In between trips out to make the most of our wonderful and unexpectedly warm weather I have been working on Cathy’s new wheel. Most of the major components are made, so I just temporarily put things together for this photo. I am happy that the dark painted frame and critter heads work well against the natural wood. The brown spots on the hub are just Photoshopped covers so the screw holes aren’t distracting. They will turn into walnut plugs on the real wheel. I’m thinking of making the various knobs from walnut as well and insetting a little abalone disc into each one. That will add a touch of color to the simple albeit dramatic tones of the wheel. The raven is removable in the same way the mermaid was on my last wheel. I will use this technique whenever possible because there are no magnets, screws or other ways to hold things together. Simple is good! The raven’s beak is open and I am debating what to put there. A sun disc would be the regular option but the beak is open too wide for a horizontal disc and too narrow for a disc on edge. I may find a pretty stone or bead and put it there. Rebekah feels the need for it to be red. Any thoughts? The empty circle of wood in the center of the hub (matched by one on the other side too) will likely be the home of a sun design . The moon will go on the opposite side. I think that is what Cathy suggested back many emails ago. So that’s the latest from my dusty shop. Hope you like it!
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In a previous post I put forth an idea. The prospect of enjoying the company of some of you spinners at the Lake Crescent Lodge seemed so good. I could just imagine what a great place this would be for such a gathering. Within the next few days, although the idea still is enticing, I began to understand the great logistical and financial considerations. Perhaps I was a bit impulsive, but I think it is better to say that I just enjoy you guys and savor opportunities to spend time together. I learn so much from you! Also this place is so special, I just felt the great desire to share it with people who could appreciate it as much as I do. Several of you indicated an enthusiastic response and desire to come. If you are still interested please email me and we can begin to do a bit of serious planning.
One thing someone here suggested is that we hold the event somewhere cheaper and more convenient for travel and shopping. Classes were also mentioned. This sounds good, but I would let others plan and bring that to fruition. I wasn’t envisioning this as a learning about spinning thing. In the first place, I don’t even spin! I believe that every one of you knows what you need to know to make your spinning efforts rewarding and beautiful. I guess my idea of a retreat is simply that – a chance to distance yourself from the fast-paced routines of modern life and relish the beauty of a special place with special people. If this is a bit too much too soon, I can always suggest it again down the road. Thanks for at least humoring this old wheelmaker and I will get back to making saw dust.
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As a sort of last hurrah before our rainy and cold season, we took a day trip out to Lake Crescent. This beautiful crystal clear lake forms the northern border of Olympic National Park. Along the south shore is a wonderful old lodge along with its string of cabins. Leaving the highway that hugs the edge of the lake you drive slowly through the huge fir and maple trees, and by the time the lodge appears you have entered another world. In the summer it is a favorite place for kids of all ages and you can watch the canoes, kayak,and swimmers go by as you sit in one of the Adirondack chairs by the lodge. If you have more time there is a waterfall to visit as well as other hikes through the forest. This first photo shows the path that leads to the front porch of this old classic building. The bright spot at the right is sunlight glinting off the lake.
Entering the lodge you might be tempted to stop and enjoy a moment on this porch. I thought, what a great a place this would be for some of my spinning friends.
Running along the water side of the lodge is a glassed in sun porch. On warm days the windows are open to let the sound of the lake and the breezes to enter. Even though Amy, Maxine, and I were not hungry, we couldn’t resist ordering a side of french fries to split. This justified our lingering on the porch and I can almost bet you these are some of the best fries in the world. Amy is either waiting for the order to arrive or thinking how nice a place this would be to spin…. (hint)
This view is looking out from the sun porch and you can see a ring of lawn chairs just begging to be used by a group of spinners…. (another hint)
After lingering in the lodge we strolled around the grounds. This is never complete without a walk along the shore. It was a blustery yet mild day. This is Maxine and Amy walking together. I am so lucky to have both of them in my life!
