Cherry and Birch Bottom Whorl Drop Spindle

Cherry and Birch Bottom Whorl Drop Spindle

Beautifully carved checkering adorns the Cherry whorl of this bottom whorl drop spindle. The whorl measures three inches in diameter. The twelve inch Birch shaft has a "Notch and Slot", also known as a T-notch and a brass bumper. The weight of this spindle is 1.9 ounces.
If you enjoy using a half hitch instead of a hook on your drop spindle, but don't like having to spin off the side of your spindle top, you need a "Notch and Slot". Dave has carved a few of these on special requests from customers and has decided to offer the unique tip on some of his spindles here on Etsy. The notch allows you to firmly attach your half hitch loop and the slot allows your yarn to spin suspended on "dead center" of the spindle tip. The half hitch is quick to attach and quickly comes free without fumbling. The "Notch and Slot" is also ideal on these longer shaft spindles when you want to spin by rolling off the thigh and not having to worry about the hook catching on your clothes.

A Trio of Spindles

Walnut and Maple with Turquoise and Pipestone Inlay

This lovely trio of spindles were created for one of our wonderful patrons. The spindles were handcrafted from walnut and the carved checkered whorls have been inlayed with maple. The delicate inlay was created with turquoise and pipestone.

Goncalo Alves and Mammoth Ivory Russian Support Spindle

Goncalo Alves and Mammoth Ivory Russian Support Spindle

Dave has crafted this lovely Russian support spindle from Goncalo Alves. He has inlayed the spindle with fossil mammoth ivory accents.

This Russian support spindle measures 11 3/4 inches in length, and weights 40g (1.4 ounces).

The Victorian Claro Walnut Top Whorl Drop Spindle

"The Victorian" Claro Walnut Top Whorl Drop Spindle

"The Victorian" is our new signature spindle. Beautifully carved checkering and a lovely Victorian leaf motif adorns the whorl of this Claro Walnut top whorl drop spindle. This drop spindle measures 9 inches in length, and has a 2 1/2 inch diameter whorl. The weight of this spindle is 0.5 ounces. A brass hook has been inserted into the top.

More photos can be found at the Etsy listing for this spindle.

Tiger Maple and Pau Ferro Pear Whorl Takli Support Spindle

Tiger Maple and Pau Ferro Pear Whorl Takli Support Spindle

Dave's newest pear whorl Takli support spindle measures about 12 inches long and weights about 1.1 ounce. The whorl was turned from a beautiful piece of Tiger Maple and the shaft from Pau Ferro.

Native American Design Low Whorl Drop Spindle

Native American Design Low Whorl Drop Spindle

Dave is adding a new design to his spindle line and this one is a real beauty! If you've taken a look at some of our past work, you've seen that pine needle basket making is another of Dave's passions.

On this new spindle, he's created a 1 7/8 inch diameter Poplar low whorl that looks like a pine needle basket. Using pyrography, he has adorned it with a Native American pattern.

This unique 11 3/4 long spindle, also features a brass hook, Spalted Birch shaft and brass bumper. The weight of this low whorl drop spindle is 1.6 ounces. If you'd like to view more photos, please visit our Etsy shop.

Pear Whorl Takli Support Spindle with Pyrography and Mammoth Ivory

Pear Whorl Takli Support Spindle with Pyrography and Mammoth Ivory

This pear whorl Takli support spindle measures about 12 inches long and weights about 1.0 ounces (28g). The cherry whorl has been adorned by Dave with a pyrographed leaf motif. The end of the walnut shaft has been shaped to better accommodate a half-hitch. The tip was crafted from redheart. An accent of ancient mammoth ivory was also used to adorn the shaft. More photos of this spindle can be viewed at the Etsy listing.

