BJ Heeke - Weaving/Spinning - Arts and Crafts - Home/Garden

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Expert Profile: BJ Heeke

Expertise: I can answer questions about spindle spinning, low whorl, high whorl, & supported spindles. I can answer questions about navajo plying on a wheel, & andean plying from a spindle. I can also answer questions regarding making one`s own spindles from CD`s or wooden wheels and dowels. I have limited weaving experience, but if I do not know the answer, I surely will find someone who does!

Experience in the area
I have been spinning for 20 years. I make my own spindles. I have taught spindling classes.

Organizations
Northwest Regional Spinner's Association, Texas Fiber Guild, Heart of Texas Spinners & Weavers, & Spindlitis. Past member of the Little Flock Handspinners of Seattle (disbanded) and Valley Spinners (opps, lapsed membership).

Publications
I have written a series of articles for NwRSA's newsletter 'Loose Threads' for spinners about finding information on the Internet called 'Wired Threads'.
I have served as an editor for the Contemporary Handweavers of Texas as well as membership chair for 2 years. I also taught a spindling class at the 2005 conference in Austin, TX. I will be teaching at Kid 'n Ewe in Boerne, TX November 10-12, 2006.

Ask a Question	View Past Answers	View Ratings

What do you still hope to achieve/learn in this field? I am going to learn to weave on the 4 harness floor loom I got for my birthday.

Something interesting about this subject that others may not know: Spindling is portable, I always have a spindle with me and will pull it out if I have to wait for someone or for something to start. I have stood in many a queue spindling!

What do you like about this subject? I love spinning. I think I was pre-destined to take up this life changing art. My maternal Grandmother was an avid crocheter. My paternal Grandmother used a sock machine to make socks for Eddie Bauer in the 20's and 30's. I learned to knit in my teens and can vividly remember sitting on the porch thinking it would be cool to make my own yarns.

Something controversial or provocative about this subject It is addictive!

Average Ratings
Prestige Points: 760
Knowledge	9.90 Best of the best
Clarity of Response	10.0 Best of the best
Timeliness	10.0 Best of the best
Politeness	10.0 Best of the best
Number Of Questions (in Past 24 Hours)		0
Max Questions to be Asked (in 24 Hour period)		5
Total Questions (since joining AllExperts)		73

Recent Reviews from Users

Knowl	Clarity	Time	Politeness	Date
10	10	10	10	10/05/07
10	10	10	10	09/02/07
10	10	10	10	06/24/07
10	10	10	10	03/11/06
10	10	10	10	02/24/06

User Comments

Thanks very much!!!!
(serenity on 10/05/07)

thank you so much for this information. i will keep trying
(Ruth on 09/02/07)

That was exactly what I needed to know. It was clear and precise and presented in a friendly way. Thank you
(Terri on 06/24/07)

Wow,what a quick and helpful response!Thank you so much BJ.By the way I'm a Jimi Hendricks fan myself ;)
(Jo on 03/11/06)

thank you! very helpful info; esp. about the whacking, which I do anyway and didn't know it was necessary or recommended, I just do it for fun.
(jan on 02/24/06)

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Ask a Question	View Past Answers	View Ratings

Recent Answers from BJ Heeke

2008-05-04 spindles: Hi Sonya! You can make CD spindles very easily. This is how I make them: I like to make mine with only one CD/DVD and use a 5/16" dowel (I like ones about 11-12" long)with the 3/8" grommet I get at...

2008-01-31 Warp rep placemats: I am not familiar with mop cotton. If you think it would shrink after weaving I would wash it first to mitigate that. I am such a beginning weaver that I think your question would be better answered...

2007-12-05 spinning: Camille I suggest that you look for a shop or guild in your area. You did not say where you live, but if you take a look at the Interweave Press website (they put out Spin-Off magazine) for guilds you...

2007-11-28 cleaning alpaca wool: Dear Julie I had to ask my experts on this as I have not dealt with fleeces with this problem. Unfortunately it sounds like your alpaca might be hosting a parasite like lice or fleas. This is what my...

2007-10-04 softness and microns: According to a recent article in Wild Fibers magazine, the vicuña averages 12 microns and is the softest fiber in the world. You can read the whole article here: http://wildfibersmagazine.com/page.php?23...