The end of an era - Eddie

 

On September 12, 2024, Eddie Carbone, the backbone of Macomber Looms, passed away.

I, for one, cannot fathom this world without his sunny personality and dedication to every detail of the Macomber shop.

Linda Hart, like the rest of the Macomber/Hart family is reeling from this sudden loss - and has posted this on FaceBook: 

"It is with great sadness we share with our devoted Macomber Family the unexpected passing of our dear Eddie.
Many of you have met and enjoyed talking with Eddie here at our workshop in Maine and at various conferences and shows over the years.
Ed Carbone has been a valued leader of our team here at Macomber Looms since 1974 when he joined us. This was his 50th year with us and we feel as if we have lost a brother and best friend.
At this time we are evaluating the best way forward.
Please be patient as we move through our grief.
If you have an order with us, we will be reaching out personally to talk with you.

Thank you Eddie for being there for all of weavers who had questions and requests. 

You have been a patron saint of looms for all Macomber weavers. You shall be greatly missed.

Here's a link to his obit.

24" 8 Harness CPJ Macomber for sale

 

24" 8 Harness Macomber CPJ Portable Loom for sale.

Double back beams with friction brake and warp separator.

4 reeds, storage box, 2 sets lease sticks, dozens of super hooks, raddle.

Excellent condition.

Valued at $2050.00

Asking $1200.

Pick up in York Maine.

I can hardly believe it!

My new 48" loom!

This year marks my 50th year as a weaver.
And one of the gifts I gave myself is a new loom! Yes! I ordered a new loom from Macomber in the fall of 2018 - and it was ready this winter. But because I was away in Indonesia until late March - it was not delivered until last month, April.

Here is my new loom just after it arrived - harnesses still not installed. This loom is 48" with two beams, and 8 harnesses.

My old 56" loom - that was with me from the time I graduated from RISD until now - has a new home in a weaving studio in Boston.

The 56" moves onward to a new life in Boston!

The 56" in her new home!

 So life goes on! The "Shelter at Home" requirements from the Pandemic, have given me long stretches of time to dig into new works, to complete ones that I started in Bali and warp the new loom.

I never get tired of weaving.

I still find joy and inspiration in making art with textiles. 

One of he highlights from last year was a one person show at The Common Thread Gallery This was a huge honor and I have a sweet little catalogue (7" square hardbound) that I am selling for $20 incl. shipping within the US.  Please click in the BUY NOW button to purchase one.

With much gratitude for your support - Sarah

Catalogue from a recent exhibit - purchase it on the blog!

Traveling opens your heart

I am on a three month sabbatical in Bali and SE Asia. While here I’m trying to meet dyers, spinners and weavers, as well as batik and basket makers. Even though I speak very little Indonesian the common language of thread reaches across the language barrier.

The ikat weaver invited me to weave!

The ikat weaver at her loom.

A gorgeous traditional indigo ikat.

56" Loom for sale

Macomber 56” Loom for sale $3,000

The loom is a real work horse!

• Model B4E Serial # 2498 built 1976
• 56" weaving width  8 Harnesses
• Two plain beams, warp separator 
• Double brakes (right/left, front/back) (2 friction brakes, 2 ratchet brakes)
• Beater handle
• 4 - 56" Stainless Steel Reeds =  5, 12, 15, and 18 EPI 
• Total value = $13,000.00
• Priced at $3000 in York, Maine

This loom has been lovingly used for over 40 years by one weaver. It has been maintained and serviced regularly. 

The beater handle is great for an even beat.

Double beams and custom double brake system.

New chapter for old loom

Eddie helps downsize my 56"

     After much thought and consideration,  I had Eddie come to my studio to help me "downsize"my 56" 16 H Macomber. As some of you saw I tried to sell this amazing loom a couple of years ago. She did not sell.
      I thought ... "Why not convert her into the loom that will work for me now?" I no longer use multi-harnesses for complex weaves. I no longer need all 16H. I no longer need a compressed air or computer based system.
     So Eddie helped me strip her down to what will serve my needs. She is now an 8 H loom with no computer aided system. She still has the two beams and double brakes and still weaves 56". I am happy -- and I can feel this loom sighing.

My beloved 56" feel lighter, less encumbered now.

     She is covered with scars from all the different holes that have been drilled into her over the years. From the first Electronic Singe Pedal with a compressed air tank mounted on the side of her castle, to the Designer's Delight CAD system mounted on her upper castle and to the CAD/CAM Dobby Air System  -- she has carried me well through the 70s, 80s, 90s, and now 2000s.  Forty two years of weaving faithfully, consistently and diligently. And now she gets a new life - a little gentler, a little less complicated and a little weathered from all the years of hard work. 
 I suspect this loom and I have many parallels.

Letting Go - 16 H 56" air dobby Loom for sale

    To be fully alive in one's body, to be an active participant in this physical world requires one to let go and say good bye to objects, people and situations. 
    After much reflection I have decided to let go of my beloved 56" 16Harness air dobby Macomber Loom. I've had her since graduation from RISD (1976).

16H 56" AIR DOBBY

MACOMBER AIR DOBBY LOOM FOR SALE

• ~ Model B4E Serial # 2498 Built 1976
• ~ 56 Weaving width, 16 Harnesses
• ~ Two plain beams, warp separator
• ~ Double brakes on cloth beam and upper warp beam (friction brake)
• ~ Beater handle
• ~ 4 - 56" reeds = 5, 12, 15, 18 EPI
• Fully operational air dobby system = power supply, air system/solenoids, FiberWorks weaving software for Windows, Asus netbook included.
• ~ 2 drafting lights

~ Leclerc 38" bench

~ Total Value = $13,817.00

~ Priced at $7, 500 in York, Maine

Double friction brake on upper beam

 


Air dobby system, double brakes on cloth beam

This loom has been lovingly used for over 40 years by one weaver. It has been maintained and serviced regularly. The air dobby system is highly desirable for this width loom - as the harnesses are constructed of solid steel and very heavy.

Please contact me for more information and any interest. THANK YOU!

sarah (at)sarahhaskell(dot)com

I am ever grateful for everyone's support of this blog and your purchase of my manual. And in case you are wondering --- I AM NOT QUITTING WEAVING!