I had a table at my first craft show this past weekend. Didn't do amazingly (the turnout wasn't amazing either, really) but I did turn a profit so there's that.
I also discovered that people are willing to spend odd amounts on odd things. Also, it's totally worth selling off items that you can replace even if you liked them. I'll miss you, snake gloves, but you shall be avenged!
Also also, more minions. Because people love those stupid jellybeans in overalls.
Wednesday, October 8, 2014
Tuesday, February 4, 2014
Seventh Doctor Mitts
Which led to a Seventh Doctor mouse.
Which led to these mitts.
I'm not a die-hard Whovian, but I enjoy the show most of the time, and Seven and Ace are my favorites. Plus, this pattern was so eye-catching! This is my first attempt at writing down a pattern, so it may not be the most competent, but I had a request to share so here we go.
7thDocMitts.pdf
ETA: From the first completed projects I'm seeing on Ravelry, it seems to be a consensus that the gauge is horribly tight. PLEASE check yours first; mine came out a little tight but manageable, your yardage may vary.
Monday, January 31, 2011
Yes...Yes...Yes, but...YES
When I say that I want to open a yarn store (or if I get fancy and say a 'fiber arts' store), people seem to react with one of two main angles: Really? or Why? Don't people just go to Michaels?
Yes really. I'm not expecting to make a fortune doing this. I'd like to make a living. I'd especially like to not wake up each morning cursing the fact that I have to go to work. I want to be the one making the policies, not the one forced to enact and enforce unethical decisions. Not the one chasing people through the store trying to sign them up for a credit card or loyalty program they don't want.
Yes. People shop at Michaels, A.C. Moore, Joann's, even Walmart. For standard or cheap yarn in quantity, I don't think a small store can match the prices and I don't think they should even try. I know I've never seen Red Heart Super Saver in a LYS. There's nothing wrong with that yarn; I use it plenty. But it's not something you need a specialty store for.
To me, a local yarn store is more than a place you buy yarn. It's a clubhouse where the secret password is "I want to do this". It's a place to find new brands and fibers, new tools and toys, but also new techniques and new friends. People go to A.C. Moore to buy yarn. They come to a smaller shop to learn to knit or crochet, to weave or spin. Maybe they hit a snag in the pattern they're doing and need advice. Maybe they want to just try something new and know where they can find an expert.
So, yes. Yes, I think there's a need for this. Whether I am the best person to do it may be irrelevant, if I'm the only one willing to.
Question: What do you look for in a yarn store?
Yes really. I'm not expecting to make a fortune doing this. I'd like to make a living. I'd especially like to not wake up each morning cursing the fact that I have to go to work. I want to be the one making the policies, not the one forced to enact and enforce unethical decisions. Not the one chasing people through the store trying to sign them up for a credit card or loyalty program they don't want.
Yes. People shop at Michaels, A.C. Moore, Joann's, even Walmart. For standard or cheap yarn in quantity, I don't think a small store can match the prices and I don't think they should even try. I know I've never seen Red Heart Super Saver in a LYS. There's nothing wrong with that yarn; I use it plenty. But it's not something you need a specialty store for.
To me, a local yarn store is more than a place you buy yarn. It's a clubhouse where the secret password is "I want to do this". It's a place to find new brands and fibers, new tools and toys, but also new techniques and new friends. People go to A.C. Moore to buy yarn. They come to a smaller shop to learn to knit or crochet, to weave or spin. Maybe they hit a snag in the pattern they're doing and need advice. Maybe they want to just try something new and know where they can find an expert.
So, yes. Yes, I think there's a need for this. Whether I am the best person to do it may be irrelevant, if I'm the only one willing to.
Question: What do you look for in a yarn store?
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
No, I haven't disappeared
My family hosts the holidays, so things get crazy around now. No real updates, unless you count the sheer number of things I'm knitting or crocheting.
I did, however, register for two courses at my community college. One in small business management, and the other some other business course whose name escapes me at the moment. I want to take some accounting and business law classes, but none were available to fit my schedule.
