Well so, form over function means that the item should be beautiful, and the function should be a secondary consideration.  That is true with these spindles, sort of.

I learned that I was actually useing them incorrectly, and thus my problems.  I was trying to spin thicker yarn oh maybe 20 wpi or so, and these spindles won’t work for that.  They stop spinning.  I found that if I spun lace weight, as in about 30 – 40 wpi (for the singles) they spun fantastic.  I was just thrilled.  So the form and function are harmonious at this point.

The only hitch left in the design of these little beauties is adhereing the whorls and hooks securely.  I am testing yet another glue, and should know by tonight if it will do the trick.  If this one doesn’t work well enough, then I will try epoxy, and I am also considering soldering them on.  Wouldn’t THAT be gorgeous!

So the only design element I am not feeling really good about is the hook.  I found that if you dropped the spindle 10 feet down onto the ground from the porch, and it happend to land on the hook it bent.  To eliminate this problem I would have to use a MUCH heavier wire, and my form would be quite unattractive.  So I think this will just have to be left as it is.  I am going to look into some heavier pins to see if I can find something that will be a little more stable.  I didn’t have any trouble dropping them from short distances, so I think even as they are that they would be just fine.  They are somewhat delicate however and not something to be thrown around as the whorls will chip and the hooks will bend.

But enough talking, show me the spindles right?  Here is what I have made, and tested thus far.

I just love them, these test spindles will probably be sold for a smaller fee than the ones I will eventually make, I am thinking maybe around $25 for these, and then if I can get more consitant results, probably around $35.

Some of the whorls are carved, and some of them just don’t show up as well.  As I list them I will need to take better individual shots, but I thought this would give you all a good idea of what I had up my sleeve!

What do you think of the colored stains?  I mixed these myself, and I like them best.  I will be making up all sorts of colors, and this will let me choose the right color to go with the whorls.  I also have a lady who will let me “Pick through a HUGE box” of whorls so I can have a much better selection.  These were just a few I chose to try out, and I hadn’t found a good supplier yet.  But NOW I have one, so I have nothing to stop me!  It’s very exciting, I love to create.

The lighter ones weigh around 18 grams, and the heaviest one about 28 grams.  I will be designing some heavier spindles soon, for more heavy yarns.  The heaviest 28 gram one will work for heavier yarn, but you have to twirl more than I would like.

I spun on each one, and I thought they all worked really really well.  I could spin at least a yard with one twirl, which I thought was reasonable because you have to stop to wind on then anyway.  Especially if you are spinning in the car while riding… ahem

I did get a few odd looks, but found them all wonderful to use.  I will sell these, then take what I make from those sales, and buy more whorls and wood and make more. 

Also in progress are nostepinnes, (with a wpi tool included) and a wpi tool/necklace, and also some tiny spindle ear rings and necklace pendants.  Should be really really BEAUTIFUL!  and also useful.  I could also make little stone whorl key chains which got my 14 year old son really excited.  ???  What is up with that?  He doesn’t like spinning, but is nutso over a spindle key chain.  Oh well I guess I should be happy he wants one of those instead of an IPOD or something…

Let me know what you think, you guys are helping me make something really pretty, and useful.  Who knows, what if one of these was the prize???  Or something even better?  Better comment, just to be safe LOL!