Walnut, Mammoth Ivory and Silver Top Whorl Silk Drop Spindle

Walnut, Mammoth Ivory and Silver Top Whorl Silk Drop Spindle

I think this is one of Dave's most beautiful pieces! This top whorl silk drop spindle is approximately 9 inches long and weighs 1.4 ounces. This spindle is made from walnut. The whorl has been adorned with a pyrographed leaf motif and accented with ancient mammoth ivory and sterling silver. A brass hook has been inset in the top.

American and Cherry Tibetan Support Spindle

American and Cherry Tibetan Support Spindle

This Tibetan support spindle is approximately 13 inches long and weighs 47g (1.65 ounces). The American Cherry whorl features a pyrographed (burn etched) leaf motif and has been attached to a Brazilian Cherry shaft. Dave has also adorned the shaft with Colorwood, ancient mammoth ivory and a very hard purpleheart tip. More photos of this beautiful Tibetan spindle can be found at the Etsy listing.

Purpleheart Top Whorl Silk Drop Spindle

Purpleheart Top Whorl Silk Drop Spindle

Dave has created the top whorl and stem on this spindle from purpleheart wood. This beautiful drop spindle is approximately 9 1/2 inches long and weighs 1.7 ounces. A brass hook has been inset in the top. If you would like to view more photos of this spindle, please visit the Etsy listing.

New Pear Takli Whorl Support or Drop Spindles

We have just added some new "Pear Takli" whorl spindles to our Etsy shop! These six new spindles include Bloodwood, Bocote, Bird's Eye Maple, Argentine Lignum Vitae, Bubinga and Rosewood. The weight of these spindles range from 1.0 ounces to 1.75 ounces and the price is $29 with FREE shipping.

Please visit the "Spindle" section of our Etsy shop to view additional photos of these beautiful spindles.

"Cumulus Clouds" Ceramic Support Spindle Bowl

Ceramic Support Spindle Bowl on Etsy

This is another of our new ceramic support spinning bowls. The glaze on this bowl is called "Cumulus Clouds" and it really has that beautiful blue sky and clouds effect! As with our other ceramic spindle bowls, this unique bowl is priced at $19 and shipping is FREE!

When researching support spinning bowls for Russian and Tibetan style spindles, we found that there are two important attributes that need to be incorporated into the bowl. One, is the reduction in friction by creating a ceramic glazed surface--don't forget, wood spinning on wood is how boy scouts start fires :) Second, the bowl needs to be stable to keep from constantly tipping while the spindle spins.

Our cone shaped bowl measures 3 inches in diameter across the bottom with a recessed well to support the spindle on top. An additional photo of this bowl can be found in our Grizzly Mountain Arts Etsy shop.

Russian Style Spindle and Support Spinning Bowl

Russian Style Spindle and Support Spinning Bowl

Dave has handcrafted this Russian style spindle out of Red Oak. It is 12 1/2 inches long and weighs approximately 31g (1.1 oz). It comes with a 3 inch ceramic support spinning bowl that we also handmade here at Grizzly Mountain. More photos of this set can be found at the Ebay auction listing.

Russian style spindles are used for traditional hand spinning of fine yarn such as Cashmere, Yak, Bison, and similar short stapled, fine fibers. They are used with a spinning base support such as wood or ceramic bowl that the base of the spindle can spin freely in. They vary in length and weight according to the spinning task such as very fine yarn and plying of several colors of yarns.

Leopardwood Russian Style Spindle

Leopardwood Russian Style Spindle

Dave hand crafted this Russian style spindle out of Leopardwood which is a very dense and heavy wood. This spindle is 11 ¼ inches long and weighs 48g (1.7 oz).

Russian style spindles are used for traditional hand spinning of fine yarn such as Cashmere, Yak, Bison, and similar short stapled, fine fibers. They are used with a spinning base support such as wood or ceramic bowl that the base of the spindle can spin freely in. They vary in length and weight according to the spinning task such as very fine yarn and plying of several colors of yarns.

This beautiful handmade Russian spindle is currently up for auction on Ebay.