Pat’s fiber supplies.
I have a problem, and I could use some advice.
I’m interested in purchasing Pat’s spinning wheel. She wrote me in March 2007 that she had an Ashford Traveller. I have no idea what condition it’s in, but she could get 300-400 dollars for it if it’s in working order, and I of course would be willing to pay that fair price. I like the idea of spinning Pat’s fiber on Pat’s wheel.
How the heck do I bring this up with her family? Should I even try, or let it go? I don’t want to seem like a vulture. I’ve already got a wheel, so it’s not that I’m looking to pick up a bargain at her family’s expense, I just think it would be nice to have this extra piece of her life, and of course I’d give it a good home.
I’d also like to volunteer to evaluate and sell any yarn or knitting supplies she has. I know she has some, but I don’t know what quality. I’d be glad to help with that, either by giving an opinion or by actually taking the items and selling them online and sending the money and a report back to her family. I don’t know what kind of medical expenses Pat’s care entailed, but it had to have been significant. I’d like to help her family, because I think she’d want that.
I’ve never been in a situation like this, and I’m afraid that I’ll come off as insensitive or that I’ll hurt their feelings somehow.
Any thoughts?
ETA:
Is there anyone else they might give all of her stuff to, or do you think they might just chuck it all to the Goodwill?
I don’t know how you should go about talking to them about it, but I do hope you’ll be able to get her stuff. I can see you spinning her fiber, on her wheel, then knitting something for her son, maybe. 🙂 That would be sweet.
Is there anyone else they might give all of her stuff to, or do you think they might just chuck it all to the Goodwill?
I don’t know how you should go about talking to them about it, but I do hope you’ll be able to get her stuff. I can see you spinning her fiber, on her wheel, then knitting something for her son, maybe. 🙂 That would be sweet.
Maybe do it just like that: “Hello family, I wasn’t sure how to approach this because I don’t want this to hurt anyone or seem insensitive, but I know that Pat would have wanted me to offer to help in some way, if possible. I know that Pat had a lot of crafting supplies that she was considering selling, so if you need help with that, as a fellow crafter with some knowledge of these items, I would be glad to help if any is needed. I would also be interested in purchasing her spinning wheel if you are considering selling it; it would be a great blessing to carry on her love of that craft.”
I think it’s very evident that your inquiry is prompted by love and not by greed.
Maybe do it just like that: “Hello family, I wasn’t sure how to approach this because I don’t want this to hurt anyone or seem insensitive, but I know that Pat would have wanted me to offer to help in some way, if possible. I know that Pat had a lot of crafting supplies that she was considering selling, so if you need help with that, as a fellow crafter with some knowledge of these items, I would be glad to help if any is needed. I would also be interested in purchasing her spinning wheel if you are considering selling it; it would be a great blessing to carry on her love of that craft.”
I think it’s very evident that your inquiry is prompted by love and not by greed.
Yes, this. I think the way you phrased it in your post is very eloquent, Heather, so if you phrase it similarly to the family I think they’ll understand.
Yes, this. I think the way you phrased it in your post is very eloquent, Heather, so if you phrase it similarly to the family I think they’ll understand.
I, too, like the way you phrased it.
I, too, like the way you phrased it.
I think this is a great gesture to make to her family who probably have no idea what to do with this stuff. I know my family wouldn’t and I would hope someone would offer to assist them. I mean I would hate for my wheel to go to like goodwill or something.
I think this is a great gesture to make to her family who probably have no idea what to do with this stuff. I know my family wouldn’t and I would hope someone would offer to assist them. I mean I would hate for my wheel to go to like goodwill or something.
Gah, I keep forgetting to email you about this. I spoke with Pat’s son awhile ago. He said that her sister (the one who belly dances, among other things) has decided to take up spinning, so she has Pat’s spinning wheel and yarn-related supplies.
Gah, I keep forgetting to email you about this. I spoke with Pat’s son awhile ago. He said that her sister (the one who belly dances, among other things) has decided to take up spinning, so she has Pat’s spinning wheel and yarn-related supplies.
Heh. Belly-dancing spinner. Okay, thanks for checking. 🙂
Heh. Belly-dancing spinner. Okay, thanks for checking. 🙂