It's strange to be taking classes solely for the knowledge I hope they contain. I have two degrees, but the first was obtained just to say I have one, and the second I'm still a little bitter about (suffice to say, it's one of those fields where you need experience to get the job, but need a job to get experience, but can't get the job...).
So yeah. Happy Yule and Christmas and whatever else is coming up.
Question: What did you make for someone this year?
I did, however, register for two courses at my community college. One in small business management, and the other some other business course whose name escapes me at the moment. I want to take some accounting and business law classes, but none were available to fit my schedule.
It's strange to be taking classes solely for the knowledge I hope they contain. I have two degrees, but the first was obtained just to say I have one, and the second I'm still a little bitter about (suffice to say, it's one of those fields where you need experience to get the job, but need a job to get experience, but can't get the job...).
So yeah. Happy Yule and Christmas and whatever else is coming up.
Question: What did you make for someone this year?
Friday, November 19, 2010
Intimidation
Yesterday, I went to a yarn store. And while it was glorious, on the other hand, it was terrifying. The sheer quantity and variety of yarn in the room was overwhelming. I don't think I saw any familiar brand names; I think some were local spun yarns, but I couldn't swear to it. I know they dye yarn and roving there. Honestly, a lot of the yarns there were nothing I'd care to use; the textures were very rough on many of them. I suppose the clientele of the area must like them.
Question: Which is better: a wide variety, or a small collection of familiar styles? When does quantity become too much?
Question: Which is better: a wide variety, or a small collection of familiar styles? When does quantity become too much?
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Yarn Shopping
Is there anything more glorious than walking down the aisles of the local store, ogling admiring the variety of colors, textures, and thickness? Well, wandering those same aisles on someone else's dime, perhaps.
Visited one of the local craft stores today. There are two within 30 minutes of this town, both an A.C. Moore and a Michael's. A friend of mine pointed this out and asked if there really was a place for a LYS here with them so near. I think there is.
I don't plan to carry the super saver type yarn. Not the stuff you can buy at any store anywhere, where the big chains can afford a better wholesale deal and lower prices to be made up in quantity. Not that there's anything wrong with those yarns; I use them plenty. I just want to offer the stuff you won't find everywhere else.
I'm talking locally spun alpaca. I'm thinking sock yarns in more than Patons and Bernat, and occasionally even in SOLID COLORS (can you tell I have patterns I want to use that would be swallowed up by multi-tone colorways?). I'm imagining linen, cotton, bamboo, corn, and soy mixed in with the standard wool and the softest, easiest to use baby acrylics. I'm even hoping, perhaps around October (to give plenty time for holiday gifts), to have a small stash of quiviut. And don't forget the corner full of novelty yarns; everyone has that friend/niece/child who wants a quirky scarf, don't they?
Ok, so I'm using this partly as an excuse tofondle pet admire the textures of many, many yarns. Can you blame me?
I'm a terrible procrastinator, by the by. Once I get in gear I will work until the problem is gone or the goal is met; getting into gear has always been my problem. Just ask my dad: I stall out about one time in three, and jackrabbit at least half the other times.
Today's question: do you prefer solid color, heathered, or wildly variegated sock yarn?
Visited one of the local craft stores today. There are two within 30 minutes of this town, both an A.C. Moore and a Michael's. A friend of mine pointed this out and asked if there really was a place for a LYS here with them so near. I think there is.
I don't plan to carry the super saver type yarn. Not the stuff you can buy at any store anywhere, where the big chains can afford a better wholesale deal and lower prices to be made up in quantity. Not that there's anything wrong with those yarns; I use them plenty. I just want to offer the stuff you won't find everywhere else.
