How a wrist injury leads to spending money

Here's the story:
I had bronchitis, and then got better, and then caught a cold. I was in a bad mood. I was low on oxygen. It had been weeks since I'd drawn anything and I was in a hurry to get home. My slightly sore wrist got caught in my bag strap (I don't have a desk so my bag is heavy) and I heard a bit of an unpleasant sound.

No permanent damage, but I couldn't scoot home and do art, but for new reasons. Not broken, just a bit of wonkification. Now I'm rested, healed, and happy. After I mow I plan on working on some top secret art for PonyIsland. (Actually, being on an accidental break was a bit refreshing. It did seem like the fates were working hard on it!)

But hey, do you know what I was able to do with my wrist in a neutral position?

Spend lots of money!

On spinning!

I don't know what I'm doing, my yarn looks a little bit like President Nixon horked it out, and it's terribly time consuming. And it's also very satisfying. Actually, I really feel lucky that I got pushed in this direction. Technically, I've been spinning since I was wee (with purloined cotton balls), and I've had a learn to spin kit for years, but it wasn't until I stumbled on the treasure trove on info on the internet, plus a copy of Spinning in the Old Way by Priscilla A. Gibson-Roberts, that I was brave enough to go forth. Plus, I was bored out of my gourd.



It's given me lots of ideas for fiber art and jewelry, which has renewed my confidence in "Operation Earn Moolah for Visiting my Irish BFFL". Or maybe just my confidence in designing, since saving up money is still the better plan. (ILU IBFFL)

But until then...how about I try to, now wait for, because this is crazy, really just out of control, I'm going to try to figure out what I'm doing.

No, don't walk away! There really is hope!

Here's my plan:

Step 1: Learn to spin.

Step 2: DONE!



Haha, kidding, kidding!

Actually, I am most interested in this:
I have stumbled on several sources claiming that yarn destined for crochet needs to be spun and plied differently from yarn destined for knitting. Is that true?

So I will:

Crochet 8 coasters:
1: z-twist singles (translation: yarn that has been spun in the normal clockwise direction and not plied) crocheted tightly
2. z-twist singles crocheted loosely
3. s-twist singles (translation: a single strand spun in the TOTALLY BIZARRO counterclockwise direction, the direction suggested for crochet) crocheted tightly
4. s-twist singled crocheted loosely

5. s-plied (this is normal, z-twist singles and s-plied yarn, meaning it has two strands in it locked together to make yarn) yarn crocheted tightly
6. s-plied yarn crocheted loosely
7. z-plied (again, this is abnormal, and recommended for crochet) yarn crocheted tightly
8. s-plied yarn crocheted loosely

Why am I doing this?

Because I usually crochet! And if yarn for crochet needs to be made "backwards" then I guess I'd rather know now than later. And if the way I crochet with it (tight or loose) matters, then I want to know that, too.

I actually have the plied yarns done, since I guessed them to be a little easier. The ply both evens out irregularities in spinning, and cancels out over-energized singles - or so I've heard.

So, I will be posting my spinning progress, as well as my sampler pattern.

I can't wait. :)

My Latest Loot, October/November edition

One of the reasons that I loved Halloween as a child (and adult!) was the loot.

Ahh....loot.

New Ponyville ponies for me! Showing off some fall fashions...

I finally bought the Toys R' Us tube of Ponyville ponies. I tried to convince myself that I could just live with an itty bitty Triple Treat, but I was so wrong. I needed a Flippity Flop in my life. And a Breezie Dreams! Oh and a... well, you get the idea.

Now they can get together, have some fancy dress cocktail parties, and talk about how aggravating it is when President Nixon knocks them to the floor and chews their heads. I gotta say, it is more fun with (small, plastic, pony) company.

There's a lot of collectors out there who just don't like Ponyville ponies, and in some ways I can see why. Their hair doesn't move. They are mostly just repeats of big ponies, except with much better playsets. Lately, there doesn't seem to be much attention paid to decent NEW ponies...

But, look at how CUTE they are!

Kaylazilla demands cute!

Well, Kayla was more of a planned purchase. I have failed in Mission Convince-Hubby-That-Tiny-BJDs-Are-NOT-Creepy. However, for some reason he thinks Kelly dolls are cute. And I think spiders are cute. So, say 'hello' to Kayla! I can't wait to have time to crochet her some little outfits. And, as far as I know her dresses will fit Felix Brownies and Pukis, so maybe she will help spread the BJD love, after all. Er, to DOA and Etsy, if not to my hubby.


Speaking of crochet....

I am happy to be working on yet ANOTHER crochet project. I did finish the previous choker and it just didn't suit me as well as I hoped. So, try, try again.

I think this necklace will be more of a lariat...but I'm not sure.

But gosh darn it, it is soft and it has an itty bitty President Nixon-esque cat, so it's bound to be loved by my neck!

And yes, I'm pretty sure it counts as loot, even if it has taken many hours of work to crochet up that lacy pattern so far.

No, I don't think Collette hunted down any ostriches...it's the colorway!
Etsy: Epicurus

Speaking of soft... here's the heavenly extra fine lace weight yarn in question. If I wasn't already married, I'd give this yarn some serious consideration. It's creamy, but with still enough natural texture that it doesn't give me the heeby jeebies.

