This and That...

"The Universe in a Ladybug"
(Click photo to enlarge)

"The Empress"
(Click photo to enlarge)

I just finished "The Empress" spindle whorl shown above for a customer who also ordered "The Universe in a Ladybug". "The Empress "has to be one of the most detailed spindles I've done and the other is not far behind in complexity. My eyes are about to fall out, but they were really gratifying projects to work on. I am so happy with the end results that I just had to share them immediately! On a side note: The painting of "The Empress" is only 1.5" x 2" in size.

Today I also purchased the domain name "crowhillhouse.com", so I will be in the process of building a "real" website very soon. I am looking at actually stocking some spindles (they will still be one-of-a-kind) and having a shopping cart available for purchase of those spindles. Same thing with knitting needles.

One thing that the new website will allow me to do is post a gallery where you can look at all of the spindles without having to dig back throuugh archives of blogs. I am looking forward to that!

For now, I am still taking custom orders and am making a dent in my list at least. When I do the really detailed spindles like the one shown in this entry, I can only do that one spindle in a day. It's just too taxing physically and mentally to do more. Custom work always takes time and I want to thank all of you who are waiting patiently... or not so patiently for spindles.

Time to take a break now and do something totally unrelated to work for awhile.

Peace & Joy,

Jen

Life is So Busy!

Spring Fling

Well, I've been testing out all of the new whorls that I just got and above is one of the spindles that I painted yesterday. I had to test it out right away and I am happy that it spins well. Maybe not quite as long the spindles I typically paint, but it's still well within range of what I find acceptable.

I've also been busy with custom spindles and dealing with the fiber room. Sheesh, how on earth did I end up with so much fiber?! I still have to really go through all of it and de-stash, but at least it's in better order than it was previous to my getting in there yesterday morning.

After a long afternoon of painting a really detailed spindle, I am ready to get a shower, get dressed up and go out tonight. I love to take my knitting to a bookstore and sit in the cafe and knit while I have a cup of tea and talk with my husband. It's such a nice way to decompress on a Friday evening.

Wishing you All Peace & Joy,

Jen

New Choices Added

If you'll look to your right, there is a new link called "Whorls and Weights". Please click this link to see new choices in whorls and the approximate finished weight of spindles made from each of these whorls. You can always choose different size shafts, which will in turn change the weights. Weights may also vary slightly due to variations in the wood density, layers of paint, etc.

Peace & Joy,
Jen

NEW...Knitting Needles!

Something New! Hand painted, birch knitting needles! The ones you see above are listed on eBay this week along with another set of Sunflowers. I will also be taking custom orders for these. Right now, they are starting on eBay at .99. After doing some research on relative pricing of these needles I have decided to price them at $10.00 per pair regardless of size plus .75 shipping in the continental U.S. Unpainted needles of this same kind range between $7.50 and $10.00 per pair on other sites, so I think that $10.00 per pair was a fair compromise.

I have sizes from 3 to 17 right now with some sizes missing from the lot I purchased from a woodworker who made them and was going out of business. I have LOTS of these needles, other than the large sizes which I have very few of, and would love to paint a set up for you!

I personally sand each pair with 3 different grits of sandpaper, by hand, to make sure that the needles are smooth as possible. ( I hate rough needles!) The points are medium; between sharp and rounded. If you like them sharper or more rounded, they can be sanded when you receive them since there is no finish on the needle itself. The ends that are painted do have a clear coat over them to protect the painted designs.

Obviously, the designs on these needles can't be quite as detailed as those on spindles, but I am really happy with how the first batch came out. Wow, talk about painting teeny tiny things!!! But really, that's what I enjoy doing. It's a challenge and it's also very engrossing.

Please, let me know what you think!

Peace & Joy to All,

Jen

Happy Valentine's Day All!

Hmm, I'm sitting here thinking what kind of valentine I could give to all of the wonderful spinners out there who have ordered spindles from me since I started this whole thing last summer. Right now, I have orders for 31 custom spindles!! I had never dreamed that this would take off and do so well. It has bee a blessing and a joy.

With that said, I would like to offer free shipping on any spindle(s) ordered before midnight tonight, February 14th. This only applies to new orders. Sorry to all of you who already have orders in. I will run other promotions form time to time, so watch this website!

Anyone who orders should be aware that the wait for spindles is around 6 weeks right now. It could be less, or more, depending on how life plays itself out. I have learned after this past fall to leave myself lots of wiggle room with deadlines and all of you have been wonderful about it.

Thank you ALL for your support!

Jen

A Gallery of Recent Work...

These are pictures of some recent spindles that I did for a dear lady out in Seattle. Just thought you might enjoy seeing some of the new work and that they might inspire each of you to come up with ideas for your own, personal spindles.

To all of you who have orders placed at this time, rest assured that they are progressing and you will hear from me soon and will have your spindles in hand as quickly as I can possibly get them there without sacrificing any attention to detail.

Thank you all for your support, your orders and your patience. Spinners have been some of the most wonderful people I have had the great good fortune to meet. Spin Happy!

Peace & Joy,

Jen