I'm talking locally spun alpaca. I'm thinking sock yarns in more than Patons and Bernat, and occasionally even in SOLID COLORS (can you tell I have patterns I want to use that would be swallowed up by multi-tone colorways?). I'm imagining linen, cotton, bamboo, corn, and soy mixed in with the standard wool and the softest, easiest to use baby acrylics. I'm even hoping, perhaps around October (to give plenty time for holiday gifts), to have a small stash of quiviut. And don't forget the corner full of novelty yarns; everyone has that friend/niece/child who wants a quirky scarf, don't they?
Ok, so I'm using this partly as an excuse to
I'm a terrible procrastinator, by the by. Once I get in gear I will work until the problem is gone or the goal is met; getting into gear has always been my problem. Just ask my dad: I stall out about one time in three, and jackrabbit at least half the other times.
Today's question: do you prefer solid color, heathered, or wildly variegated sock yarn?
Thursday, November 11, 2010
So I may have gone insane...
I am, like many people, once again between jobs. This is sadly not a particularly unusual state for me, but it may have done something to my brain this time, because about two weeks ago I suddenly thought, "We need a yarn store here. Why couldn't I open one?"
Stop laughing.
No, really.
The two nearest stores are about half an hour from here. The one is extremely unwelcoming in my opinion, with a dimly lit, silent interior, a taciturn owner, and a tiny selection. The other, while much more welcoming and having a much better selection, still left me less than encouraged. I was welcomed upon entrance, then completely ignored in favor of some of the proprietor's friends who were also present. Both of these stores were populated by individuals at least 20 years my senior.
Oh- I'm 28. Yes, I am insane.
My most recent position was temp work. I tried to last, tried to deal with the incompetence and illogic in return for a paycheck. It didn't work. I don't have the greatest record for staying with a thought. That's why this is going to be an ongoing study of my progress as I decide for certain whether I want to do this for real - and whether I should.
Right now my research includes just about clearing out the library's business start-up section, making lists of questions to ask of the nicer yarn store owners I have in mind, creating surveys to ask what sorts of things (brands, accessories, fibers, perks) people want to see, and planning to take some business classes at the local community college. I also have some connections around the state to contact, people and groups who create hand-spun yarn and also sell fiber for homespinning. I hope to have a small, potentially growing, section of spinning supplies as well. The nearest place to purchase those items is nearly an hour away; once I can judge the potential market, I can consider expanding that part. I also have my eye on a decent sized retail property nearby.
Let's see if I've completely lost my mind, shall we?
Questions:
Have you ever started a business? What is the biggest thing you wish you had known before you started?
To Do:
Look into startup costs; plan to acquire that money
Figure out early legal requirements
Don't Panic
Stop laughing.
No, really.
The two nearest stores are about half an hour from here. The one is extremely unwelcoming in my opinion, with a dimly lit, silent interior, a taciturn owner, and a tiny selection. The other, while much more welcoming and having a much better selection, still left me less than encouraged. I was welcomed upon entrance, then completely ignored in favor of some of the proprietor's friends who were also present. Both of these stores were populated by individuals at least 20 years my senior.
Oh- I'm 28. Yes, I am insane.
My most recent position was temp work. I tried to last, tried to deal with the incompetence and illogic in return for a paycheck. It didn't work. I don't have the greatest record for staying with a thought. That's why this is going to be an ongoing study of my progress as I decide for certain whether I want to do this for real - and whether I should.
Right now my research includes just about clearing out the library's business start-up section, making lists of questions to ask of the nicer yarn store owners I have in mind, creating surveys to ask what sorts of things (brands, accessories, fibers, perks) people want to see, and planning to take some business classes at the local community college. I also have some connections around the state to contact, people and groups who create hand-spun yarn and also sell fiber for homespinning. I hope to have a small, potentially growing, section of spinning supplies as well. The nearest place to purchase those items is nearly an hour away; once I can judge the potential market, I can consider expanding that part. I also have my eye on a decent sized retail property nearby.
Let's see if I've completely lost my mind, shall we?
Questions:
Have you ever started a business? What is the biggest thing you wish you had known before you started?
To Do:
Look into startup costs; plan to acquire that money
Figure out early legal requirements
Don't Panic
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