Now! As I previewed these photos later at home an idea suddenly entered my head. Wouldn’t this be an ideal place for an Olympic Spinning Wheel retreat? The cabins are cozy, the lodge often has a big fire in the stone fireplace, and there is plenty of room for spinning. The lodge has a wonderful dining room. Every time I’ve eaten there I was more than delighted with the food. If any of you spinners or Olympic Wheel owners are interested, here are a few more thoughts:
Amy and I would be delighted to facilitate the logistics of the trip for you. We would both be there the entire time. How could we possibly not be? I would try to have several extra wheels made to use as loaners for those who wanted to attend but couldn’t bring their own wheel. I would try to rent a large van and provide a half day trip up to Hurricane Ridge if spinners wanted to go. I would also make couple free bobbins for each spinner in attendance. That’s one way to get more bobbins! Amy will be posting a couple videos to our Facebook site and you might want to see them. They will give you more of a feel for what the place is really like. Also here is a link you might want to visit: http://www.olympicnationalparks.com/accommodations/lake-crescent-resort.aspx
We have never done anything like this before, so if you have helpful ideas, feel free to pass them on. Whenever I have the chance to be around “my spinners” I feel so very fortunate and privileged for the time. This could be best yet. What do you think?
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We left Port Townsend on a wet and gray morning. We arrived at Canby five hours later and Amy couldn’t resist taking a picture of the sky right as we entered town. The weather was wonderful for the entire event. 
Amy is just beginning a long day of spinning. We shared a corner of the tent occupied by Compass Rose Farms. Kateen is visiting with Amy. She is the brains behind the farm, I suspect. 
A little ferry crosses the river right near Canby. You can see it at the river’s edge. Quite a pleasant contrast to our hours on I-5! 
The evening light was so pretty hitting the trees and fields around Canby. I would love to spend more time in moments just like this. So quiet! Quite a contrast to our fairground campground where the train whistle awakened us fairly often throughout the night. 
Lots of flowers grow in this area. Even though it is late in their season we found and photographed these. 
Another field in the last evening light is a good way to remember this wonderful little change from our life here in Port Townsend. We met so many wonderful people and learned so much as well. Already I am looking forward to next year. Hope to see many of you there! .. .. .. ..
I have a lot of odds and ends to attend to before we leave on Friday to attend OFFF, but I couldn’t resist the chance to start a new wheel and bring it along for show and tell. This one is for Cathy in Alaska and she chose to have me make a wheel featuring a wolf and raven in NW coast style. The thing that sets this project apart from the others is that she has given me free rein to make it the way I want. She actually is happy not to have to make a lot of decisions! Consequently I will do my very best to give her the wheel of her dreams – even if she doesn’t have a clear picture of exactly what she wants. With two critters afoot on this wheel, there has to be some creative adjusting of space. After all, either of these guys would gladly be the star and hog all the good spots! The mermaid wheel I just finished kind of opened up a new option for me so where the stained glass art was on the mermaid, I have put the wolf. His eyes are abalone and in order to keep him in balance with the raven, he is a black wolf. My plan is to make the big wheels and the treadles from a natural finished cherry. It should really pop against the dark frame. On the big wheels will be painted designs of the wolf and raven. There will be more abalone of course, and I think the knobs will either be a very light toned hard maple or padouk – that wonderful rich red wood. I of course will not squander this trust and forge ahead with no regard to Cathy. She will get to approve every step along this journey, and anyone out there can feel free to offer design help as well. I very much appreciate your comments. One note to Laurie Weinsoft, who will be teaching at OFFF with her sidekicks Rudy and Cecile: make sure Rudy behaves himself around the new wolf!
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Maxine and I took the new mermaid wheel out to Fort Worden for a photo shoot this afternoon. She went to look for agates while I enjoyed a chance to place this wheel in an appropriate setting. There are no tide pools in this area, but the beach is still one of our favorite places. The seagulls in the distance were watching warily.
Jennifer chose to have me build a delta flyer with sliders. Amy hasn’t tested it yet but to my untrained feet it seems to be working very well! The mermaid and its water are painted with interference colors which shift a lot depending on the light.
