So I have two "problems" (not really problems, but I can't think of a better word) and I think I may have come up with a fun solution to both. As usual, I am incapable of making a long story short (my specialty runs more toward making a short story long), so here's the long story :-)
Problem 1: Mark and I have really tightened our belts and put ourselves on a very strict house-saving budget. This has been great so far and we are saving tons of money. It feels so great to be working so hard toward a goal that we are really excited about. It hasn't been too tough so far, but next month is Mark's birthday and our anniversary. I had a loose mental budget for present-spending, and I had a bit of cash left for fun money for me, as well. I've had a serious itch for some new fibers lately, and I've gotten a few new things, but I had my eye on a few more. But then I kind of stumbled across the perfect birthday present for Mark and it was one of those now-or-maybe-never-again kind of things. So, I got it for him, of course, but it exceded my present budget, so now there's no fun money. Mark is more than worth it, and I'm tickled to be able to give him this present (sorry for the mystery, he reads the blog), but the fiber-lust is still strong.
Problem 2: Even though the fiber-lust is still quite strong, I really don't need to be buying new fiber, even if I had the money, because I have a stash of epic proportions. I really don't need more fiber (like that has EVER stopped me). In fact, I actually have fiber I literally don't need. Right now, I'm only spinning gossamer weight. That means even a giant shawl would only require three ounces of fiber, max. I've had several occasions when I've fallen in love with a fiber, but the vendor would only sell in quantities larger than what I need. So I have several four and eight ounce lots of fiber when I really only need two or three ounces. I split all these lots months ago, but I haven't been able to let go of the excess because I hoard fiber like a dragon hoards gold. I can't give up that fiber... it's mine... my precious. But really, it's silly to keep something around that I know I don't need.
So... here's my solution: Anybody wanna trade?
2 ounces of Chasing Rainbows' Bombyx Silk in colorway Mary's
Sold in lots of two at an estate sale. The other one from this lot is marinating in the stash.
2 ounces Chasing Rainbows' 50/50 wool/silk in colorway Grand Canyon
Sold in lots of two at an estate sale. The other one from this lot was used in my October in New York shawl. The one I used for my shawl was not as vibrant as this one.
100 grams of Blue Moon's tencel/merino in colorway Rain
Sold as an 8oz lot, the other half is marinating in my stash.
Trading some of my fiber for some of yours would solve both of my problems. I'd be getting rid of fiber I don't need and getting some new fiber for only the cost of shipping! And you'd be getting some new fiber, too! Plus, I think it just sounds like fun.
So, what do you say? Do you like any of these fibers? Do you want to trade?
I propose that anyone who would like to trade leave a comment with the fiber you'd like to trade for (first comment wins). I hate to say this, but since I'm doing this on a tight budget, I'm only opening this up to people who live in the US because of shipping costs. We'll each pay shipping for the package we send out. I'd really like to get surprises from the people I trade with, so I've put a short list of likes/dislikes below, so you know what you're getting into, since I'm pretty picky. But the surprise issue is negotiable. If you don't feel up to choosing for me, we can talk about what you have that you'd be willing to trade, and I can choose.
Likes:
fibers: fine wools (merino, cormo, polwarth), silks, cashmere (wishful thinking)
colors: blues and greens, handpaints, blended batts
other: batts! right now I'm on a batt kick, as long as it is prepared well enough that I can spin my frog hair with it
Dislikes:
fibers: angora (wildly allergic), tencel, BFL, any coarse or medium wools
colors: I enjoy all colors, but I'd prefer no solid colors unless they're natural colors
other: I'd prefer no commercially prepared fibers (Ashland Bay, Louet, etc) unless they are natural colors so I can dye them.
FYI: all of these fibers come from a house that contains a cat. She's not allowed in the fiber room, so it's not like she's rolled around in them, but if you have an allergy, I just wanted to make you aware that there's a small chance you could get a cat hair or two.
I really hope that someone (or three someones) out there will think this sounds as fun as I do. If you'd like to do some fiber swappin', leave me a comment and we'll get the ball rolling.
# posted by Jenni @ 7/08/2007 08:55:00 PM
