a shop update

It’s on the small side, but I haven’t updated the Etsy shop in several weeks, so I thought something was better than nothing. I’d like to get back into spinning and dyeing, but right now Rich and I are busy getting his apartment ready for another occupant. Also, we were on vacation, and not fully unpacked from that either. Most of the wedding planning is done, but we have lots of other things to work on. For instance, finding a new bed, getting his wedding ring, me packing my stuff. Basically the big day is TWO MONTHS away. Plus I’ve been working late this week. So, I hope to keep doing fiber stuff, but I make no guarantees. And that’s a quicky update on my life!

What are the new goodies?

Each is 4 ounces of Brown Sheep Company combed wool top

shop update

I added a few more braids of the Corriedale lambswool from the Great Lakes Fiber Show. There are six total, which is all I have! Also, don’t forget to check out the Sale section. As items get close to their expiration date, I discount them a few dollars.

an update after so long

This past week has been a little wonky. Starting on Thursday I’ve been working fulltime, which I don’t think I’ve ever done before (8:30-5:30). I can’t figure out how to get anything done. The post office is closed when I get home, so mailing packages has been difficult. I don’t know how anyone does it. Normal people work real jobs every day. I can’t seem to manage.

I did finally update the Etsy shop today. Those new wool locks were added. Arugula, Firecracker, and Dainty (the last two were shared a few days ago). So, check it out!

we’ll see how that goes…

Where I’m at right now:

1.) This summer I’m planning a wedding and planning for Pennsic.
2.) To save money and clear it out, I’m trying to use up my stash and not buy more fiber.
3.) And, as it has been mentioned before, I’m NOT a great multi-tasker.

What does this mean for you, the reader, friend, and customer? First of all, I’m not sure how often I’ll be updating my blog in the next few months. We’re planning to get hitched in October, so that gives me 4-ish months to make the arrangements, which I think is completely doable. Speaking of, I hadn’t planned on talking about it here, but if you are interested I could drop a few details on occasion.

Second, using up my stash means odds and ends will be for sale including… LOCKS! That’s right. It’s been months since I’ve had any locks available. But I just bought that Tunis/Lincoln/Cotswold fleece and have the whole thing washed (Power Scour rocks!). In fact, I dyed some yesterday:

weekly update

Wednesday weekly Shop Update! Blue-faced Leicester and Corriedale have made a come-back! I hadn’t had any of those breeds for quite some time and I don’t know about you, but I missed them!

Here is a sample of what is currently for sale:

catching up

Sometimes I post about one exciting thing, and sometimes I have several small things to mention. Today is more of the latter.

I’m finally getting to the end of my large batches of Falklands and Romney. By next week I should be adding the last of those to the Etsy shop. Currently those are the bulk of my listings. I enjoy spinning Romney, but it doesn’t make a soft yarn, so I’ll have to come up with something non-snuggly to make with it. I had 12 ounces left to dye and decided those will all be spun by me instead of sold. There is about a pound left of the “Falklands” too, and I will likely spin most of it myself, even though I hate it! Not buying Falklands from RH Lindsay again. In the next few weeks I will be adding Corriedale spinning fiber after quite a significant absence.

Last Saturday I checked out a sewing/knitting shop near Rich’s place of business for the first time. It was more sewing than knitting, but I did pick up a few things. I bought some alpaca top to make braids for my SCA garb. And I bought a tiny circular needle, size US 6, made by Clover. When I saw them (and I’ve seen them other places), I thought: “Do the Japanese have some secret project that they need wrist-sized circs? Clover is the only company that makes these!” So I went to work on a fingerless mitt, just to see how it worked. Quite an experience.

About a week ago I felted my clogs and couldn’t decide whether to send them around the washer again or just wear them. In hopes of taking up some space, I put a little piece of felted sweater in as an insole, which also made the bottom thicker. Yesterday I put them on regardless of size and I have them on right now. Even though they are too big and floppy in the width, they are so warm! Still debating on another felting.

working girl!

On Tuesday I actually started a new job and so far they haven’t decided I’m not the one.  It’s at a newspaper not far from where I went to university, so I’m familiar with the area and the drive.  Unfortunately/fortunately it’s just part-time.  On one hand I still have my afternoons free to do “stuff”, but I don’t make enough to really support myself without acquiring a second job.  If I was doing better on Etsy that might help, but I’m not so it’s pointless to be wistful.

So, I suppose I could blame the new job for my lack of posting.  I have been knitting lately.  Recently I had two big pairs of fingerless mitts to make – one for my sister’s fella and one for a friend of mine.  The latter has an interesting style that does not conform to the rules by which men dress themselves, so I took it as an opportunity to use that incredibly bright orange yarn I dyed last week.  I threw in a few spots of green too.  He says he likes them!

Not sure what’s next on my list.

another update

Just a little reminder that today is Wednesday. I just added 5 new items to my Etsy Shop, so if you have some time, stop over and check them out!

you need more fiber!

Something new at my Etsy Shop? Could it be possible?

After a month and a half of stagnation, I am finally offering new items. Each Wednesday I will add 4 listings – at least two will be dyed fiber plus yarn or locks. And for the new year, I’ve added a few new breeds of wool including Columbia roving, Romney top, and Superfine Falklands top.

I think I’ve finally solved the problem of absent lighting. Now I’m working with two 150 watt bulbs and one 300 watt bulb. With the correct fixtures, they easily clip on to anything, so I don’t have to leave them set up all the time. It will still take me a while to get the hang of it, but I’m pleased with the results for now. I can see a difference between photos taken with natural light and those taken under lightbulbs. I like them both, they’re just different.

“Candy Land”
100% Romney top
4 ounces

shop update

And these are the lovely fibers I was so thrilled with after dyeing on Thursday. My favorites are the two in the top left corner. I wanted to keep them, but in the end I figure it’s better to spread the joy. And I can’t keep everything – that sort of defeats the purpose.

Four will be added to the shop today and I will add four more tomorrow. Doing item listings is so boring. I get really tired of clicking the same buttons over and over. I wish there was a way you could just copy a listing and change the title and photos.

Also, I used natural light to take these pictures. It makes such a difference! Looking at my previously listed dyed top, I can see the harsh shadows and washed out colors. Unfortunately, natural light is unreliable. I’m still working out an alternative plan.