WhirligigYarns's Profile

Bio

My name is Nicole (aka Nicolassa) and I live with my husband and our Evil Cat of Perpetual Badness in a little apartment by a creek in Boulder, CO. I picked up a spindle while on my honeymoon in Colonial Williamsburg in 2006, and that was the beginning of the obsession/downfall. Since that time I have also acquired a wheel--an Ashford Kiwi named Indigo Montoya (Indigo rather than Inigo...he has a blue flywheel!), a drumcarder named Fezzik (it does the gruntwork), and a set of wool combs named Vizzini (sharp & small). Yep, I name everything. Anyway, I've been lucky enough to take spinning classes with the great spinner Maggie Casey, weaving with Judy Steinkoenig, and dyeing with Nancy Finn of Chasing Rainbows Dyeworks. I make every attempt to obtain fiber from local or humane farms...animal-friendly fibers are very important to me, as I can't bear to think of sheep and other animals in factory-farm situations. My goal is to eventually be 100% sourced by rescue, humane, and/or local farms.

My background is in anthropology, so I am fascinated with the history, variations, and cultural significance of spinning around the world. Fiber arts are so important to the basic fabric of human society, and I am proud to be included in the ranks of fiber artists throughout history. One of my favorite things to do is spin yarn sitting by the creek with my neighbors, a scene that has been replicated countless times through the ages.

Custom orders welcome! My fiber stash is pretty extensive, so chances are I can spin whatever yarn you need for your special project.

I'm proud to announce that 5% of an item's sale price is now donated to Kiva, a wonderful micro-loan program. I generally try to sponsor women weavers and cloth-workers. Check out my lender page at http://www.kiva.org/lender/nicole7331

I use ecofriendly mailers whenever possible (i.e. whenever the order fits inside!), which degrade under certain conditions. A little less plastic in the world is a good thing! :)

About my dyes...
I use professional washfast/lightfast acid dyes in all of my acid dyeing, primarily G&K acid dyes with a little Jacquard thrown in for specific colors. When natural dyeing, I only use alum as a mordant, as it is the least toxic of the mordants. You can find alum in the grocery store; it's used in pickling.

♦♦PAYMENT♦♦
As for payment policies, I ask that payment is rendered within 72 hours unless you convo me to discuss special circumstances. Otherwise, the item will be relisted. Regarding international orders, I am not responsible for duties or customs fees; they are the sole responsibility of the buyer. Thanks!

♦♦RETURNS♦♦
If your item is not quite what you wanted or expected, I will gladly accept returns as long as the item is in pristine and resellable condition. Returned items should make their way back to me no later than 30 days after purchase. I can issue you either a refund or exchange the returned item for a different item of equal value. Shipping for returned items is the responsibility of the buyer.