I fell in love with it as soon as I opened the envelope, because the colors were exactly what I was hoping for. And then of course immediately wrapped the silky, opulent hank into a ball, because I'm neurotic like that.

I still love cotton thread, but I gotta say... silk blends are looking (and feeling) like an excellent choice for jewelry...

Newton, Armando (who is actually blue gray), and Aleen
Etsy: TeriPersing

CATS! FatCats, to be exact.

Before Etsy, I had never heard of Lampwork beads, now I can't get enough of them. Oooohhh...Etsy, you frisky thing, you!

I just love these beads, they are so freakin' adorable in person. I would still have bought heaps and heaps of them except maaaaaaybe I should see if I can make nice jewelry with them.

I'm planning on keeping Armando, because President Nixon is a blue cat (though not at all fat) and using Newton for a gift. So that leaves Aleen for my Etsy shop. Unless I keep her, too.

And, finally, because all that looting and pillaging and purchasing can lead to the body stink...

The closest to "foody" I can get without fearing land sharks
Etsy shop: naturallyamy

Mmm...violet. One of my favorite scents. And soap that doesn't make my skin rashy? That is also high on the list of "Nice Things."

I'd never really tried hand crafted soap before, and I think I should have invested much much sooner! It's creamy, and of course it stinks real pretty.

I had expected a subtle woodsy anise and violet scent, but it's really Violet Mints and Allsorts. Which sounds like a blast to the face, and maybe it is, but it's still clean and refreshing. And nostalgic. So nostalgic, in fact, that I find I can't really use it every day.

Violet Mints and Allsorts were very much "special event" candies, and obviously I enjoyed them because I keep a small stash in the house for pick-me up emergencies.

I'm pretty sure I'm going to end up keeping a stash of this soap around, too!

Some sneak peaks, personal WIPS, and an Etsy pledge to myself

(President Nixon approves of crochet. Because he likes to eat it)



FYI - I STILL think that wip (work in progress) sounds a little more fun than it really is.

First, I'd like to share some personal projects... These pictures aren't the greatest, but I thought it would be nice to share some projects as I work.

First...the scarf I am making for hubby. I am using Paton's Bamboo Silk blend yarn. I LOVE touching this yarn. In fact, I love it so much I made a big mess of the skein because I pulled it off in order to pet it. I'm so astounded by the shine and softness that at least once a week I search for hand dyed bamboo thread, or silk-bamboo lace weight yarn. (hint, hint!)

Though my husband wanted a fairly wind-resistant scarf, so I am using pretty thin dpn's. So I may never finish the scarf. Though when I am 80 and have only finished 5 inches or so of scarf - those 5 inches will be REALLY warm and snuggly!

Next up: My choker!
I realized I've been spending all this time working on jewelry, and I never made my favorite sort of jewelry for myself.

I just love chokers. They can be worn with just about any neckline, they usually look fun and funky, and I guess in an emergency they would keep my neck an itty bitty bit warmer.

This choker is gray cotton with swarovski elements crystal beads. The purple ones will be the button closures (so the necklace will be metal free! A very important element for me!!). The smaller beads will be crocheted into little dangly elements. If the choker works out as well as I hope I will make similar ones for my Etsy store.

And now for some Etsy wips.. (oh come on, doesn't that make you giggle a little?)

Oh boy... I really need to finish up some bracelets!

The bangles just need to be closed up and fancified a bit. The candy corn bracelet just needs to have the ends woven in.

The white elephant...well.. who doesn't need a white elephant? Ha!

I need to weave in ends, block it, and I think I will make a wee little tassle to dangle behind and below the elephant.

And finally..a full sized pony dress!

This is another longer-term project. I'm planning on adding some rainbow and black scrumbling (free form crochet) to the skirt. It's a bit of a labor intensive process because I need to make several different motifs - swirls, bobbles, frilly bits, spirals, and so on and then assemble them all into the correct sort of skirt shape.


While I was working on the bracelets up above, I had a bit of an epiphany. Though, perhaps, a little less dramatic. A change of heart?

I signed up on Etsy with 2 goals 1) To hopefully have crochet be a hobby that could support itself and 2) To maybe even raise enough extra money to go towards a visit to Ireland.

I had (and still have) a fairly empty shop and zero sales and I...panicked. I was desperate to fill that shop up! And not only did I panic, but I started to feel bad about the things I make.

Meanwhile I was crocheting during breaks at work, and co-workers were complimenting my work, and saying they could never do what I do. And I'd thank them, and feel nice, but it wasn't really sinking in.

And then while I was fussing with the white elephant bracelet (which maybe only I think is funny - I promise the cost of upkeep will actually be very very low) I realized...not everyone can do what I do. YES, there are a lot of very talented jewelry, crochet, and fiber artists out there. But a lot does not equal everyone.

So I should just chill out already.

So I am making an Etsy pledge to myself - I will only make things that I, personally, would want to own. I will put my best effort into everything. I'll charge what I think is fair to myself and others. And if I never sell a single thing I will have a lot of loot. And I'll chill out already.

So what pledges do you make to yourself to stay sane?