Kickstarter

OUR PROJECT:  We want to create OOAK ceramic drop spindles that are also works of art.  Each whorl is individually designed by our artists, Joel and Torri, and are then hand carved, glazed and professionally fired in our studio kiln.  We securely attach a bamboo or hardwood shaft and a hand bent wire hook (used for catching the yarn as it is spun) to provide you, the spinner, with a one of a kind drop spindle.  Our prototype models are well balanced, with a comfortable weight and a long spin time.  The smoothly polished shaft allows for easy removal of your finished yarn.

OUR PLAN:  We are using this kickstarter project to launch this new creative ceramic product from Blackhawk Studios, in hopes of providing an aesthetically pleasing tool for hand spinners everywhere.  The spindles we have been creating weigh in at between 55 and 95 grams, although we can make them heavier or lighter. The durable ceramic whorls are approximately 1/4 inch thick and can measure from 2 to 5 inches in diameter.  They are appropriate for spinning fine to heavy yarns and for plying (twisting two or more yarns together).  Most of the spindles are top whorl spindles, but we can also make bottom whorl configurations, if that is your preference.  And your preference is the key to making this project a success.  As you choose your reward, keep in mind that after the successful funding of this project, we will email you to get your input on which design, shape, configuration, color and weight your personal drop spindle will be.

(Spinner's comment: Just as you can chip a tile by dropping it on cement, you can chip these spindles if you drop them on a stone floor.  I spin over carpet or wood floors and have not broken one yet. They are very tough!)

NEED DESIGN IDEAS?  Do you collect something (besides drop spindles, that is) or have a favorite pet?  What is your favorite flower or food?  Do you have a pet that you love?  Maybe you like crystals or abstract art?    You can also choose from our existing spindles - we can email pictures of available spindles to look at - however, as these are already fired, we can't carve your name on the back.

FUNDING NEEDS:  Your money will go directly toward the creation of your personalized drop spindle.  It pays for high quality materials (clay, glaze, shafts, hooks and other embellishments) and for the costs of artist's time, firing the kiln and keeping up a ceramics studio space complete with clay rollers, a multitude of carving tools, drying tunnels, and work tables.  What we will learn is which spindles are most in demand.  What colors are preferred?  Which shapes?  Weights?  Top or bottom whorls?  Best of all, as we are in essence taking advance orders for these spindles, we can eliminate the design guesswork as well as the costs of marketing an already made spindle.  The upshot is, you get a top quality, designer drop spindle for much less than retail!  Did we mention that we will carve YOUR NAME or two word preferred phrase into the back of your spindle at all reward levels? 

This is a one time offering only through Kickstarter, and if the project is not fully funded, then your spindle will not be made, so PLEASE share this link with your spin-a-holic friends and local guilds and yarn stores.  We are including a special store wholesaler's reward to supply your local yarn store with a comprehensive selection of our drop spindles, which you can then browse and test and select there - and pay them retail.  Each spindle will be given a test run to check for problems by Torri before we send it to you.  That being said, every spinner has a preferred style and every spindle has it's own personality.  We hope to provide a divine merging of tool with crafter for the ultimate spinning experience.

FUND OUR PROJECT:  Order your own designer ceramic drop spindle today!  They also make great gifts for your personal fiber addict.  (WE WILL DO OUR BEST TO HAVE SPINDLES ORDERED THROUGH THIS KICKSTARTER PROJECT DELIVERED BEFORE THE HOLIDAY SEASON)  They are wonderful door prizes for your local spinners or weavers guilds.  If you need more than one of our awesome spindles, select the reward level twice (or multiple reward levels) and start thinking about your spindle themes!  Your feedback here will allow us to develop our drop spindles into a truly awesome fiber resource. 

ARTIST'S CAVEAT: We do retain final say on the finished look of your spindle, and while your input is the impetus, the exigencies of the materials will to some degree affect the final product outcome.  While we will do our best to follow your preferences, we must specify: NO RETURNS ON PERSONALIZED SPINDLES. 

THANK YOU!!!!