Do Your Research Before Up Cycling With Unconventional Materials

It's great to up-cycle materials, right?  It keeps old stuff out of the waste stream by converting it into something that is useful again when it's original function is no longer wanted or feasible.  Old torn t-shirts? Cut them up into a string of t-shirt yarn and crochet with it!  The torn areas can even be worked into the new rug or handbag you make out of it without much fuss.  Use the coffee cup that the handle has broken off of to hold your crochet hooks, or use it as a candle holder or planter.  Maybe send it to my mosaic tiling friend who will break it up and make beautiful things from the pieces.  Dad's old necktie collection?  Sew them together into a pillow cover or a handy wallet and enjoy the memories they bring to mind.

However, it is important to do a little research about more unconventional materials you think might be useful as up-cycling ingredients.  Lately, I have been feeling restless (a combination of cabin and spring fevers, I guess), and I have been thinking about reusing or removing some of the clutter I have accumulated in life so far.  Gazing upon the wall full of old cassette music tapes I own, I thought, "I wonder if I could crochet something with all that tape?!"  I've seen people crochet bags and such from videotape.  I'm so glad I started to dig into how others have done it before I just started trying!

Turns out, there are a lot of toxic things that typically flake off of that magnetic tape when it is freed from its cassette casing that can endanger you as you manipulate it, and can pollute your immediate environment as well as the world in general.  Exposing the tape to air while you work with it, and/or when the finished product is used, causes the tape to shed chemicals.  Some of the substances in the 'black dust' that can hang in the air or settle on and around you while you work include magnetite, a.k.a. iron oxide , cobalt (poison), and chromium dioxide (lung irritant when inhaled).  Trace amounts and limited exposure to these substances don't usually present a health problem, but long-term use does not appear to be a good thing.  Especially if you are crocheting with it in your home, with pets and children running around, without a face mask.  And since nothing really goes 'away', I can't believe that unleashing these chemicals, even in trace amounts, into the wastewater when I wash my hands, or into the air, is a good thing, either.

So I will be looking into how to safely dispose of my tape collection at our solid waste authority, and move on to the next potential upcycling opportunity.  Hmmm.  I wonder if I can turn those hardcover books into shelves, like I've seen on Pinterest...

Eye Masks Sooth and Comfort!

I have been making cotton eye masks for this spring and summer!  With record pollen counts, and weather fronts coming and going, these have been needed, for sure.  These are my own design - crocheted with USA grown worsted weight cotton.


A wide ribbon allows the wearer to adjust the fit for comfort, and a set of round eye pads can be used for added darkening for sleeping, or for warm or cold compressing to ease headaches and sinus pain.  I love putting the damp pads in the freezer for 10-15 minutes, then putting them on and securing them with the mask - aaaahhhhhh!

My Banner Is Here!

I have been struggling with finding a design that fits my business for some time.  Crochet hooks and motifs are not very abundant in the marketing world (hmmmm, maybe a new niche?).  

I found one design through Staples for my business cards, but they did not have the design available in banner form.  Fortunately, Vistaprint did!!  I am very excited that I'm able to present a consistent 'look' on all of my signs, as well as my banner and business cards now.  Can't wait for market this week to hang this up!

It's Baseball Season!

A happy customer in her new hat!

Many colors and sizes available.

Last year, I began offering cotton baseball caps for kids at my market booth.  They are my own design.  I wanted to offer a hat that was more appealing for boys as well as girls.  They were well received, so this year I am adding more inventory and offering more sizes.  Custom color choices are available as well.

Baseball cap with rose flower clip.

I am using worsted weight,  USA grown 100% cotton for these hats. The weight provides just enough structure for the brim, while providing a soft, cool feel.  They look very cute on kids!  They can be glammed up with flower clips for the girly-girls, too.

Right now I am not offering these hats in adult sizes.  I am working out how to stiffen the brim on larger sizes.  The brim has to be longer and flatter to give the proper eye shade on larger heads.  So far doubling the yarn hasn't given me the results I seek, and I haven't found an ecofriendly brim stabilizer that retains its structure after a trip in the washing machine.  I'd appreciate any ideas from fellow hat makers out there!

Pretty Custom Little Girls' Hats

This winter, I spent a considerable amount of time completing custom hat orders!  They were so fun to do, and I am very pleased with the results.  I used Debbie Bliss organic, free trade Ecobaby cotton yarn.  So soft and a perfect weight for spring.

These hats were made by eyeballing photos posted on Facebook, as the original pattern was written in Russian. (I found the only English translation I could find to be incomprehensible to me.)  They are beautiful, yet time consuming, so I likely won't make them for general sale - just custom orders.

