The other day I stumbled upon a listing for a vintage spinning wheel, a lady was cleaning out her antique booth and was trying to get rid of this clunky rustic spinning wheel. It caught my eye and after looking at it, I knew I had to get it and bring it back to its old glory.
Its missing a few things that have broke over time but looking at it closer, I realized everything was handcarved and handmade on it. The bench of it is half a log!
I could tell when I was looking at it to buy that this flyer was functional, for the most part I thought. I honestly figured since it was handmade then it wouldnt work like a normal flyer system. But I was wrong! I has a orficed in the metal rod, the flyer moves well, the bobbin does and its a double drive system.
What I’ve come to learn about this wheel (and what has made my love for it grow) is where it comes from. You might notice, it looks like a log cabin decoration because its so rustic and simple. On the back side of the bench, the name “Oscar Cannon” is beat inro the wood, seemingly with a nail.
After some digging online and talking to another lady who has a wheel by Mr. Cannon, I’ve come to learn that he was a woodworker from Lumpkin County, Georiga. Which is super close to where my family comes from and I grew up. Oscar Cannon made everything from wood on his land, making fiddles and spinning wheels and more. So, I accidentally ended up buying a wheel that's a piece of North Georgia and Southern Appalachian history. Which is very near and dear to my heart.
I will share photos and videos of this beauty when I get her to spinning once again. I have some work to put into it (fixing the flyer, oiling and waxing the wood, fixing the treadle, fixing the footman, etc) but it’ll all be worth it.