on, or I can limit the types of woods on my site and direct customers who want more of a variety to my www.Handywomanshop.com site.
I chose the latter option, and we will see how it goes.  So if you are use to shopping with Etsy and don't mind the options of Cherry, Maple and some walnut for most items all will be fine.  If you want your Handywoman tool made from an exotic wood then you'll have to head over to my website where the prices have always been cheaper and I only charge tax for Texas orders.  :)

Anyway back to the topic at hand.

I'm finally getting some time to work on the treadle loom that has been waiting on me for months.  Today the legs get glued up and the top parts will get their thread inserts added.  I'm hoping to be able to do a test assembly in the next couple days so I can get a finish on her.  So many people waiting on me for these sweet little looms.
Keep a look out, if I stay slow for a few days I might be able to get her finished.  :)

Update

The top pieces are all fitted and fit perfectly :) 

Black Walnut 18th Century Reproduction Loom

It's take a long while to get her done but she is ready to ship.  This loom come complete with all the tools you see in the pictures.  I have two more to get finished.  One is for a friend and the other "Cherry" will be available to purchase soon.

 

A pile of orders that went out the other day.

Sometimes when I'm getting ready to ship out orders and have everything laid out on my shipping table I just have to take pictures.  The color of wood is so amazing to me...  Here are some beauties.

7" Samplers are finally complete

I finally completed those cute little 7" rigid heddle looms and they are so cute.  I have one more to complete and then these will all be done and off my "to do" list.

There are two cherry, one maple and one oak one.  Purpleheart and paduak were used as accents.  

7" dbl Heddle Sample Loom kits coming soon!

I thought I'd give you a sneak peek of one of the little 7" sampler looms getting all glued up.  There will be 4 of these sets available very soon.  These are complete sets that come with 4 heddles and all the tools you will ever need for this little loom.