New Fiber Tools for Etsy

Three new fiber tools were just listed in our Etsy shop. The "Easy Flick" Portuguese style spindle above was crafted from hard maple and weights 1.7 ounces (46 grams). The two post style tatting shuttles below measure 3 inches in length and are also crafted by Dave from hard maple.

New Tools for Etsy!

The new fiber tools above are now for sale in our Etsy shop! 

New Handspinning Tools on Etsy

We will have an update to our Etsy shop tomorrow, Monday, at 2pm Pacific time that will include a carved moose antler spindle, four alternative ivory spindles and an acorn spindle. If our unreliable internet goes down we will post the new spindles as soon as possible. We are trying to get some last minute camping, fishing and other fun things like house painting done before winter arrives and this just works best for us. Until further notice, we will only be posting new items on Mondays.

New Alternative Ivory Support Spindles

These three support spindles are Dave's latest handspinning tools. They each feature an alternative ivory whorl that has been intricately carved with one of his signature motifs. The wood used for the shaft of each support spindle is katalox. These spindles have already been sold in our Grizzly Mountain Arts Etsy shop, but if you are interested in buying one, please join our Facebook group or our Ravelry group for updates on upcoming listings.

Carved Moose Antler and Katalox Bead Whorl Support Spindle

**Due to export restrictions of wildlife materials, we cannot ship products crafted from antler outside of the U.S.**

This beautiful bead whorl support spindle has a 1x1 1/2 inch moose antler whorl that Dave has carved with a rose and leaf motif. He crafted the 10 1/2 inch long shaft from katalox. The weight of this spindle is 1.4 ounces (41 grams).

When constructing his spindles, Dave mounts the spindle whorl blank on the shaft, and then turns and shapes the whorl and shaft together to achieve a well balanced spindle. In addition, he further spin balances each spindle by embedding a counterweight, when needed, in the underside of the whorl. He also spin balances them in one of our ceramic inserts.

**Moose antlers are naturally shed each year, so no moose were harmed to create this spindle.**

Russian Tibetan Hybrid Support Spindle

Dave has created this Russian/Tibetan support spindle hybrid with speed and efficiency in mind. You get a fast, perfectly balanced spin that Russian style spindles are known for, plus you have the convenience of a Tibetan whorl to aid in building your cop.

The 10 3/4 inches long shaft of this Russian/Tibetan hybrid support spindle was crafted from hard maple, and the 1 1/2 inch whorl was crafted from pau amarillo.

The weight of this spindle is 1.1 ounce (32 grams).

When constructing his spindles, Dave mounts the spindle whorl blank on the shaft, and then turns and shapes the whorl and shaft together to achieve a well balanced spindle.

New Alternative Ivory Druid's Egg Bead Whorl Support Spindles

Dave's newest alternative ivory Druid's Egg bead whorl spindles feature shafts that he crafted from Brazilian ebony, ebony and bloodwood.  Additional photos of these unique handspinning tools can be seen in our Grizzly Mountain Arts Etsy shop. 

Hand Carved Alternative Ivory Druid's Egg Support Spindles

The beautiful whorls of these Druid's Egg support spindles were hand carved by Dave from an alternative ivory composite material created by him using a formula of resin, calcium carbonate (powdered limestone) and recycled mammoth ivory dust that he collects from his carvings and sawing of mammoth ivory. He casts the alternative ivory material into turning blanks, turns the egg shape whorl together with the wooden shaft, then hand carves the spirals into the Druid's Egg.  The shaft on the left was crafted from Brazilian ebony, and the right from cocobolo.

The Raven's Egg Support Spindle

Dave has named this beautiful 1.0 ounce (27 gram) egg whorl support spindle "The Raven's Egg".  He has scrimshawed the alternative ivory egg whorl with two depictions of a raven.  The 10" shaft was crafted from ebony.

Dave spends hours painstakingly etching with a needle on each egg, so the prices will vary depending on how much scrimshaw is on each egg. 

The egg whorl of this support spindle was crafted by Dave from an alternative ivory composite material created by him using a formula of resin, calcium carbonate (powdered limestone) and recycled mammoth ivory dust that he collects from his carvings and sawing of mammoth ivory. He casts the alternative ivory material into turning blanks, then turns the egg shape whorl together with the wooden shaft for balance.

Mini Scrimshawed Alternative Ivory Egg Whorl Support Spindle Travel Set

These little beauties are perfect for lace weight and other fine, lightweight fibers. 

The egg whorl of this mini support spindle was crafted by Dave from an alternative ivory composite material created by him using a formula of resin, calcium carbonate (powdered limestone) and recycled mammoth ivory dust that he collects from his carvings and sawing of mammoth ivory. He casts the alternative ivory material into turning blanks, then turns the egg shape whorl together with the wooden shaft for balance. Dave has adorned this egg whorl with a scrimshawed floral pattern.  The 8 1/4 inch shaft from bloodwood. The weight of this beautiful spindle is 0.7 oz. (20 grams).

Also included with this set is a mini ceramic spinning bowl that travels securely in it's zippered pouch.

New Alternative Ivory Druid's Egg Support Spindles

Four beautiful alternative ivory Druid's Egg support spindles were recently added to our Etsy shop.  Dave chose cocobolo, ebony, Brazilian ebony and bloodwood for the shafts of each unique handspinning tool.  If you'd like to view additional photos of each spindle, please click the link for the woods highlighted above.

