Many people have asked what the Banksia Nut is, I found that Banksia Grandis - to give its full name, is a large shrub to small tree (growing up to 9 metres) with huge yellow inflorescences. In the wild, it occurs from Mount Lesueur to Cape Leeuwin in South-Western Australian sand on the coastal plain, in woodland and heath. It is common in Laterite in the Jarrah forest of the Darling Plateau near Perth.

Banksia trees are characterised by leathery leaves and large candle-like spikes of yellow flowers. Several of the Banksia species (most notably Bull Banksia’ (Banksia grandis) produce a very attractive timber with prominent rays in various shades of red.

With its beautiful rich colours and interesting grain,Jarrah remains one of the world’s most desirable and sought after hardwoods. The tree grows to a majestic 40 metres in height only in the south west corner of Western Australia.

Stretchers like the ones I sell in my SHOP are the best way of keeping socks and stockings the right size and shape after washing. Having holes in the blocker helps air circulate and is so much better. The flat wooden legs, clad in woolly socks, are hung from outdoor clotheslines or given a place to dry indoors. 

 There are several types of drop spindles available today, and a Turkish drop spindle, which features a double cross-arm instead of a circular whorl is just one of them.

A spindle sometimes called a drop spindle is a wooden shaft weighted at one end with a circular whorl. It is used for spinning wool and other fibres into thread. Spindles or parts of them have been found in archaeological sites; they may represent one of the earliest pieces of technology available to humankind.