Versatile Designs for Variable Weather

The weather has been so topsy-turvy here, I never know what I'm going to need from morning to evening to stay comfortable!  Two days ago our high was 84 degrees F and humid. This morning it was in the high 30's, and by late afternoon it reached 60 degrees F with a cool breeze.

Soooo.... I've been working on some designs that can function as either scarves or shoulder wraps. I like the pairing of a geometric mesh stitch paired with a shell or puff stitch pattern.  I am striving for a more modern look with just a touch of softness.

I'm using Debbie Bliss Ecobaby fair trade sport weight organic cotton yarn.  Very soft and just right for adding a little warmth around the neck, or a cool cover over the shoulders in the sun.

Ecofriendly Yarn Hunt!

I am on a serious hunt for additional sources of ecofriendly yarns!  I am specifically looking for fiber grown and processed in the USA, but I am not limiting myself completely to USA products.  I am investigating buying wholesale supplies in order to offer the yarns themselves to my customers over the coming year, in addition to my finished items.  So far, I've found some really interesting ventures, and I will post here as well as on Facebook about them as I go.

First, I'll start locally (for me):  Home Again Farm, 37098 Schell Road & Route 26, Theresa, NY 13691-2226; 315-628-5302; http://www.homeagainfarmalpacas.com/

Home Again Alpaca Farm was originally established in 1831 as a dairy farm, and is now owned and operated by the family's sixth generation.  They converted to alpaca farming in 2005, and have a current herd of 20 alpacas. The farm also grows grapes for local wineries.

Home Again encourages "slow, 'drive by' viewing" or calling to make an appointment for a full farm tour and personal introduction to the alpacas.  Schools and organizations are encouraged to visit!  Experiencing the farm is truly a joyous treat - I wrote about my family's 2010 visit here:  http://lindagibbshandmade.blogspot.com/2010/05/our-visit-with-alpacas.html

The farm also has a lovely gift shop that offers yarn and roving made from the fur of the alpacas on the farm.  The yarn is processed near Syracuse, about 100 miles away.  If you are not a fiber artist or crafter, they offer many finished items made with alpaca yarns by both local artisans and by artists in collectives in South America, supporting alpaca and human well being in Peru.

First Attendance of a Needle Arts Show!

This past weekend I attended the Pittsburg Knit and Crochet Show (www.pghknitandcrochet.com) in Pittsburgh, PA!  This was the 10th year the show has been presented. It was the perfect show to get my feet wet at this type of event, and I came away renewed and refreshed, ready to try my hand at more jewelry, some art pieces, and working with hemp and linen this summer.

A cadre of experienced fiber arts instructors offered a wide variety of classes for knitters and crocheters at any level.  Special events included a pj party, a keyote dinner and book signings with well-known author Debbie Macomber, who also has a new yarn line out, and brunch with pattern designer and author Nicki Epstein.  The show also included a large vendor market, with yarn makers and retailers from as far as Texas and Maine, plus a rotating trunk show, with 30-45 minute presentations by different pattern designers, yarn producers and yarn retailers.  It was so much fun to see and touch items that I've seen pictured in pattern books 'live and in person.'

Meeting so many wonderful people in one place who were just as (or even more!) passionate than me about yarn and crochet was a joy.  I was happy to be able to offer others my tips, and to receive fantastic tidbits from others.  I fully enjoyed the Freeform Crochet class I took, led by Lauren Etling, who was warm, charming and fantastic at teaching. 

I definitely intend on attending another event in the future. Next time, I'd like to either travel with one or more fellow fiber fanatics, or meet up with a few at the conference.  Especially at any larger markets, it would help to have several people working together cruising the marketplace for deals and particular fibers.  I needed the two days to see everything at this one!

Cold Weather Crochet Mojo

Even though I'm supposed to be working on spring and summer designs to have ready for the upcoming seasons, I can't get myself to switch gears just yet!  It is fortunate for me, then, that there is still time for me to get in some last gasp winter hats, scarves and mitts with Valentine and St. Patrick's Day themes before I must move on!

I'm still loving the colorways of Lion Brand's Amazing yarn.  This yarn is just over half wool, blended with acrylic, for warmth and softness.  It is wonderful to work with.  The hats and cowls I've made this year with this yarn have been customer favorites.  Great photos here:  http://www.facebook.com/lindagibbshandmade.

One more week to get my cold weather crochet mojo used up, and then it's on to spring and summer!

