Day 29 - Trial and Error

Finally getting somewhere with these hoops!  I finished my first 'batch' from the tubing Tyler had bought me.  They look really nice, but I didn't love the tubing.  However I figure I will offer them at an introductory price, and they would work fine for beginner hoopers.  They're a bit large and heavy, which is fine for beginners and for fitness, but not at all good for learning tricks.  However I remind myself that people who are just starting out need a beginner hoop, and won't be tossing it around just yet anyway.  My friend Monica tested one out for me and could use it easily, so I think they will work fine for the workshops and for whoever might want to buy one.

I was still searching though for the 'perfect' tubing.  The hoop that I purchased locally last year was ideal, and I went to Home Depot hoping to find the same kind of tubing.  However they did not seem to have exactly what I was looking for.  I found something similar though, not exactly irrigation tubing but it was a good size and weight, so I was going to give it a try.  Then a well meaning HD employee talked me out of it and into buying something that ended up not being what I needed at all.  So after getting home with my purchases and trying to make a few hoops, I was feeling rather discouraged. 

It didn't help that my second hoop tape order arrived, and there was an error.  I got two rolls of florescent green glitter tape instead of one green and one pink.  That added to my growing frustrations.

Luckily the hoop tape company, Hoop Tape Canada, is sending me the pink one asap.  So I will certainly recommended them, especially from a customer service point of view!

I was freaking out a bit about not having the right tubing, and so desperate to find out what my locally made one was made out of that I ripped all the tape off it to try and see what kind of tubing it was.  It's ok, the tape was getting worn out anyway and I figured I could just re-tape it!  But the writing was worn out and I really couldn't tell what kind of tube it was.  I figured it was probably from another local hardware store and would have to go hunting for it. 

After asking for some help from a friend who has made hoops before, and talking to my husband (who is always helpful when it comes to making stuff!), we decided to go back to Home Depot and buy the tubing I was going to buy in the first place before being talked out of it by one of their employees.  Tyler went and picked up a roll for me, as well as the insert material I would need to connect them.

And success!  Last night I assembled 9 hoops, ready for taping!

I taped up one, using some of the new tape I got.  Much like I suspected, 1" vinyl and 1/2" gaff really is the way to go.  Unfortunately I still have more 1/2" vinyl and 1" gaff, than the other way around, so I really want to order more tape, but don't think I can just yet so will have to make due with what I have.  I was really happy with the results of last night's hoop, it's perfect!  The perfect size and weight, and the design is really nice too!

I experimented a little bit when re-taping my own hoop and ended up with something really pretty, though I think it's a bit busy.  Still it's nice, and I just have to keep playing around and practicing.

I have so many hoops now, I better start advertising and selling them because I am running out of space!

And still getting my hooping in of course, though I'm so busy that I am literally having to squeeze it in here and there!

The workshops at the Y start this Saturday and I really hope it goes well.  I'm not nervous about teaching them as I have a lot of great ideas in mind, but I am a little worried that no one is going to show up since it's such short notice.  Keeping my fingers crossed!