Check out my new toy!!!

[Frangipani]

I made the mother of all finds when I came across this Ashford Traditional spinning wheel. It was $50 Australian (like $30 US dollars) at a market not far from my house. The woman was so happy that I bought it, she invited me over to her house this week to give me all the accessories that accomany this big bad thing!!! :yay **click them for your viewing pleasure**

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y100/bellascreations/th_DSCF1038.jpg (http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y100/bellascreations/DSCF1038.jpg)

It totally fit my budget to get it becase they run around $400-500 new. Just wanted to share my fantastic find an I can't wait to get started-a-spinnin'! I'm going to join the local spinners guild here in Sydney next month. YAY!!!

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y100/bellascreations/th_DSCF1040.jpg (http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y100/bellascreations/DSCF1040.jpg)

Bec
:clap

[dudleyspinner]

congratulations on that find! That is a great deal and a good wheel, sturdy and well made.
Deb

[xantha]

congrats! :) woohoo!

[SpottedTApps]

I'm very jealous! I bought my own wheel last December and had shopped for years before that. I finally broke down and bought a new one for $270. I do love it though!

[snapkat]

Wow! Very exciting. Do you know how to spin?

[Frangipani]

Thanks! I have yet to learn to spin but have been researching on the net and will be joining the Sydney spinners guild to get lessons. The ladies are very nice and I'm totally excited about learning how.
:clap

[HollyM]

One of the best new spinner tips I got was this:
Take a skein of cheap acrylic yarn and attach one end to the bobbin.
Start "spinning" until you've used up the skein. That will let you get the hang of treddling, adjusting the take up tension and moving the yarn along the hooks.

Once you are comfortable with that, spinning with real roving will be easier because you can concentrate more on drafting and you won't be so worried about wasting the real stuff.

Oh! Also be sure to get some oil! If you can't get your hands on spinning wheel oil, sewing machine oil will do quite nicely. You want to put a few drops of oil on anything metal part that moves and also the shaft that the bobbin sits on.

Good luck!
Holly

[Frangipani]

Thanks for that Holly. I'm still learning all of the terminology but the video tutorials on www.joyofhandspinning.com are really helpful.

Cheers,
Bec

[rebeccav]

WOW! what an awesome find!!
bec, you are going to LOVE spinning! i adore my wheel and would spin every day if i didn't have so many knitting and crochet projects going!:manyheart:manyheart:manyheart

[carrieanne]

OW, its really nice! You sure did get a great deal!