Hackle-berry Finn
We now make hackles!
After quite a few requests for them we have found some space to build them. I am really pleased with how they turned out. We have again used Baz's great idea of bonding the pins into the hackle base using resin - it makes all the pins perfectly straight and aligned. They have an excellent cover to go over the pins so nothing gets pricked unnecessarily 
. I am also very pleased with the new clamps we have made for the hackle. Using our 'Selection of Cleverness' again, we did things like drill the holes as slight angles so the hackle is held more firmly onto tables. The clamp block is covered with rubber that helps hold the hackle tighter while protecting your table. The hackle has tiny rubber feet for the same reason.
Double Row Hackle Set
You might also notice the steps at the end of the hackle. They have been provided as a place to clamp the hackle with 'F' clamps if you prefer these to the Majacraft ones. As a nice little finishing touch, we laser engraved Majacraft on to the hackle base.
You can find the page on the main part of the web site here.
Until next time
Andy
The Aura-gle has landed
Well here it is, the games and teases are finally over and our 18 month long project has been liberated into the wilds. Our new wheel the Aura has been overwhelmingly well received and we have been really excited by how much people are enjoying it. I spoke to Dad (Owen) this afternoon and he was just buzzing about their trip to the US. He said they had been made to feel so welcome by all they had met and were very grateful for the genorosity they had been shown.
If you are interested, Rob and I were interviewed by Granny G and she has posted the podcast of the interview on her web site (www.grannygcrafts.com). I have listened it through and was really pleased how it came out. I tend to be my own worst critic and usually don't like the way I sound recorded (I think I sound like I am talking through my nose or something!) but Genny must have done some audio magic as I thought it was great.
Hopefully Mum and Dad will have some Maryland photos I can share with you when they return on Saturday. Until next time...
Keep cool 'til after school.
Andy
Majacraft Maryland Schedule
Hi there
Glynis has just passed me the schedule for their travels around the Maryland Show (and the presentation of a certain super secret spinning wheel). I said I would post it and here it is. If you want to come and meet them or Lexi and test drive the new wheel then come along. I know they would be happy to meet you.
Saturday morning:
Yarn Barn - from 10.30am – Glynis and Lexi - Main Hall - D 08,09,10
Earthguild –from 10.30am - Owen - Main Hall - C08,09,10
Ellen’s Half Pint - Owen - Main Hall - B 13
Saturday afternoon:
Susan’s Fiber from 2.30pm - Glynis & Lexi - Building 2- 07,09,11
Stony Mountain from 2.30pm – Owen Barn 6 – 10,12
The Spinnery from 3.30pm – Owen - Barn 6 – 09.
Sunday morning:
Carolina Homespun from 10.30 am – Lexi and Glynis - Main Hall - C 24
Three Waters Farm from 10.30pm - Owen - Main Hall - B 23
Bullens Wullens from 11.30am – Owen - Main Hall - D 06
Sunday afternoon:
Misty Mountain Farm from 2.30pm– Glynis and Lexi – Outside South - S 4
The Fold from 2pm - Owen - Barn 3 - 18
Uncommon Threads from 3.30pm– Owen - Outside East - E7
American Cormo Assoc - 4H from 4.30pm -Glynis & Owen– Outside East - E13
I hope you can make it to the show. We are busy making preparations for Owen and Glynis flying out on Sunday 25th April.
Until next time.
Andy
They are on their way!
Maryland is approaching, the big reveal is coming and the new wheels are being packed and shipped to dealers from today! After a huge effort (this is why there haven't been any blog posts for the last couple of weeks), we are nearing the end of this huge project - or is it just the beginning? The testing we carry out on each wheel before packing has been very encouraging as they are performing even better than we had hoped for. So, the big question, are you going to Maryland?
Boxes of secret wheels
I have so many more tasks to do, ads, manuals, videos, more blog posts, photography (actually this is Rob's department, he is a great photographer) and I am going to need to get back to it. Until next time...
Andy
The Pioneer makeover
Two posts in one day!
Another of our projects is finally ready for us to show you. One of our primary objectives is to make craft tools that work great and look fantastic too and so based on this idea, we have given the Pioneer a makeover.
The new Pioneer
The base and pedals of the Pioneer are now in solid pine similar to the stem. It is a heavier wood than the original plywood so the overall look of the wheel is much more solid. We have also changed from the cream wash to a lovely honey coloured oil that accentuates the grain of the wood.
