Each year, this is the week that Christmas kicks in for us.  It’s colder outside now, so we regret not putting up those outside decorations when we originally thought about it (and it was warmer!) and hope that it stops raining and snowing long enough for us to get them up easily.  We have finished our early shopping to support our community activities to make the holidays more enjoyable for others by filling shoeboxes full of gifts for Meals-on-Wheels clients, buying clothing and toys for needy families in our community, donating items for our church’s shut-in Cheer Baskets, buying gifts for teenagers of our food bank families, and ordering poinsettias for “behind the scenes” people in our lives that need to be appreciated.  With our sons’ Band Concert and Choral Concerts within the week, our Christmas spirit will be fully sparked.  It’s now the decorations, good food and time with family that we are looking forward to this Christmas season.

As we decorate our home, I try to find the perfect spot for our Big Red Bow…and as it nears my loom I wonder if it has found its home…and then I thought “Looms dressed for the holidays?  No, that would be crazy”.  

But we did take an opportunity before last Christmas to brighten one of our brand new looms with some bows of its own before it traveled to its new home in Washington state.   Check out this Fireside 40″ 12-harness walnut jack loom with commuter bench…decked out with a Big Red Bow!

Yesterday was the typical “Deer Day” in our area – the boys donned their blaze orange and headed for Pap’s farm with hopes of tagging their buck for the year and filling our freezer with venison that we enjoy so much.  Well, no luck with the deer but upon their return home I surprised them by letting them know that the Cyber Monday shopping extended its way to custom looms this year…yes to us! 

We sold 2 of our Refurbished Looms – both 54″ 8-harness looms.  We will work on these refurbs after we complete the Traditional Tapestry Loom currently in our shop.  So if you want an 8-harness used loom – check out our Used Looms being sold by their owners. 

BUT, the looms still waiting to be refurbished in our workshop are real gems!  Yes, they are 4-harness looms and many people say they need more than 4 harnesses…but I wonder if sometimes 4-harness looms are bypassed just for the perceived need to have MORE!  When I took my first weaving class, I recall looking at a book full of patterns utilizing just 4 harnesses.  I was amazed with the possibilities and knew that it would take me years to experiment with those hundreds of patterns. 

So I’m making a Special Offer to anyone who orders the 4-harness Refurbished Looms by December 15th…you will receive a copy of  The Handweaver’s Pattern Directory; over 600 weaves for 4-shaft looms by Anne Dixon.  I am sure you will be inspired by the weaves found in this book!

Watch the Used Looms page closely because I am preparing a couple more looms to add to our Used Looms list this week.

I just love the feel of a Bluster Bay Shuttle in my hand.  They are smooth, the wood is absolutely gorgeous and they glide through my shed without a catch.  We recommend Bluster Bay End Feed Shuttles which allow for tension adjustment by threading your fiber through as many brass hooks as necessary to create the tension you desire.   Unique woods like Wenge, Lyptus and Amazique accompany our old favorites like Black Walnut, Black Cherry, and Curly Maple.  Check out our current inventory of Bluster Bay Shuttles that we can ship immediately as a perfect gift for the weaver in your life (and perhaps that weaver is you!).