How to spin an etsy shop

I was beginning to think that I would never spin yarn again.

At the time, I didn't know what happened, just suddenly, I stopped wanting to spin yarn. I have two beautiful spinning wheels that a delight to use, huge bags full of lovely fibre, and all the skill I need to spin just about any kind of yarn (yeah, I'm not that modest when it comes to my spinning these days.). So why wasn't I spinning?

Every time I saw my wheels sitting neglected, I was awash with guilt for not using them. Like they were neglected friends patiently waiting in the corner for me to pay attention to them.

As much as I still love spinning, I had no motivation to transform fibre into yarn. Why not?

I think I know now why not.

Over the last year or so I have come to realize that my knitting days are finished. The pain in my hands when I pick up the pointy sticks is no longer something I can ignore. Arthritis stopped my knitting before I even got to 30 - insert other self pitting remarks here - so I don't knit any more.

After the usual bout of denial, I decided to revive my etsy shop and start selling off my stash. I started with the handspun yarns and fibres, hoping to move onto some of the commercial yarns littering my stash, later on.

And then it happened!

I found this big bag of extra soft corriedale while sorting through my stash, deciding what to sell. Instead of listing it, I sat down at my wheel and spun.

Why?

Well, I think it's because as fun as creating yarn is, it doesn't fulfil the soul unless it has a purpose beyond being just yarn.

When you think about it, yarn is in a suspended state of becoming something else. If it just sits there being yarn, then it's purpose is unfulfilled. Knowing that people are enjoying my yarn, makes me feel invigorated. It gave me the motivation I needed to do one of the things I love most in the world.

In the end, I'm really thankful to my mentor OB1 who taught me how to spin. Without spinning, I don't think I would have any yarn connections left, now that my hands have....more self pitting remarks about arthritis.

Sewing Machine Treadle Cabinet: Quick fix for water damage

This is by no means the 'proper' way to restore those beautiful old treadle cabinets, but it does work for minor water damage.

Most of the sewing machine treadle cabinets I've come across have a simple stain and varnish finish that is easily damaged by the slightest bit of moisture. If you set a cold glass of water on it, it's bound to leave a ring. You would be surprised how easily your beautiful cabinet top can be damaged by moisture.

But lucky for you, there is a quick-fix solution for minor water damage. Light furniture oil rubbed into the wood, quickly revives the finish. I used Walnut Oil for my cabinet. It's a sort-of food safe oil, that very slightly darkens the wood, buffs easily to a classic shine, and hardens quickly, both improving the appearance and providing a protective layer.

Since this cabinet is for my own use, I'm just going to refresh the finish and then later on, apply a couple of coats of Tried & True.

Before:

After:

Two VERY IMPORTANT THINGS to note.

First: Walnut oil should not be used by people who have nut allergies or on wood that will be used by people who have nut allergies. There is a small chance of a bad reaction. However, there are many other kinds of oil you can use for this quick fix.

Second and most important: Spontaneous Combustion! Yes, it is a real thing. To quote from this link:

Spontaneous Combustion is one of the leading causes of fires in homebrewing operations according to fire investigators. Oily rags will burst into flames without an apparent ignition source if the conditions are right. Unfortunately the right conditions are fairly easy to replicate. Just pile up some oily rags. The oil will chemically react with the air in a process called oxidation, giving off heat. The rags act like insulation holding in the heat, letting it build up to autoignition temperatures.

So please dispose of the oily rag properly. When finished with the rag, get it good and wet and then seal it up in an air-tight plastic bag which you will then not put in the garbage inside the house, but instead, you will place it directly in the outside garbage bin.