SOAR happened. The week is completely impossible. The week before is spent gathering tools, workshop equipment, spindles, fiber, clothes and dreams.
Then the spinner is required to drink from the fire hose. Three days of workshop, culminating in a gallery display of what we have produced and learned. Then retreats. Three hour intensive sessions organized around one fibrous topic. (I skipped the Thursday workshop options, knowing the limited capacity of this humble vessel I call my fiber brain.)
Even so. I overdosed. We all did. It was sensational.
The week started improbably. Complex logistics and arrangements concluded thus: I drive to Manchester NH, pick up SarahW, drive straight to VT Sheep & Wool, meet Tom Livernois, pick up my wheel (and Woolen Rabbit Kim's), then drive back to SOAR at the Radisson in Manchester.
Whew. A hair past the buttcrack of dawn, I'm in the Ethermobile. SarahW and I intersect just outside the chili festival in front of the hotel. Zoom up to Tunbridge, find BallandSkein's booth (back-up plan made with assumption that cellphone service would be spotty). Take a deep breath, and then see Tom and Tracy Livernois approaching.
Another deep breath. Pretty wheel. No. Exquisite wheel. I sat down in front of it, shucking shoes. I'm scared. What if it is not in tune with me? Hoo boy. It took 1.5 treadles to know this honey was mine. Curly maple. Magnus Drudik design. (Tom was the sorcerer's apprentice, now transformed into the sorcerer himself. He will deny this in his humble fashion.) SarahW and I raced back to Manchester on Irene-ravaged roads. Somehow, the Ethermobile made it.
My hotel room hosted Kim's and my wheel briefly. The wheel still takes my breath away. It spins like a living creature with a glowing soul. Tom Livernois creates magic in his work. You can reach him here. His waiting list is at least a year and a half now.
Then SOAR began. It was like learning how to swim by leaping into the river 100 yards before Niagara Falls. This will take several posts. Stay tuned. I promise, PROMISE, that weeks won't go by before I finish the telling.
SOAR was such fun! Hope you're enjoying your new wheel! She is a real thing of beauty. :-)
Posted by: Manise | Tuesday, October 11, 2011 at 06:48 AM
You new wheel looks like living gold. Can't wait to hear more and see more!
Posted by: margene | Tuesday, October 11, 2011 at 08:37 AM
Promise?!?! Waiting here with bated breath.
So now you have the wheel. Another check on the bucket list and something to keep you in MOST EXCELLENT company when you retire. :)
Posted by: Anne | Tuesday, October 11, 2011 at 08:42 AM
Congrats on the new wheel! I'm glad SOAR was awesome, wish I could have been there, too!
Posted by: Carole | Tuesday, October 11, 2011 at 09:12 AM
I was *waiting* for this post! So glad you love your new wheel. Kim, too? LOL. I'm not surprised!!! Curly maple gleams like it has a light within.
Posted by: June | Tuesday, October 11, 2011 at 02:03 PM
I can see the glow of the maple from here.
Posted by: Melissa G | Tuesday, October 11, 2011 at 04:36 PM
Damn you, Laurie Etherknitter. I really DON'T need another wheel, but......I've just sent him an email. Damn, damn, damn....
Posted by: Marcia | Saturday, October 15, 2011 at 01:19 PM
Are you taking the wheel to work with you each day? (In your place,I don't think I could bear to separate from it.)
Beautiful!
Posted by: gayle | Saturday, October 15, 2011 at 04:19 PM
Oh lucky you to have one of Tom's wheels. I've tried them out (he's local to me) and I'm pestering him to do a large version. Enjoy!
Posted by: janel | Sunday, October 16, 2011 at 12:42 PM
Btw.. We are (both) excited about the byow idea. What do you think?
Your wheel made conversation impossible. I stuttered and was tongue tied.
Posted by: Judy | Wednesday, October 19, 2011 at 06:10 PM
Ooooo, hubba hubba That's a Wheel! Drooling...
Posted by: Chris | Sunday, October 23, 2011 at 01:03 PM