Road Trip to Nebraska 2009

If you heard about the snow storm in Colorado last Thursday, you understandably assumed that any rational being might have looked out the window early that morning and decided it was not a travel day.

But isn’t the internet a wonderful resource? In consulting The Weather Underground, bytheway, which was accurate and easytouse, we deduced that if we set out RIGHTNOW, we could drive out of the storm. Yes, we could. And we did.

We were determined. We were off on our annual trip to Nebraska for the Mari Sandoz Heritage Conference in Chadron, me and my three traveling companions: Kris, Kathy, Diane.

Other than returning to my HEARTland, this annual event draws me. It’s the people, the place, the learning. Some thoughts:

At one point someone mentioned how important “keeping ‘at it”” was to becoming great…or, at least, to improving. So, weavers and spinners, the more you weave or spin the better you’ll be. The better you are, the more you learn what there is to learn. I certainly have learned this the past coupleofyears as I’ve worked on my book projects. I’ve not only improved technically, I’ve learned volumes, improving in almost every way. I share this to encourage you. But there’s one thing more to add to the mix: passion—a critical ingredient. It keeps you going.

Have you ever been away at a conference for only a few days but feel it’s been much longer? This is how it felt upon returning home. Having experienced so much and learned so much, there’s much to ponder.

My most important introductions I’m exploring:
Wright Morris: writer and photographer
Weldon Kees: poet, artist, composer
Louise Pound: folklorist
Loren Eiseley: author

What’s happening--bulky flyer head and niddy noddy

Niddy Noddy
We’ve been getting some messages that the troops are restless. Just where is that bulky flyer? What the heck is Schacht up to anyway? Why don’t we have that bulky flyer NOW? And, really, just how long does it take to make a niddy noddy?

From the outside, things seem obvious. From the inside, it’s about process and problem solving. Part of what makes us who we are is the fact that we try to make the products we hear consumers want. Also, it is important to us, and particularly, Barry Schacht, that our products are unique and designed with the end user in mind. They must function for their intended purpose. In other words, form follows function.

Here’s a sampling of some of the questioning that goes on: Why make a niddy noddy like what’s already on the market? Does the world really need another niddy noddy? What are the important attributes of a niddy noddy? Size, weight, design….? What is a problem with current niddy noddies that we should try to solve? With all of the other questions answered, this last one is the meaty one and gives a clue to our process.

In my mind there are two main problems with current niddy noddies: If the cross arm is pinned, it is very difficult and sometimes almost impossible to remove the pin when the noddy is fully loaded with yarn. How can we solve this? The second problem is the cross arms not fitting securely on the center posts, which cause them to move around during winding. Can’t we make this better?

Finally, it is important for a tool to be handsome, as well as functional. What materials? What wood? After working on too-many-to-count prototypes off and on since…well SOAR one year in Potosi…we finally have a design that answers all of our niddy noddy criteria. We’re almost finished ordering all of the components and should have all the parts made in-house ready for assembly in a couple of months. As soon as we know our costs of components, we’ll have a price….and hopefully, a name.

Bulky Head
Ok, so that’s the niddy noddy news, but what we hear is a lot of chatter about the bulky head. If you were at SOAR, then you perhaps tried our bulky head prototype. The word prototype really means work in process. Taking products out for people to try is an important part of designing new products. Through these comments we then consider if we need to make changes to our design. In the case of the bulky head, the feedback was that the orifice needed to be larger—we increased the size to 7/8” which then meant we needed a new orifice bearing (a great big honkin’ one) which then necessitated a new design of the front maidens, as well as a redesign of the sliding hook—which then wasn’t large enough for the yarn going through that very large orifice. And then, because there is only so much clearance—if we want to be able to offer this product to customers who already have a Ladybug or Matchless—we had to really innovate a solution.

But these kinds of problems offer challenges that move you in a direction of true innovation. And that, my friends, is what’s going on right now: solving the flyer hook challenge.

Rest assured, we are moving forward and working on a product that will be the best we can make to serve the purpose we’ve heard you need and want.

There’s a whole lot going on: New Spinning Video

Maggie Casey demonstrates carding to Eunny Jang .



The video crew.

The spinning world (and non spinning world for that matter) has something to look forward to: a video from Interweave Press, sponsored by us (Schacht!) and staring Maggie Casey as the teacher extraordinaire and Eunny Jang (Interweave Knits editor) as her special student. I went along for the photo shoot and I have to say this is going to be one great teaching video (or two).

The idea behind the video is to help spread the spinning enthusiasm that seems to be everywhere these days.

The video should be out some time in May, so check at your local shop or visit us on-line for more details.

Schacht News

Barry's first spindle made for Greentree Ranch. Notice the little green tree Barry painted on the shaft. Can you believe that this simple spindle launched an endeavor that became a passion?

2009.
We are celebrating 40 years of making tools for the craft we love. And to commorate this special milestone, we are planning many ways to celebrate. As we go along, we’ll be posting updates, events, and specials on our website.

“I Made It On My Schacht” Contest
The first thing, though, I want to be sure to let you know about is our “I Made It On My Schacht” Contest. We’ve got loads of great prizes, including a cherry Wolf Pup, and one-of-kind special edition Matchless Spinning Wheel. With both expert and novice categories, there’s really no excuse not to be involved. We’ve got all of the details on our Schacht web site.

Also, I’m super excited about our YouTube Challenge. Demonstrate weaving on any Schacht Loom or spinning on a Schacht wheel or spindle and send us the link to your YouTube Video. We’ll judge for information, entertainment value, use of Schacht equipment. The idea is to get more weaving and spinning on the web. The winner of the YouTube Challenge will receive a $250 shopping spree for Schacht goodies.

Plan to enter with your friends or through your local shop!

Cherry Matchless Spinning Wheel
Starting in June, we’ll be shipping our limited edition of Cherry Matchless Double Treadle Spinning Wheels. Check with your favorite dealer to reserve yours now.