Too funny! Poor Meg...hope that all is well with her son soon. I do look forward to seeing pics and really appreciate the pics you sent. Thanks!

His illness is crones and never will go away but after this latest hospital bout maybe he will be better for a time.

Yes, lets not have a repeat performance...not sure you or Meg could do that again anytime soon.

He is better thanks and is at his home trying to recover.

I agree Laureen, I don't think we could do that again any time soon, it was a really rough time, and thanks for talking to me during all that.

 

Galla Meg said to tell you she is spinning with the same fibers as you are right now, Moreno and silk, on a drop bobbin.

Thanks for letting me know Duncan! Send greetings to her and let her know I look forward to seeing photos soon! I will try and see if I can get some photos posted before too long.

On the flax I thought you might like to see Meg's very old Heckles, the image was taken by the other owners of the comb.

Those are hand forged iron needles about 6 inches high placed in a lead base wrapped around a hand hewn board.

I'll have to find an image or take a new one of the hand held Heckle

Wow..impressive piece! Makes you wonder...how long would it actually take to make one. LOL

hmm, apox. time close as I can tell.

 

To bring a cold forge up to heat temp, depends on size of forge this one is for my small one

1/2 - 1 hour

 

each needle

1/2 to 1 hour depending on several things

 

all nails and brads

under 1 hour

 

to melt, ready the mold and shape the lead into a flat sheet if it's not all ready,

1/2 an hour

 

to hand hew the board from raw oak

1 hour or less

already hand cut and shaped into a board that needs trimming

15 minutes or less

 

to assemble with care slowly

2 to 3 hours

 

with out so much care and more as a production item

less then 1/2 hour

 

All times are apox using the old ways.

Wow...never would have guessed. Thanks for the insight. Suppose they would take great care of them, and possibly why such peieces exsist today.

This one is hand made slowly and it shows by the workmanship. It was designed to be clamped to a table whilst the hand held acted as comb. It's a heavy piece too, wooden handle, lead block to hold the needles so it was easier to comb the fibers.