Never Let Me Loose in a Hardware Store

Hiya from a.,

As you know from previous posts, I have taken to spinning, like a cat to an empty lap.  The problem has been that I really only have two drop spindles (the third really functions best for plying, not spinning).  There are a lot of gorgeous spindles out there, some wood, or resin, funky or classic looking.  The problem is that they can start to run pricey, and I (as you well know dear readers) have a limited crafting budget.  Thus I decided to make my own.  There are a fair number of tutorials out there on how to do this, so I read some basics, but didn't want to use a CD or a toy wheel, and then I realized an inexpensive, but potentially really pretty option - polymer clay (aka Sculpy III).  I was able to get four colours at the local art store for 9 dollars, and then I went to the hardware store to get dowel and hooks.  I actually left the hardware only buying what I needed, but I did get distracted numerous times, by wire, screws, and awls.  So at this point my investment (okay not so much my, as our patron's investment [Hi Mom!] ) is 19 dollars.  The advantage to making your own drop spindles is that you can also kill an afternoon playing with clay.

Here are the results (there were 4 prototypes, 2 were successes and that is what you are seeing):

So here we are: modeling clay, cut up 4 foot dowel, and some ceiling hooks.  The other tools involved were a blade and sand paper, which I already have.  I got the circle shape from the lid of a canning jar.  They have a small bit of wobble, but seem to work.  I also bought a slightly wider dowel, and I'm curious what will happen when I work with that.

I know I have mentioned them both (I think) before, but I have to raise a glass to my dad and grandfather, for passing onto to me, the utter conviction of capability.  I come from a line of people who like to tinker, putter, and figure out how to make things, and I kind of love that.   My grandfather liked to play with finishing furniture (and building outdoor stuff with telephone poles), my dad likes to move walls and build backyards, finances and space have me making spindles (though just wait until those two restrictions are removed).  This leads r. to being a part of an elite group (with my mom and grandmother) who get an eye twitch or just shake their heads as a Dafoe walks by muttering "I wonder if..." or "I bet if I just...."

That's all.