Promoting the Paddock Market Venue to Customers

This fall I have participated as a vendor at the Paddock Arcade Fall Market for the third year in a row.  This has been another great opportunity to extend the market season for my products, with vendors there every Wednesday, 9am to 3pm, October to December.

I was worried that it would not run this year, as our dear friend Sandi McCarthy, who had coordinated the market for the past two years in a wonderful way, died suddenly last winter.  This October, when the hall was full of new and returning vendors , I really felt Sandi was there beaming.  Her former colleagues did a fine job of carrying the torch forward. 

I love this market, even though the hallway gets very cold and the traffic is slow.  In any case, we vendors always seem to have many a good laugh together, even if sales are nonexistent in any one week.  But traffic really needs to increase in order to keep vendors interested in coming back.

This is how I have tried to make more people aware of this market: 

1.  Word of Mouth - I tell everyone interested in my stuff that I am there every Wednesday, whether I am talking to someone at the hair salon, library or grocery store.  And I am there every Wednesday unless I am deathly ill.

2.  Customer Orders - If I am at a craft fair or somewhere other than the market, I will tell customers about the market.  I try to arrange to have them pick up any order they place at the market, so they become aware of the location and the wonderful things there.

3.  Coupons - This year I was behind the eight ball, but last year I printed up coupons for discounts and distributed them during the last month of the summer market, with discounts expiring at the end of December and the market schedule printed on the coupons.  This did bring in 2-3 customers last year. 

4.  Flyer Posting - This summer I posted the market flyer at my booth and talked it up to customers during the last 4 weeks of the outdoor, busy market.

5.  Facebook - I try never to miss posting a reminder about the Wednesday market on Tuesday evening, and then make several posts with pictures at intervals during market hours on Wednesday showing my and others' products to lure shoppers.

6.  Van Adverts - I bought markers that can write on glass, and wrote the market scheduled on the back window of my van!  Rainy and snowy weather has been a challenge for this, but I haven't really minded the frequent re-writes, and since I drive our van all over town so much, I think it MUST have some impact?!  Maybe I'll do a 'mention this window for a discount' message next season!

What? Summer's Over Already?!

I have been revisiting my online sites and realized that it has been WAY too long since I posted here!  I seriously cannot believe how fast this past spring and summer flew by for me.  What a blur.  A good blur, but a blur nonetheless.  Which is why I really have to post here more often to keep track!

A major development this summer was my having the opportunity to expand my inventory in a magical little shop where I sell on consignment - An Eclectic Boutique in Carthage, N.Y. 

http://www.facebook.com/aneclecticboutique

The boutique carries a little of everything from a variety of handmade vendors, mostly local artisans:  healthy olive oil based soaps, lotions and balms (made on premises!), antiques in the form of furniture,housewares and decor, vintage clothing and linens, vintage and handmade jewelry, beeswax candles, locally produced foods, hand crocheted accessories (of course), and so much more!  The only real way I can describe An Eclectic Boutique is that it is as if someone emptied only the best of what was in your grandparents' packed attic, cleaned and repaired it all, and arranged it for your treasure-hunting pleasure.

Even better than the wider exposure for my goods, due to this opportunity, are the connections I've made with fellow crafters and businesspeople, being able to support them while experiencing their support and encouragement as well.  I am continually learning something new and valuable through my engagement in this community, and I am so very grateful.

Cashmere Part II

So I continue to praise the glories of recycled cashmere fiber (and other recycled fibers) since my last post.  I have several skeins waiting for me to decide what to make with them (see photo at left - a bright pink and bright orange skein not pictured complete my current stash).  I feel like the fiber is so precious and beautiful, I'm taking extra time to figure out what to make because I want it to be just the right thing!


In the meantime, I've been learning a little more about cashmere, thanks to The Fiber of My Being(http://www.thefiberofmybeing.net/), a spectacular place to learn about fiber, spinning, dyeing, and a great source for wonderful yarns.  There are many educational tutorial videos there, also.  Sales proceeds go to support their fiber animal rescue operation!  That's right - they rescue animals in terrible circumstances, give them a new home and good care, and use their fiber to make yarn.  A truly remarkable and worthy effort, IMHO.

Recent additions to the farm include goats, from which they are harvesting cashmere, cashgora and angora fiber.  Their research has revealed that there is no particular breed of goat favored for producing cashmere, per se.  A cashmere goat is a type of goat, which could be one of many different breeds, that produces hair with certain measured cashmere characteristics of softness and fineness.  In addition, a goat that grows cashmere doesn't necessarily grow it for its entire life!  A goat's coat typically gets thicker and coarser over time.  So even more reason why cashmere is so darn precious and expensive!

