Shrugging around

I've been busy focusing on shrugs for the spring shows coming up in April and May. Etsy itself continues to be very slow for me right now, but I've rebuilt my inventory and I've started working with fusing plastic bags, sewing, and other experiments. I'm also playing with some new yarns, like this Alpaca Lace. It's a very fine soft alpaca without the bulk you usually see in this fiber. I'm very happy with the way the green shrug turned out and I'm working on a cream version. I'm planning to try longer sleeves. We'll see. Despite it's thinness, the fiber seems pretty easy to work with and loops up beautifully. I had trouble with the green tangling and making terrible knots. I had to cut it twice before I started pulling from the outside instead of the inside. Maybe it just can't take ANY friction? Usually a shrug takes an entire skein of yarn, but with this yarn, I could easily make at least two. Or, as I plan to, try to alter the garment into something more - perhaps adding tapered three quarter length sleeves or a longer back? We'll see.

Post-pop anime hood

Every once in a while you get the opportunity to have the freedom to make something truly special for someone and you know for sure that they will love it. THIS is one of those pieces. It is so over-the-top and was soooo much fun to make. This technicolor creation was blinding to work on. I'm so proud of it. I'm glad Regina likes it.

Yarn as a Form of Escapism

I just posted this yesterday. It's my fourth variation on the the Flutter Shawl. This time I tried a few new styles in the presentation. It's a substantial shawl! It has a nice weight to it. I find so much satisfaction in creating, finishing, and presenting these crocheted goods. My slogan for my Etsy shop and this blog is "yarn as a form of escapism" and let me tell you just how true that is. I came home today so stressed about work and restless and worried. I find myself forcing anxious thoughts out of my head and trying to calm my hands and challenge myself to create something all of my own. The process of designing and figuring things out is my favorite part, above all; but there is something to be said for having steady handwork to do. I was listening to a neuroscientist talking on a recent radio program. She was explaining why knitting can fight depression just like serotonin drugs. They produce a similar result. She said doctors used to prescribe knitting as a treatment for anxiety. (I've gone a bit loopy trying to remember the show or search for anything about this - I'll look again later.) The steady rhythm of the work is calming and there is a finished product as a reward at the end. For me, I appreciate that this thing (whatever it is that I've made) belongs to me and exists because of me. I'm proud of what I've made and I like that feeling. I've forgotten what I was upset about completely. Escape accomplished!

Hats at Christmas time

Wow, it's so close to Christmas now! I'm sorting out what to give, what I still have to make, and what to put on Etsy. I just posted a bunch of new hats. Hats are easy and quick to make and good gifts. I started my Etsy adventure with hats in February of 2007 and have sold one on Etsy - though my two hoods did sell. At the EtsyDallas Jingle Bash in November I sold out of my hats except one! I think it helped that I was one of the few vendors with hats. Anyway, I'm going to give it a shot on Etsy again. If I can sell almost a dozen hats in one day maybe it's worth trying again.

P.S. The orange leaf hat featured above sold in about 3 hours. I guess it's a hit! I'll have to play with that form again.

Jingled Out

The EtsyDallas Jinglebash was this last Saturday and it was so much fun! I brought tons of new stuff -- lots of scarves and shrugs and capelets and hats... and a few Christmas decorations. I made a Christmas garland and a few sets of ornaments.
I loved the venue and the crowd was really supportive. I definitely exceeded my goal for this show. I was a bit sad to see some of the pieces go, but it was a really exciting day.
We've already set the date for the next EtsyDallas show: May 16 at Southside on Lamar. I should have plenty of time to come up with new things by then. 

Jingle all the way!

I'm participating in the Jingle Bash at Sons of Hermann Hall on November 22, presented by Etsy Dallas! I've been working on new items for the show -- felted ruffled scarves, neck warmers, and lariat style scarves! It should be great.

"Dress Sexy at My Funeral" Treasury

This might be one of my favorite Treasuries that I've been in so far! How funny and stylish and dark. I'm so glad she found my Victorian Flutter Shawl to include. It's a great fit! It is very dramatic and serious, but in a romantic fantasy kind of way. I love all the ruffles she included.