Handywoman Chicken Coop

We now live where we can have a few farm creatures and Chickens are top on our list. We love eggs and Chickens are too cute not to have a few. So we ordered 10 (that was the smallest amount you could order). First I ordered Cochin chickens and found out my order was for all MALES ! So of course I canceled that order, we don't want any roosters for our roost :) ) Then I ordered Black Laced Silver Wyandotte because they did not have any female Cochin's. I was disappointed but that soon passed :). The first set arrived mostly dead or near death. We tried to revive them but it didn't work out sadly, and it was sad for sure. Our next set arrived safe and sound but we did have one that apparently was a double yolk. She was deformed and her twin was attached to her backside but was not animated at all. This little girl lived about 2 weeks then she passed away.... So while we were brooding our new chicks I set out to build a chicken coop. I wanted to be able to walk into the run part and the coop part large enough to hold all 9 chicks happily. I didn't have plans but if you search on the internet there are tons of them. This chicken coop and run ended up costing close to 2000.00 with the price of lumber sky rocketing. About 6 months ago this would have cost about $400. I hope the cost of lumber goes back down but I've never seen anything ever do that so we will have to wait and see if these prices are our new normal. :( So I purchased lumber.... and I kept purchasing it till my coop was complete because as I said I didn't have plans .... While it is not perfect and I am finding things to improve on, our chicks love their new home even though it's rained nearly every day since they've moved into their new digs. Here is the progress, I hope this inspires you to just do it and do it till it's done.... No one said it has to be perfect and if you can see it in your head you can make it real or pretty darn close. You can find a the video of the finished coop here if the Instagram one below doesn't work.  Thanks for watching.

 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Janet Fox (@handywomanshop)

 Here are some build progression images.  Yes I did build them a swing set first :)

I purchased this but wish I would have purchased the one with just 4 nest boxes.... Live and learn...

This type looked the easiest to make at least for building the roof.

Oh yes, I do need to decorate it with gingerbread and lots of signs. :) 

Handywoman shop will be closed for the Month of April

 It's tax time again and because I never have time to work on accounting while open for business I need to shut shop to get them done.  Super sorry for the inconvenience.  

New Double bobbin Pencil / End of warp shuttle

This new shuttle is ready for two bobbins with a split rod so filling either bobbin is easy.  No need to take out both bobbins to change just one.  These shuttles are 12" long x 1" wide x 1" deep.  They are perfect for the end of warp when you are trying to have the least amount of waste as possible.  These shuttle will be made using more expensive exotic woods but if you'd like one in another type of wood message me and I'll see if I can find the stock to make it for you.  The Pencil shuttle takes 6" paper quills and 1 comes with this shuttle.  Each shuttle is sanded 5 times with different grades of sand paper and buffed with a finish 2 times. 

New 19th Century reproduction backstrap loom table

This is the proto type of a new backstrap loom I'll be offering. It is a loosely adapted reproduction of a 19 century loom. The loom I'll be offering completely breaks down. The legs and top parts come completely off for ease of storage and travel to re-enactment locations. The heddle can be ordered with any configuration you wish. Such as standard hole/slot pattern, double hole pattern or one of many pick up pattern heddle. You will also be able to order different heddle for your loom making it a great loom to grow your skills. 🙂 This one looks slightly different then what will be soon available. This one is just a prototype and the legs do not come off and the heddle slightly shorter. The top parts do come off of this loom. The heddle can also be ordered plain (single hole/ slot pattern) for re-enactments if desired. This one doesn't have a finish yet. I may offer the prototype as seen here but with a finish for sale depending on if I can get a box for it and what shipping costs would be to ship with attached legs. The box would need to be large so the shipping would be more.

New Box looms available

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

And here is a walnut version that is also available.