Wednesday Stuff

Not actual photo of my moving boxes.

Today, I am moving. Again. For the 3 time in 6 months. I am not at all thrilled about this. 


Moving, for me is just one big headache. Luckily, I don't have a bunch of stuff to haul and I'm only going about 20 minutes south of where I am currently. But I still didn't want this situation to come about at all. Sigh.... and yet, here I am.  There are a lot of other changes going on in my life. A new job for one. Getting closer to graduation. Business ideas. Design ideas. Hopefully some freelance work. Chaos.

Friday...

I've been slowly editing photos and working on new designs. Which I'm really happy about. I've been putting more of myself into the things I really enjoy. But I have so much going on outside that just bogs me down. More over I'm disappointed in myself for not being as on top of things. I guess in a way I had fooled myself into thinking I was so much more pulled together. Reality check.... I'm pretty good at lying to myself. So, as the story goes, I am moving again.  (note to self: start packing). Got a new job.... with a wonky schedule to complicate my already wonky schedule. And still try to be a mom, have relationship, chase dreams, hold down the fort, win the bread, and keep some small amount of sanity. It's tough stuff.  So now that I am done venting. I will some photos once I have a better internet connection.

Just added to Etsy!

The Tipper Loop Scarf
You can wear like a regular scarf or as a cowl. Year round in 100% cotton and the perfect way to add color!

What goals do you wish to accomplish in the coming year for your Etsy business?

First and foremost I want it to grow. I don't mind slow growth, as long as it's growing. At this particular time, I am limited as to what I can do to move things forward, but I take every step I can. I have expanded to selling at the local farmer's market here in Ogden. I also expand my line. I have new designs and ideas in my head that can't wait to be tangible. So getting as many of my ideas out and made is a priority for me. I am trying to invest as much into building my dreams as I can.

What handmade possession do you most cherish?

Hmmm, that's tough. I have a blanket that my mom crocheted like 10 years ago, that I love. I also love anything my daughter has scribbled, doodled, painted (we paint birdhouses together), or story she's told. But I think one of my absolute favorite things is food and cooking. A meal (made by myself, my mom, or whoever) is something special. Food I think is best when shared with you're favorite people. When it's home made it's a love thing. But I think it's also the same if the food is made by someone who really loves to cook. You can tell if someone cares about what they are doing. And that translates to everything you do.

Please describe your creative process.

It's pretty random actually. Sometimes I get the "what-if" thought first. Sometimes it's the material that comes first.  Or it's a stitch pattern I've seen or found and am holding on to till I have the perfect yarn for it. Then I write down some notes or I get straight to work making a sample. Then I make more notes after the sample is done. I'm pretty organized with my designs. Which is funny cause I'm a total clutter bug. I have 2 sketch books. One is for the finished patterns, notes on color, a description, and any other information. The other has notes, sketches, thoughts and ideas. It's oddly random and organized. I carry both books with me because you never know when inspiration will strike. I like to surround myself with my materials, so I tend to collect everything in my favorite room. If I get an idea for something I want easy access to my tools and materials so I can work on it "rightnow", so to have an in house studio for me is ideal. I love working from home, but luckily much of my stuff is very portable. So I can take it with me if I ever get to travel. Or I can take it to work like I do now.

Name your top five books, movies, musicians, and websites besides Etsy.

I don't have specific books that I like. I am more about genres and authors.

But my top 3 authors are Nora Roberts, Kate Jacobs, and Debbie MaComber. Two of my favorite genres are Crochet and Knitting books (especially stitch dictionaries) and cook books (especially vegetarian ones, or ones with recipes that can be easily adapted to vegetarian)

Movies are hard for me because I am not much of a movie watcher. The ones I do tend to enjoy the most are kids flicks:

1- Cars

2- Up

3- Ice Age

4- Madagascar

5- Harry Potter (all of them)

Music.. this one is hard because I love music. I like stuff all across the board.

In no particular order:

1- Breaking Benjamin

2- Garth Brooks

3- Tool

4- Three Days Grace

5- ATB

Websites I frequent most outside Etsy.com:

1- Facebook

2- Twitter

3- Ravelry

4- The following blogs: mkcarroll, sixoneseven, and novamade

5- ebay