A couple days ago I shared the story of how Moonwood Farm was inspiring me to give my packaging a more personal touch. Today a customer purchased one of my Studio Mosaic skeins of yarn giving me the opportunity to try out my new design.
I've always used the sparkling green tissue and green paper to print off the invoice. The origami fold with my business card neatly tucked in is also part of my standard. What's new is the sachet of lavender (avert your eyes for one moment my sweet friend Jags {she's allergic to lavender}) which I rolled up to look like a little rosette. I hope some will make the connection between the rose shape and the name of my shop.
Then I tied it all together like a present using the yarn I made to match the fabric of the flower. I went one step farther when I was blocking this yarn, I scented it with a little lavender essential oil. The yarn really held on to the essence of the fragrance and smells amazing. (I'm now planning to make a few select yarns scented with essential oils. I'll keep them separate from the rest, but for me personally, I'd love to sit and crochet accompanied by the aromatic bouquet of lavender. Other scents too.)So here is the present my customer will receive in the mail. I love that my origami fold not only provides a place for my business card, but also a little niche for my sachet. I also love the fact that handspun yarn is being packaged with handspun yarn. It just seems right.
That's right. One's a skein. Two's a line! LOL! Here's my second Studio Mosaic Yarn. This one weighs 2oz and is more of a sport yarn. It measures a healthy 161 yards; enough to do a smaller project from start to finish!
Though I'm drawing from the same stash, each Studio Mosaic Yarn takes on it's own personality. They are all loaded with color, 8 to 10 shades, and though spun as evenly as I can, the different fibers will offer their own unique feel. Should make for an interesting creation!
Now that Victoria (my wheel) and I have become well acquainted, we have been spending some nice quality time together.
My other wheel being occupied, I needed to come up with projects for Victoria and I to do together. This resulted in me going through my studio and collecting every piece of roving surplus and making a nice big pile. I figured that an idea would come to me when I saw all the fiber together and it did! "I'll use it all!"
So I decided to make a multi-colored single taking advantage of all the colors and various fibers in my stash. While spinning, I came up with the name Studio Mosaic which seemed perfect since I was assembling small pieces of colored material from my studio.
So here is my first Studio Mosaic. I had so much fun making it, I've already got another one drying and a third in production. This one weighs 1.5 oz and measures 100 yds. It's a single and a little heavier than a sport and lighter than a worsted, so I think it would best be described as a light worsted.
This yarn is such a blend that I wasn't sure how it would feel, so I was really happy to have it turn out nice and soft. I guess I shouldn't be surprised since most of the fibers are soft, like Merino, Tussah Silk, Alpaca, Mohair. There are also a couple fibers with a little more texture like Romney, but the silky fibers seem to prevail. I think this yarn will appeal to the fiber lovers out there. I hope they will enjoy encountering all of the different colors and textures as they work with my Studio Mosaic Yarn.
A couple weeks ago I blogged about taking the plunge and buying a new travel wheel. After much consideration I chose the Victoria by Louet. In case this pic is driving you crazy, it's made in Holland. I'm already a Louet owner, my main wheel being their S10 DT, so I felt confident that I would like the Victoria.
For a week I anticipated it's arrival. I checked the tracking and watched as it departed New York and made its way across the country. When it finally made it to my doorstep, I was having such a busy day, I had to set it aside. Each time I walked past the box, I longed to stop and open it, but I wanted to wait until I had enough time to savor the experience. Late that night I managed to take it out of the box and assemble the few pieces. It was so well packaged and I just love the carrying case. My husband teased me as I adjusted the backpack straps as though I were getting ready to trek off then and there with my new toy.
Here she is. Isn't she a cutie? ...Still, by that night, I was really too tired to take her for a spin. However, my sachet project that I started a couple days ago, gave me the perfect opportunity to try her out. I had two ounces of Corriedale dyed and ready to become a 2ply for me to use as ties for my sachets. It's just the sort of small task I needed to acquaint myself with this new wheel.
