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Tips for Sellers – Auction of Spinning and Weaving Equipment

Posted: April 10, 2024

Keep in mind that there will be roughly 200 lots that need to be sold in 180 minutes. Here are some things you can do to help keep the auction running smoothly and enable your item to command its best price during its brief moment in the spotlight.

Label it. Attach a label, such as a half-sheet of typing paper or a 4 x 6” index card with a brief description to your item. Write or print in large type (18-20 pt)–big enough that buyers and auctioneers can read it without needing eyeglasses. Let buyers know what your item is. For example:
“36 inch 12 dent stainless steel reed” or
“Main bed carriage for Brother KH230 Knitting Machine” or
“Toika ‘Ulla’ Spinning Wheel with accessories”.

You may also want to include a couple of bullet points on your label to call out one or two important features. For example, if you know the provenance of great-grandma’s spinning wheel, put a “Documented Provenance” bullet point on the label. If your modern spinning wheel was made by Rick Reeves, or your loom was owned by Anni Albers, call that out on the label. This sort of information can stimulate spirited bidding.

Additional

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Tips for Buyers

Posted: April 10, 2024

Preview. Before the auction, walk through the auction tent. There isn’t time to examine an item while it’s being auctioned.
Be prepared. Bring a tape measure, string suitable for a test driveband on a spinning wheel, reading glasses, and whatever else you think you may need to assess the items for sale. Have tools and moving blankets in your car so you can dismantle your purchases and bring them home.
Write down numbers. Make sure you have a pen or pencil. Record the numbers of the lots in which you are interested and your notes on a notepad, or use the handy form on the back of your auction card.
Ask questions. Auction staff and volunteers are not experts, but they may be able to help you identify items, and might even be able to let you “test drive.” Fellow festival goers are friendly, and may also be able to tell you more; occasionally, you might even find a seller loitering by his or her consignments.

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2025 Catalog Cover Artist Clare Margaret

Posted: March 27, 2025

Our 2025 cover art was created by Clare Margaret, who has been a vendor at the Festival since 2013.

2023 Catalog Cover Artist

Posted: March 30, 2023

Ashton Design

Since he first purchased three ewes from chairman Gwen Handler in 1985, David Ashton has been an integral part of every Festival. David created our iconic logo in 1987, giving us a visual identity that is now recognized around the world. Since then, David and the team at Ashton Design have assisted us with selecting our artwork, then taking that artwork and creating the design that we use each year for our catalog cover, posters, t-shirts, and other festival merchandise.

For 2023, we asked the team at Ashton to create an original illustration for us in honor of our 50th anniversary, and we believe they have done us proud.

ASHTON-DESIGN.COM

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