I have come full circle...

I am trying to figure out a new packaging for my oblique pen holders. I still make my own packaging so I need something that is easier to make, uses less material, but still provides considerable protection and aesthetically pleasing. I am currently using a traditional box with sliding cover but it takes too much time to make. I tried a pillow box before, but it is too soft in the middle so I reverted back to the rectangular box. I thought I would try a triangular shape this time, like a Tobleron box, but it must have a self-locking mechanism like a pillow box so it can hold it´s shape without using glue or tape. The design should be simple that I will not need to cut complicated shape or slots. Something that can work with a rectangular sheet of cardboard and incorporate a series of folds like an origami.

This brings back memories of college days. This is the kind of exercises we actually did. I guess I have come full circle. I love making things, studying the process, the materials. Maybe I should stick to this permanently? It may not be as grandiose as my dreams before, working in a big design firm, designing high-tech consumer products. Who knows, maybe if I stick to this long enough, I can eventually make a big difference.

From Fiber to Socks...

I finally finished my lace toe-up-socks project.  It took quite some time.  I am a slow knitter, but with this one, I also carded the raw cotton fiber and spun all the yarn using the drop spindle and charkha which I also constructed.  Though, I could really use some help with my bind-off.  Anyways, I did not have enough yarn when I started the project, so I carded, spun, and knitted as the project progresses.  Thus, you might notice the three tones.  The change in color tone indicates where I ran out of yarn.  I dyed the yarn before spinning. I used avocado skin to make the natural dye.  I really like the color.  I did not use any mordant to really bind the dye to the fiber.  But I think I read somewhere that I do not need to use a mordant since I am using a natural dye on a plant fiber.  I just boiled the skin from one avocado and when the water was quite dark, I soaked my yarn for about two hours and hung it to dry overnight.  

My cotton spinning has become finer, particularly when I used the charkha.  Learning to spin at consistent thickness will probably take quite some time to master.   I initially built a spinning wheel with a treadle, but it was not working smoothly, and I really needed more yarn, so I decided to make a charkha, and work my technology from the ground up.  The charkha was really easy to construct and use.  I can actually make a long draw with only one hand, which I can not do with my spinning wheel.  Probably because I can not properly adjust the feed of the spool.  Since I will be working mostly with cotton fiber, I will stick with the charkha for a while.  The high speed charkha is ideal with spinning fine cotton thread or yarn.

Merry Christmas Everyone!!!
Peace on Earth, Goodwill toward Men.