Autumnal

I just finished photographing my new hats for Fall. Here are three of the gazillion I've made recently. I can't seem to keep up with the listings. I'll work on it more today.

Meanwhile, I've just been featured on the Etsy Storque in an article on Fall Weddings! http://www.etsy.com//storque/spotlight/etsy-finds-fruitful-vows-5134/

Hoorah!

Oh, and I'm in the Gift Guide for Fall Weddings! http://www.etsy.com/gift-guides/168?page=1

Timing

This is a custom order that I just finished. It's the white shrug with black trim that I made last spring, but with a standup collar and button closure at the neck added. The black yarn holds the lacy pattern of the crochet beautifully. I think it's pretty sharp. I'm surprised at how many custom orders I've been doing lately. The timing is spot-on. My last day of work at my full-time job is coming up this week. I'm just breaking down my office now. It's good to have projects and feel like I'm filling a need or a want. I don't expect to make a living off Etsy, or at least not off what I do at Etsy now, but it is satisfying. I try my best to make original items and to give the best customer service believing, whether there is a tangible reward for it or not, that it's the right thing to do - it just feels right. As embarrassed and self-conscious as I am sometimes, I like to feel proud of what I'm doing.

I have so many ideas for new things to make and designs to try. It's a good thing I'm going to have time, at least for a while.

Maker as Model

Thanks to a brief chat in the Etsy forums I was asked to write a tutorial about my photography process - specifically tips about how to be your own model and photographer. Check it out on Artful Chatter by Renaissance, a blog by fellow Etsian and fiber enthusiastic Rag House International. In addition to the advantages ad flexibility of being your own art director, photographer, and model I think that we (the designers/makers) are often the best embodiment of our own brand. That said, if I had the cash I do have ideas...

I photographed this hat for the article, but it sold too quickly! This is the second time I've made this design, previously in orange, and the second time I've ever had a sale in less than an hour. I NEED to keep making this hat!! :)

Jingle jingle

Great news! I've been juried into the JingleBash at Sons of Hermann Hall on November 21, 1-7 p.m. I have lots of ideas for new things to make between now and then. I'm thinking hats! And scarves, shrugs, shawls, and more. I'm also thinking about how to change up my display and maybe even try to look a little less DIY, maybe. Last year was a blast.

It's going to be great.

Fall Finally?

I'm happy to say I have started posting my backlog of shawls and shrugs from this spring and summer. I've been so behind! I'm glad Fall is on its way. People might start to think about staying warm and cute little shrugs and shawls and hats. In addition to my general procrastination, I changed cameras and I needed time to learn the new one. I think it's working pretty well. I have more hats still to list and I'm working on some new items too, so there should more regular activity on my Etsy site to come.

Spring Sprung

Just got back from the EtsyDallas Spring Bash. It was fun to see friends and to see what everyone else is making. There is so much talent in Dallas! It was also great to see my Southside on Lamar resident friends and to listen to my friend DJ JuanSolo all day. It was still too warm to even think about wearing anything slightly warm, so not great for crochet, but a fun day nonetheless. I have more inventory to post coming up over the next few weeks to catch up. I'm also going to remake the black alpaca lace shrug that I've made twice now for custom orders and try to photograph it for the first time. I finished the off-white longer version with the mohair trim ruffles and I might keep it for myself. I love how the alpaca yarn keeps the structure of the loops in the crochet. Lots of things to play with and think about. Maybe I'll start making hats for winter! Hard to even think about with June just around the corner.

Spring fairs

I'm still recovering from the Spring Fling in Fort Worth, but I'm getting excited about the Spring Bash in Dallas! Southside on Lamar is a great venue and I love being so close to home and seeing all my friends here.