The Handmade symposium was a brilliant event- I had a great time in Wellington over the weekend. It was fun to show groups of students how to make a few items, and help out with a bit of stitching along the way. The best part for me was the obvious delight as a needlebook was finished, or a stitch mastered. Great fun!
I got to meet some wonderful creative people, too. Heleen, Rachelle, Katy, Nin and Gretchen, to name only a few. Thank you to all the organisers, teachers and lovely students who made the event possible. I am looking forward to next years' one already!
On Saturday night, I attended a 'Meet the Makers' party, at which I got to meet Frances, whose jewellery I've admired for ages. She is now also making beautiful objects from wood, and wood combined with other natural materials such as deer antler and silver. She gave me this beautiful, precious drop spindle that she made herself. There's an inlaid piece of silver on one side, and the smooth wood is oak and black maire (for the whorl). I've not succeeded at spinning with a drop spindle before (only on a wheel) so I'm looking forward to trying on this beautiful tool. (My master-spinner mother promises to put it to good use until I do learn). You can see more of Frances' spindles here in her etsy shop which is called Spindles by Sourkraut.
tiny happy 
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