Sock Completion!

Yay! I finally finished a pair of socks today that I have honestly been working on for over 3 years... :^\ I started them and got a good ways done on the 'leg' of the sock and realized my gauge was WAY off, so I had to order the right size needles in the right length [because I like doing two-at-a-time-socks] and once they finally got ordered and arrived I didn't start right away and once I did I did not work on them stedily at all...

 

But, they are done now! I finished the toe with the Kitchener Stitch which is a really neat way of grafting two sets of live stitches together and make it look like there is hardly even a seam. I followed the instructions for it in this handy video. But I only watched it for the first sock, doing it step by step with the video. By then I 'thought' I had it figured out so I did the second sock without watching the video... the result? I have a weird seam on that one. So, I was able to take it out and redo it.

 

I gave them to my Mom... She loves them! They fit her perfectly, too! I'm so pleased. :^)

 

 

Have a great week! Make time to create something!

Kerry

 

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"And let the beauty of the LORD our God be upon us: and establish thou the work of our hands upon us; yea, the work of our hands establish thou it."

Psalm 90:17

Dear Knitting, How I've Missed You!

I've been so busy this summer with school and a new job [not to mention Etsy, family, friends; but you know how that is] that I haven't had much time for making much of anything. Just whipping out a little bag here and there, and making a pair of feed bag shorts [inside joke; will clue you in later if your interested!]. But I have not had time to sit and enjoy the process of 'knit one purl one' and watch with wonder as 'something' emerges.

I recently bought a pattern for button down fingerless mitts from knitter, designer and fellow Etsyian, Lynette McPherson, of Fern Wood Wool Works. The pattern has been fun; not quite a beginners pattern, but no doubt easily understood and well explained. She also designs knit socks, leg warmers and even baby mitts and leg warmers!

All I have left to do for this right hand mitt is pick out some buttons to sew on, weave in the loose ends and ...

... finish the ribbing on the thumb.

Then, on the the left mitt! I can't wait to get started and have these this fall and winter to keep my hands cozy at the drafty feed store I work at. I'll post photos of the completed pair when I have had time to finish them. Thanks Lynette, for the beautiful design!

Have a terrific Tuesday.

Kerry

Grow Your Own Clothes

I really enjoyed this article posted on the Etsy Blog. You'll have to read the whole story but it's talking about this gal who (starting out), decided to make just one outfit, in one year, with materials sourced within 150 miles of her home. 

I think that is very cool. 

 What do you think?? 

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Have a great weekend,

Kerry

The Featured Seller - Christine's Jewelry

I've found another Etsy treasure! Her name is Christine and I'm so glad she was willing to share with you a glimpse into her work and passion...

 

 

Tell us about yourself and what you offer in your shop? 

How did you get started?

 I have a passion for making jewelry for other people! I have 3 beautiful children and I have been married to my wonderful husband Joel for 20 years. I am so blessed!

I have always loved art. I was always drawing, painting, sewing and making things as a girl. I love collecting pretty stones, beads and shells. I got started making jewelry over 10 years ago for gifts for people. It seemed like a more personal and appreciated gift to give, a wearable, handmade gift. It also cost me less than what I was able to buy. Recently people were asking the recipients where they got the jewelry and started requesting it.  I decided to open my shop on Etsy! I really love to make jewelry for other people. I love how it makes people feel special. Every time I get an idea and complete it and then see someone wearing it is such an awesome feeling!

 

How did you come up with your shop name?

Coming up with a shop name is a hard thing to do. I decided to just use my name so that when people ask others where they got their jewelry they can say, "It's Christine's Jewelry!"    

 

Describe your style in as few words as possible:

My style is romantic, elegant but also fun.  

 

What do you do when you’re not on Etsy or creating?

I am following my kids around on all of their many activities with music, school, sports, and encouraging them to follow their creative passions. We also take time to go on bike rides and walks with other friends and our chocolate lab. 

 

Red Long Glass Necklace

 

What is your favorite feature on Etsy? Why?

My Pink Blossom Rose Quartz Bracelet is one of my favorites because it is so sparkly and the pink is such a soft feminine color.

Pink Blossom Rose Quartz Bracelet

 

Where do you draw your inspiration?

I get my inspirations everywhere. I notice the colors in the sky, in sunsets, in nature, in art, architecture, books and magazines. I notice what kind of colors, clothes and jewelry people are wearing and I look at jewelry everywhere I go. 

 

What is your best/most successful marketing strategy?

  I think the best marketing strategy and way to promote yourself it to promote others because when people all work together, they can each get farther than if they work alone.  

 

Royal Purple Smokey and Black and Silver

 

What handmade possession do you cherish?

The handmade possession that I cherish the most is one of the many quilts that my mom so lovingly sewed for me.  She is always making things for us. 

 

Do you have any advice for those thinking of becoming Etsy sellers?

My advice to others who have their own business I found from http://studio11charms.blogspot.com/
1. Don't just talk about it, do it.
2. Be patient.
3. Have perseverance.
4. Be determined.
5. Be passionate about what you do.
6. Practice, practice, practice.
7. Put in the hours. Work hard.
8. Don't be lazy.
9. Market yourself like crazy.
10. NEVER GIVE UP.

 

What are the greatest challenges and greatest rewards to running your own business?

One of the greatest challenges to running the business is all of the many hours it takes to learn more about running a business. Another challenge is  trying to find the best ways to reach people that would be interested in my jewelry.  The greatest rewards are meeting all kinds of wonderful people who are creative and learning from them. Another reward is getting such wonderful comments from people who own some of my jewelry!

