I am a weaver and spinner of wool as well as cotton, linen and other fibers.
Deeply drawn to early American life, I have always had a self-sufficient and independant "I'd rather do it myself " attitude.
Somewhere along the line I have decided that our foremothers had a great deal of satisfaction in the producing the fabric and textiles for their families from raw materials and with hand operated looms and wheels. So I decided to follow suit, determining to teach myself with some guidance from others more knowledgeable.
I have enjoyed the fruits of the "loom" so to speak, and the connection to men and women of times past who carefully planned, designed and hand crafted the tools as well as the textiles which we often see today in museums under the term "artifact".
My love for the wheels and looms themselves led me to learn to use them with some degree of proficiency, but it is my collection of over 16 looms and a dozen spinning wheels that I am most excited about.
Each one speaks to me with a gentle silence that alludes to the bygone days of it's youthful usefulness at the hands of a woman much as I am now, industrious, concerned with the comfort of family and household. Each loom or wheel that I own hints at the spirit of the person now long gone who gave "birth" to it ..in a manner of speaking. To me these magical tools provide a continuity between the human- ess of ancestors never met, and myself, living in the shadow of their still felt presence.
I enjoy spinning and weaving traditonal rag rugs and look forward to weaving my first reproduction coverlet. I grow more and more convinced that simple creative joy can be found at the treadle of a spinning wheel or bench of an ancient loom!
As a professional consultant I evaluate entire collections for museums, or heirlooms for an individual or estate. Please contact me @ barnlooms@yahoo.com for my rates.
Each antique wheel or loom is a part of our early history and those that have a distinct Long Island connection are all the more valuable and interesting.
In an effort to identify and document antique wheels and looms for the purpose of uncovering those made here on Long Island, I have created the NY Spinning Wheel & Weaving Loom Registry. There is a small fee to register a wheel/loom/coverlet or related textile tool. The fee covers the cost of office supplies and postage where necessary.
Information in the data base will be available for researchers/scholars/collectors and enthusiasts for a small fee. This fee covers clerical help.
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