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.

1. 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 information—such as the detailed provenance of great-grandma’s spinning wheel, a full list of included accessories, instructions, or a website with additional information—can also be attached to the item so that buyers can learn more about it during the auction preview.
2. Clean it up. Please take a few minutes to wipe off dust and dirt. Cleaning wooden tools with a mild soap like Murphy’s Oil Soap will make them shine.
3. Bundle them up. Bundling items into one lot makes a more attractive package. Keep the bobbins, matching lazy kate, and other accessories with the spinning wheel; keep the reeds and shuttles with the loom. If you have lots of interesting miscellaneous items, sort them into treasure boxes for different crafts: spinning, weaving, knitting, quilting. There is not a lot of time in the auction, so to be fair to other sellers, buyers, and the viewing public, if you don’t group your smaller items, the auction staff reserves the right to do so.
4. Set it up. Consider putting a short demo warp on card and inkle looms, or a partially-woven square on a pin looms, and perhaps include some weft or instructions on how to complete the sample project. Help potential buyers see what they can create. In the past, set-up looms or “kits” have commanded substantially higher prices.