New Spindles

Three new spindles were listed in our Etsy shop today.  The handspinning tool above was crafted from Swiss pear and cocobolo.  Our Victorian lace weight top whorl spindle features checkering around the whorl and a Victorian era leaf motif.  Also listed today were two French style cove and groove support spindles. Please click the links to view additional photos of these tools.

Oregon Myrtlewood and Dymondwood

Paduak and Dymondwood

Heirloom Mini Support Spindle and Ceramic Spinning Bowl Set

Dave has combined his years of experience as a scrimshaw artist, ivory carver and spindle maker to create this one-of-a-kind heirloom mini support spindle. 

This 9 inch spindle features a 1.5 inch diameter rosewood whorl with a relief carved leaf motif and two miniature ancient mammoth ivory roses also hand carved by Dave and inset into the whorl. This mammoth ivory is at least 10,000 years old, the approximate time at which mammoth became extinct. The shaft is turned from hard maple with a very hard rosewood tip. 

The spindle has been sealed and has a hand rubbed finish using Renaissance wax. This wax is a micro-crystalline polish made of refined waxes blended to a formula used by the British Museum and restoration specialist internationally to revive and protect museum quality pieces.

Accompanying this little beauty is a mini ceramic spinning bowl which has been decorated with glaze by hand. A faux suede bag is included to store your bowl when it's not in use.

Lightweight Ash Phang Support Spindle with Mini Ceramic Spinning Bowl

The 9 1/2 inch phang support spindle included with this set was crafted from ash. It has been adorned with Dave's signature pyrographed leaf motif. This beautiful handspinning tool weights 0.8 ounces (23 grams). This lightweight phang is a little longer than our standard travel size phang.  Also included with this set is a mini hand glazed ceramic spinning bowl that travels securely in it's faux suede pouch.  Additional photos of these beautiful handspinning tools can be found at the Etsy.com listing.

New Mini Support Spindle Travel Sets

These five colorful mini support spindle travel sets were listed in our Etsy.com shop today.  Each spindle set contains a mini ceramic spindle bowl.  A velvet pouch is provided to protect your ceramic spinning bowl.

Tiger Maple and Jatoba Pear Whorl Support Spindle

Tiger maple was the wood chosen by Dave for the gorgeous 1 1/2 inch pear style whorl of this support spindle. He has also adorned it with his signature pyrographic leaf motif. The 10 1/2 inch shaft was made from jatoba. The weight of this beautiful handspinning tool is 0.8 ounces or 23 grams.  Additional photos can be seen in our Etsy shop.

Mini Swiss Pear and Hard Maple Pear Style Whorl Support Spindle Travel Set

The 1 1/8 inch pear style whorl of this mini support spindle was crafted from Swiss pear, and the 8 1/4 inch shaft from hard maple. The whorl features Dave's signature pyrographed leaf motif. The weight of this beautiful spindle is 0.5 oz. (15 grams). Also included with this set is a mini hand glazed ceramic spinning bowl which travels securely in it's velvet pouch.  Additional photos can be seen at the listing for this handspinning tool in our Etsy shop.

Mini Silver Maple Phang Support Spindle Travel Set

The 8 1/4 inch mini phang support spindle included with this set was crafted from silver maple. It has been adorned with Dave's signature pyrographed leaf motif. This beautiful handspinning tool weights 0.8 ounces (22 grams). Also included with this set is a mini hand glazed ceramic spinning bowl that travels securely in it's velvet pouch.  Additional photos can be seen at the Etsy listing for this handspinning tool.

Ebony and Fossil Mammoth Ivory Mini Phang Support Spindle

This 8 inch mini phang support spindle  was crafted from ebony. It has been inlayed with fossil mammoth ivory. This beautiful handspinning tool weights 1.6 ounces (44 grams).

**What is fossil ivory?**

Fossil ivory is ancient ivory whose composition has changed from ivory to mineral. Care should be taken to distinguish fossil ivory from recent ivory which has yellowed or discolored. Fossil ivory (including walrus, mammoth and mastodon) and other archaeological and paleontological materials are regulated by an array of Federal and State laws. These items may not be collected on any Federal or
State lands. Fossil ivory may be collected on private lands with the permission of the land owner, and is not regulated under the Marine Mammals Protection Act. Fossil ivory does not have to be tagged or registered. Anyone may sell fossil ivory without first handcrafting it.

**Where do we get our fossil ivory?**

Ancient walrus and mammoth tusks are dug out of the permafrost or bone mounds by Alaskan and Siberian natives annually during the summer thaw and sold to subsidize their family or village income. We buy our ancient walrus ivory shards from ivory buyers that travel to the St. Lawrence Island area to buy from the ivory co-ops.

**Learn more about fossil ivory**

If you would like to learn more about fossil ivory, please visit the link below:
http://alaska.fws.gov/fisheries/mmm/qa_sub_harvest.htm


"Fresh" ivory and elephant ivory will never be used in any of the artwork created by Grizzly Mountain Arts.

Native American Basket Design Support Spindle with Turquoise Inlay

Dave has crafted this unique Native American inspired 1 1/2" basket whorl from maple. He has adorned the textured whorl with pyrography and inlayed turquoise. The 10 3/4 inch long shaft was crafted from hickory.  The weight of this beautiful support spindle is 1.2 ounces (34 grams).