"But, really, why does anyone create? You feel a... a restlessness inside, a need to make something new, something no one has ever seen before. You want to add to the beauty and the richness of the world with a gift, an offering that is uniquely yours. It's an act of selfishness and generosity, all rolled into one."

-- Bruce Coville,
The Last Hunt

Monday, August 16, 2010

A Tragedy

This was the first David Reed Smith shuttle I ever got, and it has been my favorite shuttle for ten years. The wood is padouk, and I find that it has just the right degree of flexibility in the tips. Then last night when I was making a join, this happened:

But, hey, ten years of faithful service is not bad, and I do live in a climate that makes wood brittle. I was able to finish the edging using a crochet hook for the rest of the joins with this shuttle. Then I went to David's web site and ordered a new shuttle just like it, as well as a purpleheart shuttle. So I guess it's not a complete tragedy.

8 comments:

  1. Thank goodness David still makes shuttles! Enjoy your new ones!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Oh no! One of my bone shuttles did that but it broke down so far that it's not useable. can you maybe sand it down to match the underside tip and keep it as a shuttle without a pick?

    ReplyDelete
  3. I'm sure you could do some sanding and just have a shorter point. The first shuttle I ever ordered was one of David's. Before that I'd been using the metal Boye's which I absolutely hate! David might be able to do some repair work on it too. Try asking!

    ReplyDelete
  4. That happened to my Sewmate shuttle. I think I was using it to ounpick a stitch. I have a few of David's shuttles and love them especially with the points. Enjoy your new shuttles.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I had the same thought…sand it down and it will just be a shuttle without a hook. His shuttles are beautiful, I have two that I bought in 2007.

    bj

    ReplyDelete
  6. That would just make me cry. Then like everyone else, I would get out my emery paper (the stuff I used to sharpen my calligraphy pens) and gently, gently smooth that out. I can't use a pick anyway (gotta have a hook) so having it rounded wouldn't bother me. I love my David Reed Smith shuttle -- but mine has a tiny brass hook. :)

    ReplyDelete
  7. I also love my DRS shuttles. I am sorry that yours broke but what a lovely excuse for some new ones!

    ReplyDelete
  8. I have 2 of his shuttles, they were my first shuttles other than clovers, but I've never used them I'm to afraid of breaking the tips. That you've used yours for 10 years is an inspiration for me to bring them out of the display case and use them.

    ReplyDelete