The tax man continues to take more off me than he should, so every January, when I send my figures in, I get a rebate. I look on this as a savings scheme, and use the money to buy something special.
Several years ago I used it to buy my Orkney sloping bed wheel from Granville Swanney, Orkney’s only remaining wheel maker.
And this year I have bought his other design, the upright spinney.
Like the sloping bed, it has the three distinct Orkney features, spokes which are thicker at the rim:
…a treadle that is chamfered to the bar….
… and two deep rims on the wheel with two separate drive bands.
Granville very kindly brought it round as I am car-less at present, and I went straight to some glorious fibre from Hill Top Cloud’s club. The greens went so well with the mahogany!! Without any alterations I was spinning laceweight and extra chunky on the same setting!!
So when Granville left, I started taking pix. Very soon Scottie decided I needed foreground, and that HE was more interesting than this wheel…
Buying tax deductable things with a tax rebate – now that way satisfaction lies.
By: Dixie Nichols on January 22, 2013
at 6:54 pm
Beautiful, beautiful wheels! And a dog who knows his value
I had one of those as a customer a long time ago. A wonderful dog, massive, strong, kind.
By: BarbroH on January 22, 2013
at 8:04 pm
I love the new wheel!!! The first one was nice but I really do love the second one. Christmas in January – what a great idea. I believe in supporting local Artisans as well. And local dawgs too, of course.
By: Sharon in Surrey(Can) thetwistedsock@blogspot.com on January 22, 2013
at 9:09 pm
That looks like something wonderful to do. Look at that yarn. I might have to take a class in that, Elizabeth. Wonder how many spinners are living in Miami FL?
By: B on January 22, 2013
at 10:55 pm
Thanks for sharing the pictures! She’s a beauty.
By: Susan Canterbury on January 23, 2013
at 5:28 am
Your wheel is so lovely, and you’ll be spinning everything imaginable, in the perfect gauge, I’m certain. But your Scottie…oh, he is really a MrPersonality !!!
By: Jen on January 23, 2013
at 2:41 pm
Scotties face says it all heehee
By: Pam Bartlett on January 23, 2013
at 3:51 pm
I would really love to buy one of those Orkney uprights. Does Mr. Swanney ship? Does he take commissions? Beautiful, beautiful wheel…the spoke design is especially lovely!
By: Nancy Duncan on January 26, 2013
at 3:02 am
Yes – we can ship. He does take commissions, but it takes time. Email me on liz@northernlace.co.uk if you want to take it further. Liz
By: Elizabeth Lovick on January 26, 2013
at 8:45 am
I am fortunate to have one of Granville’s wheels, and to have met him. I’ve never regretted buying my beautiful Jeannie, as she is called. She makes spinning very fine yarns easy and relaxing – and she looks so beautiful in our living room. The only one of my wheels given that honour
By: janekal on February 4, 2013
at 1:01 pm
I did read about your amazing experience in meeting Mr. Swanney and purchasing one of his wheels! Lucky you…and happy spinning!
By: Nancy Duncan on February 6, 2013
at 1:25 pm