Let me tell you, it's a good thing I had a practice project because it took me some time to get used to the flyer driven, scotch tension wheel after my bobbin driven S10. I learned to spin on such a wheel, but it's been a long time. I was halfway through my second ounce before it began to feel comfortable again. 
Here's a picture of my 2ply still on the niddy noddy. It's far from the best yarn I've ever produced, but it will do the job I require of it. On the right is an arial shot of the bobbin on the flyer. You see that slit in the middle of the bobbin? That must be a new design for Louet because the bobbins that came with my S10 a few years back had a lead attached.
I very much approve of this new way to attach a lead since within a week of purchasing my S10, my youngest son came along with a pair of scissors and cut the leads off my bobbins. (to him they looked like tags on new clothes that should be removed) I was very sad. So I doubt it was part of their consideration in the redesign, but these new bobbins are fabulously kid proof. Yea!
The picture on the right gives you a better look at the scotch tension. Once you get the hang of it, it gives you very nice control over your twist. And do you see that little leather strap sticking up off the main post? That's all you need to pick up this lightweight baby and carry her away.
8:30PM local time, wherever you live on planet earth. Saturday 28 March 2009I've been planning on participating, but with my husband out of town and the kids, house and work distracting me, I almost forgot. Thank you agoodwitchtoo!
So pass the word. Blog, Facebook, Tweet!
...and get those candles ready! Click on the image to join the movement and be counted.
Inspiration can come from almost anywhere or anything. There have been many different theories about inspiration throughout the centuries and creative people often have strong feelings about the concept itself. Some seek inspiration and feel lost without it while others avoid anything that may compromise the integrity of their original thought.
I think inspiration is very personal and whether it be a tiny spark or an explosion of energy, I relish the feeling of being inspired. I love that the word literally means "breathed upon". For me, it's a short stride from that notion to a larger connection to life itself. Inspiration... Breath...Life!You may have guessed by now that I'm feeling inspired today. It came to me in the form of a small box from Moonwood Farm. I just made a trade with Moonwood; some of my Night Blue Soy for a couple ounces of Milk fiber also known as Latte Top. It wasn't the milk fiber that caused the stir, but this seller's creative packaging. She had included a couple surprise treats for me. There was a small sample of the wool batts she makes using my soy silk, a little hand knotted bracelet made partly from Alpaca fiber (no doubt from the Alpacas she raises) and a little sachet of lavender. What I really loved was the simplicity of the packaging and the homemade quality it possessed. I could picture the hands tying the twine around my little wool batt. I was touched. I think that maybe part of the reason I was so struck is because I've been thinking about putting lavender sachets in with my sales. I think it would be nice to open the mailing envelope and be greeted by the lovely bouquet of lavender flowers. So here I've been thinking about it, but Moonwood Farm is already doing it. So I want to thank my friend over at Moonwood for two things. First, for the motivation to just do what I've been planning on doing. More importantly, I want to thank her for inspiring me to give the idea my own personal touch. Before I was just planning to buy sachets and fill them with lavender. It would be nice, but it wouldn't say anything about me. I am a spinner and a dyer, so today I dyed my own fabric and wool. I'll put the lavender into squares of the silk and spin the wool to make ties. I'm feeling good about following through with an idea that I've been carrying around with me and even better about making it my own.
Inspiration. It's really about more than lavender sachets. I've been inspired to think about how I can make my business even more personal and connect to my buyers. I'm going to make this one of my goals for this year: Growing my business and keeping it personal.
I'm a fall baby, but there is just something I love about Spring. I used to think it was because I lived in VA where the winters can be pretty wet and gray. I used to plant pansies just to have a little color in my winter garden and feel a sense of gratitude towards the evergreen trees for their colorful comfort.
