And we come full circle

I brought home a new wheel today. After helping a couple of customers choose new wheels this week, I came to realise that I miss having a Louet Victoria spinning wheel. At the time that I re-homed my first Victoria, I felt that it was too limiting for what I wanted to spin. I have come to understand that as my knowledge and skills have grown, I have a much better understanding of what each different type of wheel is best suited to, and how to make individual wheels work much better and with more flexibility.

Pictured next to the Victoria is my custom finished Ashford Traditional, Holly. Holly represents a full cycle of my growth as a spinner; my very first wheel was an Ashford Traditional, one very similar in configuration to Holly. Holly started out with my intent to build a high speed wheel, and over the last four years I have gradually transitioned her (without my realising it) to more fully resemble my first wheel. I have hand finished and painted her (which is a current skill set), but the configuration is now pretty much what I started out with: a double treadle, double drive Ashford Traditional wheel. I thought I had outgrown the wheel; now I know that this is a wheel with a huge range of capabilities and upgrades, and is a pure pleasure to spin.

And so, pictured together, these two wheels really do symbolise my journey having come full circle.

Like my wheels, my life has also reached a circling point. Today my family and I are announcing that a major endeavor of the past ten years is coming to an end:
Purlescence Yarns will close its doors on August 28, 2016.

It has been a strange and wild ride, this owning of a retail store. I have learned so much about myself, about what I want and (perhaps more importantly) what I do not want in my life. I have had the great privilege of introducing many people to the joys of knitting, crochet, spinning, weaving, dyeing, and other fiber arts. The joy I have experienced in teaching these skills to many wonderful students is priceless. I want to express my deep gratitude that so many of you trusted me to help you on your fiber arts journey! Thank you so much.

Now the time has come for me and my family to move onto our next adventure. Some years ago a colleague of mine remarked that they saw me creating textiles with sacred intent and selling them for others to enjoy. I scoffed at the time and responded that no, I simply sold the supplies and taught people the craft. They were wiser than I could know. My spirit longs to create, and it is time for me to immerse myself in the making of beautiful things full time. I have no idea where this will take me, but it will be a joyful adventure!

To all who have loved and supported me through this adventure that is about to close, I thank you with all my heart. You have given me countless gifts of inspiration in times when I could hardly raise my head. I look forward with joy to sharing my new adventures with you! Who knows? I might even have the energy to write blog posts more than once every six months! ;)

Namaste

Comments

[Raymond A Greer]

Sandi, thank you for helping me improve my massage skills on knitters. Fiber artists provided me a fresh challenge when I needed it. While a tiny bit sad, this was one heck of a ride,and I was honored you let me ride along with y'all. I look forward to your new adventures and the doors they will open.

R

[KiltBear]

Maybe, just maybe I will finish those socks I started when I bought supplies from your opening day celebrations. XO and congratulations for so positively influencing and bringing joy to the lives of so many people.

[kiyowara]

Maybe, just maybe, I can now come visit you and help you finish those socks! Thank you for all the love and support you have given me across these years. New adventures await!

[kiyowara]

Ray, you have been an incredible friend and cheer leader to us throughout this crazy journey! Here's to more adventures (and maybe I can stop breaking myself and needing emergency massages - nevermind, we both know *that* won't happen!).