This group of handspinning tools was recently completed for one of our wonderful patrons. The unique spindle at the bottom of the photo features pyrographed shamrocks on it's birch shaft. The walnut whorl has Dave's detailed leaf motif, and this particular spindle can be used as either a top or bottom whorl drop spindle. The walnut spindle in the middle has a delightful shamrock motif that has been created using turquoise and pipestone inlay. Last, but certainly not least, is the gorgeous supported Tibetan spindle which was crafted from koa and birdseye maple, and it's matching birdseye maple bowl. The support spinning bowl has an earthy green earthenware ceramic insert.If you'd like to see our other fiber art tools, please visit our Flickr portfolio.
Dave has crafted this unique style tatting shuttle out of Big Leaf Maple Burl. It is about 3 ¼ inches long. He did not want to detract from the beautiful burl, so he only added a delicate burn etched dragonfly to the shuttle. This elegant tatting shuttle has been initialed by Dave. Please visit the Ebay auction listing for this beautiful fiber art tool to view an additional photo.
Walnut Russian Support Spindle with Matching Lap Bowl This beautiful set was a recent commission. The Russian support spindle features mammoth ivory inlay and it's companion lap bowl features detailed checkering and a ceramic insert.
Dave has hand crafted this beautiful 2 ½ inch tatting shuttle out of a piece of aqua blue acrylic. He has polished it to a high gloss. An additional photo can be found at the Ebay auction.
Dave has crafted this 5 inch laying tool out of ebony wood and very pink acrylic. The elegant fiber art tool is currently up for auction on Ebay.
Koa and Cocobolo Tibetan Support Spindle
Koa is a stunningly beautiful wood as is evidenced in the whorl of Dave's latest Tibetan support spindle. The shaft was crafted from cocobolo.
We have just added the three wrist distaffs above to our Etsy shop. These unique wrist distaffs all feature the "Bee's Knees" carved design. The woods used in these distaffs are bocote, walnut and poplar.
This versatile drop spindle has been notched and slotted on both ends, and can be used as both a top whorl or a bottom whorl spindle. The 2 inch walnut whorl has been adorned with Dave's pyrographed leaf motif, and he has carried the leaf motif to the 10 inch birch shaft. The weight of this spindle is 0.9 ounces.
Dave has crafted this elegant notched top whorl drop spindle from birdseye maple and cocobolo woods. The 2 3/4 inch birdseye maple whorl features a beautiful pyrographed rose and leaf motif. The cocobolo shaft measures 9 inches below the whorl. The overall length of this one of a kind handspinning tool is 10 1/2 inches. This 1.8 ounce drop spindle also features a brass hook. Additional photos can be found at the Etsy listing for this spindle and in our Flickr spindle portfolio.
This beautiful support spinning bowl has been crafted from Hawaiian koa. The ceramic insert was glazed with "Blue Grotto". You can find this spindle bowl in our Etsy shop.~More About Koa~ The Acacia koa tree, is a species of flowering tree in the pea family found mainly on the Hawaiian islands, where it is the second most common tree. Its name in the Hawaiian language means brave, bold, fearless, or warrior. Koa is one of the fastest growing Hawaiian trees capable of reaching 20-30 feet in five years and was used by the Hawaiian natives to make outrigger canoes and surfboards. Being a tonewood, koa is often used in the construction of ukuleles, acoustic guitars and Hawaiian steel guitars.
Walnut "Bee's Knees" Wrist Distaff with WPI Gauges ~Click photo for a larger view~ This "bee's knees" style distaff is very similar to a familiar style of lace bobbin that Dave has made in the past. Bees have segmented legs with joints or "knees" in between, and this is reflected in the design of this 7 inch long walnut distaff. Of course, everyone knows that the expression "the bee's knees" is also a term meaning excellence-the highest quality. This lovely distaff has both a 1 inch WPI and a 1/2 inch WPI on the end. A swivel was added to allow the distaff to rotate or turn as the roving is pulled from it.
This is a new handspinning tool for our Etsy shop! Beautiful carved checkering adorns the top of this walnut hand distaff. Weighting 2.0 ounces, this lightweight distaff would be a lovely addition to your handspinning tool collection.
Dave has crafted this 12 inch long Tibetan support spindle from walnut, cherry and hard mahogany. The rim of the walnut whorl has been adorned with a beautiful pyrographed rose and leaf motif. The shaft was crafted from cherry, and the point from hard mahogany. This gorgeous spindle weights 1.8 ounces (50 grams).