TOOLS of the FIBER trade

I couldn't help myself.  After having the sheep sheared for their first time this spring, I had these 3 bags of wool (hee hee).  I came across a fiber shop website called; "The Woolery" (Paradise Fibers in Spokane is pretty cool too) and man, did I find some great stuff.  First things first, I picked up some hand carders, which I've recently found don't work great unless the wool is CLEAN.  I also picked up a "flicker brush" this is used to clean the carders getting between the fine teeth to clean out minor gunk.  And I picked up my first drop spindle.....Despite my good intentions I ended up sending off two thirds of the wool to be processed.  Once I started to skirt and pick the wool to prepare it for shipping, I realized there was much more to the process than what I was prepared for.  I must stay open to learning and I can't accomplish it all, especially in the first year.  I believe even the experts have potential to grow if they stay open to doing so.   (But, I still want more stuff like wool combs and colorful dyes!)  I'll tackle it all eventually.  My objectives are to learn how to wash and dye the wool, plying, perfect spinning, and felt.  I'd even like to learn to shear......

The world of fiber.....

I felt like I formally took the first step in becoming a "spinner".  My love of fiber wasn't something I was born with, nor do I feel like I've reached my potential.....  Having the time to cater to my hobbies is still something I am forever searching for.  But fiber interests me.  Being a touchy-feely person (yes, I'm the one smearing my finger oils over the fabrics in the fabric stores), it would be expected for me to get into utilizing these mini-wooly beasts' wool.  BUT, I'm no expert and am completely open to the fact I have A LOT to learn. 

This past Saturday I enrolled in a class sponsored by the Fiber Arts Festival at NW Alpaca Showcase held at the TRAC in Pasco, WA.  The class was titled; "Beginning Spinning on a Drop Spindle".  Admittingly I referenced uTube videos prior to even hearing about the offered class convinced that I could self teach myself to spin.  Immediately, I was drawn to using the tool "drop spindle" opposed to the "spinning wheel".  Not that using a drop spindle was necessarily advertised as easier but because it was an affordable option to feed my yet unattempted hobby. The class was wonderfully taught by a woman, Taryn Winegardner which wouldn't surprize me if her name popped up when using GOOGLE search engine; "spinning pro".  Using patience and some wit, she managed to inspire, I believe, every single attendee in the room in some way.

The door to the world of fiber opened up to me that Saturday.  To not only the possibilities of the drop spindle but the various fibers, the assortment of yarns, and all of the tools that are available to process wool.  What can I say?  I'm inspired.  Colors, textures, processes...oh my!