Branded!

I haven't been posting or listing lately because i've been consumed with getting my brand together.
(I'm sure you noticed the new look of this blog, I've also tied it into my Artfire studio as well as my Etsy shop Banner. I know that simply changing colors doesn't equal a brand, but I think that these are some nice little steps to get me on my way. I'm hoping that this winter, I'll make enough sales to be able to purchase some custom stickers which will be added to my packaging. I also plan to send all orders out with my shop's colors used for packaging, too.
It's gettin serious! (FINALLY, right?)

I figured that since I already have 100+ items available, taking time to do this wouldn't hurt too much. I've been working on some new things to list while I've been working on this branding thing- they're not listed yet, but check em out--

I had a lot of fun making these hair clips. I think I've been working on them for a whole week or so. But that's because I've been trying to get the part that you don't see here just right. The bows are attached to small, rectangular hair clips which I've covered in a coordinating fabric.
I ordered lots of little clips and still have even more ribbon left, so you'll be seeing a greater variety of these in the future.

The yarn I used for this black and white set is called zebra. I originally got it to use in my favorite bag inspired bag, but since it didn't look like that would ever come along, and because the yarn was so soft, (and a nice break from using cotton), i decided that a hat would be a great little side project. The edge has a decorative finish that will also help it from stretching too much- unless your head is totally huge =-)

My last little FO I have to show is a black clothes pin bag which has a red and a beige button on it. I think it will be my last of the season.
It's a bit smaller than the other 2 I've made, but I'm sure that it will be able to hold the same amount of pins.
It's the perfect thing to help you go green. Let's use all this free wind and sunshine along with this nifty clothes pin bag to dry our clothes rather than those power pulling dryers, eh?

My Latest

I've been super productive lately, but I haven't been listing much, or online at much for that matter, so I got down to business tonight and listed a couple of things. I still have one pixie hat to list and a couple pairs of hair clips, but I think I'll save those for tomorrow.

I've alos decided to raise the discount percent on my shop's sale by 5 so now, instead of 20% off, you'll get 25%. That's like free shipping and then some =-)

My new favorite little thing

last month or so, i went to michaels and they were having an awesome sale on yarn. While i was grabbing as much as my little pocket book could hold, i also picked up a set of pom-pom makers. before, i was just doing the whole wrap around the fingers thing and having to trip a lot of the pom-pom away. but those little things- i LOVE. i think they've got me looking for more reasons to make pom-poms now.

my first one didn't turn out too pretty, but i've learned that it was because i didn't wrap it around tight enough. i used the medium sized maker for the pom-poms that are attatched to an earflap hat that i made last night and will be listing very soon.




I love the way this hat turned out!
so much so that i'm thinking of doing a more girly version (even tho this one could be worn by both sexes)

These are the Breaks!

The other day, i decided that i was going to draft the wool that i received and was excited. i've figured out how thin i have to draft in order to get a worsted weight. but before i did, i was getting way too many breaks in the wool.
very frustrating.

after watching this tutorial once, about a week ago in the wee hours, i figured, hey! i got it!


this video is SO helpful.

but, when you're a bit too cocky about what you're trying to do, stuff tends to umm. get jacked up. So, i was finding myself with lots of broken off pieces that were about 8 inches long.
growl.

i'm over it now tho =-)

for some reason, i was expecting to get a really - sort of- ugly yarn out of the roving which kind of looked like a camouflage with white in it. orange, brown, green, black, and white.

This is what i got. - i still have lots left to draft and spin. i got about 30 yards out of this practice round
This is what it looked like while it was wrapped around a chair. of course, it got fuzzier and a little less sheeny when i put it in the hot water, but i'm hoping that the dullness was because of the water.

Here Are a few pics of it dried. i love it!

=-)

another great stocking stuffer idea

to change modes a bit here..
i was browsing artfire, looking at how their categories were set up and where my things fell into the categories there, and i came across this necklace.
I love the simplicity of this necklace, which can be found in Beadz-N-Things shop on artfire.

It's under $20.00, which makes it even greater!