drop spindles

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Tongue River Farm

Drop Spindles from Lake Titicaca in Bolivia

For spindle collectors: Authentic Bolivian drop spindles collected in Bolivia on the Sacred Island of the Sun at Lake Titicaca by my daughter Anna. Anna bought these spindles from women who were actually using them to spin alpaca, llama and native sheep wool. Each spindle comes with some of the fiber and yarn that the women were actually working on. A real treasure and piece of history that is rapidly vanishing.

The drop spindle is known as a "phuska" in the native language.

Bolivia is the third-poorest country in the western hemisphere. Bordered by Peru, Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina and Chile, Bolivia is a country of extremes, from the high, windswept plains of the altiplano and Lake Titicaca, to lush jungle, salt flats and dinosaur tracks.

Its remoteness has left traditional Bolivian lifestyles relatively untouched. The country is rich in handicrafts, notably weaving. Each region has its own motifs and dress. Girls learn to spin and weave at a young age. While tending flocks or caring for children, women can be seen spinning thread using a traditional drop spindle.

Located high in the Bolivian Andes Mountains (10,000 to 14,000 feet above sea level). They live in adobe homes (made of mud and grass) with grass roofs clustered in small communities. They manage family farms usually caring for a few cows and sheep, and growing potatoes and "quinoa," an Andean grain that is very high in protein.

 
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Sorry sold out of spindles
How to order: Since many of the products comes in varying weights, orders must be figured individually. We do not take credit cards nor Pay Pal (sorry) but we do take checks, cash and money orders. If you will email (trf@icelandicsheep.com) or call us (573 689-2900) we will figure out your order including postage. Then you need to send a check, money order, or cash to this address Tongue River Farm Rt 2 Box 19 Bunker, MO 63629. We will fill your order right away. Thanks for your interest! :)