Well, the Vivitar that Chris got me for Early Christmas, took beautiful macros – but it has a freak battery that NOBODY, including Vivitar, had in stock. So, it had to go back. I expressed my frustration to all the folks at Vivitar, Inc. Just this morning, actually, one of their phone monkeys called, telling […]
A friend sent me eggs, and he sent WAY too many. I usually only raise 2 or 3 hundred at a time this late in the season, and I have well over a thousand hatchlings now. Probably close to two thousand. Some of my hatchling trays look like an anthill that somebody kicked. If anybody […]
Chris got me a camera for Christmas. He gave it to me early, because we’re going to be going on a trip, and this way I can figure out some of its astounding powers. It’s TINY, but it can do amazing things!
This morning, Chris took part in a contest to try to win a jeep. This LINK gives you a good idea of what’s going on; he’s not in any of the video that I can see, though.
I’m going to be demonstrating silk reeling and talking about caterpillars and sericulture at the Texas Discovery Gardens at 11 AM each Sunday and Monday through the run of the Fair. The Fair runs from Friday, Sept. 29 through Sunday, October 22. If you get down there, definitely stop and say howdy! I’m there for […]
This is a knitted stuffed monkey that I made for my partner Chris for his birthday. Click here for
And lots and lots of pheromones. My partner Chris made me some silkworm trays; I looked at them and realized they might be *just* the thing for hanging the female moths in the yard to attract males. Last night was a perfect night for moth romance – it rained early in the evening, so it […]
This is the process I use for degumming and processing the Polyphemus wild silk cocoons into yarn. There are a LOT of photos (26 more) under the cut.
I’m sure that most of you who are into obscure textiles information, know about the Digital Archive of Documents on Weaving, Lace and Related Topics. Ralph Griswold scans out-of-copyright books, and makes them available for download as PDF’s. In my silk research adventures, I’ve gotten hold of a lot of fascinating old books. Some of […]
This is a simple cardboard itomaki, or silk winder bobbin. I worked this out as a way to skein up tiny amounts of silk for embroidery skeins; it works well for times when you need a small but regular skein.