Recycled Cashmere Rocks!

I recently came across a tidbit of info that finally made it clear to me why I can't afford a complete cashmere wardrobe.

Cashmere yarn is spun from the softest underbelly hair combed from Cashmere goats, bless their hearts, and one Cashmere goat can only grow about 4 ounces of this luscious fiber per year. On average, it takes about 32 ounces of fiber, or eight goats, to produce one medium-sized adult sweater.

Just take a second and let that sink in.

Eight goats, lovingly fed, watered, tended, and combed. For a whole year. For ONE sweater! To be more realistic, I calculate a sweater for me would take, kindly estimated, say, twelve animals. Well, no wonder!! And no, I don't have the time, land or unique goat whispering skills to tend my own herd. Don't think I hadn't thought of that... briefly.

This is why I will be ever and eternally grateful for the dedicated people out there who have taken it upon themselves to retrieve Cashmere items no longer wearable, and painstakingly deconstructed these items in order to reclaim perfectly wonderful yarn for reuse. The task is not for the faint of heart, as any yarn addict will know, and the effort, IMHO, deserves our highest praise and our cash whenever possible.

Because it seems, in fact, that the word about how wonderful Cashmere is has been getting around. An increasing worldwide demand for very soft clothing is causing no small overgrazing problem in China, where the majority of Cashmere goats live. Please know that in no way do I begrudge any goatherding family its fair share of the economic pie. My philosophy is that all humans deserve the opportunity to make an honest living and provide for their families. However, I also know that it'd take a heck of lot of goats to supply anywhere near the full demand for this fiber. I mean, have you groped a hank of Cashmere lately, people?!

SO. Here's what I do, and what I hope to inspire you to do, when you have a project for which only Cashmere fits the bill. Look around in your local yarn store and/or online, and purchase reclaimed yarn. I'd consider it a personal favor, too, if you'd consider the distance the yarn might have to travel using fossil fuels to get to you and buy from as close a location as possible. Though still dear in price, you will be doing a small business, yourself and the Earth a world of good.

The Gift Within the Gift

This Christmas, my lovely sister-in-law, Ruthie, sent me a delicious skein of yarn, made with fine merino wool, cashmere and silk, and dyed a deep, rich, garnet red.  This yarn is just dreamy.  Soooo soft and warm.  She stipulated that it was to be made into something for me - a treat!

You'd think that I would know exactly what I would want to make.  Well, no.  Especially lately.  I've been having these creative voids these days - a combination of burnout after the busy holiday crafting season and cabin fever, I think.  Mostly I've spent a lot of time groping this yarn, trying to get a feel (literally) for what it might want to be.

One thing I know:  I want this yarn next to my skin a lot, for sure.  Hat, scarf, cowl, mitts, socks, some kind of shoulder wrap?  Lacey or solid?  What stitch pattern(s)?  Dimensions?  Use a pattern already written or create my own?  Use the yarn alone or add in other yarns?  Add beading?  Fringe?  Ribbon?  Oh, the possibilities!!

The design process can be overwhelming. And yet...

It strikes me that the real gift I have received here isn't just a skein of beautiful yarn.  I've been given the gift of endless possibility and the opportunity to uniquely express myself.  I've been given the gift of another's confidence in my creative ability.  Best of all, I've been given the gift of having people in my life who understand that, for me, a simple skein of yarn means so much.  

Experimenting with Fair Isle Using Tapestry Crochet

This winter I'm determined to try at least a few of the techniques I have on my "to do" list, amassed over the past three years.  January 2013 has been Fair Isle month for me, having found a book called 200 Fair Isle Motifs: A Knitter's Directory by Mary Jane Mucklestone while browsing the bookstore at the end of last year.  The book contains wonderful instruction about all aspects of Fair Isle knitting, plus color photos and graph diagrams of 200 patterns, which can be easily transfered to crochet.

This type of color designing has also allowed me to try tapestry crochet - a method of carrying the unused color thread inside the stitches of the color being used, so that the back of the fabric contains no loose threads.  A two-fer!!

Fair Isle knitting is said to have originated in the Shetland Islands of Scotland, which are actually located closer to Norway than Scotland.  Traditional Fair Isle knitting patterns were made with various shades of fine wool spun from Shetland sheep.  Alternating multi-color patterns typify the Fair Isle design.  Usually, a smaller border-like pattern is alternated with a larger multi-color pattern. 

