Weaving in Beauty

Explore the beauty and harmony of Navajo weaving

Weaving Tools and Equipment

Most of our weaving tools are Navajo made and are fair traded with the artist and we generally pay what the artist asks for the items that we offer.   We do not use a retail markup for the items and in general, the artist receives at least 80% of your purchase price.

Navajo Made Weaving Tools

(Click on any picture for a closer view)

Henry Lee Dedman Spindle

Hip Spindle by Henry Lee Dedman

$25 each

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Henry Lee Dedman of Ft. Definance, Arizona creates these spindles using whorls made from local woods. They are smooth, light and they spin like tops.  Henry makes these in the traditional way, and you’ll find that they feel lighter than commercially made spindles intended to function as Navajo spindles.  You can use these all day and not get tired.  The spindle is 32″ long and the whorl has a diameter of 4″.


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Traditional Weaving Fork by Henry Lee Dedman

$25 each

Qty

Henry Lee Dedman carves each of these forks by hand from wood that is gathered near his home in Ft. Defiance, Arizona.  The graceful curve of the handle is not only beautiful but makes them easy to hold.  They are about 1 1/2″ wide and 9″ long, but they do vary somewhat.   I have used these with warps spaced at both 8 and 10 ends per inch and they perform well with both.  Let me know how many ends per inch you’re weaving with and I’ll test it before sending it out.

 

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Quarter Inch Finishing Batten by Henry Lee Dedman

$25 each

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Yes, it really is that narrow. When Henry showed me this batten, I joked with him that it could double as a toothpick. It is 14 3/4″ x 1/4″. That’s right, it’s a quarter of an inch wide. It’s made from oak, so it is more rigid than many battens that are this narrow. You can get an idea of the scale from the picture above with the batten in a warp that is 12 inches wide.  These are very hard to get, and I will order more from Henry but it will take up to a month to get them. He only does a few at a time because they are relatively difficult to make. Right now, I have one in this 1/4″ width.

There are currently 3 responses to “Weaving Tools and Equipment”

Why not let us know what you think by adding your own comment! Your opinion is as valid as anyone elses, so come on... let us know what you think.

  1. 1 On January 19th, 2010, Francine L. Kavanaugh said:

    Mary

    Where did you get your table loom? The one that you always use at class or monthly gathering.

    Francine

  2. 2 On February 9th, 2010, Jayne Reed said:

    What would the shipping cost be for the hip spindle? I kind of wanted (still want, actually!) one from Mark Deschinney to go with the other stuff I bought, but the shipping by UPS was crazy, so I got a big comb instead.

  3. 3 On February 10th, 2010, Paula Guernsey said:

    Mary, do you have an actual store? I’m interested in buying a Navajo spindle and learning to spin on it when I’m in Arizona next week. Yeah, I sure did wait until the last minute, didn’t I?

    So, if I do find someone to teach me, I’ll need a spindle and having it shipped to Indiana wouldn’t do me much good.

    Paula

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    Latest on Sat, 03:02 pm

    Bonnie Allen: Does anyone know of any weavers in Illinois? thanks, Bonnie

    LINDA HERNANDEZ: i am interested in the next online class or if there are any classes around toledo ohio.

    linda hernandez: i would like to know when the next on line weaving class will be held

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