Saturday, September 24, 2011


This topic is of enough import that I'm sure I have spoken of it before but I felt the need to revisit it tonight as now I have a bit of a migraine from "too much thinking".

As an artist and crafter my project to do list is often full and seems to be ever growing.  This has to do with me wanting to maximize my business of course, but also because I have a hard time turning anything down.  While that's all well and good, there is a certain limit to my abilities - there are only so many hours in the day.

Recently I took on another custom order, having finally caught up on a back order from June (that's what having a baby will do to you evidently...), for a scarf.  Being that Winter looms closer this is no surprise.

Now generally scarves are easy, it's just a long rectangle right?  Sure, if you don't take into account anything else, like size, color, pattern, and the troubleshooting of all of these things....

So currently from thinking and rehashing and trying to work out the pattern (there are several arithmetic dependent points to this) to suit everything buyer's expectations my head is throbbing...dammit.

Don't get me wrong though, I love taking custom orders.  The fulfillment of them is both a challenge and a frustration though.  The challenge to create with my own hands what the buyer is looking for with at the least a vague idea or a detailed one.  To translate what my artform is capable of in my hands to what they want.  But the troubleshooting, and hours of explanation of what can/can't be done, how things must be done, and checking back can be a pain in the butt at first.

Ce La Vie

...sew many things, sew little thyme for ewe and eye...

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Scrap Afghan


It's funny how as an artist I'm ever making things for my store with some pro-bono work on the side, and yet I never seem to find time to make anything for myself or even my family.  And for the latter, even when I do, I always offer it up for sale "just in case".  On one hand I see this as a little horrible, I mean...shouldn't they come first?  But I am an artist by trade and I need to make money so I do what I do.

One such exception seems to be my stash work.  Generally I use the leftovers of yarn I have for scrap projects.  If it looks particularly good I will add it for sale but at least half the time it's so-so.  I have been working on a scrap afghan for awhile now.  Originally I was making an unending granny square, at one point though it just looked absolutely hideous and I opted to frog it and start over.  The newer version is comprised of four round granny squares that are linked in the "join as you go" fashion that I love - thanks Lucy for your wonderful tutorial!

When I first started this project I wasn't quite sure what I wanted to do with it but have since decided it will grace our queen size whenever I decide it's done.

Pictured below - squares at 6x6 stage






...sew many things, sew little thyme for ewe and eye...

Friday, September 9, 2011

Yarnophiliac...


Recently it came to my attention that I may have yarn stash problem.  While perusing LinkedIn I noted a question about having a stashohlism problem.  Of course I wouldn't admit to having the issue myself *chuckle* I cannot deny my love of adding to my stash.  Anytime I see a sale, clearance, or any discounted giveaway or donation my mouth waters at the prospect of new yarn.  Like a brain hungry zombie I find myself making a steady beeline towards the display or gleefully nodding as I accept my "new" yarn open armed.

However, even with my prolific amount of projects that seems ever growing I cannot actually use every skein that crosses over into my domain.  If nothing else there isn't enough time in the day given everything I do to use anything within a guaranteed amount of time.  Also I tend to stash indiscriminately, taking any and everything regardless of color, amount, or fiber type.  I will say that there have been a number of skeins that I in no way wanted to use - having some aversion to the color or fiber type.  But still neither fact stops me from adding to my stash whenever I can.

As I just the other day went to look at my stash and noted that my shelf had grown to two shelves, which had originally been a bag I decided that it would be time to start something new or part with some.  Enter a little bit of craftivism...a yarn care package.  Being an artist it's natural that I know others who enjoy my works on a personal level.  And it just so happens that both are like me and are SAHM.  Knowing how tight money is for one who doesn't personally work I decided to "spread the love" and gift a crocheter and knitter.

So do you have a large craft stash that you can't realistically use in a small amount of time?  Might clearing some cluttered supplies also clear the way for more creativity for you (or make your significant other happier)?  Consider how you can use your excess towards some craftivism and feel free to share!

...sew many things, sew little thyme for ewe and eye...