I started simply with a base and accent color, trying out tapestry crochet as I went along and keeping the color changes straightforward (see the teal and white pattern below).  Crocheting this way requires a lot of patience and untwisting of yarns as you progress!  Then I began working in border patterns with shapes.

So far, I'm proud to show you what I've done - please tell me what you think and feel free to share your own attempts, if you've tried this, too!

My First Model and Print Ad!

Sometimes I forget to get the word out about what I'm trying to do.  Thankfully, I have good friends who remember me!  Recently, one of these friends worked out a rather complex barter deal that led to her daughter modeling my work for a print ad in a regional business magazine!  I'm very grateful, and excited for me, the model and my friend - a triumph of collaboration :D. 

Now... to flesh out that marketing plan...

Historic Venue Great for A Market

This is my second fall as a craft vendor on Wednesdays in the historic Paddock Arcade in downtown Watertown, New York.  If you haven't stopped in to take a look at the inside of this building, not to mention the market on Wednesdays, you really should.  I so look forward each week to working with such a great group of people in this beautful place.

As I understand it, the Paddock Arcade is the nation's first and oldest continuously operating indoor shopping mall.  Its condition has suffered ups and downs over the years, but it is definitely in an up cycle right now, and it is decorated beautifully for the holidays!  Businesses in the Arcade include a newly opened gourmet sandwich shop, a beauty salon combined with a bar (genius idea, IMHO!), an art and antiques shop, a bike repair shop, a media marketing business, an all-faiths emporium, a casual sit-down lunch restaurant (serving dinner now Thursday, Friday and Saturday), and a tavern with a seemingly endless martini menu!  Next month, a cake and coffee shop will open that features European cake recipes and decorating.

Every Wednesday, mid-October to just before Christmas, even more is offered to customers when vendors set up for the weekly market in the center hallway.  On these days customers can also find homemade baked goods, original artwork, handpainted note cards, tie-dyed clothing and footwear, recycled sweater mittens, wine, flavored popcorn, jewelry made from antique solid silver forks, knives and spoons, Amish baskets, executive pens, my hand crocheted accessories (of course), and more at the Arcade!

Being a part of the Paddock Arcade's vendor community has been such a pleasure, and I hope you'll stop in to say hello sometime :D.

http://www.facebook.com/PaddockArcadeFallMarket

Linda Grows A Craft Business

This summer sure flew by!  With little to no rainy market days here (drought), I found myself mighty busy on a regular basis.  In August, I expanded my enterprise from one steady market day a week to three.  This meant three 10 hour days in a row, counting driving, setup, selling, takedown and followup administration.  It nearly killed me, but it was also lots of fun meeting all those new kindred spirits selling their wares and making new customer friends!

On 'at home' days I worked on my online shop, researched marketing and business stuff, crocheted like crazy to make new inventory and restock, and worked my other job as resident house tidier, taxi driver for teens, and minder for my resident elderly and very spry mother-in-law.  OK, I also spent a bit of time on Facebook, but maintaining and cultivating those relationships and keeping an all-important presence online are important business tasks, people!

Now we're in the middle of the holiday craft fair schedule and I can hardly believe it's here already!  I'm out there every Wednesday at a historic indoor market in my small city until just before Christmas, and have set up at two one-day weekend events so far.  Three more events and six Wednesdays to go before the after-holiday lull, when I'll have time to breath and test out all the new designs I've been wanting to try!

Iced Tea In Many Forms

What's your favorite summer drink?  Mine is a nice, tall, unsweetened very cold iced tea.  I try to have at least one of these every day - it's my morning coffee, if you will.  My son gave me a reusable insulated cup from Starbucks that I take there every day to fill with this marvelous refreshing beverage.  Sometimes  I sit inside or on the outside patio and sketch, read, or work out new product ideas in my head.  Or watch the clouds and people.  In any case, savoring that iced tea and a little "me" time usually sets me up for a good, productive day.

Here's a treasury on Etsy I made - an ode to my favorite drink:

http://www.etsy.com/treasury/NTMzNzkwMXwyNzIyODQzNTky/iced-tea-party?index=7

Red Fox Inspirations

Last evening, my family and I went to a favorite vantage point to see the supermoon come into view.  Getting out of the car, we noticed a rare and wondrous sight:  a mother red fox nursing her six kits!!  Enthralled, delighted and blessed was how I felt.  The kits stuck around and played while keeping a wary eye on us.  What a treat! I was able to get off a few shots with my nifty camera extended to its maximum zoom:

I'm thinking of designing something with the incredibly rich color combinations of red fox fur.  Maybe a capelet or hat...  or a set!