Infinity scarves

Started working with my new yarns from Stitches West. Finished an infinity scarf made of the most gorgeous aqua-blue bambo yarn. (I'll post better photos later.) I love the pattern, but I'll have to find a new stitch if I want to make these to sell.

The yarn is super soft and cozy, and I have some left over, but I'm not sure I have enough to make a hat.

I also finished a beanie using soft organic cotton from Chili. I'm going to have to much time to work on items for my store while I'm trailing to, from and around Italy :) I'm also going to look for some yarn stores while I'm there.

Next projects: Gray and Orange Nor'Easter beanie for Drew, Angry Birds beanies for Dana's kids, infinity scarf for Tammy, and some beanies and gloves for my store! Always so much to do :)

Mannequin Heads

I dig the vintage look, but they're expensive.

What do you do if you can't get friends to take time out of their busy schedules to pose for photos while wearing your work? You could pose for the photos yourself... or you could get a good mannequin head.

I would pose for some of my photos, but the men's and kid's beanies just don't look right on my little noggin. So, I went looking for a good mannequin head.

So many of them look creepy and plastic, while others are a little too close to real. I like the ones that are painted like vintage girls, but I have three problems there.

1. They are expensive. 
2. There aren't any male versions. 
3. They don't have ears

   

   Newspaper decoupage

So I broke down and bought a couple of Styrofoam heads. One male, one female. Both have ears and were fairly inexpensive.

Besides, I like the idea of maybe doing some decoupage art on the mannequins to give them a vintage or outdoorsy feel. Black and white print might work best--it would match any hat ;-)

Mystery Afghan

Wow, has it really been over a month since my last post? Every time I open Blogger to start work on an entry I get distracted and never finish it. Excuses, excuses, right?

Solution to Clue #1 in the Mystery Crochet-Along

Anyway, I got through the pile of holiday gift crafting I had to do and started working on the Bernat Mystery Afghan Crochet-Along. It's tough, but it's nice to have a challenge. I'm through Clues one and two, and I've started on Clue three. Clue four is already out and Clue five is coming this Wednesday. I need to catch up!

On top of that, my good friend Dana and I are getting our s**t together to be in a craft fair. It's a lot of research and work. I'm psyched about it and I'm glad Dana is just as psyched, but there is A LOT to learn!

Not only that, but I'll need to seriously get my crochet on if I'm going to have any inventory to sell. I've slacked since the holidays, but I think I'm finally ready to jump back in. I have a ton of amazing yarn that I picked up at Stitches West (which I'll talk about in the next blog entry--I swear I'm back on it ;-)

Puppet Scarves

After an extremely busy holiday season I suddenly have a ton of baby and children crochet projects to work on. Spring has sprung early and I don't even get a break! Again, I shouldn't complain. 

Red Heart's Puppet Scarf Pattern - Free!

I finished a couple of baby beanies, which inspired two more friends to want them for their friends' babies. On top of that I'm trying to get baby booties and a baby blanket done for a coworker who's having a baby in March. 

However, my favorite project right now is the puppet scarves I'm making for Drew's nieces and nephew. I'm altering a free pattern from Red Heart and I'm using Stitch Nation's Bamboo Ewe yarn. I'll post photos when I finish :)

Next I need to work on my scarves for the Special Olympics before I miss all the deadlines. AND the 2012 Waverly for Bernat Crochet-Along and Knit-Along is coming up on February 15! Whew! I need to get on it! 

Oh and February 23-26 is Stitches West 2012 in Santa Clara -- yarn galore! I can't wait :)

Swimming in Commissions

I shouldn't complain. It's actually wonderful to have so many people asking me to create beautiful crochet pieces for them. Adult, kid, and baby beanies, gloves, an infinity scarf... and then there are my gifts: two lap blankets and three puppet scarves.

Unfortunately all my free time is spent working on commissions right now, so the blog is suffering a bit. For anyone who's been wondering where I disappeared to: I'm sorry and I shall return soon with lots of pictures. :)

Cheers!

I Love Bamboo

Bamboo is my favorite yarn fiber because it's:

1. Super soft
2. Natural and sustainable
3. Beautiful and has wonderful drape
4. Durable (if you treat it well)
5. Biodegradable 
6. Naturally antibacterial

Although, as with all things, it has its downsides.

1. The price (at least compared to acrylic)
2. Needs to be hand-washed (gently: it can swell and lose strength in water)
3. Splits a bit (not as much of a problem for crochet hooks as it is for knitting needles)

For me, however, bamboo's softness and natural sustainability wins out over the price and the handle-with-care issues.

Even when I'm making things for kids. Acrylic might hold up better, but I'm dedicated to crafting with natural fibers. Especially when it comes to items I sell in my store.

So, what are my favorite brands?

Bamboo Ewe by Stitch Nation is probably one of the least expensive and easiest to acquire. Its a light worsted weight blend of 55% viscose from bamboo and 45% wool.

Red Heart produces Eco-ways Bamboo Wool, an affordable, worsted weight blend of 55% bamboo and 45% wool.

I also liked Tranquility by the South West Trading Company, but they discontinued the brand, so I can only find it on Etsy.com or at the Stitches trade-shows.

I say check it out next time you're looking for a soft, beautiful yarn for any clothing project.

First Sale: Lessons Learned

Sometimes, most times, the only way to learn is to do. That said, it's great that the first two sales from my Presque Isle Etsy store were made to my mom and my good friend Andi.

Lessons learned:

1. Followup emails are necessary. First I need to put together an email that lets customers know I got their order and will be shipping their purchase soon. Then I need an email that tells them I've shipped their purchase. I got away with not doing it this time because I speak to my mom and my friend Andi every day--they know I got the order and they know exactly when I sent it. 
2. I need a logo. I thought I could get away with not having one... until I wanted to create my hang tags to send with my beanies. Suddenly I realized how bland they were without a logo.
3. PayPal charges a fee for sales. It's a tiny percentage, but it helps to know that when you're trying to figure out what your net profit is going to be.
   
4. Invoices are the easy part. I usually hate Microsoft Word, but their templates are very helpful.
5. A Thank-You-Please-Come-Again postcard would be nice. Something to include in my shipment. Something that says thanks for buying from me. Hope you enjoy your purchase. Let me know if you have any questions about your purchase. Oh, and I do custom orders if you want matching gloves or a scarf to go with your beanie!
6. Stamps.com is essential. It's the easiest way to create and print mailing labels with postage.
7. Packaging is important. Right before I put my first beanie in the envelop made of and stuffed with recycled materials, I realized that if this package was left on a doorstop where it was raining or snowing, the beanie would be soaked right through the package. So I bought some Dupont Tyvek envelops to wrap the beanie in before I put it in the recycled package. Not the most earth-friendly, but I plan on fixing that for my next shipment.
8. I need a scale (or at least set up a chart with approximate weights for my average shipments). I used the scale in the mail room at my day-job to figure out the weight of my first package. Turns out I may not have to charge as much for shipping as I originally thought.

I'm sure I'll be learning a lot more in the months to come. But until I build up inventory, I think I'll probably be more occupied with holiday gifts for my friends and family than sales from my Etsy store.