DYE DYE DYE!!!!!

DYE DYE DYE!!!!!

I have been doing a lot of dyeing to build up inventory for my March show and the remaining February shows here in Southern California. Here's one of the new colors and fibers, Black Cherrie. I love this color and the fiber. It is a combination of 70% superwash merino wool and 30% SeaCell. I have put a couple of skeins in my Etsy shop. Getting this rich and intense of a color took a little extra work and time. I used 3 different colors to make this color, and 3 different dippings.

I can't wait to knit or crochet something up with this. Right now, I am working on a new crochet fedora hat pattern. I will be hopefully rolling out a nice colleciton of hats for spring. I really want to do some larger pieces, I have designed a caftan for lounging around in the house, but I don't know how long that will take to do. Here are a couple of other items from the dyeing session this week.

Garnstudio Yarn Finally In!

Well, I finally have my shipment of Garnstudio/Drops Yarn in, and boy did I have a hell of a time getting it. First the shipment seemed to be on its way from Norway, no problem. The Customs Broker called for some basic questions, and then said there should be no problem with me getting the yarn. Then 5 days later, all hell broke loose. First, the shipment was lost. Then part of the shipment was found. Then the other half was found. Then the delivery company tells me they don't have any drivers available to deliver it so I would have to go to the airport to pick it up myself. Needless to say, I was not a happy camper, but I was still excited to receive and inspect my inventory.

Once I got home from the airport, of course I couldn't wait to see what I was so willing to travel to the end of the earth to get (okay maybe not the end of the earth, but I was stuck on the 405 freeway at 4:45pm, for those of you in LA, you know it felt like I was traveling to the end of the earth). I was only able to pry open one box half way because I did not have my box cutter, and the Norwegians are very tape happy. I couldn't even use my car key to get those darn boxes open. Any hoo, I reached inside of the boxes of my world traveled yarn, and pulled out the first bag I could get. Cotton Viscose #27. This is the most gorgeous color I have ever seen. Not quite pink, not quite purple, but a beautiful in between with a silky sheen to boot. I was in heaven. I ran upstairs with my on bag anxious to get started working on a store sample, but then had the typical artist delima, I couldn't make up my mind what I wanted to make with it.

So after much back and forth, I decided to go with a broomstick lace design inspired by Stitch Diva Studios. I am not yet finished with it, but I will post it up as soon as I can.

Stitches West 2008 Friday

Its raining today but the energy is still up there. Instead of paying taxis to get around, I decided to experience San Jose/Santa Clara public transportation, and let me tell you, it was an experience. First, I had to walk to the train in the cold and rain, and if you can believe it, I was in such a hurry to get to Stitches West, I did not pack a scarf or hat, so I was freezing! However, I trekked on.

When I finally made it to the train, of course I got on the wrong train going in the opposite direction, so I had to get off and go back to where I started from, but all in all, it was a nice experience. San Jose is such an awesome town.

When I finally made onto the correct train going in the right direction, I was lucky enough to meet the most wonderful lady on the train who was on her way to the show as well. She mistakenly when to the San Jose Convention Center as opposed to the Santa Clara Convention center, so I wasn't the only one slightly challenged getting there. Unfortunately, she said she doesn't use the internet and isn't on Ravelry, but she is definitely in my thoughts. She had her tickets pre-purchased, her map in hand, her pop up bag on wheels and her list of must see booths. She was an absolute delight.

I got to see a couple of "family" members from the Harvest Festival Tour of shows that I do every year. Linda Sicard was there with her fabulous buttons, and way more than what she sells at the Harvest Festivals, she had 2 booth spaces and was very busy with them. Also, Damaris was there with her wonderful buttons and pins and such with her husband, she is also a mega talented jewelry designer who I adore.

Eveyone I bumped into asked where was my booth and my hand dyed yarns, and I had to tell them that I could not secure a space in time, but that everyone will definitely see me at Stitches Midwest 2008.

Since I didn't have any of my fabulous yarns there, I spent most of the day helping Dianne in her booth which had a nice steady flow of customers. Let me tell you, by the time I had to leave for my flight, I was exhausted. I didn't get to buy much at the show, but it was definitely a fun experience. I am glad I went as an attendee first, rather than as a vendor, but for Stitches Midwest, it will be business as usual and I can't wait.

Orders Comming In

Happy day! Today the orders I placed at the TNNA show in January are finally starting to come in. Today I received my first order from The Alpaca Yarn Co. I ordered all 10 of their new colors in the Alpaca sock line called Paca Peds. The colors are really fun and the Alpaca feels heavenly. I can't wait to knit up a pair knee high cables with these for a display piece.

Well I have lots of display space for them as I think I went a little cube crazy building display cubes.

Work Work Work

For those who don't know many, which is many, I own two businesses: an aromatherapy company and an online artisan supply company which sells yarns, fibers, jewelry making supplies, etc. Well I made the insane decision to combine the two companies and open up half of my warehouse as my store for customers to come and shop, and it is a tremendous amount of work.

The whole theme of the store is old world artisan, so therefore since I couldn't find unique shelving to display that them, I decided to build my own. I may be insane, and covered in splinters, however, I am really pleased with the outcome. I used 3/4" sheets of plywood that the guys at Home Depot cut for me, and went to work with my air nailers, Dewalt drill & self tapping screws. The design I went with is the traditional cube display, but instead of paying $300 per unit at Ikea, and risking it fall apart like other things I have purchased at Ikea, I paid $120 for enough materials to make 3 units. I also put my units on wheels so that they can be easily moved around for mopping the floors and incase something falls in back.

I topped each off with a dark walnut stain, and an amber shellac which gave to color a lot of warmth.I painted the walls a nice jute color, and added molding around the ceiling to give the room some old world character.

Since half of the inventory I manufacture & the other half I purchase for resale I am currently half stocked. My webhosting company of 12 years has officially gone out of business, so I am also having to rebuild all of my websites as well. Therefore my days and nights have been filled with nothing but work.