Tutorial love

More love from Tara at handmadeinpa.net! Click here to see. I should make a quick note here, though, that my tutorial isn't technically "wet felting," it's actually "fulling." Wet felting is a technique that uses un-crocheted/-knitted roving. Just so there's no confusion :-)

"Art of Distinction" this weekend was rather a bust; nothing sold from anyone in the Alabaster's Collective, at least not as of 3:30 on Sunday when I left my shift at the show table. If anyone knows of any upcoming craft/art shows that might be more receptive to my work, I'm all ears.

Handed off my traveling scarf at our Stitch n' Bitch meet on Sunday and was pleased to find that the knitting ladies were not truly offended by my crochet lace "meanness" (I really didn't think they would be). We're always up for a needle arts challenge!

This week I am taking another much-needed break from crochet and am instead baking my heart out and researching needle felting. Must find me some felting needles, yessiry...

Why I am mean

I am a mean, mean person. And not only that, I'm also a mean crocheter. Let me 'splain.

A bunch of the ladies from my local stitch n' bitch group thought it would be fun to do a non-traveling scarf project. If you're a member of Ravelry you might be familiar with this concept: A limited number of people sign up for the group and they each start the first few inches of a scarf. They document what needle/hook they used, what yarn, what stitch, etc. and they also write down their preferences for their personal scarf (which they were kind enough to start for everyone). It all gets zipped up in a big plastic bag and mailed on to the next person, who adds another few inches, and so on and so forth until it's gone through the entire group and comes back to you.

Or, to save on postage, we thought we'd do our own traveling scarf - except we'll just pass ours off at stitch n' bitch meets instead of entrusting them to the postal service.

So why am I mean? Well, I can't actually wear most animal fibers (unless they've been felted), so I'm asking everyone please to use natural plant fiber or very soft acrylic. That's not very mean, you say. No, it isn't.

Here's the kicker: the yarn must be lace- or fingering weight. Because the entire scarf is to be made of LACE. The ladies is my group are almost exclusively knitters. Do you know how much harder it is for knitters to do lace? And I started them out with a nice little crochet lace motif - and some poor soul is going to have to cast on to it! The thought sends me into spastic, evil giggles. he he heeee...

And now you know why I am mean.

Goldilocks and the Three Hats

The first fedora I made was too small; the second was too large. The third is just right! This hat fits a Small or Medium head and features a vintage glass cameo pin. I am in love.

Art of Distinction

My hats will be at the "Art of Distinction" event in Perkiomenville this Saturday, June 27 from 1-6:00 and Sunday, June 28 from 1-6:00. More information can be found here and here. I'll be sharing space with the lovely ladies from Alabaster's Arts & Tea. Come out and show your support!

Does he know me or what?

I just got home from shop sitting at Inside the Cherry Cupboard to find this note from my husband slipped under my laptop:

Hi Honey!
1. Get a bowl
2. Put a brownie or 2 in oven for a few minutes
3. Put brownie in bowl
4. Put vanilla ice cream on hot brownie
5. Moan in pleasure
6. Ride exercise bike for two hours
7. Repeat

This sounds like quite a process. I should get started right away! ;-)

The last few days were beautiful: the sun came out, the breeze was lovely, the rain was gone. Today is grey and gloomy again. Blah.

This week I've been working on hats for a show this weekend and for my Etsy shop. If all goes well, I'll have a few more cotton bucket hats and will have finally nailed down the fedora pattern (the first one I made was too small; the second was too big. Will the third be just right?). I've also been designing a new sweater out of recycled cotton fiber. If I'm feeling generous, I might share the pattern ;-)

Time to get back to work!

Sometimes disasters strike

Not so much disaster as things falling apart. I had my new product line finished and ready to go, and the other day when I went to photograph it all for my Etsy shop, I noticed that things were coming undone. Sigh. Guess it's back to the drawing board on this one... But I have some ideas, so all is well :-) FYI: Size 10 crochet thread does NOT laminate well.

Wrap it up

My WWKiP Day wrapup has been posted here. Go take a look and check out the rest of Tara's awesome site!

Sales were slow... but fun

Lots of folks at the Boyertown Sidewalk Sale today, but business was still slow. Of the five artists selling work inside Studio B, I was the only one who sold anything - and I only sold one hat. BUT it was a lot of fun, I passed out lots of business cards and coupons, and the entire experience made me think about how I need to display my items at trunk shows. So with all of that in mind, I'd say it was a good day.

