Completion!

It's done! After so much yarn, sweat, and hours of work, I finished the TARDIS. Believe me when I say that this was the most difficult project I've ever undertaken. Because I wanted it to be sturdy, I used a G hook. In hindsight, that decision appears insane. When I've told other crocheters, there's some definite shock.

This huge project has taught me something about time management, and charging what my work is worth. I think that's something that all crafters struggle with- how much is your stuff really worth? Taking into consideration time, supplies, and difficulty can be so daunting. But there's always that nagging little voice at the back of my head saying "don't charge too much." Do I now have an answer as to how to price things? Nope. All I can say is think about it for a few minutes before you slap on a price tag.

An interesting side effect has arisen from all this- I crochet faster. It's only been a week and a half since I finished the TARDIS, and I managed to get myself ready for Craft Sabbath with two days to spare. It usually takes me about three weeks and some minor panicking. I may totally regret saying this, but it could seriously reduce my pre-Craft Lake City panic. They announce the artists six weeks before the festival, which has historically been an insane six weeks for me.

The next commission is going to be interesting- a friend has asked me to make a doll...of himself. Ah..ha...we'll see how this goes.

Commissions Abound

Good grief. I haven't posted in eleventy years. After Craft Lake City, I got swept up in a whirlwind of crochet-related activity that hasn't let up.

Not that I want it to, mind you.

Since the beginning of January, my focus has been commission pieces. And brother (or sister), business is a boomin'. I actually have people asking me to make things months into the future, which is at the same time exciting and daunting. Since I'm still at the day job, all of my "free" time goes to commissions and making stuff for Craft Sabbath.

Tangent time! What the crap is Craft Sabbath? It is a local craft show that takes place the first Sunday of every month at the downtown Salt Lake Public Library. Yeah, that big, fancy building. It's a group of us crafters and artists that are just a bit different and need a place to make ourselves known. I am usually there, selling my crocheted goodness.

Back to the commissions- I am currently working on the largest commission, well the largest anything, I've ever made. It's a three foot tall TARDIS. Yeah, it's from Doctor Who. Nine skeins of blue yarn and a month of sweating...I'm still not done, but close. I will post every picture I take of it. Needless to say, it's taking most of my time, and I'm sure my loved ones are tired of hearing about it.

In all this, I've also made a Hobbes doll, a Homer Simpson doll, and have orders for an Abu (from Aladdin), a Buffy doll, and a doll version of someone I know. Pictured is the Hobbes doll, which turned out especially awesome.

So, in all this, I will take time to post pics of the new things coming out of my brain, so you, the imagined reader, can see what I'm up to. Until then, dream of blue yarn and tapestry needles.

Still Alive

Yes, I'm still alive! I've been deep in work mode, busting out as many items as possible leading up to Craft Lake City and everything that comes after.

This all begs the question- is all this work worth it? I mean, am I spending too much time on making things and not enough on other things? I am crocheting about fifty hours a week right now- it would be more if I wasn't also working full time. Lots of cute and adorable things are coming of my hook every day, so this will mean good things for my impending CLC patrons.

I don't know- I think I'm just bouncing things off the interverse...

I leave you with today's adorable picture- Dexter "helping" me. He helps me a lot lately.

Midsummer Crochetapalooza

Last week brought all kinds of good news- getting into Craft Lake City, welcoming a new sister-in-law into the family, and seeing my local exposure blow up.

Do you ever feel like you can't crochet fast enough, like every stitch takes five minutes and creates ten knots and your blood pressure goes through the roof and you just want to crawl under the coffee table with the cat and be still for a while?

Oh, that's just me? Alright then.

I've been trying to make my midsummer mad dash more fun by having a theme for each day. Friday was unicorns and watching Legend. Saturday was gnomes and Labyrinth. Sunday was owls and Bones. Okay, so the last two didn't really go together, but you get the drift. Last year, I tried to spread out things, so I didn't get tired of making elephants, for example, but I think that made me too scattered. This summer the goal is to bust out a bunch of each item at once, then move on. So far, it's working well...except for the whole "can't crochet fast enough" thing.

It will all work out, and all be worth it, and you will be so amazed by my stuff that you'll want to jump for joy!

Crocheting With Crossed Fingers

I have been holding my breath and hitting the refresh button on my email like a maniac for about a week. I am a crazy person, it's true, but there is something to be said for a sense of urgency, right?

Today, I found out that I am, once again, one of the Craft Lake City Artists! Woo! Who's laughing about the color-coded spreadsheet now? I know what I'm making! How about you?

I checked in at Signed & Numbered on Friday, and I had sold a couple things, which was most excellent. It seems that the yarny goodness is on an upswing. Now, how to maintain it? Hmm... ponderous.

Please come visit me at Craft Lake City August 13th, along with all the other amazing artists, who maybe also made spreadsheets. Follow this link to see them: http://www.craftlakecity.com/artists

Why am I still typing- I have to make a thousand things! Gahhh!!

Creating and Pondering

It's been an exciting couple of weeks on the yarn island. The amount of custom pieces is growing, along with my exposure. And, so lovely, as of Tuesday, Signed & Numbered in Salt Lake carries some of my yarny goodness. A big thanks to Shauna, the manager, for that one!

I'm still waiting- and by waiting, I mean checking my email every ten minutes- to hear if I have a spot at Craft Lake City for a second year. I already have a list of what I'm bringing. Yes, there will be gnomes...

Today is the first day of my mini-vacation, but I'm having trouble relaxing. It feels very strange to just sit here. I've poked around the intertubes, thought about teaching lessons again, and almost made a second, prettier list of what is going to Craft Lake. I seem to have forgotten how to do nothing.

Sigh...

For those of you (imaginary) readers who don't live around Salt Lake, there's a pretty good arts and crafts scene evolving here. I've been very surprised and humbled by some of the things I've seen. It makes me want to try harder. That being said, I'm bumping up against that big question that all artists and crafters come upon at some point- should I make this my main form of income? I can kind of see how it would look, what I would have to do, but I don't want to take that plunge on a "kind of."

I should come up with a business plan. Hey, isn't that kind of like a list? I like lists...

While you ponder my addiction to lists, turn your attention to today's picture- a blue and white baby owl, who you can pick up at Signed & Numbered on 21st and 21st!

The Wire

I can't stop playing with wire. Cancel that, I don't want to stop playing with wire. It's so easy! My fingers itch to make something with it every day. Want a good tutorial?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QZMh1YqX8GE

Carla will show you how, and if you're like me, also make you slap yourself for not trying it sooner. Soon, your fingers will be tarnished and your yarn will miss you. No foolin'. Last night's project was this beaded bracelet, which turned out so cute that I may have to keep it for myself.

Happy hooking!