I like the way our little lady of the sea turned out. Also, in the center of the hub, you can see a little bronze crab guarding his shell. Here’s an interesting side note: When we were driving along the shoreline going to our spot near the lighthouse, I saw a huge dark shape rear out of the water, roll, and descend into the depths. It came up once again a hundred yards farther down the beach. I don’t know what it was. It was way too large for an otter or a seal or even a sea lion. We saw an elephant seal once in this place many years ago and it was so surprising and huge it was almost scary. If I’d been in a kayak I would have headed to the beach! Maybe that is what we saw today. Or perhaps someone knew we were bringing a mermaid to the beach and wanted a closer look. . . .hmmm
It has become a tradition for me and at least one daughter to spend two delightful days at Compass Rose Farm near Discovery Bay during the Olympic Peninsula Fiber Farms Tour. It is a great time as there are none of my tools to beckon me to work, so I get to relax, talk to interesting people, and savor the farm atmosphere. This year Amy was my partner. Pictured above is the new produce stand made by the interns who help out on the farm and learn a lot in the process. We met several of these wonderful young people and enjoyed listening to them tell a bit about what this experience has meant to them.
Another new addition this year is a cozy area behind the farmhouse where the fiber activities are staged. If you look carefully you can see Amy spinning on her new wheel while another lady, Arlene, is knitting behind her. In the foreground Wendy is cleaning a friendly pelt, which I learned means these sheep were rooed rather than clipped, which is less stressful to the sheep. In the background are tables with a lot of the farm’s fiber for sale. People who purchased these products were able to go meet the animals who produce it.
One of the opportunities on the farm is for people to learn a bit about forges and iron. While this young lady is not my stereotypical smith, she knew more about this craft than I do! Beyond the forge is the holding area for the Icelandic sheep.
Here Kateen is introducing a family to the sheep. Those critters were really warm today as we were enjoying temps in the mid 70s.
One very welcome perk for being vendors was the chance to share a bowl of chili and cornbread with the farm staff. The outdoor summer kitchen was a lot of fun and the food it helped produce was fabulous!
Robert, the patriarch of the farm, was delighted this morning to show us his latest discovery – sheep eggs! I will be anxious to see if they hatch!
Two days of farm activities was such a wonderful break from our daily routine. This place requires a huge commitment of time, tons of hard work, and lots of thought and care. I thank the farmers and their helpers for so generously sharing their world with us. I look forward to next year already!
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I’ve had a lot of productive hours in the shop lately. This wheel is about eighty percent finished and it is a thrill for me to see all the bits and pieces come together and begin to function as a team. Jennifer loves tide pools, so I have painted a pool on each big wheel. A little work remains on the painting, and I am waiting for Jennifer’s approval before I finish up. The mermaid assembly is easily removable by simply lifting it off the handle. It is carved from wood and finished to look like cast metal. Each of the hubs has a little bronze crab guarding a shell fragment that Jennifer sent me from her stash. They really go well with the glass. The knob sitting on the lower treadle is walnut and has a bronze starfish epoxied to it. It will secure the speed changing assembly when it is ready to install. Now on to the footman rods and we can she how it treadles!
I’ve had a pretty productive time in the shop these past days. It’s fun to jump from one project to another. I’m working on finishing Amy’s raven, making bobbins a new way, and then there is this tide pool wheel with that beautiful glass. I photographed it in the sweet evening light and everything looks a bit yellower than it really will be. Cherry has a way of deepening in color and looking more red as it gets exposure to the sun. It will mellow and enhance the glass just about right. Another contrast to the cherry is the bit of walnut used as a foot on the front leg. I will use more walnut in strategic places later on. I couldn’t resist inlaying a glass jewel into the foot on each side too. It’s an easy and nice way to carry the glass theme a bit farther. Now I’ve got to make the big wheels and treadles.
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I worked on Jennifer’s frame last evening and tried to follow the guidelines she suggested. She wants a mermaid wheel with a lot to do with tide pools. As usual, a wheel begins to take on its own life and this couldn’t be clearer than those moments in the shop when I started to look for glass. I hoped I could find in my fairly substantial stash of stained glass pieces that would reflect Jennifer’s taste. The very first piece I pulled out was absolutely just right! I immediately threw out my plan of soldering a number of pieces together because it just couldn’t get any better than this! It has a beautiful water ripple effect on both sides (a bonus as most stained glass has one pretty smooth side) and a great mix of blues and greens. The photo shows it inset into the middle layers of the frame. Over this wood will go a layer of 9/16″ cherry on each side to achieve the necessary final thickness. The wood looks bland now as it is roughly sanded and has no finish. But the warm finished tones of the cherry will really set this glass off like a jewel. This is a lot of fun!
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Olympic Spinning Wheels 