You know that show Snapped...

... where a perfectly normal person snaps for no apparent reason? Well, I HAVE A REASON!!! I had my beautiful new wheel for LESS than two weeks when the drive band begins to break and eventually snaps!!! If I hadn't been so saddened by this I really might have snapped!
a little closer...

But, because of the workshop I am leaving for on July 8th I had to spring into action. And Steph of WCMercantile jumped right in to help me AGAIN! She had an email with an answer back to me in two hours. She contacted Majacraft in New Zealand and ordered me two new bands (one to keep on hand in case of emergency). Then the next day she emailed me with tips on what to do direct from Glynis Poad! If I "could either tie it or stitch it and that would fix it". At least until my new bands came in the mail... from New Zealand... So, I had my dad tie a knot as close to the end as possible and still hold. He made a VERY good knot but then the drive band wasn't long enough to fit around the most important, most innovative, reason I bought this wheel part! The modified double drive system with the tension adjust knob!!! I had to completely bypass it!

And you know there is a next... Next the drive band was too loose! So I adjusted the orifice height to the very highest. It was just pulling in too fast. I was trying to thread ply some yarn that I spun before the snap. I think I finally have it adjusted to where I can make a nice single. I will try again tonight.

I am really looking forward to when my new bands get here so I can continue to get to know my wheel the right way. I sure hope they make it before the workshop. It would be embarrassing to show up with my wheel rigged this way. :(

LC and my gimpy Princess Spinderella

Bye bye baby Spinderella... Hello Princess Spinderella!

So, it seems I have been neglecting my blog... again... But, I have a (kind of) good explanation for that. I have been wheeless! And let me tell you, it wasn't a pleasant time! So the story goes... I found out about the Aura, Majacraft! It is "The Best Wheel EVER", co-designed by the lovely Poad's of Majacraft and Lexi Boeger (who just happens to be the author of my two favorite yarn books!!!) Now, in order to make this purchase I had to take a risk and sell my precious first wheel, the Louet Victoria, on Ebay. It was a really tough decision. She was my first after all! So, it turns out that the demand for this wheel was great! I contacted the fabulous Steph at WCMercantile in late April. (The wheel didn't even become available until May 1st! And, Steph already had these suckers on back order. Well, she shipped on June 10th New Zealand time. And to my amazement she arrived on Monday the 14th!!! Can you believe my luck! I was so happy! And here are a few pictures from our first day together! I guess in the rush to get here she got a little ruffled!When I opened the box though, she was pristine!
I was tickled to find out that my wheel was signed by Rob Poad (son of Glynis and Owen). Plus he is cute!
Then I realized the extent of the assembly process. Good thing I am good at putting things together. And, yes, I do follow directions, most of the time.
So, here she is... Princess Spinderella, she is all grown up and super fancy! And she glows like she is in love! Or... maybe that's me...
Another sweet treat is that each wheel is assembled and tested by one of the Poad's. I assume mine was tested by Rob and this is the yarn that he made. The first yarn made on my wheel was made by Rob Poad! I don't know why but it makes me feel special!
So that's my story and I'm stickin' to it! I have also had some random weird stuff has been going on, but this is the most exciting! I am really getting to know her and starting to make some beautiful yarn! AND... BONUS... I AM GOING TO CAMP PLUCKYFLUFF IN JULY... IN ASHEVILLE... HOSTED BY ONE OF MY FAVORITE FIBERISTAS... ESTHER of JAZZTURTLE!!! It is going to be ONE AWESOME WEEKEND! And I get to stay with my bbff (best boy friend forever) in Asheville, NC! I am really excited!

Hope everyone is doing great!

Talk to you soon!

LC and Princess Spinderella