these rabbits so I downloaded all the information I could find from the Internet. Then I chose a lady in upstate NY, and northern New Jersey to buy the rabbits from. They were an enormous help in getting me started. I now own two different breeds of 4 angora rabbits. Here is my introduction to the rabbits known as "The Wooly Wabbit Farm".
       Now I have a source for wool, but I still didn't know how to spin or even have a spinning wheel. Again I got onto the Internet and searched for information about handspinning and spinning wheels. I found a dealer about an hour away so I called to ask if I could see their spinning wheels. During the course of our conversation I found out that they also give spinning classes and there was one opening left for the next class coming up in 5 weeks. I signed up for the class. I was also told that they rent their wheels on a weekly basis, so people could try them out before buying one. The following week I went to rent a wheel (I was anxious to get started and the class didn't start for another
month yet). The store owner showed me the wheels available for rent. I decided to try the Louet wheel first. As I was leaving, she told me not to get discouraged because spinning takes a long time to learn. (I took a weaving class 10 years ago and a portion of the class included wool preparation and spinning. I tried the wheel for about a half-hour and didn't get it at all, I wasn't interested at the time. For some reason, I felt I could master it this time around - at least I told the store owner I was planning on sticking with it until I figured it out.)
       My first day on the wheel was unsuccessful. I couldn't keep the flywheel turning with my foot the same time I was suppose to manipulate the fibers with my hands. (Spinning requires a lot of hand, eye, and foot coordination.) I had a few moments of almost getting it, but still not quite. The second day started out pretty much like the first, but an hour later something clicked and I was actually spinning. I couldn't believe it! I bought a video teaching the basics of spinning wool and followed along with it. By the end of the week I made my first skein of yarn.
       The next weekend I went to return the wheel to the store owner and to purchase my own wheel. She asked me how I did and I showed her my first skein of yarn. Her jaw literally dropped to the floor and she said, "I can't believe you are able to spin like this so soon", referring to how thin the yarn was. She continued to say, "No one spins like this on their first try". She then showed me her first skein of yarn, which was lumpy and as thick as a pencil. Somehow I managed to spin a yarn that was thin and consistent. After seeing her first skein I realized that I had indeed done something extraordinary. All I could say was "I must have done this in another lifetime" - there was no other explanation for it. The store owner told me "You should continue spinning because you definitely have a unique talent for it".
       I now spin my own yarn and love it. I use the wool from the rabbits and blend it with other fibers such as wool, alpaca, and silk. I continued to buy all the spinning equipment I could afford, took a couple of classes, and I converted my graphics studio into a spinning studio.
       I started the Joy of Handspinning as a way to bring the joy of spinning fiber into yarn to everyone. Spinning is fun, economical, easy to learn, and extremely relaxing. My mission for the Joy of Handspinning is to provide an open forum of learning and sharing, as well as, providing the very best spinning equipment and fibers to get beginners started and to supply the creative needs of advanced spinners, weavers and fiber artists. I also teach a free introductory class in handspinning, using the drop spindle, to anyone who wants to learn.
       I continue to hand knit, but instead of making sweaters I am now knitting mittens and socks with the hand spun yarns that I create. I will get back to making sweaters, as soon as I am able to focus more on production.
       My ultimate joy of handspinning comes from the process of taking a natural material that is so peacefully given to us by our fiber-bearing brothers and sisters. The fiber is then manipulated into a product that is useful to humanity, doesn't involve violence, and is hand made. I hope that you will also find joy in this beautiful craft.
Happy Spinning!
  Tulasi