It comes with the new aerodynamic flyer and like our other wheels, all accessories will fit. Best of all, the price remains the same so getting started in spinning with a Majacraft wheel is as affordable as ever.
Andy
Here comes a blogtastic day
After working hard out in the workshop for the last ... forever, I am back in the computer seat and am planning on posting lots of content today. Rob is out taking photos so keep your eyes open for more Majacraft goodies.
The first thing I have been wanting to share with you is the evolution of our flyers. For a long time we have been aware that the shape of the flyers affect the spinning in a considerable way. A flat or square flyer spinning at high speed creates a deal of wind turbulence and this requires work on the part of the spinner. To reduce the work required, we have changed the shape of the flyer bar to be more aerodynamically efficient and are very happy with the results. In our testing, the turbulence produced from one of our new flyers is much lower than anything we have come across. We think this innovation is going to be great if you are spinning fine or fast over a long periods.
Majacraft aerodynamic flyer
I am still here
The posts have been somewhat far between since Lexi visited nearly two weeks ago. I have not forgotten to do a post camp post (hmmmmn the way to a palindrome there). There has been a lot happening in the workshop over the last week that has been very attention demanding. We have a new guy joining our team on Monday and are very much looking forward to what Lance can do with us. There have been preparations necessary for his arrival. Baz has been working on the first run prototypes of a new product we have had quite a few requests for. The feedback from people who have tried them has been very encouraging so far. Components for 'Serenity' have been coming in and we are working hard to have it ready for the big release in May. If you are a subscriber to our newsletter, keep an eye on your inbox early next week as there is a special message coming soon. On top of all of this, we have had our lovely friend Therese Cruz and her family visit. It was great to catch up with her and you know, 'talk shop'. Oh yes, there were wheels to build too
As you can see, lots to do. I am looking forward to sharing more about these with you over the next little while. Until next time.
Andy
Back from camp
Good morning/afternoon/evening to all,
I have arrived back at Majacraft after a fantastic weekend at Lexi's camp, exhausted but brimming with ideas. Where to start? Well, first off, it was AWESOME! For me the thing I enjoyed most about it was not necessarily the techniques that she taught - which were great of course - but more about looking at spinning in different ways, thinking about how to spin in different ways. Lexi was delightful and our time with her seems over far to quickly. We are definitely going to have to invite her back!
I also very much enjoyed the company of the camp members as well. We had a lot of fun and it was great to meet many that I have only known by name. Special mention of course must go to the theatre company that presented an adaptation of Cinderella. Unfortunately both the cameras are still in Wellington so this is going to be a 'words' post rather than a graphical feast, the photos will follow later this week.
It was also nice to be able to share the new wheel with the camp. We had an opportunity for free time to try it that several people took up. There is still tweaking and development going on as we work to making it as perfect as possible.
And finally, congratulations to Nicole who won a Majacraft spinning wheel with our spot prize. She is going to university this week so having a wheel to take with her during her studies is likely to be a pleasant surprise.
Bye for now.
Andy
Lexi (Pluckyfluff) is here!
A quick post to let you know that Lexi has arrived! She spent a day with us in the factory and we raced through lots of development stuff, testing new combinations and configurations on the wheel. It is coming together very nicely and we are planning on seeing the first production woodwork tomorrow. Owen, Glynis and Lexi have since flown to Wellington ready for the camp and Rob and I are following them down on Friday. For those that are coming see you soon. For those that are going to be elsewhere, I'll tell you all about it next week when we get back and the pressure is off.
Andy
Hey Mum (Mom), look what I made!
Last week I did a big reveal, some of the screens came down and the curtains were drawn back. I assure you however there are still some cards we have safely stored up our sleeves to reveal in due course so don't think you have the new wheel pegged just yet.
PluckyFluff (Lexi) has been busy over the last weekend and sent me a picture of the latest spinning she has been doing on her test wheel. Just to show you that this wheel has not been designed to do art yarns specifically, here is a selection of her yarns done with the one (prototype) flyer on the wheel. It even has an American coin to prove that it came from overseas - overseas from us that is.
PluckyFluff spinning samples on Serenity
Not bad from the one flyer huh? Of course it has a wide Selection of Cleverness™ in the design to make this all possible (and lots of Lexi skills!)
More to come...
Andy