Origin Story
Hi, Im Ann!
I run Apple Creek Farm which is our family hobby farm and a fiber arts business and education resource. We focus on historically inspired modern life from heritage American chicken breeds all the way back to iron age textile practices for modern day people.
I have been on and off selling yarn creations for 20 years! Starting in 2007 when I taught myself how to knit from a booklet while on bedrest with my first pregnancy, and sold scarves and knitted bags on Etsy. I miss Etsy from way back when!
I made things for myself and my family for many years. In 2021 I couldnt stop thinking about a spinning wheel I got to spin for a few minutes at a fair as a kid, and I got an antique walking wheel for Christmas.
That started a deep dive into historical spinning and historical textiles studies that has no signs of slowing down!
What started as holding historical spinning classes at a local fiber fest, morphed into a thriving online business! I had left over Spin Like a Viking kits made by a wood worker friend. I put them online and they sold very quickly! Our friend ran out of time to make them, so I got a lathe and away I went! I now have another wood worker friend who doubles as a mentor in the craft, and we are both having a blast making tools for the historically minded spinner!
What We Make
At Apple Creek Farm, whether you find us online, in our booth, or even on our farm, you’ll find one overarching thing:
Natural beauty
Wood, wool, and other natural fibers, in vibrant colors and unique wood grains – everything is natural. Our wood tools are finished with only a bit of oil so they can soak up your hand oils and lanolin from wool with frequent use. And our woven fibers are 100% natural, never superwash and never synthetic.
Our offerings include:
Spindles:
Spin Like a Viking kits
Medieval style spindles
Suspended spindles
Supported spindles and bowls
Russian lace spindles
Scottish Dealgan spindles
French Bobbin spindles
Distaffs:
Mini Hand Distaffs
Oseberg Hand Distaffs
Simple Belted Distaffs (only available in person)
Two-Part European Belted Distaffs
Folk Art Flat Hand Distaffs
Viking Kit Hand Distaffs
Other tools:
Nosteppines
Supported Spindle Bowls
Crochet Hooks
Woven Items:
Scarves
Small Woven Bags
Crossbody Bags
Woven Pendant Necklaces
Coasters
Historical Inspiration
Originally enchanted with antique Walking Wheels, I am continually researching Early American Settlers spinning methods both the techniques and ways spinning fit into their lifestyles.
My next big interest is distaffs. And the archaeological findings from the Egyptian hieroglyphs all the way into today, and their use world wide. I focus on European Middle Ages and Iron Ages as my personal favorite. And am also fascinated with distaffs and spindles being used even when spinning wheels became available.
Distaff research gave way to spindle style research. I was both surprised and encouraged to see how many people groups on different continents used a simple rod of wood or metal with a weight on the end – even in Africa!
I really think its true that you could stab an apple with a thin stick and use it to make yarn!
As modern spinners in the age of free information, we can comb online archives, import antique tools from all over the world and choose whatever strikes our fancy to partake in this fascinating ritual of spinning! From personal family heritage to what we simply find beautiful, the reasons we choose a spindle or spinning style are so personal, and so unique!
A Word For Re-enactors
We have a growing number of products striving for historical accuracy. Below are the items we offer that are made as replicas of the originals:
Spin Like A Viking Kit
Oseberg Hand Distaff
European Two Part Belted Distaff
Simple Belted Distaff
Medieval Style Suspended Spindle
Historically Inspired
Are items that aren’t quite as exact but are used with the same techniques as the historical eras and areas they represent
Suspended Spindle French Goddess style
Russian Lace Supported Spindles
Our Philosophy
We make things meant to be played with!
Our spindles, distaffs, and other tools are made to make you want to pull them off the shelf and use them. From handsomely shaped wood supported spindles to smooth stone whorls, squishy and colorful scarves to hearty little Scottish Dealgans – everything is meant for touch and play!
I like to say, Spindles are the original fidget spinners!
If you love a tool or accessory, you will want to use it! And especially for learning a new skill, the more time you spend on it the more you are likely to find lasting success.
Education and Community
From “Did you know…” reels on social media, to 3 hour in person workshops – education is a big part of what we do!
Here’s a list of what you can find where:
Social Media IG, FB, and TT: Short examples of spinning and weaving, some history facts, and all of our processes
YouTube: A growing number of tutorials, some of them asked for by everyone from fellow historical spinning demonstrators to brand new spindle spinners. Easiest to find by going to the Playlists tab on our channel
Zoom Classes: I do take students for private 1 hour lessons on many spinning styles as time allows. You can find more info here:
Vendor Events: Come find me at a vendor event and we can chat about whatever spindle or part of the process your heart desires! I also demo spinning while vending and am happy to give a little hands-on lesson before you take your new spindle home!
Events and Classes
Workshops: A few times a year I get the opportunity to hold in-person workshops. They’re always a blast! You can find info for those on my Events page here:
Events and Classes
The Apple Creek Farm 