Since I gave my mom a new spinning wheel in February, her old one had been collecting dust in her garage. She told me I could have it if I wanted; maybe sell it or do what ever I wanted with it. I gratefully accepted her offer and DH and I brought it home with us after our last visit. I had originally planned to put it in working order and sell it but as Mom and I watched DH load it into the back of my car I heard Mom, with a catch in her voice, say, "Goodbye old friend." I can't sell it now. I hadn't realized how much it meant to her. I will repair it, keep it and use it with her in mind. I think it will please Mom to know it won't be going to a stranger who may or may not care for it properly and who may or may not even learn to use it. Mom had it for over thirty years but it's been well used and could pass for an antique by anyone not knowledgeable in spinning wheels. To pass off a working spinning wheel as a decoration in one's home is something no spinner would care to think about.
Mom's spinning wheel is in deplorable condition but I have big plans for it. First I need to take it apart, piece by piece. Then I have to carefully clean off the coffee stains, grease and whatever those stuck on chunky bits are. Next I will have to use wood filler to fill in the holes, gouges, scrapes and scratches. Then a good sanding to remove the old finish before applying a nice warm medium oak stain. I want to learn tole painting and decorate the wheel with flowers and leaves. I've never seen a decorated spinning wheel and am sure it would make Mom's spinning wheel unique. I'm not sure how long this will all take but I'll definitely post a picture when I'm done.
This is what it looks like right now.