Getting Ready

This week has been very exciting. On sunday I had the opportunity to meet with a local fashion designer. She gave me some wonderful advice and absolutely inspired me to keep pushing forward with new creations from Arsenal of Buttons. I am grateful to have spend time with her.

I also received an email from the shop I have been selling my little flower brooches. They would like to buy my goods wholesale, rather than consignment, which is great! I will be creating new flower brooches out of luxury yarns, perfect for wearing on a sweater, putting on a purse, giving as a simple yet thoughtful gift.

I am looking forward to trying new stitches to create some more elaborate flowers, and using bold vintage buttons.

I am hoping to also have my CozyCowls available for purchase at the shop. I have some large cowls ready to sell that are great for cold weather. They are made with super chunky yarn and each have a hand-stamped tag.

This weekend I was recovering from a long, fast-paced work week, and decided to try something new. I took a thick wool-blend yarn in charcoal and created a ruffle-cowl. The border is in a gorgeous wool-tencel blend, that has a sheen that makes it look metallic. I am so thrilled with the outcome. I used a large vintage silver button with a crystal in the center, and on the opposite side of the button I placed my hand-stamped tag- as per the advice of the local designer I met with last Sunday.

I look forward to creating this in multiple colors for the holidays this year. Each Ruffle Cowl with have a different button, since many of my buttons are one-of-a-kind.

Pictured to the right is my new hand-stamped label. I love the little bird stamp that has taken the place of the 'O' in Arsenal of Buttons.

Please check back soon for more new creations, and my big Etsy shop announcement!

Autumn Motivation

It is the busy season at work, full of travel and meetings. When I go on the road I always bring some fiber projects to work on. I bring a little handspun yarn, store bought yarn, my crochet hooks and some finished projects that need to be photographed. I enjoy getting to my destination early so I can find a little coffee shop to sit down in to crochet and have a treat.

It's a great way to meet the locals. Every time I start working, someone comes up and wants to know what I'm working on. Sometimes I even have other crochet or knitters come and join me. Last Wednesday I was in La Crosse, Wisconsin. I went to Jule's Cafe and within 20 minutes I was talking to four friendly people. One girl I met was working on a beautiful wool and silk knit cowl in a deep wine color. It is so much fun to meet other crafters on the road.

Sometimes the only time I have to crochet is while I'm on the road. I have been so busy at work, and by the time I get home I am depleted. I find it a challenge to muster up enough energy to peel the plastic off a meal and microwave it. But, lately I have pushed myself to make the time while in town to sit down and relax, and finish my projects. I had been asked numerous times when I was going to make wrist warmers, but I did not know how to so I wasn't able to do it. Last week I decided to try making a pair without a pattern while I was traveling. I ended up making two pairs, and I just love them. They are functional and cozy.

The first pair I made was using my multicolor handspun yarn, and the second pair was made with merino and tencel yarn in charcoal grey. I am looking forward to cranking about about 10 pairs for the holidays. They would make perfect stocking stuffers or a small gift for a coworker or friend. And who doesn't love a handmade gift?

On the Road Again

I am preparing to leave town for work. My job requires me to be on the road for about three weeks here and there this fall. While traveling I enjoy staying occupied with a craft project to keep me calm. My job is high energy when traveling, and when I am not "on", I like to "turn off" by crocheting in my hotel room. I look forward to spending my evenings with good friends I've met on the road in the past, and spending my late nights crocheting, and watching cable- a luxury I do not allow myself at home.

I have been searching for three things: patience, energy, and time. These things do not come easy for me. I crochet because it centers my mind. Crafting helps me "build mastery"; an activity that builds confidence. It is extremely gratifying to start with a ball of sheep's wool and spin it into my own yarn in the thickness of my choice. Then, I can crochet a bit of wearable art with it. From start to finish, it was created with my own two hands. I relish the moment where I can put on a piece of finished work. Today was a challenge in terms of finding patience. I had time, and a bit of energy, but patience was lacking. On days like this I can not be home. I have to pack a bag of yarn and coffee shop hop until I feel satisfied.

My recent work combines my own handspun yarn, and store-bought yarn. I enjoy dropping in a stripe of my handspun yarn into a scarf or cowl, or embellishing an entirely handspun piece with some luxury store-bought yarn. I am drawn to magenta, turquoise, olive green, gray, and robins egg blue. I need to get out of this box, and work in a honey hue or red. 

The handspun stripe in the cowl pictured left is made from Merino wool, angelina fiber, bamboo, and Tussah silk.

Each piece I make is embellished with a little silver oval tag. I hand stamp each oval with AOB for Arsenal of Buttons. The "O" in AOB is a little bird stamp. I am excited about the new tags; they are a nice finishing touch and makes each piece feel complete.

My goal for this fall is to have a nice inventory by late November so I can be ready for the holidays and fill up my Etsy.com store. It will feel wonderful to have a full shop again. But for now, I will stay busy crocheting, and take advantage of the evenings on the road. One more week until I leave- wish me luck!

Supercoils

I can hear the church bells of the St. Paul Cathedral today from my office. The windows are open, the sun is shining, and the bell chimes are the same tune as my grandma Pauline's old grandfather clock. I've been thinking about her today.

I am all wrapped up in my spinning. It has left little room for jewelry making, or even crocheting to build a new inventory for this fall. I feel like I want to make sure each skein of freshly spun yarn is perfect and acceptable for purchase. I am my own worst critic.

My most recent work has been playing with plying; making supercoils and spinning shredded fabric. I'm having a blast, but I know it's time to buckle down and start either selling the yarn, or using it myself to create new cozy-wear for this fall. I am also anxious to fill up my Etsy store. I have many goals for this fall.

The supercoil yarn is time consuming to create, but incredibly satisfying to spin. It's slow, dedious, but delicious. My first supercoil yarn (pictured left) is a blend of merino, tussah silk, tencel, angelina fibers, and of course, lots of sparkle. I love the rich acid green, the mossy tones and deep browns. I combined earth tones with water and sky as well. There are soft baby blues, teal, turquoise, and cream.

Now I just need to figure out what to make with it...


If anyone has any ideas, or feels that they can't live without this yarn, visit:
 http://www.facebook.com/pages/Arsenal-of-Buttons/85214218540?ref=ts

Nearly a year later...

and it's time to post again. It's time to make this a priority, and move forward.

News: I still enjoy making jewelry, but my new obsession is spinning yarn. It brings me peace, joy, and has cultivated new friendships.

Here is a preview of what's to come:

I love the process of carding the wool by hand, adding bits of various fibers and sparkle, and trying new techniques on the wheel, like making cocoons and plying.

My goal is to post more often; discussing my process and ideas. I feel it's time to push myself and get on with it! Something has been holding me back, and I am ready to move forward. One skein of yarn at a time.