Up & Coming

In brief, here is my "LikeClochework Appearance Schedule" for the season so far:

* Nov. 7 - Black & White Party at Alabaster's Arts & Tea in Pottstown, PA (http://alabastersartsandtea.com)

* Nov. 14 - Craft Bazaar at Bethel United Methodist Church in Spring City, PA (http://bethelumchurch.com)

More to come, I hope...

Today the rain stayed away long enough for me finally to set up at the Boyertown Farmer's Market. Sadly, Becky from EmmaDear was unable to join me, but it was a good - albeit windy - day anyway. I actually didn't expect to sell anything, but my white cloche with the black needlefelted vines sold, as did a black and grey pom-pom hat that I just finished this week. Huzzah! I am always pleased when my hats find good homes.

By the way, shout out to Mike, who apparently now reads my blog ;-)

This Saturday... finally!

Well, it looks as if the weather is going to stay nice this weekend, which means I will finally be able to take my hats to the Boyertown Farmer's Market on Saturday! Good thing, too, because this is the last regular market of the season. EmmaDear may or may not be joining me, but either way you are all invited to come out from 10-1:00, try on some hats, maybe buy some presents (for yourselves or others), and enjoy the market. As an extra plug, the folks from M&B Farview sell some yummy soups and fresh-off-the-grill items, so come for lunch!

New items!

I just added a couple of new items to my Etsy shop!

This little cutie is named "Bethany" after my fun and funky sister.

A new, puffy twist on the classic "Millie" beret.

The Black Mage Hat

It's finished! some pictures of my awesome felted Black Mage hat, with vintage art deco buckle and purple fabric ribbon. Yes, I made the rest of the costume, too - it was the best I could do at the last minute!





I am so ready to take over the world now...

Tomorrow is cancelled!

Actually, it's most likely just postponed until next Saturday (Oct. 31). It is supposed to rain and even thunderstorm tomorrow, so unless the sun overpowers all, Emma Dear and I will not be making our scheduled appearance at the Boyertown Farmer's Market. Boo to you, bad weather!

It's a two-post day!

Just wanted to show off my latest, which I've finished uploading to my Etsy site. Enjoy!

I am a nerd

Runner up for this week's Awesome Person Award (and she would have won if she'd chosen any other week to be awesome) is my Aunt Steph for gifting me a really cool set of vintage crochet hooks. Most of them are so tiny I may never be able to use them, but goshdarnit I'm gonna try! My favorite is an ivory hook with a carved end, probably about a size C. Really, really neat.


In other news, I am a huge nerd. Some of you will say, "Well, duh!" But for the rest of you who don't know me... now you know. My geekery goes beyond sci-fi shows (which I could discuss with you at length, but won't) and into the realm of online gaming. No, I'm not talking about Bejeweled. I mean MMORPGs.* My husband has played these for years, and he has specifically played Final Fantasy XI since probably the day before it came over from Japan. And guess who decided, a little over two years ago, to buy an XBox and join him in the virtual world of mages and monsters? Oooh, that's right - pick me.

How is this relevant to my work at present? Well, in spite of prepping for a show this weekend (which will probably be canceled due to rain) and crafting new inventory for multiple retail locations, I am now embroiled in the venture of creating a Black Mage Hat (I play a max-level BLM in the game. For those of you who need help, it's a dark magic user. With FIRE.). But wait! It's not just any Black Mage hat; this is the high-level Relic hat, which is so much better than the standard high-level hat. Let's compare:

The typical BLM hat, which I will admit has some pretty sweet stats.

But look at this:
Who wouldn't want this? +5 Enfeebling? +10 Elemental??? You could take over the world with this hat!

So that is what I am making, with Halloween and the local parade and our annual harvest party in mind. And I'll probably wear it while gaming, too. And maybe to the store once in a while...


*Massive Media Online Role-Playing Games

Hooked on stash

My friend Donna wins this week's Awesome Person Award! (You didn't know I handed out awards, did you?) She was destashing and kindly GAVE me a bag full of squishy, yummy, yarny goodness: a little Noro, some Knit One, Purl Two, a skein of Araucania, and a whole mess of some sort of peach-colored yarn from Germany. It was like ultimate trick-or-treating, and I didn't even have to dress up! So thanks, Donna, you rock my sock yarns.

Today I am working on some new scarves and cowls, and may start in on a few cloches this evening. Wool is on sale right now and I have been given permission by the Budget Master to purchase some. So I'm off to shop and snuggle yarns...

And the weather defeats me

I am so, so tired. This cold, rainy weather we've been having lately really has me down; all I want to do is curl up under two or three blankets and take a nice, long winter nap. Today I did my usual volunteering stint at our local farmer's market - out in the cold and wind and rain - and I am beat! It took me several hours, lots of blankies, a nap, and some hot potato soup to warm me up. And now that I can finally move my fingers again, I think it's time to get back under the blankets and work on some cozy cowls so others can stay warm this winter.

Next Saturday, weather permitting, my friend Becky of Emma Dear and I will be selling our work at the Boyertown Farmer's Market from 10-1:00. If you're in the area, come visit with us and enjoy the other vendors and farmers at the market!

Special plug

By the way, my very cool aunt has started a blog all about her life as a vintage seller. If you've ever wondered how much that "old thing" in the attic is worth or how to sell your vintage items, this is the place for you! Check her out at everythingvintagesteff.com.

For treasure hunters

Well, no one has purchased "Lil' Punkin" yet, but it certainly is getting some attention! Two Etsians have featured it in their treasuries in the past week: rippleffect and tisserande. Follow the links to check out their treasuries and to see the other fine artists whose work they've compiled.

Today, speaking of pumpkins, I am going to learn how to make a pumpkin pie from scratch!

CBN Roundup

We had gorgeous weather and a great time on Sunday at the season's last Crafty By Nature! Becky from EmmaDear and I teamed up for the day and had what I think was one of the lovliest displays there. Below are some pictures to recap the event.





From top: A poorly pieced-together panoramic of our display; Closeup of our display; Becky models my "Winter Warmth" hat; Cash, son of brookiellen, shows off "Lil' Punkin"

Heeeeeeere's Punkin!

"Lil' Punkin" is finished! Hopefully he'll have a "Lil' Candy Corn" cousin soon.


An almost complete work-in-progress. I'm really loving how it's coming along!

Lil' punkin

Tonight, after a fancy dinner of Reuben sandwiches and friend chicken at the local diner, I embarked upon my plan to make a felted pumpkin hat. I've never made a child's hat before, so it was a new, albeit cute, challenge. "Lil' Punkin" is now drying on a small watermelon because I don't own a hat form or foam head small enough. Once hat is finished, I will take a picture of it for you, then fill the melon with vodka and place it in my freezer, to be eaten in celebration after I make my millions at Crafty By Nature on Sunday.