This week I'll be working on a few hats and accessories for Teaberry Antiques and Collectibles near Avalon, NJ as well as prepping for another trunk show with the ladies I call my "Alabaster's Collective." More on that later; right now it's time to refocus and get to tai chi class...

Another mention!

I've been quoted in an article about fiber! Read it here.

Wild Side Walk Sale

I've spent the day getting ready for tomorrow's big sidewalk sale event here in Boyertown, and I am happy to announce that the new product line is ready to launch! Come get a sneak peek tomorrow inside Studio B between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. I'll also have coupons and giveaways for people who mention my blog, Twitter, or Etsy shop. Several other artists/crafters will be present as well, and many other sales and activities will be going on throughout town. Don't miss it!

a Giveaway!

Found this through a friend's blog and thought I'd post it here since I know some of you will love this: Art Nest Goodies GIVEAWAY - design your own pin cushion ring and needle nest!!! Click here to enter!

Oh my yarny goodness

Wow, it's been a busy weekend! Yesterday was World Wide Knit in Public Day, and our Stitch n' Bitch held a super little event at Hard Bean Cafe in Boyertown, PA. I'll be doing a full wrap-up for handmadeinpa.net in the next couple of days, so I'm not going to elaborate much here, but I had a great time and I think everyone else did, too. We filled that porch with laughter, fun, and lots of yummy yarn. AND I learned how to knit continental and spin! I even have some spun plarn to show for it.









Today was supposed to be our yarn swap, but only three people showed up for it. Oh well, we can all keep our yarn until the next time ;-)

This evening I'm going to be working on a new creative item that I am planning to launch at the Boyertown sidewalk sale this Tuesday, June 16. Stop by Studio B, mention my blog, Twitter, or Etsy site, and receive a free gift! Yes, it has something to do with my new product...

Yart Sale

I have decided to participate in Etsy's annual Yart Sale! On top of my current Buy One Get One 25% Off sale, I am also offering free shipping on all orders over $40. If ever there was a time to shop, it's now! The Yart Sale started today and continues through Sunday, June 14.

And for those of you who are local, the Boyertown Stitch n' Bitch group is hosting a mini fiber fest for World Wide Knit in Public Day on Saturday, June 13 on the front porch of Hard Bean Cafe in Boyertown. Come join us from 12-4:00 p.m. for some knit and crochet fun as well as spinning and plarn-making demos. Several local yarn dyers, including Saffron Dyeworks and Glory by Jeannie Lee will also be present with their yummy fiber goodies. Hope you can join us!

Hats off to hummmmmus

There's not often a lot to post about when I'm in the middle of a hat, unless you'd like to hear all about the frustration of creating and modifying patterns (which usually includes lots of screaming and colorful language). So I thought I'd share my hummus recipe today instead. It's absolutely delicious and good for you, not to mention incredibly easy to make.

Roasted Red Pepper Hummus
- 1 can organic chickpeas, drained
- 1-2 T tahini paste
- 1/2 roasted red pepper, roughly chopped
- 1/4 cup oil (olive, safflower, canola, or grapeseed)
- garlic powder or minced garlic cloves, to taste
- pinch of sea salt

Combine all ingredients in a food processor and blend until smooth. Enjoy hummus as a veggie dip, on toast or bagels, as a sandwich spread, or with anything else you'd like. Have fun and eat up!

Hats for everyone!

New hats just added to my Etsy site. Thanks, Laura, for being such a good sport again!

JUNE SALE!!!

If you've been waiting for just the right time to buy from LikeClochework, that time is now! During the month of June, I'm offering a "Buy one, get the second* 25% off" sale! All orders will still receive a free mini flower pin, too.

You can also catch me at the Boyertown Sidewalk Sale on Tuesday, June 16 from 10 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. I'll be set up inside Studio B (air conditioning, local crafters, and our eco art show, Terra Firma - what could be better on a hot day?). If you stop in and mention my blog or my Etsy shop, I'll have a little something for you :-)

Tomorrow I'm planning another photo shoot, which means that more hats will be popping up on Etsy soon!

*of equal or lesser value; includes special orders