IT'S GETTING TO BE THAT TIME OF YEAR....

Proto-type Santa Amigurumi! 'The Makery' Bath, U.K. runs workshops as bite-size learn how to make ethos. This is one of my beginning of an idea for the upcoming season. Kate from the Makery asked me to start to develop some Christmas items for both the workshops and the shop products (Being for display and in kit form) I have managed to get this little crochet snowman made in time to get some kind of feedback at the Knitting and stitching show next week.

He comes complete with matching hat and scarf and beaded eyes and 'coal' mouth. Other ideas are for Christmas puddings and Angels as baubles, key rings and mobile phone jewellery.

This is another finished Eco-bracelet (see previous blogs) It is in oatmeal linen yarn and I liked the photography of using it as a view finder. This bracelet was created making a cut along a recycled cardboard tube to allow the knit to stretch over the hand (Hence the little bump that can be seen)

New ideas...mobile phone covers..this one is from my endless stock of multi-yarn which used to be a cardigan!....The tiny spheres have inspired other phone cover ideas (To follow) ..I am thinking emoticons!

KITS FOR KNITTED/CROCHET BROOCHES & BRACELETS

Wow! well it has taken some time but my first kits are all finished.....there are 2 types; one for knitted/crochet bracelets and the other for knitted/crochet flower brooches. They contain various versions and different patterns written by myself. This image is of the knitted petal/ leaf pattern and below is the crochet petal/leaf version.

...these kits were designed for my stand at Alexandra Palace, London 8th-11th October at the Knitting and Stitching show (Tickets available at twisted thread)

Originally I was going to delay this type of product but since I will be working at 'The Makery', Bath, U.K. taking workshops and providing kits, this was a very good chance to test drive them.

...Both kits include deadstock or remnant yarns and printed instructions for a large variety of patterns. The bracelet includes the recycled cardboard tube for the bracelet skeleton and the brooch, 2 brooch pins (Placed securely in a handmade little envelope). The yarn left-overs were wound into balls and my own bands placed around them (The bands make no claim to the yarn however!)

...So only time will tell what reaction these little kits will have.....initially retailing at a discount price, to allow for responses to the patterns and ideas which are contained.

...pre-made versions from the kits will also be on view and to buy at the exhibition and at 'The Makery'.

A VASE FULL OF FLOWERS crochet of course!

My ingredients in their mixing bowl! Now that I have a number of garments for my upcoming show (Knitting & Stitching show, Alexandra, Palace, London/8th-11th October)...I am busy making smaller, available to buy, there and then items, as the garments are intended to catch the viewers attention and maybe gain some commission work. So following on from my workshops and kits to be available at 'The Makery' (Bath, U.K.), I have a number of corsage type brooches on the go.

My problem was, 'How to display them?' so when I found this 'Shabby Chic' style vase (which will look fabulous on my kitchen window sill) it inspired me to treat them as 'real' flowers.

(Close up of 'Shabby Chic' style vase)

...To do this I wrapped spare yarn ends around the ends of bamboo knitting needles, this provided an anchor to pin the brooch fastenings to. The needles are then placed in the vase, being held in place by hidden balls of yarn (No oasis for me!)

...To advertise their Eco nature and price I used my logo and one of my garment price labels. (However for photographic purposes only, I have tied the 'Eco bracelets' price tag on here, as I have yet to do the costings for the brooches-no doubt a job for Friday!)

'MAKE DO & MEND' ON TREND ETHOS

(Basic base is a recycled yarn tube but other tubes which are the right size for the arm can be used. A cover is hand sewn by slip stitching to cover the tube)




Development for 'The Makery'. A new business in Bath. U.K. specialising in bitesize workshops based on reusing items and getting back to basic skills and crafts. This is an on going piece which I am working on to hold knit and crochet workshops. This should be around November time.


...crochet and knit is used to make flowers and leaves from left over yarns....

..working out the placement of said flowers....

....inside the tube, with the cover in place ready to be hand stitched...

...finished bracelet, white garter stitch base with crochet embellishments...other applique can be applied, it just needs imagination (Old buttons are very useful)

...here one of the flowers has been sewn to hang loose so that it moves with the wearer....

....bracelet stood on an empty yarn tube, lol it looks like a vase of flowers.

DEADSTOCK YARN MINI BAG

After my meeting with Kate from 'The Makery' I have been developing items made from recycling and ones which can be translated into short workshops. Hence this little bag. It is made from left over deadstock yarn. I bought some Wendy yoyo yarn for a crochet dress and because it has lycra a bikini, in relation to design/pattern writing in time for next fashion season. I used to knit with this yarn years ago and have never been able to find a on-par alternative after Wendy discontinued it.

...The lot of yarn has gone so far! I have enough left to make more bags and jewellry! The fastenings were made from 'grandma's' button tin buttons and the sparkle from left over lurex yarns which seem to have a never ending end!

...The mini-bag is entirely crochet, using mainly doubles in a stepped technique and some shell work. The flap fastening wraps over the opening and seals with a crochet loop around the buttons. The same method applies to the strap fastening. allowing for shortening of the strap.

...The bag features embellishment, which is a feature to be used on my workshops at 'The Makery' (website links to follow)

Close-up of the left over yarn flowers and old buttons.

Close-up of the double crochet stepped stitch.

MARKETING! is the cost productive? that is the question

Hello! I am back from visiting Alison in Sweden (See knits and pearls blogspot) Had many a knitting/crochet session, natter on her porch and even attending her first own organised knit cafe. Well done you! hugs x. Have been working on several projects there and since which should be in completion in the next week, so blogs aplenty to follow.

....Today I have been working on my marketing for the launch of my designs at the Twisted thread knit and stitch events. Firstly 8th-11th October at Alex. Palace, London Resource centre Stand Rcc11, Just look for the Quirky little knits sign. I will be offering some voucher discounts.

..These images show some of my postcard and notecard ideas and I am in the process of designing these with decisions to be made on final outcomes.. Funds are limited and I need to work out cost versus sale value, versus marketing benefits.

...Also today I had a meeting for taking some tutoring/lesson plan workshops at a new upcoming business in Bath, U.K. This is called 'The Makery' which is a shop/workshop/online based venture, based on the new on trend (Lol what my family and I have naturally done all our lives!) of 'make do and mend'. Workshops will be based on recycling and eco-based, in a range of concepts from gardening, chicken rearing! clothing and fun hen parties, to name but a few. 'The Makery' launches in a few weeks time. More details and links to follow as things progress.

...The low down being that I will at this stage be taking workshops in possibly recycled knitted jewelry, changeling garments, accessories and mixed media art and life drawing lessons. Lol The hen party naked man life drawing sounds erm interesting! Can't wait! I have been training for this position all my life! x