SOPA and the Fiber Arts
Today is a day of protest. There are bills before both branched of the legislature that will end the internet as we know it. Maybe this is what the Mayans were talking about?
If these bills pass, the internet is likely to collapse under the weight of the restrictions and censorship. As many of you know, I’m a web developer by day so it’s a ticket for the fast train to unemployment for me.
So, what’s so bad about that? It is a dream of mine to be a full time fiber artist and what better opportunity? Except, how do I reach my audience? The internet has opened a global market to the smallest of businesses. With out it, we are back to the good old days of mail order and expensive print advertising to try to break into markets outside of our local area. Basically, we’d be going back 30 years.
SOPA/PIPA may save a few jobs, but they destroy much more in opportunity. I ask every one to contact your representatives and tell them to stop this legislation. Let’s address piracy in a sane and appropriate manner.
Travelling Red Dress (that’s not a red dress)
I’m a fan of Jenny Lawson, The Bloggess, http://thebloggess.com. Recently, she shared her struggles with depression and self harm. This lead to a huge resurgence and expansion of her “Travelling Red Dress” project. I won’t go into details, you can find them on her website, twitter and a few main stream media articles in the … more »
Next Gen
Yep, he’s getting pretty good at it for not quite 3 yrs old!
Better late…
Its 9:21 pm and I’m waiting for the epoxy on the future hooks to dry. The whorls didn’t come in until today. It’s gonna be a long night, but it’s oh, soo good.
It’s like being at the top of the first hill on a rollercoaster
No pictures, I hope you can forgive me. So a few quick notes about what’s going on.
1. The Southeastern Animal Fiber Fair starts tomorrow. By that I mean for normal people it starts tomorrow, the rest of us it started yesterday. Historically, this is the busiest and most stressful weekend of the year, and the most fun. This year it’s like a vacation, not that SAFF is any less stressful, but the baseline stress in my life has risen that high.
2. I’m supposed to be presenting the prototypes of my new drop spindles at SAFF this weekend. The problem is, I don’t have the whorls yet. They were supposed to arrive yesterday, but my Post Office curse struck again. This hasn’t done good things to my blood pressure or the color of my hair (more and more grey every day). I’m mentally re-arranging my plans for the day and holding on to the delusional certainty that they will arrive today.
3. I’m at work. Financially and workload wise, it is just not feasible for me to take the 3 days off I had planned on, so I’ll leave here about 2 pm -ish and try to catch up with everyone else. It’s hard to concentrate though, I’m losing the battle.
4. I’m leaving early today, which means I will have an abridged lunch break. This leaves no time for that walk through of the Southern Highlands Guild show. I don’t know what I was thinking, I should have known better than to think I could have.
The trouble tickets are stacking up and I only have a few hours today. Wish me luck this weekend.
Almost there
I got another email from my project partner. Bad news – The aren’t going to be here in time for Dollywood this weekend. They will be here for SAFF though. So, on to the pictures Jim sent. Yeah, that one is my favorite. That’s a favorite too. I’m still researching the best options for hooks … more »
One step closer
I’ve been very busy between the day job and weekends at Dollywood. I’ve met so many great people there and I’m having lots of fun, but it’s also a lot of work with no down time.
On the upside I just got a new batch of pictures for the spindle projects
If you can, stop by Dollywood and say “Hi!” next weekend or on the 29th. Or catch me at SAFF the 21st through the 23rd.
Drop spindles on the way
I’m being teased by my engineer/machinist contact.
I keep getting links to these images…
One by one.
It’s almost as if he thinks I am sitting here jumping up and down and squeeing like a little girl over this project.
Just because I totally am, doesn’t make it right.
Thank you Jim, you really know how to get a girl excited!
BFD Drop Spindles Coming Soon!
Yes, I am in talks with an engineer who has great contacts with machinists and other metal worker types. We are currently working on the first prototypes of a line of spindles inspired by motorcycle parts. I won’t post images because the only ones I have are CAD drawings, but here’s the info I know.
- Whorls will be aluminum based on a #40 sprocket
- There will be at least 2 different finishes, polished and satin
- They will be anodizes some amazing colors with designs engraved onto them
- First look will be ready in time for SAFF
Yep, that’s a lot of work, The first prototypes will feature a wooden shaft and standard hook.
But wait, there’s more!
I’ve also gotten initial drawings and weight estimates on aluminum shafts with integrated “hook” system. There’s still a lot of work to go for this, so it’s not going to be ready for the first look. However, it will have some neat features:
- Whorls will be interchangeable with the shafts.
- Shafts will be offered in multi-colors as well, you cna mix and match
- When your spindle is full, remove the whorl and you can load it into the forthcoming lazy kate for plying, no need to remove the cop.
Anyway, I’m very excited about these new spindles and I hope other folks will be too.
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