More Handmade Weaving Boat Shuttles

I finally found a great source for hardwood besides oak and poplar not far from me called Hardwood products.  I made the trip on Tuesday and bought some Tiger/curly Maple, Hard Maple, Black Walnut and African Mahogany.  Some 2 inches thick which is perfect for shuttles.  I've made a new 9 inch shuttle out of Oak, Pine and now Black Walnut.  Today I'm planning on making one in Hard Maple.

Here are my new boat shuttles.  My new boat shuttle for an inkle loom.  They are rather thin with a beating edge.    Anyway here are my new handmade boat shuttles.  You can find Maple, Cherry and some Walnut at www.handywoman.etsy.com and if you like exotics you can find those at www.handywomanshop.com

Handmade Rigid Heddle Yarn shuttle

You might have noticed (or not) I've been working on projects for my weaving shop.  I'm trying to add more handmade weaving tools to my shop for sale.  I started with a few new looms, the rigid heddle loom, the Inkle Loom and the simple lap loom and simple rug yarn shuttles for these looms.  Well, I've been wanting for years to make a proper boat shuttle and decided that weaving with a rigid heddle loom would be so much more fun if I had a boat shuttle that would fit under the narrow shed.  Well so I finally worked it out.  Eventually they will use a magnet to keep the bar in place but the stainless steel rod I already had doesn't work with magnets so here is my new boat shuttle for now.  When I use up all this rod and get new rod I will re-engineer this shuttle so that it will be easier to make

My first one.

and now the design will look like these

Sewing Box Table

This was a labor of love.  I spent a great deal of time making this little ladies sewing table.  There was a time when you could purchase a side chair table that was made specifically for keeping a ladies handwork and tools next to them, keeping everything at hand.  Weren't those the days?!?
I guess since less items are hand made today the need for such an item has long past.  These now can only be found if you are fortunate enough and able to afford to purchase an antique or vintage one.

Well of course I just had to see if I could possibly make one.  I did try to give mine a more updated look compared to the images of them I found on the internet.  I am please with it and I love the image I found to transfer to the top; I think it makes it special.

Well without further ado here is my sewing box table complete.

Handmade Rigid Heddle Loom

This one took me FOREVER to figure out how to make.  I looked at what seems like one thousand ridged heddle looms to decided how to make this little guy.  The hard part, well that would be the heddle and heddle stand.  I must and I mean I must find an easier solution for these.  The gears were actually fun to make and I'm pleased with them.
Well without further blabbering here she is, of course I still need to route all the edges to make her look presentable but I couldn't contain myself one moment longer to take pictures and get this post up.  Yes that is how excited I am about this little loom.

And here she is finished...

These are as I was working the design out and still working on a more professional heddle!

My little workshop

Sometimes people wonder where I make all my weaving tools...  well this humble abode is all mine. It's taken me many years to acquire all the tools I own and with each tool my job gets a little easier.   I'm going to be making it better soon.  Adding more cabinets and more outlets.  In this picture my scroll saw is out because I'm making a bench and I have to remove some of the wood in the openings before I can route them (saves work on my router :) )  So anyway, today I'm making a bench for a customer.  Here is my shop and here is the bench (work in progress).
Hope you enjoy seeing where I create.  :)
Have a great day!

Then finished :)