Success! Setting up at the People's Farmer's Market yesterday was an awesome experience! I got hooked up with some PDX Etsy girls who are keeping my posted on when these great events take place. I am very excited about that and I need to get on top of things! I sold 4 hats yesterday and 1 notebook. I need more inventory! Special orders are coming in, Christmas is coming up and I need to learn to manage my time better! I need to set daily goals of how many hats to make each day! I need to be ready at any moment to make a sale. This is all so exciting and new and fun. Suzie and Claire came to keep me company and Claire modeled a hat. (it's a bit small, but she sported it well, thanks Claire!)
Thanks for your support friends! :)
MY VERY FIRST REAL SALE! What I mean by this is, is that someone bought something and it wasn't someone who I already know. (not that friend sales are unreal, they're real :) Someone purchased a notebook, the MAX notebook, Nat called that. Surprised I didn't sell more of those really, but not really I guess, I don't know, I like them :)THANKS FRIENDS for all of your support! All-in-all yesterday was a good day. Good practice. I did not make it the whole day though, I stopped at 4 pm and am sorry if you stopped by to see me and I was gone. I was super tired from the only 4 or so hours of nervous/anxious sleep the night before. That and the folks next to me where smoking up a storm which is really never good for business if you ask me. I did learn some things. 1. make bigger hats! 2. don't accidentally make friends with the crazy lady, because she will tell you exactly what you're doing wrong.
Honestly, I am glad it's over and I can go on making some more hats and figuring out how to do better next time.
I made a new hat, it is called a 'Winter Bean' and will keep you warmer than the regular Beanie Hat.
A fun new idea that I read about is making notebooks out of recycled paper. I found used paper next to the printer, on Craigslist, paperbags and from friends. I used a paper cutter to cut the pages to 4.25 x 5.5 inches. Putting the pages blank-page up and adding envelopes (places to stash other notes, receipts, etc.) and a cover. I drilled holes through the paper using a drill press. I clamped wood on the outside after learning about the paper slipping and making crooked holes. It was also a useful guide for putting the hole in same place each time. Then I found a website teaching bookbinding. It was super helpful and has super clear instructions with pictures. I have sold a few of these notebooks and have decided to add them to my Etsy. I have ideas for bigger notebooks and ones not bound with hemp but with binder-type rings. oh the fun you can have with paper!
An experiment that turned out fabulous. I started with Patons Classic Merino Wool that is perfect for felting projects. The second yarn is Lion Fun Fir. I single crocheted a long rectangle, then started crocheting around it. I decreased to make the opening of the purse smaller than the bottom. I washed it to complete the felting and after it dried I sewed the handles on. Then I gave it to my best friend to sport around. This is not a classic felted project as you can't even tell that it's felting unless you look really close and know what to look for. Felting turns a knitted/crocheted project into a densely-woven fabric by fusing wool fibers by washing in the washing machine or boiling.
I bought a tea pot, then I needed a tea cozy. So, I made one, free-style.
Double crochet with two strands of yarn, some regular green stuff mixed with Sugar 'n Cream.
Now my tea stays warmer longer.
Can't go wrong with one of these. I got the pattern off of the yarn I bought. It's Lily Sugar 'n Cream yarn that is generally used to make dish clothes and other kitchen items. The shopping bag is stretchy and fits a good amount of groceries. It's such a better alternative than bringing home loads of grocery bags every trip to the store. It folds up rather small and can fit into a backpack or bike bag.
Remembering to take it with me is the only issue I ever come up with. I try and keep it in my car.
Success! Setting up at the People's Farmer's Market yesterday was an awesome experience! I got hooked up with some PDX Etsy girls who are keeping my posted on when these great events take place. I am very excited about that and I need to get on top of things! I sold 4 hats yesterday and 1 notebook. I need more inventory! Special orders are coming in, Christmas is coming up and I need to learn to manage my time better! I need to set daily goals of how many hats to make each day! I need to be ready at any moment to make a sale. This is all so exciting and new and fun. Suzie and Claire came to keep me company and Claire modeled a hat. (it's a bit small, but she sported it well, thanks Claire!)