Now I live on the outskirts of Phoenix in what is called the Valley of the Sun. I can no longer complain about long gray winters, but I still feel such a happiness when Spring comes. I'm just goofy for this time of year I guess. I love the flowering fruit trees, the baby lizards bravely scaling the walls to feel the sun and the pairing birds looking for good nesting spots.
As if called outside, I find myself photographing my work in the grass. This week I took new pictures of my Designer Singles for which I already had perfectly good listings. I just couldn't resist finding a pristine patch of green and cradle my roving there as though it were a perfectly natural part of the landscape.
Yes, I'm growing roving. What does your Spring garden grow?
Man I've been busy the last couple days! Last week I felt like the universe was torturing me because I was 5 sales away from 1,000 for the longest time. You can almost reach your goal... but not quite. Mean! Then, as it always goes, not only do I hit that coveted sales mark, but all my lovely customers appear at once and there's just no delegating in a sole proprietorship. Help! So for the last couple days, I've been working hard, trying to get some dyeing done while my plumber kept me guessing as to whether or not he'd have the water turned on. My plumber is a nice guy, but it seems to take him 2 or 3 trys to get the job done. Ack!Though some of the dye work I was doing was custom, I never forget the rest of my shoppers over at Wind Rose Fiber Studio, so here are some new goodies:
Two new shades of Merino/Silk (50/50) in Crimson and Princely Purple.
Two new sparkling Firestar colors ~ Burnt Orange and Emerald Green.
While I was dyeing away, I decided to make a new Color Blend. This new combination is Golden Ochre and Emerald. I was losing the light a little by the time I took this picture, so I'll have to update it tomorrow.
In addition to these newbies, I've been restocking my Merino Skin Tone colors and have been listing some Soy Silk. There's fiber all over the place around here!
On this day of basking in the afterglow of 1,000 items sold, I'd like to draw your attention to two good friends of mine. They are far from new to the world of crafting, but they are both in the process of refashioning their Etsy shops and I predict that they are ones to watch!
I am the proud owner of these delightful daisies. You can find more exceptional earrings like these at SunFrog Originals which is also the current home of mimi originals, this break-out jewelry line.
As someone who has dabbled in making her own jewelry, I am so impressed by the quality of Mimi's work. Her hand crafted ear wires and seamlessly joined adornments make my smashed crimp beads look like child's play. When you've got, you've got it!This is an artist that can quilt and sew and craft with an incredible eye for color and detail. I love my mimi originals and I'm on the lookout for what she'll do next!I am pleased to call this next artist neighbor as well as friend. Her shop, The Pink Armadillo, displays her wonderful wire work. This bracelet she simply calls Arizona. An assemblage of turquoise and silver, this piece showcases the colors of our desert home.
These days Michele is very busy reorganizing her work into three Etsy stores. In addition to the Pink Armadillo, her work can also be found in Sew Tuni, home of her hand sewn creations and Urban Yarn Junkie where you'll find her knitted, crocheted and felted items.
As if that were not enough to keep one woman busy, she has also started up a blog which also goes by the name Urban Yarn Junkie. Pay a visit and you are welcomed by a striking picture of her hand painted yarn drying in the sun.
These Etsy Shops, created by two uniquely gifted women, are just building up steam. I for one can't wait to see them take off!
Last night Wind Rose Fiber Studio reached a major milestone, 1,000 items sold! This picture of a felted hair clip is the first thing I ever sold. It sold on Dec. 17, 2007, nine days after I opened my shop and the buyer was my big sister Judy.
Today I want to thank Judy and the rest of my family and everyone who has supported me along the way. Your encouragement has sustained me and made me feel like my dreams are possible. That's a gift I will cherish always and try to return in kind.
Thank you all so much!
A couple days ago I shared the story of how Moonwood Farm was inspiring me to give my packaging a more personal touch. Today a customer purchased one of my Studio Mosaic skeins of yarn giving me the opportunity to try out my new design.