 

What does handmade mean to you?

To me handmade means a person is using one's own hands to create.

 

Double Clear Glass Crystal Drop Earrings

 

Any last words?

If a person can make money doing what they love, then they have found heaven on earth.  

 

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Don't forget to drop by and check out all of Christine's amazing hand-crafted pieces at her shop, ChristinesJewelry,  and go 'LIKE' her FB page.

 

I hope you have an amazing week!

 

Blessings - Kerry

 

 

The Featured Seller

Tell us about yourself and what you offer in your shop?

 My name is Rachel and I run Project31 Fiber Arts.  I live in Cape Girardeau , Missouri with my husband and our cute little cat, Lo.  I work at a photography studio during the day, and spend all of my nights either with my husband or weaving in front of the tv.  I watch more movies in a week than most people watch in a month!  And in my shop, I offer hand-woven scarves, and I have just begun to make hand-spun yarns.  My recent obsession has been infinity scarves, so just about everything that comes off of my loom becomes an infinity scarf!

How did you come up with your shop name?

 My shop name comes from Proverbs 31, the chapter about the wife of noble character.  The chapter mentions that the wife makes thread and clothes for her family, so I think it is a cool connection.  I also wanted a name that I could be happy with for a long time in hopes that this turns into a life-long business.  And Project31 will always be a little reminder of all the qualities that make a godly woman and wife.

How did you get started?

  I have wanted to learn how to weave ever since I read East by Edith Pattou when I was younger.  The main character in the book loves to weave, and Pattou described it so beautifully that I knew it was something I just had to try.  So, after years of wishing, I was finally given a loom for Christmas by my husband and in-laws.  And I am hooked!  So now I’ve started Project31 as an outlet, because I have way more scarves than I could ever possibly need.

  

Describe your style in as few words as possible:

 Simple, classic, fun.

What do you do when you’re not on Etsy or creating?

 When I’m not weaving, I am hanging out with my wonderful husband.  We spend most of our time at the movies, on long drives in the country, or just hanging out at home with our adorable cat, Lo.  I also spend a lot of time dreaming about living on the beach.

What is your favorite feature on Etsy? Why?

 Etsy is a great site with so many great features.  But I think my favorite part is the featured seller interviews they post regularly.  I’m on the front page everyday, checking to see if they’ve posted a new interview.  I just love to read other people’s stories, and it’s refreshing to hear about their success in the handmade world.

Ocean Blue Handwoven Scarf

Where do you draw your inspiration?

 Well, if you’ve ever visited my shop, you can probably tell that almost all of my inspiration comes from summer.  I love everything about summer, so I automatically migrate towards colors that remind me of it.  I also knew as soon as I started weaving that I wanted to work with lightweight fibers that can be worn year round.  Because who wants to make something that they can’t enjoy during their favorite time of year?

What is your best/most successful marketing strategy?

 My shop has only been open about a month or so, so I don’t have any great strategies yet, but I am always busy marketing through Etsy teams, Facebook, my blog, and just word of mouth.  My family has also been great about telling people about my shop, so that’s a wonderful tool to have.

What handmade possession do you cherish?

 Well, my most cherished possession isn’t technically handmade, but to me, it counts.  For our first anniversary, my husband bought me a beautiful bookcase.  And it is kind of handmade because it took him hours to put together.  This is significant because our anniversary is in July, I came home from work sick that day, so I was taking up the living room, and the air conditioner in our apartment is also in the living room.  So, he spent hours in the back room with the door closed in July with no air conditioning.  And it is one of my most prized possessions because it houses all of my other cherished possessions: my books.

Do you have any advice for newbie sellers?

 Never give up!  Never surrender!  I am only about a month into this, but already, it can be tough to find the time to get your name out there and do all of the marketing and business-type stuff.  So my advice is to just get it done; it will be worth it in the end.  But also, never forget your love for your craft.

Merino Handspun Yarn

What are the greatest challenges and greatest rewards to running your own business?

 I’m not really sure yet, since I’m so new to this.  But I feel like everything I do towards my shop gives me such a great sense of accomplishment.  It’s also really nice to know that I’m on my own time.  If I need to take a break, I take a break.  If I want to work on something else, I do.  I like working by myself.  But, at the same time, I am working on my own time, of which I never seem to have enough; my day job and my life tend to interfere quite a bit.

What does handmade mean to you?

 Blood, sweat, and tears.  (Hopefully not on the item you’re making though…)  To me, handmade is something that a real, live person put work, time, and care into.  So, I guess handmade doesn’t specifically have to be an item that doesn’t stem from commercial beginnings, but its something that someone has to invest in to create the finished product.  So, even though my bookcase was bought in a store that came with all the pieces needed and a decent instruction manual, it is still handmade to me because of all the work my husband had to put into it to make it what it is.  Handmade is personal.

Any last words?

 Love what you do.  If you don’t love it, just do something else, because you can’t stand behind something you don’t love.

Striped Bamboo and Silk Blend Scarf

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I've been pretty excited about this feature and I'm so glad Rachel could share about her shop and love for her craft! Isn't it inspring to hear stories like this? Leave a comment below, check out the shop, and look her up on FB!

Have a great week! -Kerry

Are you ready to save?$?

I am now offering a sale coupon!! Are you excited? Would you like to save 35% on all Winter Merchindise? You can now! To recieve this great discount, simply use the coupon code SPRING11SALE during check out when you purchase any selected winter item. This sale will end come May, so stock up for next winter! :^)

And have a great day!

-Kerry

PS - Don't forget: SPRING11SALE